Find the best Halloween thrills and chills in Ankeny with our event showcase. Brave the storm of Ankeny's spooky season with our guide, a lighthouse for both local sea witches and visiting merfolk.
This Halloween season, explore Linn's Haunted House, where cleverly crafted scares await those who dare to enter. With immersive experiences and chilling surprises around every corner, it's a perfect spot for thrill-seekers. Another highlight is Halloween on the Hill, featuring festive decorations and engaging activities for the whole family. And the Family Halloween at Living History Farms is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing seasonal traditions and fun from the past. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Ankeny
- Family Halloween at Living History Farms (Urbandale)
- Linn’s Haunted House (Des Moines)
- Halloween on the Hill (Des Moines)
- Spirits in the Garden (Ames)
- Pumpkin Walk (Valley Junction)
- Bondu Spook-Tacular at Bondurant (Bondurant)
- Halloween Hike at Annett Nature Center (Indianola)
- Fall Festival & Candy Crawl (Grimes)
- Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo (Des Moines)
- The Great Pumpkin Party at Valley Church (West Des Moines)
See these and even more events listed below!
Ankeny Area Haunted Experiences
Linn’s Haunted House
What to Expect:
A classic haunted house experience with pitch black hallways and jump scares in the basement of Linn’s Supermarket.
Description:
Linn’s Haunted House is Des Moines’ oldest haunted attraction, offering a unique and suspenseful experience in the basement of Linn’s Supermarket. Visitors can expect to navigate through pitch black hallways, avoid jump scares, and explore various scenes of haunted horror. The haunted house relies on suspense and startles rather than blood and gore, making it a classic and enjoyable experience for all ages.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Linn’s Haunted House
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Ankeny
Family Halloween at Living History Farms
What to Expect:
A townful of treats and activities in a historic setting.
Description:
Experience a festive Halloween celebration at Living History Farms. Trick-or-treat through the 1876 town of Walnut Hill, hear storytellers in the Gothic church, and have your silly fortune told in the Millinery. Enjoy demonstrations at the Print Shop, Drug Store, and Blacksmith, play games and do crafts in the 150-year-old barn, and take a horse-drawn wagon ride. This family-friendly event offers a fun-filled day for all ages.
Where: Urbandale | More Info: Family Halloween at Living History Farms
Halloween on the Hill
What to Expect:
A neighborhood-wide haunted house event with live performances and community support for the DMARC Food Pantry.
Description:
Halloween on the Hill is a premier Halloween event in Des Moines, where residents of the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood decorate their homes with spooky scenes while collecting donations for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry. Visitors can expect to see a variety of creatures, live performances, and more. The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or donations to support the DMARC pantry.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Halloween on the Hill
Pumpkin Walk
What to Expect:
The unique feature of Pumpkin Walk is its inclusive and festive atmosphere with activities catering to all ages.
Description:
Pumpkin Walk in Historic Valley Junction is a delightful Halloween celebration featuring trick-or-treating, hayrides, and various kids' activities. The event also includes food and drink vendors, live performances, and free pumpkins for attendees. It's a perfect opportunity to dress up in your favorite costumes and enjoy a wholesome Halloween tradition with your community.
Where: Valley Junction | More Info: Pumpkin Walk
Spirits in the Garden
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween celebration with hand-carved pumpkins and various family-friendly activities.
Description:
Spirits in the Gardens is a beloved Halloween event at Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa, featuring over 1,000 intricately carved pumpkins, chemistry experiments, trick-or-treating, cosplay, and more. The event includes a Jack-O-Lantern sneak peek on Friday night and additional activities on Saturday and Sunday nights.
Where: Ames | More Info: Spirits in the Garden
Bondu Spook-Tacular at Bondurant
What to Expect:
A free and inclusive Halloween celebration with a trunk or treat experience for families.
Description:
Bondu Spook-Tacular is an annual Halloween event in Bondurant, Iowa, designed for families to enjoy the festive spirit together. The event features a costume contest, trunk or treat, various activities, and games. Organizations and groups are encouraged to set up booths for a free trunk or treat experience. Located at the Depot Bondurant Trailhead on October 19, 2024, from 2-4 PM, this event is free and open to the public.
Where: Bondurant | More Info: Bondu Spook-Tacular at Bondurant
The Great Pumpkin Party at Valley Church
What to Expect:
A family-friendly fall festival with special accommodations for families with special needs, featuring a variety of fun activities both indoors and outdoors.
Description:
The Great Pumpkin Party at Valley Church is a free community event offering a variety of fun activities for all ages. Enjoy giant inflatables, barrel train rides, carnival games, free popcorn, and more. The event includes special accommodations for families with special needs, ensuring a fun night for everyone. The party takes place at Valley Church and the Valley Community Center, with activities both indoors and outdoors.
Where: West Des Moines | More Info: The Great Pumpkin Party at Valley Church
Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration in a zoo setting with enchanted lighted displays and a merry-not-scary treat safari.
Description:
Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo is a merry-not-scary Halloween tradition featuring enchanted lighted displays, a treat safari, and live entertainment. Guests can enjoy festive delights while learning about and supporting wildlife. The event includes a virtual costume contest and various activities like carnival games and inflatables.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo
Fall Festival & Candy Crawl
What to Expect:
A festive celebration with a variety of activities and treats for all ages.
Description:
The Fall Festival & Candy Crawl is a festive celebration featuring a variety of activities for all ages, including the Candy Crawl, food trucks, local vendors, games, and bouncy houses. Costumes are highly encouraged, making it a delightful experience for both kids and adults.
Where: Grimes | More Info: Fall Festival & Candy Crawl
Halloween Hike at Annett Nature Center
What to Expect:
A jack o' lantern lit trail exploring severe weather phenomena.
Description:
Join Warren County Conservation for a unique Halloween experience at the 2024 Twister Annual Halloween Hike. This event features a jack o' lantern lit trail where participants can trek through and meet various severe weather phenomena, including a tornado, thunderstorm, blizzard, hail, and floods. After the hike, enjoy a craft and snack at the nature center.
Where: Indianola | More Info: Halloween Hike at Annett Nature Center
Halloween Zoo Brew at Blank Park Zoo
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration in a zoo setting with handcrafted light displays and local brew samples.
Description:
Celebrate Halloween at Blank Park Zoo with a spooky yet family-friendly evening. Enjoy handcrafted light displays, a haunted train ride, and adult trick-or-treat with local brew samples. Featuring music by the John Paul Jones Group in the Holmes Foster Event Center, this event offers a unique blend of Halloween festivities and zoo exploration.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Halloween Zoo Brew at Blank Park Zoo
Trick or Treat Around the Lake
What to Expect:
A unique blend of Halloween fun and community spirit, where kids can trick-or-treat along a bike path lined with local businesses.
Description:
Trick or Treat Around the Lake is a family-friendly Halloween event held at Copper Creek Lake Park in Pleasant Hill, Iowa. Over 30 local businesses will set up along the bike path, offering a safe and organized way for children to collect their Halloween goodies while showcasing the community's spirit.
Where: Pleasant Hill | More Info: Trick or Treat Around the Lake
Nature Center After Dark-Halloween
What to Expect:
A Halloween-themed night with storytelling and crafts in a nature center setting.
Description:
Nature Center After Dark: Halloween is a family-friendly event where visitors can explore the Jester Park Nature Center after dark. The evening includes storytelling, crafts, and open exhibits, making it a fun and educational experience for all ages.
Where: Granger | More Info: Nature Center After Dark-Halloween
Family Halloween Party at Warrior Lanes Bowling
What to Expect:
Unique feature is the combination of upgraded bumper bowling and Extreme Glow Bowling events, creating a fun and family-friendly environment.
Description:
Warrior Lanes in Waukee, IA, offers a variety of family-friendly activities, including upgraded bumper bowling for kids and special needs guests. The bowling alley features 16 lanes with synthetic surfaces, wood approaches, and automated bumpers. Additionally, it hosts Extreme Glow Bowling events with LED lighting and special effects, creating a fun nightclub-like atmosphere. This is a great place to spend time with family and friends without breaking the budget.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Family Halloween Party at Warrior Lanes Bowling
Beggar's Night
What to Expect:
A community-wide trick-or-treating event with safety guidelines for both residents and children.
Description:
Beggars' Night in Ankeny is a family-friendly Halloween event where residents light up their front door areas to indicate trick-or-treaters are welcome. The event encourages safety by advising residents to keep pets inside, avoid giving homemade unwrapped treats, and to use extra caution while driving. Children are advised to stay in familiar neighborhoods, carry flashlights, and never enter residences unless accompanied by parents.