Best Halloween Activities & Things to Do for Halloween in West Michigan – 2024

Halloween Light Shows & Decorated Houses

Ghosts, Goblins, and Ghouls Galore – Hit the Road and Let the Scary Fun Begin!

Thanks to some amazingly creative folks, we can be awestruck by the best-decorated Halloween houses and Halloween Light Shows near Grand Rapids.

Pro tip: Make a scavenger hunt before you head out. Include things like tombstones, mummies, cobwebs, and ghosts.

As October 31 approaches, take an evening to drive around town and look for spooky Halloween houses.

SEE THE DISPLAYS ➙

Trunk or Treating

There are so many trunk-or-treat Halloween events in Grand Rapids that it’s impossible to hit them all. If you get lucky, you can find a couple close to each other at the same time.

That’s how you really cash in on the Mom Tax!

Starting in early October, West Michigan loves to Trunk or Treat!

FIND TRUNK OR TREAT EVENTS NEAR YOU ➙

Haunted Houses, Hayrides & Scary Attractions

Scary Halloween activities pop up all over West Michigan just in time for Halloween. Take your pick: haunted houses, haunted hayrides, haunted car washes, haunted mazes, and Zombie runs are just a few Halloween activities on offer.

Heads up: Read the descriptions and age limits carefully before signing up to be spooked. These places don’t give refunds for doing their job well!

If you want shivers, head to the local haunted attractions.

SEE WHAT’S HAUNTED NEAR YOU ➙

Zoo Goes Boo & Animal Events

John Ball Zoo and other animal attractions in West Michigan love celebrating Halloween.

That’s great because we love walking around the zoo to see the spooky decorations in the animal enclosures and filling up our treat bags.

Nowadays, the zoo also hands out many non-food or healthier options. But don’t worry – they still have candy!

John Ball Zoo Goes Boo runs for three weekends this October.

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Pumpkin Patches

Area farmers are growing all sorts of pumpkins these days. Choose a regular jack-o-lantern style, or have fun with nubby pumpkin varieties.

White pumpkins, yellow pumpkins, or orange, they all make for splendid fall decor.

For the best selection, visit a pumpkin patch in early in October.

FIND A PUMPKIN PATCH NEAR YOU ➙

Corn Mazes

Corn mazes come in all shapes and sizes – and some come with prizes! Some mazes may be haunted, but most are not.

Doing a maze after dark adds a whole new element to the game.

Choose your maze based on distance, design, and location.

SHOW ME THE LIST ➙

Trick-or-Treating Times

Halloween is on a Thursday in 2024. Some neighborhoods and downtown areas are opting to move their official trick-or-treat times to an alternate night.

The official trick-or-treating window for most areas is 6 – 8 PM. There are a few exceptions so be sure to check our big list to verify your area’s time.

When is trick-or-treating this year?

SEE YOUR TRICK OR TREAT TIMES ➙

Halloween Events for Kids

Is it just me, or do people love to celebrate Halloween in West Michigan more than ever these days?

Just a glance at the number of pop-up Halloween events happening in greater Grand Rapids tells me that this is quickly becoming one of our favorite holidays!

The whole month of October is filled with Kids Halloween Events in Grand Rapids & beyond!

SEE KIDS HALLOWEEN EVENTS ➙

Indoor Halloween Events

If you’re wondering whether your child’s costume will be warm enough this year or whether the rain will wash away your hopes for a fun Halloween, consider some of the following choices as alternatives to traditional outdoor trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.

SEE INDOOR EVENTS NEAR YOU ➙

Halloween Parties for Adults

Let’s face it – dressing up in a rad costume is even more fun for adults. We can really get into it with wild makeup and hair and costumes that can really knock your socks off.

So don’t forget to set aside time for grown up celebrations.

FIND ADULT HALLOWEEN EVENTS NEAR YOU ➙