Ellicott City Unique & Unusual Halloween Events 2026

21 unique & unusual Halloween events in Ellicott City and nearby.

Ellicott City's Halloween season extends beyond the local scene with numerous events in nearby Baltimore and beyond, from the renowned Edgar Allan Poe Festival to family-friendly harvest celebrations.

Consider a dramatic Ghost Tour in Baltimore, or a unique craft workshop like making a glass pumpkin.

All Unique & Unusual Halloween Events Around Ellicott City

Illustration of a Halloween town at night with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch flying past a full moon (The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards)

The International Edgar Allan Poe Festival & Awards

Baltimore 10 mi Free

Baltimore festival celebrating Edgar Allan Poe with live performances, vendors, and art.

Illustration of a town street at twilight with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch on a broom by the moon (The Ghosts of Baltimore Tour)

The Ghosts of Baltimore Tour

Baltimore 11 mi $$

All-ages, pet-friendly walking tour exploring historic Baltimore's haunted past.

Original Fells Point Ghost Walk

Baltimore 11 mi $$

Award-winning all-ages ghost walk running since 2001.

Mt Vernon GhostWalk

Baltimore 12 mi $$

Walking tour exploring the history and haunted lore of Mount Vernon.

Illustration of white ghosts floating over houses with glowing windows and pumpkins, with a witch flying past a full moon (Tricks for Treats Halloween Night Skate)

Tricks for Treats Halloween Night Skate

Gaithersburg 23 mi Free

Halloween night skate with costume and best trick competitions and candy.

Illustration of three small ghost hunters with a flashlight and camera tripods in a dim hallway with pumpkins and a ghost (Celebrate National Ghost Hunting Day)

Celebrate National Ghost Hunting Day

Baltimore 10 mi $$

Paranormal investigation through four sections of the historic hotel.

Illustration of glowing carved jack o'lanterns, candles, and small figures with tools on a wooden table under string lights (Make Your Own Glass Pumpkin Workshop)

Make Your Own Glass Pumpkin Workshop

Baltimore 9 mi $$$

Blow molten glass to craft a custom pumpkin with a curly stem.

Spooky Science

Baltimore 10 mi

Magical science fun with potion experiments and wearable amulet crafts.

Illustration of a Halloween costume contest on a decorated barn stage with ghosts, a trophy table and pumpkins in front (Halloween Havoc Powerlifting Meet)

Halloween Havoc Powerlifting Meet

Towson 15 mi $$

Costume-friendly powerlifting competition featuring squat, bench press, and deadlift events.

Illustration of clay kid characters, paper bats, cotton ghosts and pumpkins on a craft table with paint pots and bunting (Haunted Thrift Store Paint Night: Ghost in a Frame)

Haunted Thrift Store Paint Night: Ghost in a Frame

Baltimore 9 mi $$

Paint a thrift-store-inspired ghost portrait with all art supplies included.

Costume Faery Market & Ren Faire

Baltimore 10 mi $

Costume market and FaeryCon fundraiser featuring entertainment and a Faery Court.

Illustration of small clay figures carving glowing jack-o'-lanterns on a wooden table with candles under string lights (Pumpkin Slate Painting with Artist Katie Detrich)

Pumpkin Slate Painting with Artist Katie Detrich

Glen Burnie 11 mi $$

Paint a pre-drawn pumpkin design on slate, wood, or canvas.

Illustration of friendly ghosts on small town rooftops with pumpkins and glowing windows as two witches fly past a full moon (Ghosts of Gaithersburg)

Ghosts of Gaithersburg

Gaithersburg 24 mi

Explore haunted local places with the author of In Search of Ghosts.

Illustration of glowing jack-o'-lanterns, candles and scattered seeds on a wooden table under string lights at dusk (Fall Paint Night at The Comfy Cup Essex with The Painted Mermaid)

Fall Paint Night at The Comfy Cup Essex with The Painted Mermaid

Essex 17 mi $$$

Paint a 23-inch wood ghost witch or pumpkin design.

Illustration of small clay figures in costumes and ghosts painting pumpkins at a long table under bunting at dusk (Halloween Ghost and Broom Paint Night at Woody's Pub)

Halloween Ghost and Broom Paint Night at Woody's Pub

Essex 17 mi $$

Paint a custom-cut wood ghost or broom design at the pub.

Illustration of a Halloween town at twilight with glowing houses, jack o lanterns, ghosts, and a witch flying past the moon (DC Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour)

DC Ghosts Ultimate Dead of Night Haunted Ghost Tour

Washington 28 mi

Late-night walking tour uncovering the haunted history around the White House.

Illustration of white ghosts floating over houses with glowing windows and pumpkins, with a witch flying past a full moon (Fowl Play: Halloween Duck Off)

Fowl Play: Halloween Duck Off

Fallston 27 mi

Decorate a rubber duck for a Halloween library costume contest.

Teen Crafternoon

Joppatowne 26 mi

Spooky crafting session with all supplies provided for grades 6 to 12.

Illustration of a Halloween town at night with glowing windows, pumpkins, floating ghosts and a witch flying past a full moon (Thrifted Treasures Get a Haunted Twist)

Thrifted Treasures Get a Haunted Twist

Edgewood 29 mi

Paint ghostly accents and Halloween details onto vintage thrift-store artwork.

Illustration of a Halloween town at twilight with glowing houses, jack o lanterns, ghosts, and a witch flying past the moon (Cryptid Crawl & Halloween-ish Hike)

Cryptid Crawl & Halloween-ish Hike

Woodstock 6 mi Free

Night hike exploring Maryland's cryptid legends

Illustration of a Halloween costume contest on an outdoor stage with costumed figures, a ghost, a trophy and a watching crowd (Halloween Teen After-Hours Party)

Halloween Teen After-Hours Party

Arbutus 5 mi $

Teen after-hours Halloween party with live music and costume contest.

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Illustration of two small costumed children and a witch among pumpkins, hay bales and autumn trees on a sunny lawn

Family-Friendly Fall Activities

1 of 45 Clark's Elioak Farm Pumpkin Patch & Fall Festival Ellicott City

Features petting farm animals, Enchanted Forest attractions, and hayrides.

See all 45 family events →

Illustration of a Halloween party at dusk with a ghost above string lights, two witches by a table, and glowing pumpkins

Food, Drink, and Parties

1 of 24 The Reagan Years Monster Mash and Glow Party Ellicott City

Live 80's tribute band and costume contest

See all 24 parties & tastings →

Illustration of a small haunted cottage with glowing windows, ghosts, pumpkins and a black cat under a big pale moon

Haunted Experiences

1 of 7 Bennett's Curse Haunted House Dundalk

Four indoor haunted attractions under one roof at Eastpoint Mall.

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Illustration of a small ghost and a jack-o'-lantern performing on a stage with red curtains, watched by a crowd at dusk

Movies, Theater, and Entertainment

1 of 6 Halloween on Screen North Bethesda

Annual celebration of scary movies featuring live musical accompaniment and shadowcasts.

See all 6 shows & screenings →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do we plan a fall festival day in Ellicott City?

Check the schedule grid before leaving: parades, contests, and live sets anchor the day, so build around the two you care about most. Arrive before the midday crush for parking and short vendor lines, carry water and sunscreen even in October, and set a meeting point the moment you enter. Two anchored events plus open wandering beats a rigid hour-by-hour plan.

How accessible are walking tours and festivals in Ellicott City for limited mobility?

Ask three specifics before booking a tour: total distance, surface type, cobblestones and hills are common on historic routes, and whether the group stops to stand for long stretches, which tires people faster than walking. Many operators run shorter or slower-paced versions on request. Festivals on fairgrounds are generally manageable; grass fields after rain are the exception, so call that week.

What's the smart shopping strategy at Halloween and harvest vendor markets in Ellicott City?

First hour for selection, last hour for discounts, pick one. Do a full lap before spending, photograph booths you might return to, and get the vendor's card or social handle for anything you're unsure about, since most sell online year-round. Set a cash cap for impulse buys, and carry purchases in your own tote so nothing gets set down and forgotten.

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