Step aside, Salem and Sleepy Hollow. Though other cities seem to get more cred for their spooky spirit this time of year, we’ve got Edgar Allan Poe, the creation of the Ouija board, and the history of Fells Point as a haunted seaport (among other lore) on our side.
In fact, the travel pros at Only In Your State recently ranked Charm City No. 6 on their list of the top Halloweentowns in the U.S., taking into account not only our scary sites, but also the number of fall celebrations the area has to offer. Wouldn’t you know it, the study found that Baltimore has the second most Halloween events per capita in the country—which amounts to about 175 parties per 100,000 people.
To that end, allow us to present our annual monster list of Halloween happenings you can’t miss this season. From frights, bites, and movie nights to bar crawls, dance halls, and last calls, consider this your guide to having the best All Hallow’s Eve ever.
THE CLASSICS
10/14-17: Garden Glow
Lucky ticketholders will marvel in the magic of hundreds of jazzed-up jack-o-lanterns designed by the community, presented alongside live music, family-friendly fun, and eats and drinks for sale. Ladew Topiary Gardens. 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton. 5-9 p.m.
10/24: The Great Halloween Lantern Parade
March in this illuminating Patterson Park procession that has been beloved for its larger-than-life lanterns and inclusive community feel for more than 25 years. Before sunset, get parade-ready with arts and crafts, pop-up performances, and a kids’ costume contest. Patterson Park. Festival: 4 p.m. Parade: 7 p.m. Free.
10/24: Halloween Baltimore
The city’s biggest Halloween bash brings costumed Baltimoreans to the Maryland Science Center for nonstop live music in five of the museum’s spaces—including its planetarium, IMAX theater, and rooftop. This year’s lineup highlights faves like Talking Heads cover band Psycho Killers, DJs Rob Macy and James Nasty of Save Your Soul, funk supergroup The Future is Funk, and the lauded Naptown Brass Band. Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. $55-120.
10/29-30: Arbooretum
Cylburn Arboretum’s two-night spooky soiree offers moonlit nature walks, seasonal crafts, free face painting, and a chance to see the famed mansion decked out in all its Halloween glory. Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Ave. 5:30-7:30 p.m. $5-10
ROARING RAGERS
10/25: Howard Street Haunt
Romp around Remington for a full day of neighborhood hijinks, including seasonal vintage markets at the Ottobar and The Charmers Club; a costume party at Vision House; and a Ravens watch party at Sweet 27. Multiple locations including Ottobar. 2549 N. Howard St. Times and prices vary.
10/30: Offstage Presents: Noizu
Start Halloweekend on a high note with this late-night rave headlined by UK-born house music heavyweight Noizu. Power Plant Live. 34 Market Pl. 8 p.m. $51.
10/31: Mama Koko’s x Outer Space Greenhouse: Party N Bull$hit
There’s one rule for this year’s costume extravaganza at Hooper House in Old Goucher: icon energy only. Dress as your favorite film, television, or music legend and show up ready to rage. Mama Koko’s. 100 E. 23rd St. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $15.
10/31: Glam Disco Dance Party at Dutch Courage
Sip creepy cocktails, grab a bite, and enter into the costume contest ($10 per entry) before hitting the dance floor with DJ Es and That Rob Macy. Dutch Courage. 2229 N. Charles St. 8 p.m.-12 a.m. $10.
10/31: Cursed: A Coven Couture Halloween
Witchy wonder awaits at The Club Car in Station North, where revelers will enjoy drag, burlesque, DJ beats, and a cauldron of cocktail options. The Club Car. 12 W. North Ave. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $5 at the door.
10/31: Rocket to Venus Halloween Costume Party
After you trick or treat on the Avenue, duck into this Chestnut Avenue watering hole to shake your bones and show off your costume for cash prizes. Rocket to Venus. 3360 Chestnut Ave. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Free entry.
10/31: Surrealism at W.C. Harlan
For its Halloween night festivities, this Old Goucher haunt is transforming into a surrealist funhouse paying homage to “all things uncanny, paradoxical, absurd, and sublime.” W.C. Harlan. 400 W. 23rd St. 5 p.m.-1 a.m.
10/31: Rave to the Grave at The Point in Fells
If you’re partying with the departed souls still roaming around the waterfront in Fells, book it to The Point for a ghastly glow party featuring drink deals, live music, photo ops, and glow sticks galore. The Point in Fells. 1738 Thames St. 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Free entry.
10/31: Nightmare on Fort Ave at Don Tigre
Costumed party-goers at this Locust Point cantina will enjoy heart-thumping DJ beats all night long. The person with the best Halloween get-up will be awarded $200 cash. Don Tigre. 900 E. Fort Ave. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. $15.
10/31: Sweet Spot Gay Halloween Party
This deadly dance party—among the most popular of the year from the Sweet Spot crew—is creeping back into Station North. Strut into the crowd to show off your costume and belt to bangers all night long. Metro Baltimore. 1700 N. Charles St. 10 p.m. $20. Waitlist in effect.
10/31: Darkness Falls: A Halloween Vampire Soiree
Sharpen your fangs and head to Mt. Vernon’s chic Hotel Ulysses for an evening of cocktails, light bites, live jazz, DJ performances, and a costume contest. Ulysses. 2 E. Read St. 7 p.m. $70.
MYSTICAL MUSIC
10/1-18: Nevermore
Experience Edgar Allan Poe’s work as never seen before in this water-drenched dance and media performance inspired by “The Raven” and his other gothic masterpieces. The Voxel. 9 W. 25th St. Times vary. $25-75.
10/24: A Very No Land Beyond Halloween Battle of the Bands
An enchanted evening of jokes, jams, eats, drinks, tarot card readings, and, most importantly, nonstop live covers by three bands is in store for attendees at Station North’s board game bar. Be sure to bring gently used donations for the bar’s winter clothing drive. No Land Beyond. 108 W. North Ave. 7 p.m. Sliding scale admission: $5-15.
10/30-11/1: Psycho in Concert
The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs the iconic score of this Alfred Hitchcock thriller, bringing that hair-raising music to life alongside a screening of film. Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. 1212 Cathedral St. Fri. 7:30 p.m. Sun. 3 p.m. $29-133.
10/31: Halloween ATP
Come dressed in costume for this unique concert experience at Current Space, featuring local musicians performing ten-minute, one-time-only shows covering their favorite bands. Current Space, 421 N. Howard St. 6 p.m. $17.19-19.30.
10/31: Sun Ra Arkestra Halloween Spektacular
At Keystone Korner, tap your feet to an an epic Halloween celebration with this legendary outer-space jazz-meets-big-band musical collective. Keystone Korner, 1350 Lancaster St. 6 & 9 p.m. $55-65.
10/31: Monster Menagerie
Grab your most ghoulish garb for a dazzling show featuring all-star Baltimore drag performers, plus games, dance, and prizes for best costume. Manor Mill. 2029 Monkton Rd., Monkton. 7-10 p.m. $24-40.
BOO-ZE AND BITES
TO 10/31: Freaky Tiki’s Haunted Tiki Hut at SoPro
Upstairs at Sopro, immerse yourself in island-inspired snacks, chilling nautical decor, and the requisite cocktails in aged tiki vessels. The vibes, curated by the designers with The Otherside Creatives, give Spooky Island from Scooby Doo (2002)—which is fittingly the special feature for movie night on Oct. 19. SoPro. 3000 O’Donnell St. Tues.-Fri: 5-9 p.m. Sat.-Sun.: 12-9 p.m. Pay-as-you-go.
TO 10/31: The Nightmare Bar: A Burton-Inspired Halloween Pop-Up
The themed pop-ups continue at The Point in Towson, which is going all out with a Tim Burton experience this month. Re-watch your favorites and reserve a timeslot to take in the decor while ordering specialty eats and drinks—like the gummy bug-garnished Beetlejuce cocktail or the Edward Ciderhands house hard cider. The Point in Towson. 523 York Rd. Towson. Two-hour time slots vary. $15 entry.
10/15: Boos and Bites Bar Crawl to Fund Abortion Access
Nine bars throughout Remington, Old Goucher, and Station North will offer Halloween-themed specials on this self-led crawl to support Abortion Fund Maryland. Complete challenges at each spot for a chance to win prizes. Various locations. 5-9 p.m. Pay-as-you-go.
10/30: Disco Witch Cocktail Dinner at Sally O’s
The Highlandtown restaurant’s “Witch-tober” festivities culminate with a four-course dinner complete with potion (cocktail) pairings. Don’t be shy. All hats, brooms, and wands encouraged. Sally O’s. 3531 Gough St. $75.
10/31: The Cask of Amontillado at Bar Dalí
Upstairs at Bar Dali in Mt. Vernon, the Swann House events space will offer DJs, dancing, tapas, an open bar, and special sherry tastings. Staff will be on the lookout for the best dressed, with bonus points for Edgar Allan Poe’s doppleganger. Bar Dali. 909 N. Charles St. 8 p.m. Downstairs: Free admission. Ticketed upstairs celebration: $79-99
FREAKY FILMS
10/15, 10/22, & 10/29: Halloween Movie Watch Parties at The Duchess
On Thursdays throughout the month, belly up to the bar at The Duchess in Hampden to embrace the spirit of the season with featured flicks like Casper, Halloweentown, and Scream. The Duchess. 1000 W. 36th St. 9 p.m. Free admission.
10/19 & 10/26: Spooky Monday Movies at Golden West Cafe
This month’s movie lineup at Golden West is, of course, an ode to spine-tingling cinema. Mark your calendars for flicks like Addam’s Family Values and Coco. 1105. W. 36th St. 6 p.m. Free admission.
10/23-10/25: Bmore Horror Film Fest
This annual film fest returns to amplify horror and horror-adjacent storytelling in Charm City. The weekend kicks off with a filmmaker meet-and-greet at Old Major in South Baltimore, followed by select screenings at 2640 Space in Mt. Vernon, and an honorable mention screening at Black Cherry Puppet Theatre in Sowebo. Times and locations vary.
10/24: Halloween Movie Night at Guinness Open Gate Brewery
Among the final events scheduled before the gates at Guinness close for good is this Halloween double feature of Ghostbusters and Sleepy Hollow. Per tradition, the Charm City Ghostbusters (yes, they have their own Ectomobiles) will be on site to add to the fun. Guinness Open Gate Brewery. 5001 Washington Blvd. Halethorpe. 6 p.m. Free admission.
10/29-31: Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Hippodrome
Just in time to honor the late Tim Curry, join these screenings of the Rocky Horror Picture Show’s new restored film with a live shadow cast, costume contest, and audience participation. The Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St. Times vary. $36-80.
FAMILY FRIGHTS
10/16: Park’d N’ Pumpkin
Bad news: this family fright fest turns Druid Hill Park into a haunted roadway, complete with clowns and creatures lurking around every corner. Good news: Unlike a traditional haunted house, you can stay in your car. Druid Hill Park. Two sessions from 7-10 p.m. $14 per car.
Fridays-Sundays through 10/31: ZooBOO!
Weekends leading up to the big night, dress up your kiddos and wander the zoo’s habitats to find face painting, an inflatable corn maze, crafts, sack races, trick-or-treating, and more autumnal attractions. The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. 1 Safari Pl. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $33.
10/24: Harford Road Spooktacular
Get the party started early in Hamilton-Lauraville, whose Main Street businesses will host trick-or-treating for families before a community bash with crafts and dancing at The Lot. 4500 Harford Rd. 4-9 p.m. Free.
10/31: Hampden Halloweenfest
If you’ve never walked the Avenue in Hampden on Halloween, it’s truly a sight to behold. Storefronts illuminate with festive decor, kids criss-cross the street to trick-or-treat at shops and businesses, and neighbors gather for the famous 50-year-old costume contest. W. 36th St. 5-8 p.m. Free.
Of course, no Halloween things-to-do list would be complete without ghost tours, haunted houses, pumpkin-picking, leaf peeping, apple cider-sipping, and candy shopping. We’ve got local guides for all of this and more, here.
Additional reporting by Sophia Naughton; Fact-checking assistance by Gabrielle Plaag