Experience the supernatural side of Bloomington's Halloween with our event planner. Discover the flavors of Bloomington's haunted cuisine with our guide, a menu for phantom foodies and adventurous eaters.
Popular events include the thrilling Spider Hill, where visitors can immerse themselves in spooky attractions and family-friendly fun. Celebrate the festive season with the Bloomington Trick or Treat, featuring a delightful array of neighborhood festivities. And the Halloween Hoopla is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering exciting activities for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Bloomington
- Aura Haunted House (Bartonville)
- Halloween Hoopla (Normal)
- Bloomington Trick or Treat
- Spider Hill (Chillicothe)
- Necrosis Haunted House (Rantoul)
- Fowler Pumpkin Patch
- Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Blood Moon Manor (Forest City)
- Sign + Fun Trick or Treat (Normal)
- Clinton's Terror On Washington Street Haunted House (Clinton)
See these and even more events listed below!
Bloomington Area Haunted Experiences
Spider Hill
What to Expect:
Unique paranormal investigation experience with professional investigators.
Description:
Spider Hill Haunted Attractions is celebrating its 25th year of production with a variety of terrifying experiences. The event features Massacre Mansion, a 8,000 square foot frightful layout, and Trail Terror, a long winding walk through a haunted forest. Additionally, it includes Paranormal Investigations with Enlightened Souls, offering a unique experience investigating real-life paranormal activity at Three Sisters Park.
Where: Chillicothe | More Info: Spider Hill
Aura Haunted House
What to Expect:
Experience real hauntings in a historically haunted psychiatric hospital setting.
Description:
Aura Haunted House is a premier haunted attraction located in the Old Peoria State Hospital, a historic psychiatric hospital that operated from 1902 to 1973. The haunted house features a cottage system plan with 63 buildings, including patient and caretaker housing, a store, and the main hospital building. Visitors can experience real hauntings and enjoy special events like Blackout Nights, where they navigate in total darkness with only one glowstick per group.
Where: Bartonville | More Info: Aura Haunted House
Necrosis Haunted House
What to Expect:
Utilizes timed ticketing to reduce wait times and improve the customer experience.
Description:
Necrosis Haunted House is a highly immersive and detailed haunted attraction in East Central Illinois. Featuring live actors, professional sound, lighting, and special effects, it offers a terrifying experience. Named a Top Ten Haunted House by HauntedIllinois.com for 2021, 2022, and 2023, and the Top Overall Attraction in the state by IllinoisHauntedHouses.com and Haunts.com in 2019, Necrosis continues to deliver its best show yet in its sixth season of fear.
Where: Rantoul | More Info: Necrosis Haunted House
Blood Moon Manor
What to Expect:
Blood Moon Manor offers three terrifying trails with additional attractions like Reaper's Ride and Mrs. Skinner's Kitchen, providing an immersive and intense haunted experience.
Description:
Blood Moon Manor is an "old school" in-your-face haunted attraction celebrating its 5th year of feeding fear in Central Illinois. The event features three terrifying trails, additional attractions like Reaper's Ride and Mrs. Skinner's Kitchen, and is located in Forest City, Illinois. It offers a thrilling experience with intense lighting, loud audio, and potentially wet or damp conditions.
Where: Forest City | More Info: Blood Moon Manor
Clinton's Terror On Washington Street Haunted House
What to Expect:
An immersive and physically demanding haunted house experience with intense audio and lighting effects.
Description:
Experience spine-chilling thrills and heart-pounding scares at Clinton's Terror on Washington Street Haunted House. For over 31 years, this haunted house has been delivering intense audio and lighting effects, including strobe lights, extreme low visibility, and fog. The event is not suitable for those under 10, pregnant, with claustrophobia, or heart/respiratory problems. The Friendly Ghost Tour is also available for younger audiences.
Where: Clinton | More Info: Clinton's Terror On Washington Street Haunted House
Dearly Departed Cemetery Tours
What to Expect:
Guided walking tours with reenactors sharing secrets and haunted history at Rose Hill Cemetery.
Description:
Explore the stories that have outlived the deceased at Rose Hill Cemetery. The Monroe County History Center hosts guided walking tours with reenactors who share secrets that lie beneath the stones and some haunted history. This is a walking tour that requires attendees to walk at least one mile on uneven terrain, and flashlights are recommended.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Dearly Departed Cemetery Tours
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Bloomington
Bloomington Trick or Treat
What to Expect:
The inclusive and festive atmosphere, offering entertainment, candy, and surprises for children of all ages.
Description:
The Fourth Annual Halloween Trick or Treat Trail in Bloomington is a free outdoor event designed for children from preschool age through 5th grade. The event takes place at Normandale Lake Park and features entertainment, candy, and surprises from community partner organizations. Food trucks offer additional options beyond candy. Costumes are not required, and donations of non-perishable food items to the VEAP food shelf are appreciated. The event will take place weather permitting, with updates posted on the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Facebook page in case of inclement weather.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Bloomington Trick or Treat
Halloween Hoopla
What to Expect:
Immersive, family-friendly Halloween experiences with hands-on activities.
Description:
Families are invited to Halloween Hoopla at the Children's Discovery Museum, IL, where they can enjoy dressing up in costume, trick-or-treating in the exhibits, face painting by The Zoo Lady, spooky science, and Spooktacular themed hands-on games and activities. The museum exhibits will be transformed into not-so scary immersive experiences to delight and fright.
Where: Normal | More Info: Halloween Hoopla
Fowler Pumpkin Patch
What to Expect:
Offers a variety of fall activities including pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and hayrides, along with an animal barn and a beer garden.
Description:
Fowler Pumpkin Patch offers a variety of fall activities, including pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and hayrides. The patch also features an animal barn with goats, sheep, and donkeys, as well as a beer garden and a kiddie barrel train. It's a great place for families to enjoy the fall season with beautiful photo opportunities and responsibly priced pumpkins and gourds.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Fowler Pumpkin Patch
Howl at the Farmers Market
What to Expect:
The event features a mix of returning and new vendors offering a diverse array of farm products in a festive setting.
Description:
The Downtown Bloomington Farmers' Market, known as Howl at the Market, is an exciting event where you can explore a variety of farm products, including vegetables, fruits, cheeses, pork, and beef. Returning vendors and new faces offer a diverse selection of products to enjoy every Saturday from May to October, from 7:30 AM to 12 PM.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Howl at the Farmers Market
Spooky Beats and Theater Treats
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration featuring live music, trick-or-treating, and a kid-friendly movie marathon.
Description:
Join us at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater for an unforgettable evening of "Spooky Beats and Theater Treats." This spook-tacular event features the Bloomington Community Bands, trick-or-treating, and a Halloween movie marathon with kid-friendly videos. Enjoy the spooky atmosphere, delicious treats, and mingle with fellow Halloween enthusiasts. Come dressed in your most creative costumes for a boo-tifully bewitching experience.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Spooky Beats and Theater Treats
Howlabaloo at the Zoo
What to Expect:
Halloween celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
Howlabaloo at the Zoo is an exciting event that combines Halloween festivities with a unique zoo setting. The event features family-friendly activities, including trick-or-treating, live pumpkin-carving demonstrations, and "Creatures of the Night" talks. Visitors can enjoy the vibrant fall colors and see various animals, such as elk, giraffes, and camels, while participating in Halloween-themed fun.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Howlabaloo at the Zoo
Treat Feast
What to Expect:
Trick-or-treaters can make their way through Uptown Normal via any route they choose, creating a unique and flexible trick-or-treating experience.
Description:
Treat Feast is an annual family-friendly trick-or-treating event in Uptown Normal, Illinois. The streets will be closed to traffic, allowing trick-or-treaters to explore the area safely and enjoy the festive atmosphere. All ages are welcome, and costumes are encouraged. This event is free to participate and offers a fun and safe environment for everyone.
Where: Normal | More Info: Treat Feast
Sign + Fun Trick or Treat
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration featuring sign language activities and trick-or-treating with local vendors.
Description:
Join Communication Junction for a fun-filled Halloween event The 5th annual Sign + Fun Trick or Treat event at Underwood Park in Normal, Illinois, offers an afternoon of singing, dancing, reading books, and trick-or-treating. Limited to 40 families per story time session, this family-friendly event also includes activities with local vendors. Bring your little ones dressed in their Halloween costumes for a memorable experience.
Where: Normal | More Info: Sign + Fun Trick or Treat
Great Glass Pumpkin Patch
What to Expect:
Unique handmade blown glass pumpkins displayed in a festive fall setting.
Description:
The Great Glass Pumpkin Patch is an annual event where over 1,000 handmade blown glass pumpkins are displayed and sold on the Monroe County Courthouse lawn. This family-friendly event is a unique blend of art and fall festivities, offering a magical experience with the glass pumpkins sparkling in the sun.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Great Glass Pumpkin Patch
Haunted Twilight Mini Golf
What to Expect:
A fun night of glow-in-the-dark mini golf with festive Halloween decorations.
Description:
Experience a spooky and fun night at Haunted Twilight Mini Golf at Miller Park Zoo. Enjoy glow-in-the-dark golf balls, festive Halloween decorations, and games. Costumes are highly encouraged, and the last tee time is 8:15 PM. This event promises to be a thrilling Halloween celebration.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Haunted Twilight Mini Golf
Other Halloween Activities Near Bloomington
AfterHours: Brews & Boos
What to Expect:
A bone-chilling exploration of death and its scientific aspects.
Description:
AfterHours: Brews & Boos is an event where participants delve into the science of decomposition, fermentation, and death. The evening includes light refreshments and adult beverages while engaging in discussions about various traditions surrounding death. This event offers a unique blend of science and spooky exploration.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: AfterHours: Brews & Boos
Spooky Forest Group Show
What to Expect:
A showcase of local artists' spooky-themed artwork.
Description:
The Spooky Forest Group Show is a free event featuring the best in 'spooky art' that Bloomington has to offer. It is part of the October Gallery Walk, taking place at Gather : handmade shoppe & Co. on Friday, October 4, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. This event is designed to usher in the spooky season with an array of unique and intriguing artworks.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Spooky Forest Group Show
Halloween DRAG SHOW
What to Expect:
An interactive art creation experience with local performers under black light illumination.
Description:
Join Drag N' Paint for an unforgettable black light Halloween evening at Nightshop in Bloomington, IL. Hosted by Megan Couri and Miss Flo NoMo, this event features wild fun, art creation, and performances by local entertainers. No art experience is required, and all art supplies and take-home canvases are included in the entry fee.
Where: Bloomington | More Info: Halloween DRAG SHOW
Paws & Claws Trivia Night
What to Expect:
A Halloween-themed trivia night supporting animal welfare with great snacks, silent auction, and team costume prizes.
Description:
Paws & Claws Trivia Night is a Halloween-themed event hosted by the Humane Society of Central Illinois. On October 12, 2024, gather your trivia-loving friends and create a team with a theme. Enjoy great snacks, participate in a silent auction, and compete for prizes while showcasing your best team costumes. This fun-filled evening supports a great cause, making it an exciting and meaningful experience for all participants.
Where: Normal | More Info: Paws & Claws Trivia Night
Portia Lynn's Spooky Soiree
What to Expect:
A blend of drag shows, horror movie trivia, and a costume contest creates a unique and memorable Halloween experience.
Description:
Portia Lynn's Spooky Soiree is a thrilling Halloween event at The Station Saloon in Bloomington, IL. The evening promises drag shows, horror movie trivia, a costume contest, and spine-chilling surprises. It's a fantastic night to mingle and enjoy the spooky atmosphere.