Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, which means the whole season is basically one big, glorious, candy-fueled weekend. Whether your crew is pint-sized and prefers pumpkins over pretend-scary, or you've got tweens who want a little more spook, the St. Louis metro and the Illinois side of the river have a lot going on.
We rounded up our favorite family-friendly events, from the longtime local traditions to the free ones that won't touch your pumpkin-spice budget. Dates and prices come from the latest local event listings, but plans can shift, so give the event's website or Facebook page a quick check before you load up the minivan. 🚗
👻 The Not-So-Scary Classics
Grant's Farm Halloween Nights | Through October 30, Thursdays–Sundays Hop on an evening tram ride past spooky scenes with live actors and glowing decor, then land at the Tiergarten for shows, a monster mash dance party, and daytime activities. Admission is $15 (kids 3 and under are free), and parking is separate.
Saint Louis Zoo's Boo at the Zoo Costumes are encouraged, there are pumpkin photo ops, and the nighttime train ride is always a hit with little ones. The 2026 dates were still being finalized at last check, so watch stlzoo.org for the schedule (and the sensory-friendly night).
The Magic House's Not-So-Haunted House | Fridays–Sundays, October 9–31 Kids dress up and trick-or-treat their way through the museum on a scavenger hunt, collecting "autographs" from storybook characters. There's also a Halloween story time and a Science of Slime demo. It's included with regular admission, in Kirkwood.
St. Louis Aquarium's Pirates & Pumpkins | Through November 2 Roaming pirates, cannon fire, crown-making, and pumpkins hidden all over Union Station. On select weekends, divers carve pumpkins underwater in Shark Canyon, and costumed trick-or-treating is scheduled for October 17, 23, 24, 30, and 31.
City Museum's Fright at the Museum | Through November 1 City Museum in Halloween mode is a whole different level of wonderful. Expect a not-so-spooky storytelling witch, acrobats, and fire breathers, plus a Pumpkin Throw Down on November 1 where pumpkins get dropped from the tenth floor. Check citymuseum.org for times and pricing.
Six Flags St. Louis Boo Fest | Select dates through November 1 If your kids are daytime-only, Boo Fest runs from noon to 6 p.m. with a straw maze, a Trick-or-Treat Trail, and a kids' show. Fright Fest takes over after dark, so it's best for older kids and teens.
🐾 Pumpkins, Critters & Farm Fun
Big Joel's Spooky Safari | Through October 31, Wright City Capybaras, kangaroos, lemurs, and zebras, all dressed up in Halloween decor. Tickets are $14 for ages 13 and up, $10 for ages 2–12, and free under 2.
'BOO'terfly House at the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House | October, Chesterfield The butterfly house leans into the creepy-crawly this month with tarantulas, scorpions, and carnivorous plants. The Jack O'Lantern Trail at Faust Park is scheduled for October 23 and 24, with advance tickets at $12 per person (ages 2 and up).
Eckert's Jack's Lighted Trail | Through October 30 A brand-new nighttime trail at Eckert's with pumpkin sculptures, photo spots, and festive surprises. It's designed to appeal to older kids and teens, and tickets are expected to sell out, so book ahead.
Owl Fest at Treehouse Wildlife Center | October 17–18, Dow, IL A free, family-friendly weekend with pumpkin painting, a teddy bear clinic, live music, and a behind-the-scenes look at the wildlife center. A sweet one for animal lovers. 🦉
🏘️ Small-Town Charm & Neighborhood Favorites
St. Charles Legends & Lanterns | October 10–25 Historic Main Street fills with ghost stories, a scavenger hunt, Scarecrow Glen at Kister Park, and Pumpkin Glow, all with free admission. Older kids can try the self-guided Haunted History Trail.
Party in the Patch at Shaw Park | Friday, October 16, 6–8 p.m. Hayrides, inflatables, candy hunting, hot dogs, and crafts in Clayton. Advance tickets are $12.
Pumpkin Glow at Des Peres Park | Saturday, October 10, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Launch jack-o'-lanterns onto the pond at sunset and roast s'mores. Registration to launch is $15 for residents and members, $18 for non-residents.
Movie in the Park & Hayrides in Cottleville | Tuesday, October 20, 6:30 p.m. Grab dinner from the food trucks, find a spot at Legacy Park, and catch a Halloween family favorite on the big screen. Free (popcorn is extra).
National Museum of Transportation's Trick-or-Track | Saturday, October 17 Costumed trick-or-treating by day for kids 10 and under, then miniature train rides after dark. Evening tickets are $10 and need an advance reservation.
Legendary CWE Halloween | Sunday, October 25 The Central West End's famous street party starts with the kids: a costume parade, trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, and a dog costume parade, all free. It turns into an adults-only party at 6 p.m., so plan to head out before then.
Lenhard Family Halloween Light Show | Through October 31, Festus Over 150,000 lights synced to music on 99.7 FM at Larry Crites Memorial Park. Free and perfect for a cozy pajama-clad drive-and-gawk. ✨
🌉 Over the River: Southern Illinois Fun
The Metro East does Halloween right, and a lot of these traditions go back generations.
Downtown Belleville Trick-or-Treat | Friday, October 30, 5:30–7 p.m. The city's annual downtown event is for Belleville children 12 and under. Fun fact: candy corn as we know it traces back to a Belleville candy company in the late 1800s. 🍬
Spooktacular Extravaganza in Belleville | Sunday, October 18 A free community Halloween celebration at Belleville West High School with costumes, games, treats, and family resources. Check the event page for the exact hours.
Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Halloween Parade | Halloween night This parade has been a community tradition for more than a century, rolling through downtown Edwardsville. The city also hosts a costume contest and Halloween Party in the Park the weekend before, so keep an eye on cityofedwardsville.com for 2026 details.
Alton Halloween Parade | Halloween weekend Alton is known as one of the most haunted small towns in America, and its downtown parade is one of the longest-running in the country, with floats, bands, and costumed marchers. Confirm the date and start time with the city before you go.
🎃 Halloween Night, Sorted
Since October 31st falls on a Saturday, here are a few ways to make the night a little easier:
- Francis Park Musical Costume Parade | 5:30 p.m. A kid-friendly parade around the lily pond, followed by trick-or-treating in one of the city's most festive neighborhoods.
- Westport Plaza Halloween Parade & Movie Night | Thursday, October 29. Kids parade through the plaza at 6 p.m. collecting treats, then settle in for a free double feature of Hotel Transylvania and Hotel Transylvania 2.
- Your own street. Some of the best trick-or-treating in the metro happens in walkable neighborhoods like Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Maplewood, and Ballwin. If you're wondering which pockets are most trick-or-treat-friendly, we're always happy to point you in the right direction. 😉
💡 Quick Tips for a Smooth Halloween Season
- Buy tickets early. Lighted trails, Boo at the Zoo, and Grant's Farm tend to sell out on weekends.
- Check for sensory-friendly nights. Several attractions offer calmer evenings with softer lights and sound.
- Dress in layers. October evenings in Missouri and Illinois can swing from 70 to 40 in a couple of hours.
- Call ahead. Weather can shift outdoor events, so a quick look at the event page before you go saves a lot of heartache.
🏡 Why We Love This Place
This is what makes living in the St. Louis area so special: Halloween isn't just one night, it's a whole season of neighborhood parades, farm trails, museum takeovers, and small-town traditions. If you've been thinking about finding a home with a great trick-or-treat street, a walkable downtown, or a community that really shows up, we'd love to help you find it.
Have a favorite Halloween tradition we missed? Tell us in the comments or send us a message. Happy haunting! 👻🍬
