Hard to say how it popularized, but, in recent years, many families have opted to skip the tradition of door-to-door trick-or-treating on Halloween night in favor of rolling up to a Trunk or Treat—a community gathering where groups post up in a parking lot, pop their trunks, decorate their cars, and pass out candy to kiddos tailgate-style. (Some go all out with their car creativity, as organizers often award prizes to the trunks with the best theme.)
This spooky season, the Trunk or Treat trend is seemingly everywhere, with everyone from local police departments and pet hospitals to churches and shopping centers getting in on the family fun. As the countdown to Halloween ticks on, gather your decor, stock up on sweets, and check out our guide for where to take the little ones Trunk or Treating in the area this year.
10/11: Gary J. Arthur Community Center Truck or Treat
In Howard County, this Cooksville community center is hosting a Truck or Treat (no that’s not a typo) that invites kids to grab candy from firetrucks, food trucks, tractors, excavators, mowers—you name it. This one fills up fast, so be sure to reserve your 75-minute timeslot to enjoy a “wheely fun” afternoon. 2400 Rte 97. Cooksville. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $5 per child (free for 1 year and under) and $2 per adult. Limit of two adults per child.
10/18: Eastern Animal Hospital Trunk or Treat
For its fourth-annual celebration, Eastern Animal Hospital is inviting families and their four-legged friends for an evening filled with treats for humans and pets. Costumes are encouraged (yes, for animals, too!) and creativity will be rewarded for those with the most impressive trunk theme. All proceeds support the hospital’s CareFund to aid pets in need. 6575 Eastern Avenue. 4:30-6 p.m. $5 donation per family.
10/18-19: Coppermine’s Trunk or Treat
Trunk or Treat is back at Coppermine Meadowbrook in Mt. Washington and at the club’s Canton fieldhouse. Bring the family to either location (Canton on Oct. 18 and Mt Washington on Oct. 19) for a safe and spooky Halloween celebration with decorated trunks and treats at every turn. Oct 18: 1301 S Ellwood Ave. 3-5 p.m. Free entry; Oct. 19: 5700 Cottonworth Ave. 3-6 p.m. Free entry.
10/19: Continental Realty Corporation Trunk or Treat
Get ready for a thrilling time at the North Plaza Shopping Center in Parkville. Aside from admiring the cars and costumes, families will enjoy a DJ, a balloon artist, and the ultimate sweet treat, Kona Ice. Car participants must register by October 10 and will be provided with candy for the event. Prizes will be awarded to decorated cars for Best Overall, Most Creative, and Fan Favorite. Be sure to bring a canned or dry food donation for the YMCA Bank to be entered into a raffle for a free YMCA membership. 8924 Waltham Woods Rd. Parkville. 1-3 p.m. Free entry.
10/25: Baltimore County Police Department Trunk or Treat
Families in Towson can come and enjoy an afternoon filled with decorated trunks, candy, and costumes. Little ones can trick-or-treat from car to car and get to know their local officers, while adults who are interested can learn more about protecting and serving with BCPD. (The Pikesville precinct will also host a Trunk or Treat on Oct. 23.) 700 E Joppa Road. 1-4:00 p.m. Free entry.
10/25: Harley Davidson of Baltimore Trunk or Treat
Rev up your engines and book it to Northeast Baltimore County for this afternoon of motorcycles, cars, and costumes at Harley Davidson of Baltimore. Collect candy while you check out all of the cool rides. 8845 Pulaski Hwy. October 25; 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free entry.
10/25: Life Center Trunk or Treat
At this Essex church, kids can show off their costumes, gather candy at decked-out trunks, play games, and enjoy other festive fun. 200 N Marlyn Ave. 4-6 p.m. Free entry.
10/27: Grace Life Church Trunk or Treat
Arts and crafts, lawn games, and decorated trunks await at this annual Catonsville community event, where tykes can look forward to candy, toys, and trinkets at every stop. 1501 N Rolling Rd. 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Free entry.
10/30: Northeastern District Trunk or Treat
With festive costumes, candy galore, and fun for all ages, the Alameda Shopping Center’s Trunk or Treat is the perfect way to celebrate with neighbors. Families can snag sweets while checking out the decked-out trunks. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated car. 5600 The Alameda. 5-8:00 p.m. Free entry.
10/30: Belvedere Square’s Annual Trick-or-Treat Through the Square
Belvedere Square is packed with little ghouls and goblins at this neighborhood-favorite event. Back on the night before Halloween this year, the event isn’t technically a Trunk or Treat, but it invites families to gather candy from the Square’s merchants, enter into a costume contest ($5 per entry), dance to beats by DJ Nick, and learn the famous “Thriller” dance with White Marsh Ballet Academy. 529 E. Belvedere Ave. 4:30-7:30 p.m. Free entry.
10/31: Grace Presbyterian Church Trunk or Treat
Gather at this Greenspring Avenue community mainstay to start All Hallow’s Eve off with Trunk or Treat outside. Then head inside for dancing, games, basketball tournaments, and a costume fashion show. 2604 Banister Rd. 5-7 p.m. Free entry.
10/31: WalkAMileNOurShoes Inc. Trunk or Treat
The Baltimore chapter of nonprofit WalkAMileNOurShoes Inc—which supports unhoused and low-income families—is hosting its first-ever Trunk or Treat on Halloween night. Dress up the kids and head to Sharp-Leadenhall in South Baltimore to let them fill up their bags. There will also be free backpacks with school supplies for those in need while supplies last. 1044 Leadenhall St. October 31; 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Free entry.
10/31: Trick or Treat at Baltimore Peninsula
While this Baltimore Peninsula event isn’t a Trunk or Treat, we’d be remiss without including the free family fun. Spend Halloween night participating in arts and crafts, getting your face painted, shaking your bones in a DJ dance contest, catching some air in the moonbounce, climbing aboard a hayride around the neighborhood, entering into the costume contest, and, of course, gathering Halloween treats. Elijah’s Park. 301 Mission Blvd. 5-8 p.m. Free entry.