Here’s a list of major Halloween-related events in the Madison, WI area, with those not taking place in 2021 listed on the bottom.
Keep in mind that many bars such as the Rigby and Vintage Spirits will have their own parties and costume contests.
Saturday, Oct. 23
- Halloween at the Farm ($10): Held at Schumacher Farm Park, farmyard activities include live music and a fortuneteller, from 4-8 p.m.
- Halloween Bar Crawl ($25): The bar crawl runs from 4-10 p.m. and takes place at various campus bars. Red Rock Saloon’s new location will host the after-party with a $1,000 costume contest.
Friday, Oct. 29
- Halloween Spooktacular (free): Yes, this is an egg hunt in October, and it starts at 6 p.m. at a secret location in Monona (sign up to find out where). Afterward, enjoy an outdoor movie.
Saturday, Oct. 30
- Halloween Carnival (free): The Prairie Lakes shopping center in Sun Prairie will host carnival games, a petting zoo and a pumpkin patch from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Freakin’ Halloweekend ($10): Enjoy tributes to Bob Dylan, The Cranberries, The Blues Brothers, David Bowie and The Strokes starting at 8 p.m. at the High Noon Saloon.
- 80s vs. 90s Halloween Costume Ball ($10): Dress up as an ’80/’90s TV/movie character or music icon to participate in the costume contest. Doors open at 8.
- Trick or Treat on Monroe Street: Various businesses on Monroe Street will hand out treats on Saturday and Sunday.
Sunday, Oct. 31
- The Max: This is not a party, per se, but Bierock will transform itself into The Max from “Saved by the Bell” for one day only.
CANCELED, NOT TAKING PLACE OR CHANGED FORMAT
- Downtown Madison Family Halloween (free): Trick-or-treat from 70 downtown locations and enjoy activities at places including the Overture Center, from 3-6 p.m.
- Downtown Middleton Trick or Treat (free): If the kiddos didn’t get enough trick-or-treating at State Street businesses on Wednesday, they can head to Middleton and do it all over again from 3-5 p.m. at 39 locations.
- Fall Fest (free): Head to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Take part in family-friendly activities such as a costume parade and “sweet” science experiments.
- Member Monster Mash ($5 members, $10 public): An after-hours party at the Madison Children’s Museum features crafts and other activities, from 6-8 p.m.
- Freakfest ($10 advance): Madison’s official Halloween party takes place from 7 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. on State Street. If you want to save a few bucks, head to the bars early before the gates on State Street are erected.
- Hilldale-O-Ween (free): Trick-or-treat at participating stores and restaurants from 4-6 p.m. at Hilldale Mall.
- Boo! at the Zoo (free): The renamed event includes activities such as face painting and a costume parade from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the zoo.
- Great Halloween Hunt (free): Take part in a scavenger hunt, then catch two magic shows from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Fitchburg Library.
- Baby’s First Halloween (free with admission): Take the little ones for non-messy Halloween activities from 9 a.m. – noon at the Madison Children’s Museum.
- Trick or Treat on Monroe Street (free): You’ll probably need to drive to hit all the shops that will hand out treats from noon-4 p.m. along a lengthy stretch of Monroe Street.
Tags: downtown, Monona, near east, north side, Sun Prairie, Waunakee
