Hauntings, history, horror movies & more: 20 ways to celebrate Halloween in Muskegon
It’s the spookiest time of the year, and here in Muskegon there are plenty of ways to indulge your love of fright and horror–or just have some Halloween fun. These events have something for everyone, from history buffs and theater lovers to scary movie aficionados and families on the lookout for kid-friendly festivities.
Muskegon Legends & Lore Walking Tour
What: Join the Lakeshore Museum for a tour featuring Muskegon, lore, legends and scandals. You’ll hear stories of ghosts, gangsters, and assassinations that have taken place in the downtown area.
When: Thursday, Oct. 11, 5:30-7pm.
Where: The event will kick off at the Hackley and Hume Historic Site courtyard, move on to the Frauenthal Theater, and end at 18th Amendment for a drink and final tale.
Cost: $20 for Lakeshore Museum members and $25 for non-members. Adults only; ticket includes one drink at 18th Amendment. To register, click here, purchase tickets at the museum’s store, or call 231-722-0278.
Humans vs. Zombies at Hackley Public Library
What: Mmm, brains! The Hackley Public Library will once again hold its zombie apocalypse game of tag, when human players will have to defend themselves against an infestation of zombies with socks and dart blasters (there will be no realistic-looking weaponry). Participants must be 16 years or older. Please bring a bandana and a foam dart blaster or sock.
When: Tuesday, Oct. 30. Participants should arrive at 7:30pm to go over rules. The game will start shortly after 8pm and will run about 90 minutes.
Where: Hackley Public Library, 316 W. Webster Ave.
Cost: Free, but space is limited to 50 players. Registration is required. For more information, go here, and to register, click here.
What: Members of the Muskegon Lakeshore Figure Skating Club will present a free, family-friendly Halloween Figure Skating Showcase for the community. The first 100 children (age 10 and under) will receive Halloween treat bags. The costumed skaters will present routines to “Ghostbusters,” “Thriller,” “Evil Like Me,” “Let It Go,” the Harry Potter theme, and much more.
When: Sunday, Oct. 28 at 3:45pm
Where: Lakeshore Sports Centre, 4470 Airline Rd.
Cost: Free. For more information, please click here for the Facebook event page or here for the Muskegon Lakeshore Figure Skating Club’s website.
What: The ninth annual City of the Dead event celebrates Muskegon’s history through the reenactment of the famous “residents” of Evergreen Cemetery, which includes the graves of Charles Hackley, Thomas Hume and Captain Jonathan Walker. This year’s event will feature, among others, a young boy who is buried in the “Potter’s Field;” Mrs. Luella Marsh Bradbury, who rests in the mausoleum; and Adelphia Grace Ward, the founder of the Ladies of the Modern Maccabees in 1886. Learn more about the cemetery here.
When: Saturday, Oct. 13 from 5-8pm; Sunday, Oct. 14 from 2-4pm.
Where: Evergreen Cemetery, 400 Irwin Ave.
Cost: $5 per ticket; children under 6 years old are free. For more information, call 231-755-2932, email cityofthedeadmuskegon@gmail.com, or visit their website and Facebook page.
Obituary Tours at the Hackley and Hume Historic Site
What: On a candlelit evening tour, travel back in time and explore the deaths, funerals, and autopsies that occurred in the Hackley and Hume houses. You’ll experience a reenactment of Julia Hackley’s funeral service and become immersed in the practices and traditions of death and dying in the Victorian era.
When: Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27. Both days will have two sessions: one from 7-8pm and the second from 8:30-9:30pm.
Where: Hackley and Hume Historic Site, 484 W. Webster Ave.
Cost: $20 for non-members or $15 for Lakeshore Museum members. RSVP required; for reservations, call Aaron Mace at 231-724-5534 or email him at aaron@lakeshoremuseum.org.
What: Strap yourself in; this is going to be one scary ride. Van’s annual haunted car wash is not only a verified fright fest, it also raises money each year for an organization doing amazing work in our community. Last year, Van’s raised more than $5,000 for the Child Abuse Council of Muskegon.
When: Thursday, Oct. 25 through Saturday, Oct. 27; 7-9pm each day.
Where: Van’s, 2226 E. Apple Ave.
Cost: $10 per car; click here for more information.
What: Deck yourself out in your best costume for the second annual All Hallow’s Gala at Watermark 920, which will feature live music from Pop Fiction, a full cash bar, food, and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 27 from 7pm to 12am.
Where: Watermark 920, 920 Washington Ave.
Cost: $10 for advance tickets; $15 for day-of tickets. You must be 21 years old or over. Click here for tickets.
‘Halloween’ at Celebration! Cinema Carousel
What: Grab a beer and watch the classic 1978 slasher film “Halloween,” starring Jamie Lee Curtis and Donald Pleasance. This screening is part of the Founders Film Series, which pairs movies and beers–for this film, you’ll be able to sip on Founders’ Backwoods Bastard (which means you need to be 21 and over to attend).
When: Wednesday, Oct. 31 at 8pm.
Where: Celebration! Cinema Carousel, 4289 Grand Haven Rd.
Cost: $2 per ticket, not including the beer.
‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’ at Harbor Cinema
What: Get out your wigs and fishnet stockings: it’s “Rocky Horror Picture Show” time! The Denton High Drama Club will put on their annual production of the cult classic at Harbor Cinema. So, dress up as your favorite character and join an always enthusiastic crowd for the night of fun and revelry.
When: Saturday, Oct. 20. Doors open at 11pm, pre-show is at 11:30pm, and the movie will be shown at 12am.
Where: Harbor Cinema, 1937 Lakeshore Dr.
Cost: $10 per ticket.
Haunted Trail at Michigan’s Heritage Park
What: While this isn’t in Muskegon, it is part of the Lakeshore Museum Center and is another fright fest in our area that’s not to be missed. You’ll tour the park at night and navigate your way through history’s gruesome and chilling legends, myths and stories. With 10,000 years of horror, nothing is off the table during this two-night event. Good luck making it through the dark!
When: Friday, Oct. 26 and Saturday, Oct. 27, 7:30-10pm.
Where: Michigan’s Heritage Park, 8637 N. Durham Rd., Whitehall
Cost: $15 per person. Ages 13 and over recommended; parents must accompany children 13 and under. For tickets, please go here.
The Zombie Apocalypse is Coming to Muskegon
What: Deck yourself out in your best zombie gear: the fifth annual Knowsmoke Zombie Walk will terrorize the town–and educate the community on the dangers of smoking. After the walk, all zombies are invited to Heritage Landing for an afternoon of festivities, including treats, a monster dance, costume prizes, and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 12pm.
Where: Check-in takes place at Heritage Landing, Shoreline Drive and 7th Street.
Cost: Free. Please register here.
Halloween at the Getty Drive-in
What: Deck yourself out in a costume, hop in your car, and prepare to be scared (or just have fun): the Getty Drive-in is hosting four Halloween-themed movies. Presented by the Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts and Celebration! Cinema, the evening will include screenings of: “Beetlejuice,” “Hotel Transylvania,” “Psycho,” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Before the movies get going, families can travel through the parking lot trick-or-treating at neighboring cars. Guests are encouraged to decorate their trunks and bring candy to share with youngsters dressed in costume.
When: Friday, Oct. 26.
- 6-7pm: Trunk-or-treating
- 7pm: Beetlejuice (1988), all ages, PG
- 7pm: Hotel Transylvania (2012), all ages, PG
- 8pm: Psycho (1960), rated R
- 9pm: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), rated R
Where: Getty Drive-in, 920 E. Summit Ave.
Cost: Adults $7, children (six to 12 years old) $5, children five and under are free. Tickets will be available beginning Friday, Oct. 5 at celebrationcinema.com and at the Getty Drive-in theatre’s box office the night of the evening.
Halloween Party at the Lighthouse
What: Bring the whole family to this free trick-or-treating event at the Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse. Kids who come in costume (be sure it’s safe for climbing) can stay and climb the lighthouse for free in the company of an adult (admission fees apply to adults). Children must be at least three feet tall to climb. There will be games, prize giveaways for best costume, treats, and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 27, 3:30-6:30pm.
Where: Muskegon South Pierhead Lighthouse, 1431 Beach St.
Cost: The trick-or-treating is free. Children in costume may climb lighthouse for free. Adults and children not in costume will need to pay admission to climb, $2 to $4; cash only.
The Haunted Hall at the Lakes Mall
What: As the Haunted Hall at the Lakes Mall says on its website: welcome to your deepest fears. The Haunted Hall is back this year, and it’s scarier than ever. There are four separate sections, including the Muskegon State Hospital, the meatpacking plant, the tunnels of terror, and the evil circus.
When: Open every Friday and Saturday in October, 7-11pm.
Where: The Lakes Mall, 5600 Harvey St.
Cost: $15 per person. Tickets can be purchased at the door.
Muskegon State Park Fall Harvest Fest
What: Muskegon State Park is holding its annual fall harvest festival, which will include games, face painting, campsite decorating, a costume parade, and prizes. All registered campers are invited to participate.
When: Saturday, Oct. 13, 10am-8pm
Where: Muskegon State Park, 3560 Memorial Dr.
Cost: Free for registered campers. Campsite prices vary; see the options here. To make a camping reservation, click here or call 1-800-447-2757.
Monster Mash Boo Bash at the Jumpin’ Jupiter Skate Center
What: Wear your favorite costume and get free admission at the Jumpin’ Jupiter Skate Center’s Monster Mash Boo Bash.
When: Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6-8:30pm.
Where: Jumpin’ Jupiter Skate Center, 1775 Evanston Ave.
Cost: Free admission for children in costume. $3 admission for those without costumes. Prices vary for skate rentals, bounce quest activity, and kiddie cart rentals. See all the details here.
Howloween Open House at the Howling Timbers Animal Sanctuary
What: The Howling Timbers Animal Sanctuary invites the public to its Howloween Open House, which will include hay rides, a petting farm, face painting, games, prizes, refreshments, the opportunity to meet its animals, and more. Howling Timbers provides lifelong sanctuary to wolves, wolf dogs, and farm and exotic animals that have been neglected, abused, abandoned, or relinquished by their previous owner.
When: Sunday, Oct. 21, 1-5pm.
Where: Howling Timbers Animal Sanctuary, 6806 Evanston Ave.
Cost: $20 per adult and $5 per child.
What: The Watermark 920’s fifth annual Little Goblins Boo Bash is making Halloween a whole lot more adorable than scary. The event includes a costume parade (make sure the little ones are dressed up!), light snacks and beverages, crafting stations, a cookie decorating station, music, and more.
When: Friday, Oct. 26, 6-8pm.
Where: Watermark 920, 920 Washington Ave.
Cost: $5 per ticket at the door. Children two and under are free. Children must be accompanied by an adult. You can also purchase tickets at The Coffee Factory or by clicking here.
Smashing Pumpkins Friday Family Fun Night at the Lakeshore Museum Center
What: Calling all artists! Kids and their families are invited to the Lakeshore Museum Center’s Smashing Pumpkins Friday Family Fun Night, when children can paint their own pumpkin and then take it home or smash it. At the same time, the museum will be celebrating the opening of its newest exhibit, Collection by Color. Be one of the first to explore the exhibit and enjoy learning more about pumpkins and the color orange.
When: Friday, Oct. 19, 5:30-7:30pm
Where: Lakeshore Museum Center, 430 W. Clay Ave.
Cost: Free for Muskegon County residents and museum members; $3 for non-residents.
Muskegon Farmers Market & Western Market Halloween Bash
What: Come join what’s certain to be a fun day of festivities at the Muskegon Farmers Market and Western Market. There will be a parade, pumpkin decorating, games, prizes, sidewalk art, music, and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 27, 11am-1pm. Parade begins at 11am from the Muskegon Farmers Market stage.
Where: Muskegon Farmers Market, 242 W. Western Ave., and Western Market, Western Avenue in downtown Muskegon.
Cost: Free
Did we miss a favorite Halloween event of yours? Let us know, and we can add it to the list. Email our editor, Anna Gustafson, at muskegontimes@gmail.com.