Newark Family-Friendly Fall Activities 2026

34 family-friendly fall activities in Newark and nearby.

For family Halloween adventures in and around Newark, consider the expansive Chillicothe Halloween Festival or the downtown Columbus event, Howl-O-Ween at Columbus Commons.

If you prefer a complimentary experience, Halloween at Thurber House offers a free, family-friendly celebration.

All Family-Friendly Fall Activities Around Newark

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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 15 Pickerington Oktoberfest Beer Mile Pickerington

The Beer Mile: chug beer, run a quarter mile, repeat.

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

Haunted Experiences

1 of 11 Dead Acres and Haunted Hoochie Pataskala

Extreme haunted house and forest attraction with graphic, violent horror.

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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 10 The Blair Witch Project: Film Screening and Q&A with Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard, and Michael C. Williams Columbus

Film screening followed by a live Q&A with the original cast.

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 Illustration of a Halloween town at twilight with glowing houses, jack o lanterns, ghosts, and a witch flying past the moon

Unique & Unusual

1 of 14 Spirits of Newark: Haunted History Walk Newark

Downtown Newark walking tour pairing documented dark history with Ohio wine

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Find Family-Friendly Halloween Fun on Our Map!

See all trunk-or-treats, pumpkin patches, and kid-friendly events nearby.

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Newark Halloween events map - Click to view interactive map

Frequently Asked Questions

What should we expect to pay at a pumpkin patch near Newark?

Budget in layers: many farms charge $5-15 admission or per-activity wristbands, pumpkins run by size or weight on top, and food, face painting, and pony rides stack quickly. A family of four commonly lands at $60-100 with a pumpkin each. Cheaper plan: free-admission farm stands for the pumpkin itself, and pay for one activity bundle instead of a la carte everything.

How do we keep a farm visit near Newark from blowing the budget?

Decide before arrival: one wristband bundle or two single activities per kid, one pumpkin each with a size cap, and one treat. Eat lunch beforehand, bring your own water, and set the souvenir answer to no in the car. Weekday and season-opening discounts are common, and the free stuff, animals, hay mountains, and photo spots, is what kids remember anyway.

Should we choose daytime or evening family Halloween events in Newark?

Under 6, daytime wins: naps hold, nothing lurks, and temperatures cooperate. Ages 6-10 love early-evening events, costume parades, family light shows, and glow mazes, that end by 8. Save true nighttime events for tweens. A good compromise is the golden-hour arrival: daytime activities first, then a short after-dark finale like a lit hayride before the meltdown window opens.

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