21 Halloween 2021 Events Happening in the Ann Arbor Area
Halloween is just a few weeks away, bringing plenty of ghouls, goblins, ghosts and, of course, plenty of exciting seasonal events to the Ann Arbor area!
We rounded up some of the best upcoming events throughout Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Plymouth, Chelsea, Manchester, Saline and more that will help you celebrate the spookiest holiday to its fullest. Have a scary time!
Due to the rise of COVID-19 cases and the Delta variant, there could be changes to these events. We recommend clicking on the event links below to make sure nothing has changed before heading out.
And, if you’re looking for even more Halloween fun in the area, check out our guides to local haunted houses, pumpkin patches and outdoor fall adventures!
Run Scream Run | Ypsilanti
When: October 9
Don your favorite Halloween costume and head to Wiard’s Orchards & Country Fair for a 5K, 10K and one mile run for your life! Monsters from their Night Terrors attractions will help keep your heart rate up by scaring you to victory. All race participants will receive custom T-shirts, a medal and discounts to the rest of Wiard’s many attractions on October 9th and 10th. Click here to register!
Halloween Spooky Pop Up | Ann Arbor
Where: Briarwood Mall
Dress up and have fun exploring this craft and vendor evet within the JCPenney common area of the Briarwood Mall. The top five costumes will win a prize and be sure to bring your kids so they can get some Halloween treats!
Pumpkin Hunts | Saline
Where: Tefft Park Pavillion
When: October 12, 10 a.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Some of our favorite fall area events every year are the Pumpkin Hunts in Saline! Head over to the Tefft Park Pavillion for their Preschool Pumpkin Hunt at 10 a.m. on October 9th where preschoolers will go on a mini hunt in the woods behind the recreation center. After they find their pumpkin, they can decorate it and listen to “spooky” stories. And stick around for the Flashlight Pumpkin Hunt for the older kids at 7:30 p.m.
Gene Butman Ford Trunk-or-Treat | Ypsilanti
Where: Gene Butman Ford
When: October 16, 2-4 p.m.
For a safe night of trick-or-treating, you can’t beat Gene Butman Ford’s annual Trunk-or-Treat! Costumed children will be able to explore the dealership and grab handfuls of candy out of trunks full of treats. There will also be pumpkins to paint, cider and donuts, pizza, prizes and more.
Holy Bones Festival | Ypsilanti
Where: Ypsilanti Performance Space
There’s nothing better than a fun event that also supports a good cause! The 3rd Annual Holy Bones Festival will feature an artist market, live music performances, food trucks, improv comedy, an 18+ burlesque show and more. And the best part? 100% of the proceeds to go towards helping the Ypsilanti Performance Space finally open their doors. Click here to purchase tickets.
Treat-of-Agriculture 2021 | Ann Arbor
When: October 19, 6-7:30 p.m.
In a sea of traditional trick-or-treating events this season, the Washtenaw County Farm Bureau wanted to do something a little different! That’s why at their Treat-of-Agriculture on October 19th, you’ll get Michigan agriculture products instead of candy. Families and kids 12 and under are welcome and treats are guaranteed to the first 300 children.
Monster Petting Farm | Ann Arbor
Where: Domino’s Petting Farm
When: October 22-30, 7-11 p.m.
You won’t see the usual goats, chickens or pigs at this petting farm! During Domino’s Farms Halloween Trail (in collaboration with the Ann Arbor Civic Theatre), take a guided tour along a path that houses werewolves, zombies and other characters. Tickets cost $20 per person while children under the age of three are free.
Pumpkin Palooza | Plymouth
Where: Downtown Plymouth
When: October 23, 12-2:30 p.m.
The 10th Annual Pumpkin Palooza will be held in downtown Plymouth on October 23rd! This free event for families will feature trick-or-treating, live entertainment, costume contests for kids and pets, music, dancing and much more.
3rd Annual Bonfire Bash | Northville
Where: Three Cedars Farm
While visiting Three Cedars Farm during the day is a blast, it’s even more fun at night! This bonfire bash will feature a pop-up shop, a hayride, swag bags, cider and donuts and plenty of marshmallows to roast on the fire. Click here to purchase your tickets!
Trunk-or-Treat in Downtown Saline | Saline
Where: Downtown Saline
When: October 27, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Downtown Saline has invited you—and your costumed children—to the least-haunted, safest Halloween event of the season! On October 27th from 6:30-8:30 p.m., volunteers will be parking all along Saline’s Main Street and filling their trunks with goodies. Click here for all the information!
YDDA Outdoor Movie Series: Casper | Ypsilanti
Where: Frog Island Park
When: October 28, 7 p.m.
Throughout 2021, the Ypsilanti DDA Community has been hosting outdoor movie showings, featuring flicks like Coco, Soul, A League of Their Own and much more. This October, they’re showing another family-friendly classic: Casper! Head to Frog Island Park and enjoy watching the movie under the stars. Event organizers encourage you to bring your own chairs, blankets and snacks!
YpsiGLOW | Ypsilanti
Where: Downtown Ypsilanti
When: October 29, 5-10 p.m.
From the same team that brings us FestiFools and FoolMoon every April, ypsiGLOW is a light-filled celebration through downtown Ypsilanti. In the weeks leading up to the event, local artists, businesses and organizations will be hosting workshops and online events to help you build some glowing creations. Then, you and your glowing outfit can join in the fun in downtown Ypsilanti on October 29th!
Things That Go Bump in the Night | Plymouth
Where: Plymouth Historical Museum
Something is eerie in the Plymouth Historical Museum. Ghosts have infiltrated the exhibit spaces after hours and no one is quite sure what kind of mischief they’re up to. Go explore the museums on Friday, October 29th, to see what is going on behind the scenes! Groups will be allowed to enter every 15 minutes to help with social distancing and costumes are encouraged. Upon departure from the museum, children will receive a bag of candy and a craft to make at home.
Hometown Halloween | Chelsea
Where: All Over Chelsea
When: October 29-31, Times Vary
Hometown Halloween is Chelsea’s massive, city-wide Halloween celebration that we look forward to every year! In 2021, you can expect special events like a Candy Corn Count Contest, trunk-or-treating, a Selfie BOOth, a Howl-o-Ween Pet Costume Contest and so much more throughout the course of three days. Click here for a full itinerary!
The Haunted Drive Thru Trick-or-Treat | Ann Arbor
When: October 30, 7-10 p.m.
For a fun (and socially distant) Halloween event, don’t miss The Haunted Drive Thru Trick-or-Treat in Ann Arbor on October 30th! Just drive down Varsity Drive, rolling past a dizzying array of costumed characters, fire spinners, circus artists and stunt performers. And be sure to bring a bucket and dress up, since volunteers will be handing out candy through open windows!
Wicked Halloween Run | Plymouth
Where: Kellogg Park
When: October 31, 6:30 a.m.
Have a wicked time running during the Wicked Halloween 5K, 10K and half-mile race! This annual race, which is held at Kellogg Park in Plymouth, encourages you to dress up and enjoy the fall foliage on some USATF Certified Courses. After your race, stop by their snack tent for some fall-themed treats!
Downtown Trick-or-Treating | Ann Arbor
Where: Downtown Ann Arbor
It just wouldn’t be Halloween without trick-or-treating in downtown Ann Arbor! Click here to see this year’s map of fun happenings around town on October 31st and be sure to wear your costumes to collect treats from local businesses.
Halloween on the Farm | Pinckney
Where: S&R Lavender Farm
When: October 31, 3-6 p.m.
This Halloween, head to S&R Lavender Farm in Pinckney and enjoy an afternoon of carnival games, trick or treating, hayrides, a petting zoo and more! Trick or treat tickets are $10 while chaperone tickets are $5 and hayride tickets are $5 per person.
U-M STMD Annual Halloween Concert | Ann Arbor
Where: Hill Auditorium
When: October 31, 4 p.m.
A University of MIchigan tradition for more than 40 years, the Halloween Concert brings together the University Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras for this beloved holiday events. Graduate conducting students will lead more than 125 costumed musicians for this entertaining concert featuring thrilling, popular and spooky symphonic Halloween favorites. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as well!
Halloween Caramel Apple Event & Pumpkin Bowling | Manchester
Where: Wurster Park
When: October 31, 5-7 p.m.
While normal bowling is fun, bowling with a pumpkin outside in beautiful Manchester is way more exciting! This annual event at Wurster Park is a favorite, featuring delicious caramel apples and competitive pumpkin bowling on a plywood bowling alley.
All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island | Ypsilanti
Where: Frog Island Park
When: November 1, 6-8 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Christine Gibler via All Hallows Illumination of Frog Island
Just because Halloween is technically over, that doesn’t mean we have to end the spooky season just yet! On November 1st, bring your aging jack-o-lanterns to Frog Island Park in Ypsilanti for one last hoorah. There will be fire spinners and other carnival performers and, of course, social distancing measures in place. Halloween costumes are encouraged.
Have a happy Halloween!
Did we miss your most anticipated 2021 Halloween event? Let us know in the comments below!