Trick or Treat on the Square
Children dress up in their favorite costumes to trick-or-treat at participating downtown businesses. Visitors can stroll through the square to view the festive SQUAREcrow displays. The festivities also feature a costume contest on the Main Street stage with categories for different age groups and families.
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Plan Your Visit
Website / Tickets
When
Hours
Trick-or-treating and the event run 3-6pm; costume contest at 5:30pm.
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Downtown Gainesville
Parking
Parking closes around the Downtown Gainesville Square at 12pm. All parking decks are free: Main Street Parking Deck, 301 Main St.; Hall County Parking Facility, 225 Green St.; and North Parking Deck, 130 Main St.
Going?
Location
Tips & Advice
- Look for balloons in front of storefronts to easily spot participating candy stops; businesses take them down when candy runs out.
- Take advantage of free parking in the Main Street Parking Deck, Hall County Parking Facility, or North Parking Deck.
- Plan around downtown street and parking closures, as square parking closes at noon and roads shut down at 1 p.m.
Special Events & Promotions
- The costume contest begins at 5:30 p.m., with categories for ages 0–4, 5–8, 9–12, and Best Group/Family Costume.
Links & Contact
Run by Explore Gainesville
Halloween Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can families identify participating candy stops?
Participating storefronts display a balloon outside, which is removed once the business runs out of candy.
What categories are included in the costume contest?
The contest features divisions for ages 0–4, ages 5–8, ages 9–12, and a category for Best Group/Family Costume.
How is the costume contest conducted?
Contestants line up by age category and parade across the stage in front of the judges, starting with the youngest group.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Halloween Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.