Halloween weekend is upon us, packed with special events for all ages along with the usual full slate of live music, fine arts, and family activities.
Best Bet
Kenosha businesses and community organizations do an incredible job of making Halloween safe, fun, and better each year for local families. This weekend’s best bet is the lineup of trick-or-treat opportunities.
The popular Trick or Treat on 6th Avenue, now in its fifth year, returns on Saturday (Oct. 30) from 3-5 p.m. The downtown area comes alive with participating businesses offering treats, activities and displays at a growing list of businesses throughout downtown.
About a mile away in Uptown, little ghosts and goblins will take to the sidewalks to collect treats and enjoy activities courtesy or area businesses in the third annual Super Saturday Trunk or Treat. The event is set for noon-2 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 30) in the Uptown Brass Center parking lot, 1901 63rd St.
Costumes are encouraged, and prizes will be awarded for best costume and best trunk decoration.
Both the Uptown and Downtown trick-or-treating are free community events, sponsored by PlaySpace Kenosha.
The following day, the City of Kenosha’s official trick or treat hours are 4-7 p.m. on Halloween (Sunday, Oct. 31). As in past years, residents wishing to hand out candy should turn on their porch lights or other lights in front of their home.
The Kenosha YMCA, 5101 53rd St., is throwing a free, family-friendly Halloween Party on Sunday (Oct. 31) which includes “healthy and freaky” snacks, trick or treating, games and other seasonal activities for kids ages 3-12 (and parents, too).
Also on Sunday, Kenosha Bible Church, 5405 57th St., will hold a free Trunk-or-Treat from 2-4 p.m. Kids and families are welcome to come dressed in costume and trick or treat from trunk to trunk in the church parking lot. In addition to candy, refreshments and a photo booth will be available.
More Halloween Top Picks
In conjunction with the Trick or Treat on 6th Avenue event Saturday, a free Halloween party will take place from 2-5 p.m. on the front patio at The Stella Hotel & Ballroom, 5706 8th Ave. Treats include cotton candy, chocolate, jack-o-lantern cookie decorating, crafted drink samples from Cafe at The Stella and The 1844 Bar, plus a fall-themed photo area and raffle.
The Haunted Trails of Hawthorn Hollow event is set for 7:15 p.m. Friday (Oct. 29) at the nature sanctuary, 880 Green Bay Rd. Explore the woods on this guided hike for scary stories, local lore, and more. Cost is $15 for adults.
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Halloween Glow, an illuminated drive through the Racine Zoo, 2131 N. Main, runs from dusk to 10 p.m. Friday (Oct. 29) and Saturday (Oct. 30) then opens for the final day from dusk to 9 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 31).
Admission is $5 per person, free for children ages 2-and-younger. Cash or credit cards are accepted at the gate. This is a drive-through only experience, no walking allowed. The event is appropriate for all ages.
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Zipline through the Glow in the Park Halloween Celebration 6-11 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 30) at Boundless Adventures, 9800 160th Ave. Bristol. Costumes are encouraged for the event which will also feature candy give-aways and other Halloween touches. Tickets are $42 for a 2-hour climb.
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Bring a flashlight and walk among the skeletons of the Dinosaur Discovery Museum for Dinosaurs in the Dark Friday (Oct. 29). Advance registration for a specific time slot is required for this popular event. Each night has four half-hour sessions available.
The Dinosaur Discovery Museum has something special and spooky in store for “big kids,” too. Evidence of paranormal events, ghost stories, and tales of real-life ghost hunters will be followed by time for museum exploration. The event is set for 9-11 p.m. Friday (Oct. 29), cost is $10 members/$20 non-members, and registration is required.
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Kenosha Public Library’s after-hours series at the Northside branch, 1500 27th St., continues with something especially for our four-legged friends! Nights at Northside: “Howl-o-Ween” is an all-ages, especially pet-friendly, free event, set for 6-8 p.m. Friday (Oct. 29).
Costumes for both pets and humans are encouraged, and activities include mini pumpkin painting, KPL Book Truck, and pet resources. Registration is not required but is encouraged.
Pet costume contest participants should check-in at the registration table at the start of the event. All attending pets should be comfortable with social events and must be leashed and/or appropriately contained. All pet waste should be cleaned up by the pet owner.
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More than 160 pumpkins are ready to be illuminated at the 16th annual Peterson’s Pumpkin Patch, 9210 63rd St., a Halloween tradition in the Golden Meadows Subdivision. Jack-o-lanterns will light up at dusk Friday (Oct. 29) and glow through Monday (Nov. 1).
The public is welcome to cruise by the impressive display created by local chiropractor Dr. Kris Peterson. A donation box is available on-site with 100 percent of the funds raised going to a local nonprofit. This year’s recipient is Safe Harbor Humane Society.
The display attracted close to 5,000 visitors last year which resulted in a $3,580 donation to Kindred Kitties. Fore more details, see Kenosha.com’s feature story on this neighborhood tradition.
Day Tripper
Technically, this event is for kids, but fans of the Milwaukee’s SafeHouse, 779 N. Front St., span generations. This year SafeHouse is hosting a Spooktacular Kids Halloween Party from 1-4 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 31). Tickets are $10 and include candy, mini pumpkin painting, crafts, treat bags and dancing to Halloween music. A magician will be unveiling spooky tricks and specialty Halloween fare (sometimes including gummy eyeballs) will be available.
In an alleyway near the Milwaukee river, an unassuming doorway has been the entrance to this espionage-themed Milwaukee icon since 1966. Junior spies are welcome until 8 p.m. For more information on the event, check out the SafeHouse website.
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Many area bars and live music venues are hosting special Halloween-themed shows. See our listing below for details.
The Lineup
FRIDAY, Oct. 29
Music
Halloween Party featuring Cactii, Public Brewing Co., 628 58th St.
Eric Barbieri Acoustic, 6:45-10 p.m., Coins Sports Bar, 1714 52nd St.
Carthage College Fall Choral Concert, 2-3 p.m., featuring the Carthage Choir, Carthage Chorale, Carthage Treble Choir, and the Lincoln Chamber Singers, 2 p.m. Sunday, A. F. Siebert Chapel on Carthage campus, 2001 Alford Dr.
TNT Scary-oke, 9 p.m. tg’s Restaurant & Pub, 4120 7th Ave., karaoke, costume contests, prizes.
Friday-ween at The Brat Stop, Main Stage: Ecolimes 6:30, Lunde 8:30 p.m., Boys and Toys 10:45 p.m. Beer Garden: Chris Louis 7 p.m., Three Left 9 p.m., DJ Sauce 11 p.m. Tickets $10 in advance/$15 at the door.
Theater
KUSD Theatre Arts presents “Groundhog Day: The Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Bradford High School Auditorium, 3700 Washington Rd. Tickets available online, $13 general admission, $11 senior citizens, $6 students/staff.
Potpourri/Halloween Events
Crimson Jester Production’s Out in Public Comedy Show, 8 p.m. Public Brewing Co., 628 58th St.. Lineup includes Avery Rapier, Emilio Lopez, Kristin Carnes, Ray Wisbrock, Ton Johnson, host Jordan Pauley. Live music by Kim Banis & The Prince of Wales. $15.
Halloween Party, 2-5 p.m. Stella Hotel & Ballroom patio, 5706 8th Ave. (In conjunction with the Trick or Treat on 6th Ave. event).
Drive-up Car Costume Contest, 4-6 p.m., tg’s Restaurant & Pub, 4120 7th Ave.
Southport Light Station Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (last weekend of the season). Free admission for the keeper’s house tour; donations are welcome. Lighthouse climb costs $10 for ages 12 and over / $5 children 8-11 years old. (Must be 8 or older to climb.)
Family
Friday Fun Day (for families with children), variety of games, crafts, building toys and tech, 1-3 p.m. Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave.
Kidding Around Yoga (Ages 5-12), Northside Library, 1500 27th Ave. Limited spots available. Click here for registration details.
Preschool Storytime, 9:30-10 a.m. and 10:30-11 a.m. Southwest Library 7979 38th Ave.
SATURDAY, Oct. 30
Music
Halloween with Earthmother, Lunar Lizard and The Spirit Shakers, 8 p.m., Fusion, 5014 7th Ave., Doors open 7 p.m. Admission $20.
The Maskerade II: Delta Quadrant Party, 5 p.m.-1 p.m. Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave. featuring Vendor Fair, Tarot by Lexi at 7 p.m., costume contest 10 p.m. Live music starts at 8 p.m. with Little Couch Band followed by Old Wolves, Ghost Machines, and The First Rule.
West Nile Crows 9 p.m., Orange Costanza 10 p.m., Rustic Road Brewing Co., 5706 6th Ave, Costumes strongly encouraged! No cover.
Theater
KUSD Theatre Arts presents “Groundhog Day: The Musical,” 7:30 p.m. Bradford High School Auditorium, 3700 Washington Rd. Tickets available online, $13 general admission, $11 senior citizens, $6 students/staff.
Potpourri/Halloween Events
The Haunted Parlor family-friendly exhibit, 4-9 p.m., 4451 67th St. Free.
Garden of Eatin’ Spooktacular 5K Run/Walk is set for 10 a.m. Oct. 31 at Petrifying Springs Park. All ages and abilities are welcome. Registration includes a 2021 lightweight tech hoodie, commemorative bib with timing chip, finishers medal, small pumpkin and cider.
Kemper Center‘s Haunted House, 7-11 p.m. (kids’ hour 6-7 p.m.), Faulkner Building, Kemper Center 6501 Third Ave. Adults $10, Kids 10 and under $5.
The Brat Stop’s annual Halloween Party and Costume Contest, 8 p.m. Tickets $10 advance online/$15 at the door. First prize $1,000 cash (plus $1,000 in prizes). Music provided by DJ Sauce.
Dr. Destruction’s Haunted Manor, 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Jerry Smith’s Pumpkin Farm, 7150 18th St., $10.
Family
Trick or Treat on 6th Avenue, 3-5 p.m., Downtown Kenosha.
Super Saturday Trunk or Treat, Noon-2 p.m., Brass Uptown Center parking lot.
Kenosha HarborMarket, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., 56th Street and 2nd Avenue, outdoor season finale.
Kenosha Public Market, 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m., 625 52nd St. outdoor season finale.
Southport Light Station Museum, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (last weekend of the season). Free admission for the keeper’s house tour; donations are welcome. Lighthouse climb costs $10 for ages 12 and over / $5 children 8-11 years old. (Must be 8-or-older to climb.)
SUNDAY, Oct. 31
Music
Halloween! Karaoke with TNT Entertainment, 8 p.m., Union Park Tavern, 4520 8th Ave.
Theater
“Groundhog Day: The Musical,” 2 p.m., Bradford High School Auditorium, 3700 Washington Rd. Tickets available online $13 general admission, $11 seniors, $6 students/staff.
Art
Creeps in the Attic – A Halloween Art Show, Rustic Road Brewing Co., 5706 6th Ave. Featuring art by Aaron Clutter and Steven Naranjo, full bar, DJ set, costumes welcome. This event will begin upstairs at the time the downstairs bar closes.
Potpourri/Halloween Events
Dia de los Muertos Celebration, 5-10 p.m., presented by Kenosha Creative Space at The Vault, 625 57th St.
Creepy Crafters Art/Craft Fair and Hat/Glove Drive, 2-6 p.m., Fusion, 5014 7th Ave. Featuring Disturbing Dexter-theme blood spatter paint tent, face painting, and more. Presented by Creatives for Community and Kenosha Fusion.
Moon Maiden Pop-up, 7-11 p.m., tg’s Restaurant & Pub, 4021 7th Ave., candles, crafts, other vendors, tarot readings.
Family/Halloween events
City of Kenosha’s official trick or treat hours, 4-7 pm. Citywide.
YMCA Family Halloween Party, 6-8 p.m., 7101 53rd Street, healthy & freaky snacks, trick or treating, snacks, games and other spook-sational activities for kids ages 3-12 and their parents.
Trunk-or-Treat from 2-4 p.m. Kenosha Bible Church, 5405 57th St.
Southport Light Station Museum, Noon-4 p.m. (last weekend of the season). Free admission for the keeper’s house tour; donations are welcome. Lighthouse climb costs $10 for ages 12 and over / $5 children 8-11 years old. (Must be 8-or-older to climb.)
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Have an event for Kenosha.com’s Weekend Calendar? Email Laura@Kenosha.com and be sure to include contact information.
