From haunted to hilarious, Louisville has no shortage of Halloween activities. We picked our favorite neighborhood events that are perfect for all ages.
Trick or Treatment with Louisville Water
When: Wednesday, October 26 from 4 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Where: Crescent Hill Treatment Plant and the Gatehouse at the Crescent Hill Reservoir (Near 201 Reservoir Avenue)
What: There’s nothing spooky about how Louisville Water makes drinking water. The whole family will enjoy Trick or Treatment at the Crescent Hill Treatment Plate and the Gatehouse at the Crescent Hill Reservoir. Event includes a plant tour, prizes, fun science experiments, snacks, and a Zombie Walk around the Reservoir. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Parking available along Reservoir Avenue.
Cost: Free
Trick or Treat Halloween Event at Riverside, The Farnsley-Moremen Landing
When: Wednesday, October 26, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Pavilion at Riverside, 7410 Moorman Road
What: Kids, bring your bag for a fill-up. Don’t miss the 3rd annual Dixie Area Business Association Trick or Treat Event at Riverside, the Farnsley-Moremen Landing. Wear your costume and be prepared for lots of Halloween treats — and a few tricks, too.
Cost: Free
Noogiefest
When: Saturday, October 29, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Gilda’s Club Louisville, 633 Baxter Ave.
What: All kids, ages 3-15, are invited to Gilda’s Club for Noogiefest – a free, fall festival with games, prizes, food, face painting, pumpkin and cookie decorating, costumes and tricks and treats sponsored by volunteers from the Junior League of Louisville. Visit here for more info.
Cost: Free
Halloween Movie Marathon at the Library
When: Saturday, October 29, all day
Where: The Shawnee Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library, 3912 W. Broadway
What: The Shawnee Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library is hosting four free screenings of family friendly spooky movies and treats. Come see: The Nightmare Before Christmas, Hocus Pocus, Coraline, and Hotel Transylvania.
Cost: Free
Jack O’Lantern Spectacular
When: Now-through Nov. 6, dusk until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday
Where: Iroquois Park (1080 Amphitheater Road)
What: The Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular returns to Iroquois Park, where 5,000 artistically carved pumpkins illuminate a 1/4-mile trail adjacent to the Iroquois Amphitheater and weaves its way through the trees with themed vignettes set to music. The carved, lit pumpkins rotate on a weekly basis, creating a different experience each weekend.Proceeds from the event benefit the Louisville Parks Foundation. The event is held rain or shine.
Cost: Tickets range from $9 to $15, with discounts for seniors and children 12 and under. Individual tickets may be purchased in advance for specific nights at the Iroquois Amphitheater Box Office or here.
Halloween in Brown Park
When: Saturday, October 29 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Where: Brown Park in St. Matthews, located on Kresge Way right next to Baptist Hosptial East (Parking available at 4007 Kresge Way)
What: For over 20 years, the Chamber of St. Matthews and City of St. Matthews have brought together thousands of residents, organizations, and area businesses in a fun-filled family friendly Halloween event. Event includes games, music, hayrides, bounce house, and trick-or-treating beginning at 11:30 a.m. Children start at the pavilion in Brown Park and proceed through the “haunted forest” along the path where participating organizations will pass out goodies.
Cost: Free
Louisville Zoo’s World’s Largest Halloween Party
When: October 27–30, Party starts at 5 p.m. Enter until 8:30 p.m. (Stay until you finish your party experience.) Hours are 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Louisville Zoo (1100 Trevilian Way)
What: If scary is no fun for your little ones, then don’t miss the sweetest party in town. Enjoy the Zoo magically transformed into a living storybook with costumed characters and trick-or-treating throughout for kids 11 and under. Be enchanted by beautiful princesses, go on a swashbuckling adventure in Pirates Cove or wander through a giant hay maze. Get into the spirit while you trek through the Zoo and gaze upon hundreds of lit pumpkins.
Cost: For tickets and more information, visit here.
Annual Fright Light Halloween Party
When: Saturday, October 29, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. (Showtimes: 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.).
Where: Gheens Science Hall and Rauch Planetarium, 106 W Brandeis Ave.
What: Spook-tacular family fun is had by all at the planetarium’s annual Fright Light Party. There are Halloween games and treats for kids along with the much-loved Fright Light Laser Music Show for the whole family.
Cost: $5 per person.
Nightmare in NuLu
When: Saturday, October 29, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: NuLu
What: The first annual Nightmare in NuLu is a day-long celebration of all things ghoulish and fun. During the day, from 12 to 5 p.m., experience trick-or-treating in the neighborhood plus sales and specials, face painting and pumpkin decorating in The Green Building Lot.
Cost: Free
PumpkinFest and Family Movie Night
When: Saturday, October 29, 4:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Where: Farmers Market Pavilion (10434 Watterson Trail) in Jeffersontown
What: PumpkinFest and Family Movie Night is a great alternative to the traditional trick-or treating. Children dress in costume and trick-or-treat along Historic Gaslight Square, participate in activities at the pavilion and enjoy hot dogs, chips and soft drinks. New this year, the Family Movie Series continues the festivities at 6:15 p.m. with a showing of Hotel Transylvania 2.
Cost: Free
Halloween on Hillcrest Avenue
When: Monday, October 31
Where: Hillcrest Ave. in Crescent Hill
What: This time of year, Hillcrest Avenue becomes a destination where visitors can see up to fifty homes between Brownsboro Road and Frankfort Avenue all decked out for Halloween. Bring canned goods or non-perishable foods to donate to United Crescent Hill Ministries at the designated collection bins on each block. Click here to read an article from The Wall Street Journal, Finding the Best Places to Trick or Treat, published on October 5, 2016, and featuring Hillcrest Avenue.
Cost: Free
