Best US Halloween Festivals and Events for Families
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If your ideal Halloween includes more giggles than gore, you’re in the right place. Across the US, towns, theme parks, and even zoos go all-out in October with Halloween festivals made just for families—think glowing jack-o’-lantern trails, costumed parades, and spooky-but-sweet fun that won’t keep the kids up at night.
These events skip the jump scares and focus on magical atmospheres, creative activities, and treats for all ages (parents included). Whether you’re wrangling toddlers in tiny witch hats or entertaining tweens with a sweet tooth and a love for all things fall, these family-friendly Halloween festivals deliver cozy, colorful, and memory-making experiences from coast to coast.
So grab your costumes, your camera, and your snack stash—these are the best Halloween festivals in the US for families to enjoy this spooky season.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze – Croton-on-Hudson, New York
If your family loves pumpkins (and who doesn’t?), this event is pure magic. Set along the grounds of the historic Van Cortlandt Manor, the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze features over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins arranged into glowing, themed displays—think pumpkin planets, towering skeletons, and even a fire-breathing gourd dragon.
Timed entry keeps things calm and uncrowded, and the entire trail is stroller-friendly. Synchronized lights, festive music, and just the right hint of spookiness make it a hit for kids and adults alike. It’s one of the most dazzling, photo-worthy Halloween experiences on the East Coast—and it sells out fast, so book early!
Anoka Halloween Festival – Anoka, Minnesota
Welcome to the self-declared Halloween Capital of the World! Anoka has been celebrating Halloween since the 1920s, and its family-friendly festival is one of the most charming in the country. Throughout October, the town hosts a full calendar of events: costume parades, pumpkin carving contests, a spooktacular house-decorating competition, and more.
Everything is community-oriented, wholesome, and fun—perfect for kids who want to show off their costumes more than once. There’s even a “Light Up the Night” parade and a kid-focused carnival. It’s small-town fall magic with big Halloween spirit, and a great option for families looking to do more than just trick-or-treat.
Sleepy Hollow Halloween – Sleepy Hollow, New York
Few places embrace spooky season like Sleepy Hollow, the legendary village from Washington Irving’s classic tale. But don’t worry—this isn’t all Headless Horseman jump scares. The town’s Halloween festivities offer a magical mix of family-friendly events, from haunted hayrides and storytelling sessions to pumpkin carving and daytime festivals.
Kids will love exploring the decorated grounds of the historic Philipsburg Manor or wandering through the glowing Pumpkin Blaze nearby in Croton. There are even lantern-lit walking tours that strike the perfect balance between history and Halloween. It’s a little spooky, a little literary, and a whole lot of fall fun.
Boo at the Zoo – Nationwide (e.g. San Diego, Denver, Houston)
Zoos across the US transform into festive wonderlands each October for Boo at the Zoo—a Halloween tradition that’s equal parts cute and educational. Expect costume parades, trick-or-treat stations, themed exhibits, and even pumpkin enrichment (yes, animals smashing pumpkins is as adorable as it sounds).
These events are designed with younger kids in mind: no jump scares, plenty of daylight hours, and a safe environment to explore. Each city puts its own twist on it, so whether you’re in San Diego, Denver, Houston, or beyond, you’ll find a perfect balance of spooky and sweet with a few wild encounters along the way.
Pumpkin Nights – Salt Lake City, Austin, Dallas & More
Think of this as a glowing pumpkin wonderland with a side of whimsy. Pumpkin Nights is a multi-city festival featuring larger-than-life displays made from hand-carved synthetic pumpkins—dinosaurs, pirate ships, dragons, even pumpkin planets. It’s more enchanting than eerie, which makes it perfect for families with kids of all ages.
Each location has a walkable trail packed with themed lands, photo ops, performers, and interactive activities (hello, pumpkin archery). There’s no gore, no scares—just a vibrant, hands-on celebration of fall that’s as Instagrammable as it is kid-friendly.
Louisville Jack O’Lantern Spectacular – Louisville, Kentucky
Set along a wooded trail in Iroquois Park, this glowing nighttime event features more than 5,000 artist-carved pumpkins arranged into themed scenes and lit to perfection. It’s part art show, part fall festival, and 100% kid-approved.
The walking trail is stroller-accessible, and the vibe is magical rather than scary—think fairy tales, pop culture, and glowing animals rather than ghouls and gore. Timed entries keep crowds manageable, and the whole thing feels like a gentle walk through a pumpkin-lit dream. Bring a sweater and your best “ooh” and “aah” game.
Fall Colors – Rock City, Georgia
While best known for its winter lights, Rock City gets a head start on the magic each fall with family-friendly Halloween events tucked into its fairy tale setting. Located on Lookout Mountain, this enchanting spot transforms with glowing displays, gentle frights, and seasonal touches like storybook-themed walkthroughs and pumpkin-decorated trails.
Don’t miss Fairyland Caverns, which gets a slightly spookier (but still kid-appropriate) twist during October. With twinkling lights, live music, and a magical mountain setting, this is a Halloween outing that leans whimsical rather than witchy—perfect for littler kids or anyone who prefers charming to chilling.
Brick-or-Treat at LEGOLAND – Florida & California
If your kids are more into bricks than boos, LEGOLAND’s Brick-or-Treat is the Halloween event for them. Held on select fall weekends, this festival transforms the parks into a not-so-spooky celebration with LEGO-themed decorations, character meet-and-greets, dance parties, and safe trick-or-treating trails throughout the park.
There’s even a themed fireworks show and special seasonal treats, all without the frights you’d find at bigger theme park events. Costumes are encouraged, sugar highs are inevitable, and the atmosphere is all about creativity, color, and family-friendly fun.
Howl-O-Ween at Hersheypark – Hershey, Pennsylvania
What’s better than Halloween? Halloween with a side of chocolate. Howl-O-Ween turns Hersheypark into a fall wonderland, complete with lightly spooky rides, trick-or-treat stations, and a glowing Treatville trail perfect for younger kids.
The park adds festive lights and Halloween decor without leaning into anything too scary, making it ideal for families with little ones. And yes, there’s still plenty of chocolate. Bonus: some coasters stay open after dark for brave parents and older kids who want a thrill.
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