Awaken the ancient spirits of Independence with our Halloween ritual guide. Whether you're an Independence local or a first-time trick-or-treater, our guide opens the crypt to Halloween delights.
Popular Events: Experience the eerie charm of the Haunted Tours at the 1859 Jail Museum, where chilling stories from the past come to life in a historic setting. Delight in the festive atmosphere of KC Oktoberfest, offering seasonal brews and tasty treats that celebrate fall traditions. And the 76th Annual Halloween Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring creative floats and spirited participants. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Independence
- 76th Annual Halloween Parade
- KC Oktoberfest (Kansas City)
- Haunted Tours at the 1859 Jail Museum
- Worlds of Fun Halloween Festival (non-haunted activities) (Kansas City)
- Night of the Living Farm (Overland Park)
- Haunted Huzzah at the KC Renaissance Festival (Bonner Springs)
- Missouri Town 1855 Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music (Lee's Summit)
- Cornucopia (Kansas City)
- Kid-Friendly Ghost Tours at Alexander Majors House (Kansas City)
- Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch (Liberty)
See these and even more events listed below!
Independence Area Haunted Experiences
Haunted Tours at the 1859 Jail Museum
What to Expect:
A unique blend of historical and paranormal exploration in a haunted setting.
Description:
Explore the dark side of the 1859 Jail Museum with guided tours that delve into the gruesome history and paranormal occurrences. These one-hour nighttime tours, available on Fridays and Saturdays during the first two weekends of October, discuss adult themes like murder, death, and hanging. The tours are limited to ages 13 and older and cost $30 each.
Where: Independence | More Info: Haunted Tours at the 1859 Jail Museum
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Independence
KC Oktoberfest
What to Expect:
The event offers a wide variety of authentic German-style bier brewed using traditional German recipes and brewing processes.
Description:
KC Oktoberfest 2024 is Kansas City's largest traditional Oktoberfest, modeled after the Munich Oktoberfest in Germany. The event features authentic German-style bier, delicious food, and lively music, all presented by Kansas City Bier Company at Crown Center. The festival includes games, competitions, and family-friendly activities, making it a unique celebration of Bavarian culture.
Where: Kansas City | More Info: KC Oktoberfest
76th Annual Halloween Parade
What to Expect:
The unique feature of the event is its long-standing tradition as the longest-running Halloween parade in the Kansas City area, featuring a diverse array of floats and participants.
Description:
The 76th Annual Halloween Parade, hosted by the Independence Chamber of Commerce, is a beloved family-friendly event that takes place on October 26, 2024. The parade features a colorful array of floats, including school marching bands, community organizations, dance studios, fire trucks, emergency vehicles, tractors, classic cars, and imaginative costumes. It begins at 10 a.m. on the Historic Independence Square and entertains several thousand spectators from the area.
Where: Independence | More Info: 76th Annual Halloween Parade
Worlds of Fun Halloween Festival (non-haunted activities)
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween event with a Trick-or-Treat Trail and live entertainment.
Description:
Worlds of Fun's Halloween Festival offers a family-friendly and fall festival experience with Tricks and Treats. This event features mischievous tricks, tasty treats, and spooky-kooky Halloween activities for kids and adults. Enjoy seasonal crafts, themed games, and a Trick-or-Treat Trail with costumed characters. The festival also includes live entertainment and a Halloween costume contest, making it a delightful celebration for all ages.
Where: Kansas City | More Info: Worlds of Fun Halloween Festival (non-haunted activities)
Night of the Living Farm
What to Expect:
A variety of spooky and non-spooky activities for all ages, including hayrides, puppet shows, and Mad Science experiments.
Description:
Experience a spooktacular Halloween celebration at Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead with activities like scary and non-scary hayrides, Stone Lion Puppet Theater, pirate ship races, spooky experiments with Mad Science, and more. Dress up in your favorite costume for a night of fun with the whole family.
Where: Overland Park | More Info: Night of the Living Farm
Missouri Town 1855 Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music
What to Expect:
Historic interpreters and artisans bring the harvest celebration of a bygone era to life with live music and hands-on crafts.
Description:
The 48th Annual Fall Festival of Arts, Crafts, and Music at Missouri Town 1855 is a two-day celebration that brings the harvest season to life. Historic interpreters, artisans, musicians, and crafters recreate the hard work and joy of a bygone era. Enjoy wagon rides, 19th-century games, and family-friendly activities that transport you back in time.
Where: Lee's Summit | More Info: Missouri Town 1855 Festival of Arts, Crafts and Music
Haunted Huzzah at the KC Renaissance Festival
What to Expect:
The unique feature of the Kansas City Renaissance Festival is its immersive 16th-century village experience with a variety of entertainment and activities for all ages.
Description:
The Kansas City Renaissance Festival is a beloved fall tradition that has been delighting visitors since 1977. This year, from August 31 to October 13, and on select Mondays, the festival offers a unique 16th-century experience with jousting knights, comedy, music, magic, and delicious food. The event takes place in a 16-acre village in Bonner Springs, Kansas, providing something for the whole family to enjoy.
Where: Bonner Springs | More Info: Haunted Huzzah at the KC Renaissance Festival
Cornucopia
What to Expect:
A weekend celebration featuring a variety of family-friendly activities, including carnival rides, live music, and a petting zoo.
Description:
Cornucopia is a vibrant fall festival in the Kansas City Power & Light District, offering a weekend packed with fun and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy carnival rides, live music, and meet costume character Grover. Savor seasonal food and drinks, and explore shopping vendors offering unique items. The event also features a petting zoo and hands-on activities for families.
Where: Kansas City | More Info: Cornucopia
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch
What to Expect:
Offers a comprehensive range of family-friendly activities including train rides, carousel rides, and a petting barn.
Description:
Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is a beloved fall destination in Kansas City, offering a variety of activities including train and carousel rides, wagon rides to the pumpkin fields, and dozens of other fun activities for the whole family. The patch is open from September 21st to October 31st, providing a festive atmosphere with live music, pig races, and farm-made treats like pumpkin donuts and kettle corn.
Where: Liberty | More Info: Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch
Other Halloween Activities Near Independence
Kid-Friendly Ghost Tours at Alexander Majors House
What to Expect:
A 45-minute guided tour of the Alexander Majors House Museum with ghost stories for kids presented by kids.
Description:
Join the Wornall/Majors Kids' Ghost Tours for a spooky yet not scary experience. This annual event features a 45-minute guided tour of the Alexander Majors House Museum, where kids will hear ghost stories presented by junior volunteers. The tour includes historical tidbits and fun activities like playing games, enjoying snacks, and making scratch-off Halloween masks.
Where: Kansas City | More Info: Kid-Friendly Ghost Tours at Alexander Majors House
Halloween Paint & Sip at Dr. Pikls Lounge
What to Expect:
Step-by-step art instruction for all skill levels, ensuring everyone has a blast creating their masterpiece.
Description:
Join Art by JonnieRae for a fun and creative Halloween Paint & Sip event at Dr. Pikl's Lounge. This 2-hour step-by-step painting class is perfect for couples, friends, and coworkers. No experience is needed, and all materials are provided. It's a stress-free and enjoyable way to celebrate the holiday season.