15 Best Cities For Celebrating Halloween In The United States
Halloween is a holiday filled with excitement and fun for all ages. For children, it’s a thrilling experience to dress up in costumes, go trick-or-treating, and enjoy mountains of candy. On the other hand, adults can get in on the fun by attending festive parties, exploring haunted houses, going on ghost tours, or simply accompanying kids for trick-or-treating.
No matter how you prefer to spend Halloween, if you’re like me and enjoy visiting new places to experience their unique and festive celebrations, I’ve got the perfect suggestions. Below is a carefully curated list of the best cities in the United States to celebrate Halloween.
1. Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is the Halloween capital of the United States. This is mainly because it has spooky origins. If you are a history buff like myself, you probably know that in 1692 and 1693, Salem was famous for its Witch Trials. It was believed that many people were practicing witchcraft, and nineteen of them were publicly executed.
Today, Salem leans into its rich witchy past by hosting the Salem Haunted Happenings. Hundreds, of thousands, of people come together dressed in costumes to celebrate Halloween with parades, vendors, tours, haunted houses, museums, rides, and more. People of all ages, young and old, visit Salem for the ultimate Halloween celebration.
2. Sleepy Hollow, New York
Another eerie yet exciting place to visit for Halloween is Sleepy Hollow, New York. The town offers a variety of festive events for both children and adults. One of the standout attractions is The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, where over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins are illuminated against the backdrop of historic buildings. It’s truly a sight to take in.
Sleepy Hollow is also, famous for its Haunted Hayrides, cemetery walking tours, the Headless Horseman Ball, and the Glass Pumpkin Patch, featuring over 1,000 beautifully crafted glass pumpkins. Additionally, the Sleepy Hollow Halloween 10K is a popular event for athletes. With so many unique and spooky activities, Sleepy Hollow is a dream destination for Halloween lovers.
3. Anoka, Minnesota
Next on the list is Anoka, Minnesota, a town famous for its month-long Halloween celebrations. Beginning at the start of October and continuing through Halloween, Anoka offers various festive activities. Highlights include a pumpkin weigh-off, where you can marvel at some of the largest pumpkins in the state, and children’s costume and pumpkin carving contests.
The town also hosts a nighttime parade, the Anoka Halloween Medallion Hunt, paint nights, trick-or-treating, and much more. As a toddler mom, I especially appreciate how Anoka goes the extra mile to offer events tailored specifically for young children, unlike some destinations focusing more on haunted experiences better suited for adults or older kids.
4. New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana is the place to be if you’re searching for ghosts, goblins, voodoo, and haunted houses with a lively party atmosphere and pub crawls. Bourbon Street and the entire French Quarter come alive with spooky festivities and great drinks, making it a perfect destination for adult Halloween fun. You might want to consider leaving the kids at home for this one.
However, if you plan to visit New Orleans with children, I’d recommend steering clear of the party-heavy areas. Instead, kids can still have a fantastic time at places like the Louisiana Children’s Museum, where they can dress up, paint pumpkins, and enjoy family-friendly activities.
5. Manitou Springs, Colorado
For a truly, unique Halloween event, check out the Emma Crawford Coffin Races in Manitou Springs, Colorado. This quirky annual event honors the 1929 incident when heavy rain and snowmelt caused Emma Crawford’s coffin to slide down Red Mountain. Now, it’s transformed into a fun, lively race where participants dress up and race “coffins” through town to see who can cross the finish line the fastest.
The event combines fascinating local history with an unforgettable atmosphere. Although I didn’t get to attend while living in Colorado, I’ve heard great things about the exciting, wild energy that fills the town during the races.
6. St. Helens, Oregon
Have you ever seen the Disney movie Halloweentown? If so, you might be excited to know it was filmed in, St. Helens, Oregon. During the Halloween season, the town has fully embraced its Halloweentown fame. From late September through the end of October, St. Helens transforms to, closely resemble the movie, with buildings throughout town, decked out in festive decorations and replicas of the giant pumpkin, taxi, and other props from the movie on display. Walking through the streets feels like strolling into the film itself.
In addition to the immersive atmosphere, the town hosts trick-or-treating, costume contests, live performances, haunted houses, and more! It’s a unique experience, especially for fans of the movie.
7. Independence, Kansas
The small town of Independence, Kansas, hosts the annual Neewollah festival, a tradition that dates back to 1919. If you’re wondering about the quirky name, it’s simply “Halloween” spelled backward. Initially created over a century ago to encourage the townspeople to focus on fun rather than pranks, the festival has grown into Kansas’ largest annual celebration, spanning nine days.
Visitors can enjoy food vendors, a carnival, nightly entertainment, a chili cook-off, multiple parades, and more. It’s an ideal destination for anyone looking to experience a small town that truly comes alive during Halloween and an excellent chance to be part of a celebration that’s been around for over 100 years.
8. Buena Park, California
Located in Buena Park, Knott’s Berry Farm is another excellent spot for Halloween. The farm offers a perfect blend of family fun and eerie thrills. Knott’s Spooky Farm is ideal for families with young children or anyone looking for a lighter, less scary atmosphere. Guests can enjoy costumed characters, trick-or-treating, entertaining shows, and more.
On the other hand, Knott’s Scary Farm is geared toward older kids (13+) and adults. It features haunted houses, creepy creatures, and terrifying sights. It’s an ideal destination for those seeking family-friendly and, thrilling experiences in Southern California.
9. Las Vegas, Nevada
Unsurprisingly, Las Vegas, Nevada, is best enjoyed without the kids. Known for its adult-oriented entertainment, Vegas offers everything from clubs and gambling to shows, haunted attractions, and upscale Halloween balls.
If you’re seeking a wild, ghostly, and unforgettable Halloween experience, Vegas is the place to be.
10. Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida, is known for its incredible theme parks that, fully embrace Halloween with festive decorations and celebrations. While the city offers local attractions and events, its true Halloween magic comes from its major theme parks, including Universal Studios and Disney World, which transform for the season.
Universal Studios is famous for Halloween Horror Nights, an event for adults and kids over 13. Visitors can explore ten haunted houses, five scare zones, and much more, making it the ideal destination for those seeking a spooky and spine-chilling experience. On the other hand, Disney World offers a more family-friendly option with Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Here, guests can enjoy Disney characters in costume, unlimited trick-or-treating, fireworks, and charming fall decorations. It’s perfect for those who prefer a fun, less frightening celebration.
11. Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the perfect destination for a blend of, laid-back, Halloween vibes and spooky thrills. Throughout October, the city goes all out with various events.
Adults can enjoy zombie bar crawls, live concerts, and 21+ parties. Families can participate in trunk-or-treating, Halloween-themed activities at the Dallas Zoo, and festive fun at the Dallas Arboretum, complete with trick-or-treating, live music, and a petting zoo. No matter your age, Dallas offers something for everyone to enjoy during Halloween.
12. Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is famous for its haunted history, making it an ideal destination for Halloween. While you could bring the kids and enjoy some family-friendly trick-or-treating in specific neighborhoods, I’d recommend leaving them with a babysitter to fully, experience the city’s eerie side.
Savannah comes alive during Halloween with haunted attractions and lively parties. There are numerous ghost tours to explore, and you’ll find plenty of pub crawls with a spooky twist. Visitors can also check out the city’s many haunted cemeteries, adding to the thrill of the season.
13. Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky, is another exciting spot to visit during Halloween. The city hosts various festive events from September through early November, all centered around the Halloween season. You’ll find everything from haunted houses and fun runs to ghost tours and haunted hikes throughout the city.
One of the standout events is the Jack O’Lantern Spectacular, where Iroquois Park transforms into a glowing wonderland with over 5,000 carved pumpkins lighting up the woods. It’s a unique sight and a fun way to embrace the autumn season.
14. Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina, is a fantastic destination to explore during the fall season. The city is one of my favorites because it sits in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, and the vibrant fall foliage brings the area to life with stunning shades of yellow, red, and orange. Plus, the town offers a variety of events for both adults and children, making it perfect for any group.
Adults can enjoy Halloween-themed bars, breweries, pub crawls, haunted houses, eerie tours, and markets. Families can partake in fun activities like corn mazes, art classes, pumpkin patches, and trick-or-treating. With breathtaking views and many celebrations, Asheville is the perfect mountain town for everyone to enjoy.
15. Williamsburg, Virginia
Last but certainly not least is Williamsburg, Virginia. Like many other destinations listed, Williamsburg offers local trick-or-treating spots and Halloween-themed activities around town. However, what sets it apart is its annual Howl-O-Scream event.
From September 6th to November 3rd, Busch Gardens in Williamsburg transforms after 6 PM into a haunted, eerie experience. This creepy, fun event is designed for adults and older children and features haunted houses, spooky shows, night rides on roller coasters, and more. I visited in middle school, and highly recommend it to anyone seeking a fun and frightening Halloween experience.
