20 St. Louis Events to Put You in the Halloween Mood

The Legendary CWE Halloween Party
Saturday, October 29
11 a.m. - midnight
Events take place at the intersection of Maryland and Euclid unless otherwise noted.

If the idea of a costume contest with $5,000 worth of cash and prizes sounds good to you, mark your calendar for the Central West End's annual Halloween party. The celebration kicks off during the day with family-friendly activities that include a parade, trick-or-treating at area businesses and a dog parade and party. Then the adults-only celebration takes over in the evening, with a costume contest, a DJ, fire spinners and more. Click here for the day's schedule and details about costume contest registration. Photo courtesy of Instagram / cwescene.

The Great GO! St. Louis Halloween Race
Sunday, October 23
7 a.m.
Soldier's Memorial
1315 Chestnut St.
St. Louis, MO 63103

Balance out all the candy consumption with The Great GO! St. Louis Halloween Race. Runners and walkers of all abilities are invited to participate in either the 5K, 10K or one-mile fun run. You'll have the ultimate in motivation, with candy stops along the 5K route and a zombie zone along the 10K and half marathon courses. Treat yourself afterward with event more candy from local businesses and organizations, as well as post-race brew from Michelob Ultra. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Dave Herholz.

Spirits in the Garden
Friday, October 28
6 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Blvd.
St. Louis 63110

Raise your glass to All Hallows' Eve at this festive Missouri Botanical Garden event. Attendees can participate in a costume contest, search for "wicked plants" in a scavenger hunt, dance to a haunting soundtrack and, of course, indulge in samples from local distilleries. Designated drivers pay $15, while garden members pay $25 and all other adults pay $35. Photo credit: Sonya Lalla. Courtesy the Missouri Botanical Garden.

Boo at the Zoo Nights
Nightly October 18 - 30
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Saint Louis Zoo
1 Government Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63110

See the zoo as you never have before, decorated for a not-so-scary Halloween experience. Kids can come dressed up (and get $1 off for being in costume!), ride the "scare-ou-sel," make Halloween crafts, gather round for fireside stories and more. Zoo members pay $6, and general admission is $7. Also stop by on October 29 for Boo at the Zoo Spooky Saturday, a similar event held during the day that is completely free. Photo by Roger Brandt, Saint Louis Zoo.

Fabulous Fox Ghost Tours
Monday, October 10 at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.; Monday, October 24 at 6 p.m, 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m.
527 N. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63103

What happens at this 86-year-old theater when the audiences are long-gone and the stage lights go out? You'll find out at the Fabulous Fox Ghost Tours, where you'll learn the untold history of ghost sightings and unexplained occurrences at the theater. Snacks, specialty cocktails and readings from psychics and tarot card readers will also be available at these events. Tickets are $25, and it's recommended that you leave the kids with a babysitter for this night out. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Kevin Schraer.

Zombie Chase Trail Run
Saturday, October 8
9 a.m.
Castlewood State Park
1401 Kiefer Creek Rd.
Ballwin, MO 63021

If zombies can't motivate you to run, nothing will. Follow the provided map as you dash from checkpoint to checkpoint while avoiding the zombies on the trail -- and if a zombie swipes your lifeline (aka a flag football flag), you'll get a time penalty. That fate may be a lot less gruesome than what you see on TV, but we expect the adrenaline will still be kicking full-force. Photo courtesy of Flickr / jader56.

The Lemp Mansion Presents an Evening of Edgar Allan Poe
Tuesday, October 25 and Monday, October 31
7 p.m.
Lemp Mansion
3322 Demenil Pl.
St. Louis, MO 63118

Nothing sends a chill up a reader's spine quite like a story by Edgar Allan Poe -- so why not add to the thrill with an evening at one of St. Louis' most haunted destinations? Gather at Lemp Mansion for a dramatized reading of Poe tales, as interpreted by Anne Louise Williams. For reservations, call 314-664-8024. (P.S. -- if you have an extra $65 sitting around, check out the Lemp Mansion Halloween Bash, too.) Photo courtesy of Flickr / Hartwig HKD.

Foundry Art Centre Film Series: Hocus Pocus
Wednesday, Ocotober 26
6 p.m. - 10 p.m.
Foundry Art Centre
520 N. Main Ctr.
St. Charles, Missouri 63301

This fall and winter, Foundry Art Centre is presenting a classic movie and related art activities on the last Wednesday of each month. "Hocus Pocus" is the pick for October, and guests are welcome to wear costumes and trick-or-treat at the Artist Studios on the mezzanine level as well. Oh, and did we mention that the event is free? Photo courtesy of Flickr / Heather Miller.

Creepyworld
Check here for hours.
1400 S. Old Highway 141
Fenton, MO 63026

Nothing completes October like a trip to a haunted house -- and Missouri has some of the best. Creepyworld, "America's Biggest Haunted Screampark," is officially open for the season and is ready and waiting to scare your pants off. With 13 different attractions, this place is the stuff of nightmares. Tickets are $25. Screen grab via Youtube.

St. Louis Symphony Thrills and Chills Concert
Sunday, October 30
3 p.m.
Powell Hall
718 N. Grand Blvd.
St. Louis, MO 63103

Celebrate Halloween at the St. Louis Symphony with some spooky themes, including John Williams' "The Imperial March" from Star Wars, "Night on Bald Mountain" from Fantasia and Saint-Saëns’ "Danse macabre." The music is sure to haunt you long after you leave Powell Hall. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Reading Tom.

Star Clipper Zombie Crawl
Saturday, October 22
8 p.m. - 12 a.m.
1319 Washington Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63103

This annual jaunt downtown is more than just your average bar crawl. You'll start at Star Clipper comic books, where you'll get your zombie crawl passports. You'll get 3 percent off for each passport punch you get at participating bars -- 35 percent off if you stop at every place! Other festivities include a costume contest, a raffle and an End of the World Party at The Crack Fox to finish off the night. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Paul Sableman.

The Darkness
Check here for hours.
1525 South 8th Street
St Louis, Missouri 63104

Known as "America's Best Haunted House," The Darkness is a must-do for any thrill-seeking horror junkie. New features such as an outdoor scare zone, laser tag and escape games have been added in addition to this 23-year-old haunted house that gets bigger, better and more terrifying every year. Tickets are $25. Screen grab via Youtube.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show
October 13 - 29
8 p.m. Thursdays - Saturdays
Tower Grove Abbey
2336 Tennessee Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63104-1434

Stray Dog Theatre is presenting this cult classic, featuring Dr. Frank-N-Furter and the cast of colorful character that inhabit his mansion. A parody on the science fiction and horror B-movies of the mid-20th century, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a musical you never quite forget. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Matto Fredriksson.

The Abyss at Lemp Brewery
Check here for hours.
3500 Lemp Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63118

No one will hear you scream at The Abyss, a new "extreme scream" haunted house located beneath the infamously haunted Lemp Brewery. You'll get lost in these pitch-black caves and tunnels buried more than 100 feet underground. Will you make it out alive? There's only one way to find out... Screen grab via Youtube.

Terror at Tower Grove Park
Friday, October 21
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Tower Grove Park
4256 Magnolia Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110

The name may sound menacing, but this new event at Tower Grove Park should satisfy even the wimpiest Halloween lover. Grab your costume and gather at the Sons of Rest Pavilion and Stupp Center in Tower Grove Park for the ultimate neighborhood Halloween party. Festivities will include live music, food trucks, candy, arts and crafts, a costume contest, a Halloween movie by Frontyard Features and s'mores. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Timothy K Hamilton.

Fright Fest
September 30 - October 30
Every Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday
4900 Six Flags Rd.
Eureka, MO 63025

Halloween wouldn't quite be the same without Fright Fest at Six Flags St. Louis. There will be some not-so-scary Halloween fun during the day for the kids, but things will turn frightening as soon as the sun goes down. Bring your brave face -- you're going to need it as you weave your way through themed scare zones, explore haunted attractions and ride roller coasters in the dark. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Ricky Brigante.

Slashfest at Skyview Drive-In
October 7,8 and 9
8 p.m.
Skyview Drive-In
5700 N. Belt W.
Belleville, IL 62226

Every year, Skyview Drive-In takes a vote among its Facebook followers to see which movies they want at Slashfast, a weekend featuring Halloween classics on the drive-in's two big screens. One screen is reserved for family-friendly Halloween flicks, while the other is geared for those prepared for hardcore horror. This year's Slashfest will show Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters and Rocky Horror Picture Show on the first screen, while The Exorcist, Poltergeist and Texas Chainsaw Massacre will play on the other. Three movies for the price of one? Can't beat that. Photo courtesy of Flickr / Dennis Dixson.

Freakshow
Saturday, October 29
7 p.m.
Ballpark Village
329 S. Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102

Johnnie Brock's Dungeon and Ballpark Village are partnering to present Freakshow, a sinister carnival-themed Halloween bash. The all-inclusive package provides access to four clubs and bars, live entertainment and a costume contest featuring a $5,000 prize package. Expect a DJ, fire breathers, freak performances and more. For tickets and more info, visit stlballparkvillage.com/freakshow. Photo via RFT archives.

Howl-O-Ween Pet Parade in the Loop
Sunday, October 30
11 a.m.
Check in at The Market in the Loop
6655 Delmar Blvd.
University City, MO 63130

Your pup shouldn't have to wait until Mardi Gras to parade around in his holiday's best. You and your furry friend have the perfect excuse to dress up with this Halloween pet parade in the Loop. A costume contest and pumpkin decorating station will also be part of the festivities, and lots of businesses on the Loop will be stocked with dog treats for trick-or-treating. Fido shouldn't miss out on the Halloween fun, after all. Photo courtesy of Flickr / istolethetv.

Haunted Hayloft
October 21 - 23 and 28 - 30
Fridays and Saturdays, 4:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Purina Farms
200 Checkerboard Loop
Gray Summit, Missouri 63039

Storytelling, trick-or-treating, magic shows, hayrides, a costume contest and more are waiting for the kids at Purina Farms. In addition to all the Halloween activities, the kids will also love meeting adoptable dogs from Gateway Pet Guardians ("Mom, can we keep him? Pleeeaasseee?") Parking is $5, and admission is free. Happy Halloween indeed. Photo courtesy of Instagram / _leahemily.