Brave the shadows and explore Dubuque's most haunted locations with our comprehensive Halloween guide, showcasing a wealth of terrifying events and ghostly gatherings. Our Halloween guide tunes into Dubuque's spectral frequencies for both local banshees and those new to the otherworldly airwaves.
One captivating attraction this season is the haunting experience of A Haunting on Lincoln Avenue, where attendees traverse eerie settings filled with spine-tingling stories and spectral surprises. Thrashers House of Terror offers thrills with its chilling maze and actors lurking around every corner to startle unsuspecting visitors. And don't forget Circle of Ash, which promises an immersive journey into fear through its chilling performances. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Dubuque
- Thrashers House of Terror (Mount Pleasant)
- A Haunting on Lincoln Avenue
- Circle of Ash (Central City)
- The Slaughterhouse (Des Moines)
- Fall Color Viewing
- Mad Scientist Party & Trick-or-Treat
- Factory of Fear (Moline)
- Terror at Skellington Manor (Rock Island)
- Villisca Axe Murder House (Villisca)
- Shock House (Rock Island)
See these and even more events listed below!
Dubuque Area Haunted Experiences
Circle of Ash
What to Expect:
A unique blend of traditional indoor haunted house, a fog-filled clown maze, and a haunted forest experience.
Description:
Circle of Ash Haunted Attraction offers a terrifying experience with three haunted attractions: a traditional indoor haunted house, a walkthrough funhouse maze filled with terrorizing clowns, and a haunted forest brimming with monsters. The event features high-quality costumes, decorations, and performances, making it a must-visit for Halloween enthusiasts.
Where: Central City | More Info: Circle of Ash
A Haunting on Lincoln Avenue
What to Expect:
An evening tour of the historic site with a spooky twist, supported by Super Hits 106.1.
Description:
A Haunting on Lincoln Avenue is an evening tour event at the Mathias Ham Historic Site, supported by Super Hits 106.1. This spooky experience offers a thrilling way to explore the historic site during the evening hours, adding an eerie twist to the usual daytime tours. The event promises to create a chilling atmosphere perfect for those who enjoy haunted experiences.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: A Haunting on Lincoln Avenue
Thrashers House of Terror
What to Expect:
A haunted house experience featuring special effect lighting, intense audio, and physically demanding environments designed to scare visitors.
Description:
Thrashers House of Terror is Southeast Iowa's beloved haunted attraction, offering an unparalleled experience with unprecedented thrills. For 18 years, it has been your premier destination for heart-pounding scares, featuring the antics of clowns, the eerie presence of mad doctors, and every fear-inducing moment in between. This haunted house promises a terrifying reality where the unimaginable becomes a spine-chilling experience.
Where: Mount Pleasant | More Info: Thrashers House of Terror
The Slaughterhouse
What to Expect:
An immersive haunted experience with a dark history and ancestral spirits.
Description:
The Slaughterhouse 2024: Year of the Stitches is an immersive haunted attraction where visitors journey into the dark history of Dead Moines, Iowa. The event features a self-guided tour through a haunted lair, filled with terror and ancestral spirits. The story revolves around Big AL's son, Albert 'Stitches' Biggs, who continues his father's legacy in creating an intense Halloween celebration.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: The Slaughterhouse
Factory of Fear
What to Expect:
A fully realized, highly detailed haunted attraction with new areas and characters each year.
Description:
Factory of Fear is the Quad Cities' largest and longest-running haunted attraction, celebrating 30 years of providing a thrilling experience. Rated a top ten haunt in 2022 and 2023, it has unveiled new areas and characters for 2024. Your ticket includes entry into both Factory of Fear and Fear Underground, offering a comprehensive haunted experience.
Where: Moline | More Info: Factory of Fear
Halloween Party with Magician
What to Expect:
A spine-tingling journey through mystical realms, resurrecting the time-honored tradition of Houdini séances.
Description:
Join us for an enchanting evening of magic, mind reading, and mystery as we attempt to contact spirits in a Halloween Houdini séance. The event features Mind Meddler, Troy Peters, in a fun-filled, spooky show culminating in a thrilling Houdini séance. This immersive experience is perfect for thrill-seekers and skeptics alike, with a portion of the proceeds supporting the North Liberty Community Pantry.
Where: Cedar Rapids | More Info: Halloween Party with Magician
Shock House
What to Expect:
An immersive haunted attraction with unforgettable sideshow acts and thrilling fire shows.
Description:
Experience the ultimate in Halloween thrills at Shock House, Quad Cities' top-rated dark attraction. Blind Crow Productions presents an immersive experience where you'll be stalked, startled, and disoriented through haunting passageways. Witness unforgettable sideshow acts and thrilling fire shows. With safety and cleanliness always a priority, Shock House offers a spooky yet enjoyable time that has made it one of the best-haunted houses in the area.
Where: Rock Island | More Info: Shock House
Villisca Axe Murder House
What to Expect:
The house's meticulous restoration to its original state, including the lack of electricity and running water, adds to its eerie and historical significance.
Description:
The Villisca Axe Murder House is one of America's most haunted and infamous locations. In June 1912, eight unsuspecting victims, including six children, were brutally murdered in their sleep. Despite a nationwide manhunt and multiple trials, the case remains unsolved. The house has been meticulously restored to its original state and is now on the National Registry of Historic Places. Visitors have reported numerous unexplainable phenomena, adding to the house's eerie reputation.
Where: Villisca | More Info: Villisca Axe Murder House
Terror at Skellington Manor
What to Expect:
An immersive haunted manor experience with talented actors and performers creating an unforgettable atmosphere of horror and suspense.
Description:
Step into the dark side of Skellington Manor for a bone-chilling adventure like no other. This haunted manor experience combines macabre atmosphere with heart-pounding encounters, featuring hair-raising sights and spine-tingling surprises around every corner. Talented actors and performers will immerse you in a world of horror and suspense, creating an unforgettable experience that will leave you screaming for more.
Where: Rock Island | More Info: Terror at Skellington Manor
Disturbia Haunted House
What to Expect:
Disturbia Haunted House offers an immersive and terrifying experience with over 30,000 square feet of expertly designed attractions and state-of-the-art special effects.
Description:
Step into the darkness and face your deepest fears at Disturbia Haunted House in Downers Grove, IL. This premier haunted attraction features over 30,000 square feet of spine-chilling attractions, immersive themes, and expertly trained scare-actors. Each year brings new terrifying experiences that will leave you breathless.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Disturbia Haunted House
Mayhem Haunted House
What to Expect:
A very scary haunted house experience with detailed set design and décor.
Description:
Mayhem Haunted House in Ottumwa, Iowa, is a highly acclaimed haunted attraction known for its spine-chilling thrills and detailed set design. Located on the third floor of an old county home and barn, it offers a very scary experience with hundreds of hours spent on décor and set design each year. The event takes place from October 18th to 19th, 25th to 26th, and November 1st to 2nd, with tours from 7:30 p.m. to midnight, including a half-hour break from 10-10:30 p.m.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Mayhem Haunted House
Basement of the Dead Haunted House
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted house experience with two distinct attractions.
Description:
Basement of the Dead Haunted House in Aurora, IL, is a spine-chilling attraction where your darkest fears come to life. The haunted house features two distinct attractions: the twisted corridors of an abandoned underground laboratory and the surreal world of Shattered 3D, where walls come alive and anything can happen. With its expertly designed sets and terrifying creatures, this haunted house promises an unforgettable experience.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Basement of the Dead Haunted House
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Dubuque
Mad Scientist Party & Trick-or-Treat
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating, science experiments, and regular daily programming at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.
Description:
The Mad Scientist Party & Trick-or-Treat at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is an annual family-friendly Halloween event. Everyone is welcome to come in costume, and activities include trick-or-treating, games, science experiments, and music by an Americana band. The event also features regular daily programming, with trick-or-treating taking place from 9 AM to 4 PM. Activities like crafts will be available throughout the day, and discounted admission is available for those who register online ahead of time.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Mad Scientist Party & Trick-or-Treat
Fall Color Viewing
What to Expect:
Dubuque's fall season is highlighted by its vibrant limestone bluffs and a variety of fall activities that cater to both families and couples.
Description:
Dubuque offers a vibrant fall experience with its limestone bluffs turning into a palette of autumn colors. Visitors can stroll through Iowa’s longest-running Farmers Market, go pumpkin picking at local farms, and enjoy pumpkin spice lattes or wine. The peak color usually takes place around the weekend closest to October 10, making it an ideal time for a family weekend or a romantic getaway.
Where: Dubuque | More Info: Fall Color Viewing
Spooky Skate
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with open swim sessions and treats for kids.
Description:
Join us at Bender Pool for a spooktacular Spooky Swim event Celebrate Halloween with open swim sessions where kids will receive a bag of treats as they leave. No preregistration is required, making it a fun and easy way to enjoy the spooky season. The event is open to all ages, ensuring a family-friendly atmosphere perfect for a day off from school or a fun family outing.
Where: Cedar Rapids | More Info: Spooky Skate
Spooky Hayrack Night
What to Expect:
Enjoy a unique after-dark tour with one of the village's mysterious residents, sharing rarely told stories and history.
Description:
Join us at Ushers Ferry Historic Village for a Spooky Hayrack Night, a Halloween twist on the classic hayrack ride. Enjoy a children's craft, s'mores, and hot cocoa around the bonfire. The evening culminates in a very special after-dark tour with one of the village's mysterious residents, sharing rarely told stories and history of Ushers Ferry and Linn County.
Where: Cedar Rapids | More Info: Spooky Hayrack Night
KW Paintball Zombie Shoot
What to Expect:
Immersive zombie-themed paintball experience with custom trailers.
Description:
At KW Paintball Zombie Shoot, visitors embark on a thrilling adventure through a paintball park filled with undead zombies. Riding custom trailers, participants must use special neon-filled toxic bullets to destroy the zombies and save what's left of the human race. This event is perfect for those looking for a fun and challenging experience.
Where: Waterloo | More Info: KW Paintball Zombie Shoot
The Millwork Night Market
What to Expect:
The Millwork Night Market offers a unique blend of local food, art, and entertainment in a lively evening setting.
Description:
The Millwork Night Market is an evening farmers' market in Dubuque, IA, featuring local food, art, and unique goods. It aims to connect shoppers with local farmers, producers, artists, and artisans while providing a unique nightlife experience. The market offers live music, food, and refreshments, making it a great place to visit with family and friends.