Discover the spookiest spots in West Des Moines with our Halloween event planner. Whether you're a local specter or a visiting phantom, this guide will unveil West Des Moines's haunted hotspots.
Popular Events: Experience the thrills at Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park, where chilling attractions and spine-tingling scares await during Halloween. For a different vibe, the Halloween Bar Crawl offers a chance to enjoy themed drinks and eerie entertainment at various local bars. And the Night Eyes event is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring illuminated animal encounters for a family-friendly Halloween experience. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around West Des Moines
- Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park (Des Moines)
- Halloween Bar Crawl (Des Moines)
- Night Eyes (Des Moines)
- The Great Pumpkin Party at Valley Church
- Spooky Science (Des Moines)
- Trick or Trees (Des Moines)
- Fall Festival & Candy Crawl (Grimes)
- Phantom Fall Fest (Altoona)
- Halloween on the Hill (Des Moines)
- Trick or Treat Around the Lake (Pleasant Hill)
See these and even more events listed below!
West Des Moines Area Haunted Experiences
Phantom Fall Fest
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with both daytime family-friendly activities and nighttime haunted experiences.
Description:
Phantom Fall Fest at Adventureland Resort is a dual-themed Halloween event offering family-friendly activities during the day and terrifying frights at night. Enjoy trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting, and costume contests during the day, while experiencing haunted houses, scare zones, and live performances in the evening. The event features four haunted houses, including mAlice In Wonderland, and scare zones like Deadsville and Hellbillies.
Where: Altoona | More Info: Phantom Fall Fest
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park
What to Expect:
Immersive haunted house experiences with various themed attractions.
Description:
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park is Iowa's largest and most elaborate Halloween theme park, offering 10 haunted attractions at one low price. Visitors can explore the Castle of Blood, experience the intense Chaos RED, and enjoy live entertainment at Freakshow. The park also features intricately carved pumpkins in Blazing Jack-O-Lanterns and a variety of food options at the Zombie Bunny Food Court.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Sleepy Hollow Haunted Scream Park
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near West Des Moines
Night Eyes
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration in a zoo setting with enchanted lighted displays and a merry-not-scary treat safari.
Description:
Night Eyes at Blank Park Zoo is a merry-not-scary Halloween tradition that delights families with enchanted lighted displays, a treat safari, and live entertainment. Guests can enjoy festive delights while learning about and supporting wildlife. The event features a virtual costume contest, free carnival games, inflatables, costume characters, and handmade light displays.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Night Eyes
Spooky Science
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with science-y activities and creepy-crawly critters.
Description:
Spooky Science is a family-friendly Halloween celebration at the Science Center of Iowa. The event features hair-raising experiments, creepy-crawly critters, and tons of other spook-ified programming. All activities are included in admission for SCI members, and costumes are encouraged but must not include any weapons.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Spooky Science
The Great Pumpkin Party at Valley Church
What to Expect:
A family-friendly fall festival with special accommodations for families with special needs, featuring a variety of fun activities and attractions.
Description:
The Great Pumpkin Party at Valley Church is a family-friendly event celebrating the fall season. Enjoy giant inflatables, barrel train rides, carnival games, free popcorn, and more. The event offers special accommodations for families with special needs, including quieter areas and lighting/sound adjustments. It is a fun-filled evening with activities like face painting, petting zoos, and photo booths.
Where: West Des Moines | More Info: The Great Pumpkin Party at Valley Church
Trick or Trees
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with educational activities and trick-or-treating in a beautiful botanical garden setting.
Description:
Join the Greater Des Moines BOOtanical Garden for Trick or Trees, a festive and family-friendly event. Enjoy educational activities, entertainment, and trick-or-treating amidst the beautiful botanicals. Costumes are encouraged, making it a fun and spooky celebration for all ages. The event takes place from 9 AM to 4 PM on Saturday, October 26, 2024.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Trick or Trees
Trick or Treat Around the Lake
What to Expect:
A community-driven Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating and festive activities at Copper Creek Lake Park.
Description:
Trick or Treat Around the Lake is a family-friendly Halloween event held at Copper Creek Lake Park. Attendees can enjoy trick-or-treating, festive activities, and community fun while dressed in their costumes. The event is sponsored by various local businesses, making it a great opportunity to engage with the community.
Where: Pleasant Hill | More Info: Trick or Treat Around the Lake
Halloween on the Hill
What to Expect:
A neighborhood-wide haunted house with various spooky displays and live performances.
Description:
Halloween on the Hill is a family-friendly event in Des Moines's historic Sherman Hill neighborhood. Residents decorate their homes with spooky scenes while collecting donations for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry. Visitors can expect to see various creatures, live performances, and more. The event is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items or donations to support the DMARC pantry.
Where: Des Moines | More Info: Halloween on the Hill
Fall Festival & Candy Crawl
What to Expect:
A festive celebration with a variety of activities and treats for all ages.
Description:
The Fall Festival & Candy Crawl is a fun-filled event that will take place on October 12, 2024, at the South Sports Complex in Grimes, Iowa. The festival will feature a variety of activities for all ages, including the Candy Crawl, food trucks, local vendors, games, and bouncy houses. Costumes are highly encouraged, making it a delightful experience for both kids and adults.
Where: Grimes | More Info: Fall Festival & Candy Crawl
Boos & Brews 5k Fun Run
What to Expect:
A fun run event that combines running with a celebration of local craft beer and spooky vibes.
Description:
Join us for the Boos & Brews 5k Fun Run at 515 Brewing Company on October 26, 2024. This event is part of the 2024 Iowa Brewery Running Series and offers a fun-filled day of running, beer, and spooky vibes. The 5k-ish course starts and ends at the brewery, taking you through scenic routes while enjoying beautiful surroundings. After crossing the finish line, reward yourself with a well-deserved pint of craft beer from 515 Brewing Company.
Where: Clive | More Info: Boos & Brews 5k Fun Run
Halloween Hike at Annett Nature Center
What to Expect:
A unique Halloween hike experience that combines nature exploration with severe weather phenomena.
Description:
Join Warren County Conservation for a thrilling Halloween hike at Annett Nature Center. This year's theme is severe weather, where hikers will trek down a jack o' lantern lit trail and encounter various weather phenomena, including tornadoes, thunderstorms, blizzards, hail, and floods. After the hike, enjoy a craft and snack in the nature center.
Where: Indianola | More Info: Halloween Hike at Annett Nature Center
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near West Des Moines
Halloween Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
Enjoy 2-3 drinks or shots included and no cover at all bars during the mid-party and after-party.
Description:
Join the ultimate Halloween celebration in Des Moines with the 7th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl. This spooktacular event features 2-3 drinks or shots included, no cover at all bars, a $1,000 national costume contest, and an electric atmosphere. Explore some of the best bars in Des Moines and enjoy exclusive drink specials, food specials at select venues, and an awesome after-party. Meet new people and experience the perfect way to celebrate the spooky season.