Halloween in Atlanta: Haunts, festivals, events going on around town

Thursday, Oct. 27

Great Pumpkin-Carving Festival in Atlanta

Celebrate all things autumn at the Atlanta Botanical Garden’s newly expanded annual event. Enjoy exciting entertainment, live music, crafts, a restaurant chili competition – and, of course, teams of amateur pumpkin carvers competing for great prizes.

Friday, Oct. 28

A Stranger Halloween in Cobb County

Things are getting turned upside down with A Stranger Halloween at The Battery Atlanta this October with giveaways, games and a costume contest with $6,000 in cash and prizes. Patrons will start off in the Tavern.

Trick-or-Drink in Alpharetta

Dress in your Halloween best and make your way to The Plaza at Avalon for a spooktacular celebration featuring BOO-zy cocktails from the bar, live music performed by Better Than The Beatles, photo opportunities with frightfully festive roaming entertainment, and other surprises.

Scare on the Square: Hallows Eve Party in Atlanta

Dress in your supernatural best, call your gals and ghouls, and head to Colony Square for a spine-chilling soiree in The Plaza featuring live music by Legends Tribute band, BOO-zy beverages provided by Serena Pastificio and Bar Politan, a spell-binding tarot card reader, and a photo wall to snap costume shots.

Murder Mystery dinner at Maggiano’s in Dunwoody

This is every detective’s fantasy come true — an opportunity for people with a passion for murder mysteries... slippery red herrings... diabolical clues... and ingenious detective work to get plunked smack-dab in the middle of a hilarious homicide investigation. Enjoy the atmosphere and fabulous cuisine of Maggiano’s Little Italy but remember... you could become the leading suspect!

Trunk or Treat in College Park

The City of College Park and the College Park Police Department present their annual Trunk or Treat event at Tracey Recreation Center on Friday, October 28, 2022. From 6 pm to 9 pm the community will gather to hand out treats to the community while the police department hosts their famous haunted house in the recreation center.

Spirits and Spirits in Lawrenceville

Guests can grab a cocktail and settle in for a true crime panel discussion as Spirits & Spirits returns with this special Halloween treat for adults only at Lawrenceville Arts Center. This bone-chilling conversation will feature true tellings of local cases from experts in the field acts will start at 8 pm. Show up early for live pumpkin carving by Jeremy Smith, runner-up on Food Network’s television show, Halloween Wars for pre-main event festivities at 7 pm. There will also be a not-to-be-missed Halloween party to conclude the evening complete with a live DJ, costume contests and pumpkin decorating contests.

Saturday, Oct. 29

Wild Rumpus in Athens

Known as Athens’ own Mardi Gras, the much-anticipated event will start at 8 p.m. on October 29 and feature local bands performing along the parade route. Residents and visitors are encouraged to dress up in unique and elaborate costumes to march through the streets of downtown Athens as part of the parade. The large-scale crowd-participation Halloween holiday, music and arts celebration is free to attend and open to all.

Dia de Muertos Festival in Roswell

Día de Muertos Festival is returning for its third year to Roswell City Hall for a lively day and evening filled with fun, community spirit, remembrance, food, beverages, live entertainment and so much more. Festivities include a costume contest.

Trick-or-Treating in Alpharetta

Head to Avalon for a morning of fun trick or treating. Additional exciting activations include a bounce house, balloon artist, and creepy crafting stations provided by sponsors.

Chattahoochee Food Works: Halloween Costume Contest in Atlanta

Join Chattahoochee Food Works for the annual costume contest! There will be exciting prizes and surprises for participants and a special prize for best costume. All participants must be present at the food hall at the time of the competition

Boo Bash in Marietta

Head to the Avenue East Cobb Front Lot for Trick-or-Treating, a costume party, complimentary face painting, balloon art, and roaming entertainment.

Spooktacular Saturday in Atlanta

Dad’s Garage is excited to announce their newest addition to their lineup of family programming: Spooktacular Saturday, an afternoon family festival October 29th, 1-4pm. The festival will include improv shows for kids, Halloween activities, and a Reverse Haunted House, wherein Dad’s Garage Improvisers, dressed as monsters and casually enjoying their day, let the kids scare them.

Trick-or-Treat at Children’s Museum of Atlanta in Atlanta

Get your costumes ready for a ghoulishly good time with Children’s Museum of Atlanta’s annual Trick-or-Treat event. Families can expect fun, hands-on play, candy galore, a live DJ to play all the Halloween hits and to trick-or-treat throughout the Museum! Advance ticket purchase required. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

Trick-or-Treating in Peachtree Corners

Head to the Forum at Peachtree Corners for trick-or-treating. Additional experiences include complimentary face painting, balloon art, and roaming costume characters.

Sunday, Oct. 30

Hoots n’ Howls in Cobb County

Need an excuse to dress up your pet? Rock for Rescues is bringing the Halloween fun of Hoots n’ Howls to the Plaza Green at the Battery Atlanta. Guests and their furry friends can enjoy live music, various vendors and a chance to win this year’s Halloween Dog Costume Contest. A $5 entry fee is required to participate in the costume contest and all proceeds will benefit animal rescue organizations.

Monday, Oct. 31

Boo Bash in Dawsonville

North Georgia Premium Outlets will host trick-or-treating, where parents can bring their children ages 12 and under in their spookiest costumes to enjoy free candy and fun. Be sure to check each retailer’s window for a Boo Bash sign to determine participation in the event. Trick-or-treaters will have a bounce house and other kid-friendly activities to enjoy.

Multiple Nights

Now-Oct. 31 (and beyond)

Woodland Spirits in Atlanta

Take a walk on the supernatural side with Fernbank’s annual Halloween display, Woodland Spirits. Drawing inspiration from literature’s many dark forests, Woodland Spirits evokes mystery, adventure and imagination during the Halloween season through commissioned sculptures created by artist Laura Lewis.

Gilded Age Ghosts & Ghouls on Jekyll Island

The Jekyll Island Club’s past comes alive on this after-dark experience with ghoulish and ghostly stories! Begin your experience at Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum, where you’ll learn about the Gilded Age traditions of All Hallow’s Eve and pick up some seasonal treats. As you make your way by trolley to one of the island’s historic homes, hear the real paranormal experiences of current staff members working in the Historic District. Conclude the experience with a visit back in time to the Club era, where dearly departed former Club members will introduce you to some of the island’s ghastlier tales.

The Village Haunted House in Fairburn

The Village Haunted Experience is a unique, two-part event that incorporates a carnival-style midway with games, food, beverages and music in an area called The Courtyard, and a ticketed walk-through outdoor haunt titled The Village – all located on the grounds of the Georgia Renaissance Festival.

Netherworld Haunted House in Stone Mountain

The Stone Mountain attraction is annually voted as one of the top haunts in the country. There are two haunts, a midway with games, escape games and more.

Nightmare’s Gate in Douglasville

It has been decades since the doors to the hospital have been open. What mysteries lie within. You will find out has you venture through the chilling hallways in the dark. That’s right no lights except for 1 finger light that will be given to each group. Hope your not afraid of the dark.

13 Stories Haunted House in Newnan

Legend has it that there is a 13 Story tall haunted house so horrifying that you have to sign a waiver to get in. They say you get your money back if you make it all the way to the end. They say they have rats, spiders, snakes, roaches and even clowns. They say the monsters touch you and have been known to throw you out of windows. They say it is an experience so terrifying many people don’t make it all the way through...Some of these are only myths, simple urban legends. Some are not. Head to Newnan for one of the Atlanta area’s most popular haunted attractions.

Paranoia Haunted House in Canton

The immersive show starts before you even get inside! Plenty of monsters roam the detailed outdoor queue filled with photo ops, and the frights get even better once you’re in the doors! Paranoia feature two separate attractions, each with its own theme in completely different flavors. Dark, slow, and menacing; or fast-paced, nonstop, in-your-face thrills!

Folklore Haunted House in Acworth

Walk through The Manor Winters Estate and experience Maximum Overload haunts on a trip to the Acworth attraction.

Containment Haunted House in Lithia Springs

Containment Haunted House is Atlanta’s most unique haunted attraction. Containment gets its name from being built out of 26 shipping containers. Inside the containers laid a collection of paranormal and macabre artifacts that would instill their horrors on anyone who entered.

Fear the Woods in Stockbridge

-Please note, per the company’s Facebook page, it is closed this year.

Scarecrows in the Garden in Atlanta

The Atlanta Botanical Gardens are stuffed with more than 100 scarecrows created by artists, designers, schools, businesses and families October 1 – 30. Participants compete for prizes in the categories of professional, nonprofessional or business.

Oct. 29-31

College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta

Experience the spooky sights and sounds of Halloween during Haunted Hall of Fame at the College Football Hall of Fame on October 29-31. Kids 12 and under receive free admission when they arrive in costume. Children can trick-or-treat throughout the Hall and fill their bags with candy all day. Trick or treat bags and candy will be distributed on a first come first serve basis, until inventory is depleted.

Oct. 21, 22, 28, 29

Halloween Hikes

Back for its 37th year, for 4 nights only, Halloween Hikes at the Chattahoochee Nature Center provides the perfect non-scary family-friendly holiday event. A unique Halloween adventure that will take you on a well-lit hike through the forest to meet woodland creatures and hear about how they live. Halloween Hikes lets guests connect with nature and experience the mystery of a guided night hike.

Oct. 22, 23, 29, 30

Boo at the Zoo in Atlanta

Boo-goers of all ages will enjoy seasonal fun at Zoo Atlanta in the home of more than 1,000 animals around the world, spectacularly decorated for Halloween. Guests can sample sweet treats on Trick-or-Treat Lane; check out a Magic Illusion Show; meet strolling characters; and enjoy carnival games and crafts. Activities will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Family-friendly costumes are welcome and encouraged.

Oct. 22, 29, Nov.5

Ghost hunting in Eatonton

Are ghosts real? If you ask Ebenezer Scrooge, Hamlet, or Bill Murray’s team of Ghostbusters you’ll probably get a resounding “YES! And some are not as friendly as Casper.” Some say ghosts are everywhere, and it’s confirmed. They are in Eatonton! Denise Rolfe and her team from the Southeastern Institute of Paranormal Research will lead a paranormal investigation in several locations across downtown Eatonton this October.

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