Haunting the House Down II: Columbus's Premier Sober Halloween Drag Show
An alcohol-free, 18+ Halloween drag show with guest performers.
10 Halloween movies, theater, and entertainment in Upper Arlington and nearby.
As Halloween draws near, Upper Arlington and surrounding Columbus venues present a mix of seasonal entertainment. From cult classics to live performances, there's a spectrum of events to experience.
If you seek a classic cult film, a live musical adaptation offers a different stage experience. For those venturing a bit further afield, consider the drive to Mansfield for a unique showing.
Features bouncy houses, a treat scavenger hunt, face painting, and games.
Elaborate open-streets celebration featuring the Costume Couture Fashion Show.
Extreme haunted house and forest attraction with graphic, violent horror.
Discussion of Josh Malerman's horror novel Incidents Around the House.
Explore all Halloween shows, performances, and entertainment nearby.
The famous ones, Rocky Horror on Halloween weekend, cult classics at beloved theaters, immersive productions, sell out one to three weeks ahead, while ordinary horror screenings hold seats until showtime. Book anything on the two weekends before Halloween as soon as the calendar posts, and for reserved-seat houses, earlier booking means better rows at identical prices.
Movie theaters are the most reliable: wheelchair seating, captioning devices, and assisted listening are standard, request devices at the box office. Historic theaters and immersive venues vary, so ask about step-free routes, seating transfers, and whether the show requires standing or walking. Many venues run open-caption or sensory-friendly screenings monthly; October calendars usually include at least one horror title.
Choose a gateway title, classic monster, family-spooky animation, at a matinee, and take the aisle seats so a mid-film exit is undramatic. Brief them beforehand on the loud parts and agree that leaving is always allowed and never teased. Bring a comfort object without apology. If it goes sideways, the lobby snack reset saves the day and often the genre.