It’s spooky season, which means it’s time for all the spooky events! If scares are not your forte, check out these fests, trivia nights, boo bashes and more for the Halloween fanatic. To add a little more fright to your night, check out the Haunted Houses blog!
Fright Light Laser Light Show
October 30, 2021
Challenger Learning Center, 2300 173rd St., Hammond
Enjoy a laser light show in your best Halloween costume! This event is for all ages, although some songs or images may be a little frightening. Tickets must be purchased in advance here.
Pumpkins, Witches, and Hayrides ... Oh My!
October 2, 2021
Centennial Park, 1005 S. Centennial Dr, Munster
Bring the whole family for a night of games, costume contests, candy, pumpkin picking and so much more at Pumpkins, Witches and Hayrides!
Serial Killer Trivia
October 6, 2021
Lambstone Cellars Winery, 1555 West Lincolnway, Valparaiso
Test your skills in this trivia game with a spooky theme.
Wickedly Whiting
October 8-9, 2021
119th Street, Whiting
This popular Whiting festival is back with eerie vendors, haunted characters, food, beer garden and plenty of family-friendly entertainment, too!
Ghost Hunting Tour
October 14 and 21, 2021
Hobart Art Theater, 230 Main St., Hobart
Before it was a movie theater the location has a history going back to 1870 when the Hobart House Hotel was built at the site. Take part in two nights of ghost hunting inside the Hobart Art Theatre!
Trunk or Treat and Movie Night
October 15, 2021
Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 Meridian Rd., Valparaiso
Sunset Hill will be hosting a fun trunk-or-treat for the whole family! Then you can enjoy a classic Halloween movie at a drive-in showing of Hocus Pocus at 6:00 p.m.
NWI Storytelling Festival
October 16, 2021
Wilson Shelter at Indiana Dunes State Park, 1600 N 25 E, Chesterton
Listen to spooky ghost tales from the Northwest Indiana Storytelling Guild at the Nature Center for NWI Storytelling Festival.
Fall Harvest Festival
October 16, 2021
Central Park Plaza, 68 Lafayette St., Valparaiso
Enjoy fall themed interactive events such as a pumpkin bounce house, pumpkin painting, caramel apple dipping and more at the Fall Harvest Festival!
Full Moon Hike
October 22, 2021
Nature Center - Indiana Dunes State Park, 1600 N 25 E, Chesterton
Learn about the moon and then take a two mile hike under a full moon at the Indiana Dunes.
Boo at the Zoo
October 23, 24 and 31, 2021
Washington Park Zoo, 115 Lake Shore Dr., Michigan City
This “merry-not-scary” event returns to Washington Park Zoo for guests of all ages. Take in the festive decorations, photo opportunities and see the animals get a holiday treat at Boo at the Zoo!
Boo Bash
October 23, 2021
Prairie West Park, 11999 W. 93rd Ave., St. John
This family-friendly Boo Bash will have all your favorite Halloween activities like trick-or-treating, games, train rides, pumpkin decorating and much more!
Horror Films Trivia Night
October 27, 2021
Four Father Brewing, 3705 Bowman Dr., Suite B, Valparaiso
Think you’re a horror movie buff? Test your knowledge at this trivia night!
"Howl"oween in the Dunes
October 27, 2021
Nature Center - Indiana Dunes State Park, 1600 N 25 E, Chesterton
Enjoy everything fun, fall and spooky on this festive day at the Indiana Dunes State Park.
Haunted Hayride
October 21-23, 2021
Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Rd., Portage
Hop on the hayride through Woodland Park past scary scenes created by local organizations! This is a very popular event so they may have to close the line early if it gets too busy. Check their facebook event page for updates.
Witches in the Woods 5K
October 29, 2021
Lake County Fairgrounds, 889 S. Court St., Crown Point
Don your costumes and bring a flashlight to race through the woods at night. For the kids there will be Best Costume prizes and a Candy Dash! After the race, gather around the bonfire for ghost stories. Register online here.
Haunted Trails and Family Fall Fest
October 31, 2021
Friendship Botanic Gardens, 2055 East US Highway 12, Michigan City
Get dressed up for Halloween and enjoy family-friendly scares, trick-or-treating, and games in the beautiful Friendship Botanic Gardens!
Craving More?
Can you believe this isn’t even a full list of spooky events going on? Find even more on our events page here.
Whether you snap a picture with your favorite horror movie character, have the best costumes ever, or catch your friends getting scared, make sure to share your photos with us at #AlongTheSouthShore!
Haunted Houses
Looking for something to make your heart race? View our blog on haunted houses in the region.
More Family Fun
Get Outside This Spring in Northwest Indiana
- 3 min read
The snow is melting, the flowers are blooming outside, and the sun is peeking out from the chilly winter…
Spring Break along the South Shore
- 3 min read
Spring Break is here, and there is nothing worse than a house full of bored kiddos for a week. Luckily, there…
Easter Brunch & Events in Northwest Indiana
- 4 min read
Eureka! You have come across our list featuring 2022 Easter Sunday brunches and events throughout Northwest…
Maple Syrup Time in Northwest Indiana
- 1 min read
Every March, maple trees in the South Shore awaken with the warmer days of springtime and the sap begins to…
Snow Day Indoor Activities in Northwest Indiana
- 3 min read
Winter is here, and you don’t want to be caught with the classic “I’m bored…
8 of our Favorite Sledding and Cross-Country Skiing Spots in Northwest Indiana
- 4 min read
The snow is here! Will you be building a snowman, holiday shopping, or curling up on the couch to binge-watch…
A to Z List of Things to Do this Winter in Northwest Indiana
- 6 min read
Don’t let the chilly air hold you hostage in your home! Get out and explore the South Shore’s…
Top 5 Winter Activities Along Indiana's South Shore
- 3 min read
Winter is here, and lucky for us we have so many fun things to do all around Northwest Indiana. If you are…