Safe Trick-or-Treating and Trunk-or-Treating in Columbus

Trunk-or-treating and community trick-or-treating events are a wonderful alternatives for young kids during the Halloween season.  They are often held during the day and are contained within community centers, downtown areas with road closures, or blocked off parking lots.  Trunk or treat events are especially fun as cars are decorated with themes and fun displays and they require minimal walking between stops.

There are over 30 events offering special trick-or-treating and trunk-or-treating in Columbus this year.  Your kids will enjoy a safe and fun Halloween experience no matter which you choose – you may want to pick a couple to attend!

If you’re looking for the standard trick-or-treating, check out the trick or treat schedule for communities around Columbus.  There are also over 100 fall and Halloween events around Columbus for families and adults that you don’t want to miss this year!

October 9-15

• Worthington Halloween Party – Barnyard Bash: October 13 Trick or Treat Trail, Petting Zoo, hayrides, games, music, and more
• Oakland Nursery Trick or Treat Trail with Children’s Costume Contest (Columbus location): October 14 Trick or Treat Trail for 10 and under, costume contest, hayrides, pumpkin painting, face painting, and more.

October 16-22

• Dublin Halloween Spooktacular: October 19 Trunk or treating, pictures with special guests, dancing, food trucks, The Turtle Lady, The Bug Man and other Halloween related crafts and activities.
• Halloween Treat Trail Party at Everal Barn: October 20 FREE; Ages 8 and under will enjoy carnival games along the treat trail; Halloween Bingo, and Vendor Alley. Don’t forget to enjoy the horse-drawn carriage ride through the park. Remember to wear your costume!
• Howl-O-Ween at Ohio Wildlife Center: October 20 and 27 Walk through the White Tail Trail, visits from “spooky” Animal Ambassadors like owls Bella, Alex and Woodsy, snakes Checkers, bats Echo, and Percy and Lenore, our American Crows. $5 per person ages 6 and up or bring a donation from the wishlist.
• Boo at the Zoo: October 20-22 and October 27-29 Meet The Dark Knight and The Amazon Princess at Entry Village at various times throughout the night, Turtle Time with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pumpkin Junction, Animals on Safari, HOWL-OWEEN Show and treat stations located throughout the zoo
• Ghost Trolley with Ohio Railway Museum: October 21-22, 28-29  Fun, not scary Halloween event for young kids. Tour the decorated street cars and enjoy a lights out ride on the trolley about the Ghost Trolley.
• Boo ‘N Brew at Polaris Fashion Place: October 21 Fall festival with beer garden benefiting the Ronald McDonald House and lots of family-friendly activities throughout the lifestyle center. Live music by Fortune, trick-or-treating, silly safari animal shows, food trucks, face painting, balloon artists, costume contest, parade and more! Children ages 10 & under will be able to trick-or-treat in the designated area in the Polaris Lifestyle Center from 2 PM to 3 PM.
• Old Hilliard Halloween Haunt: October 21 Trick-or-treat, scavenger hunt, kid and dog costume contest and family fun activities
• Trunk or Treat Car Show at Hilliard Presbyterian Church: October 21 from 11am-4pm. Trophies awarded for the best-decorated cars/trucks. Trick or Treat: 1 pm to 2:30 pm
• Gahanna Creepside Festival: October 21 Games, food trucks, live music, activities, haunted trail and trick-or-treating with businesses
• The Maize at Little Darby Creek Trick or Treat: October 22 From 2pm – 3pm, kids can wear costumes and trick or treat for candy.  The costume contest will follow at 3pm.
• Trick or Treat Trail at Deer Haven Park: October 22 Gather treats from characters along the s-p-o-o-k-y trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, & vote for your favorite scarecrow.
• Costume & Candy Crawl: October 22 from 11am-1pm Meet at the Green (the grassy area in the middle of the center) to collect your Trick-or-Treat bag before walking the shops. We’ll also have a costume contest, professional face painters, and balloon artists! Free for kids 12 and under.
• Zombie Halloween Pool Party at Westerville Community Center: October 22 Join the zombie lifeguards for a haunted trick or treat trail through the Community Center. Then the party moves to the pool for games, candy, and family swim. Children 6 and under must have a parent in the water with them. Rate: $7.50 Discounted Resident Rate: $5 Parents are FREE!

October 23-31

• Special Needs “Trick or Suites” at Embassy Suites Dublin: October 26 from 6-8 pm The Autism Society partners with Embassy Suites Dublin to provide a fun and safe environment for special needs individuals of all ages and their families to enjoy trick-or-treat. Activities include goody bags, trick or treat booths, games and crafts, and more.  Registration is required.  Activities take about 45 minutes to enjoy.
• Howl-O-Ween at Ohio Wildlife Center: October 27
• Trick or Treat at the Shops at Worthington Place: October 27 Safe trick or treating at the mall, plus crafts, face painting, balloon artists and more.
• Hallelujah Harvest – An Alternative to Halloween Trick or Treating: October 27 from 6-8 pm. Hallelujah Harvest at First Church of God is our annual alternative to Halloween and trick or treating in a safe, family-friendly environment, with Trunk or Treat, classic cars, bounce houses, game truck and arts and crafts activities.
• Howl-O-Ween at Ohio Wildlife Center: October 27 Walk through the White Tail Trail, visits from “spooky” Animal Ambassadors like owls Bella, Alex and Woodsy, snakes Checkers, bats Echo, and Percy and Lenore, our American Crows. $5 per person ages 6 and up or bring a donation from the wishlist.
• Boo at the Zoo: October 27-29 Meet The Dark Knight and The Amazon Princess at Entry Village at various times throughout the night, Turtle Time with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pumpkin Junction, Animals on Safari, HOWL-OWEEN Show and treat stations located throughout the zoo
• Ghost Trolley with Ohio Railway Museum: October 28-29  Fun, not scary Halloween event for young kids. Tour the decorated street cars and enjoy a lights out ride on the trolley about the Ghost Trolley.
• Scarysville in Uptown Marysville: October 28 The streets of Uptown “Scarysville” come alive with Halloween FUN! From 10 am to noon. Children are invited to dress up in their costumes and visit Uptown merchants for candy and other Halloween goodies. All the fun of Trick or Treat, in the light of day
• Trick or Treat at the Conservatory: October 28 Free with admission.  Dress in costume and travel to treat stations in the Conservatory. Decorate a bag to hold your treats.
• Historic Dublin Trick or Treat: October 28 from 1-4 pm Join us for treats, fun activities, and a costume contest for kids and dogs
• Hilliard Trunk or Treat at Hilliard/Ray Patch YMCA: October 29 Food trucks, music, Norwich Fire, Hilliard Police, a DIY photobooth and much more
• Candy by the Carload in Powell: October 29 from 4-6 p.m. in the Municipal Building Parking Lot at 47 Hall Street. The parking lot will be transformed into a trick-or-treater’s treasure chest as local businesses and organizations set up booths and car trunks filled with candy, toys and other Halloween goodies.
• Halloween Family Funday at North Market: October 29 Crafts, trick or treating, music and more!
• Inniswood Halloween Party: October 29 Enjoy activities and crafts in celebration of this traditional holiday.
• Radiant Life Trunk-or-Treat: October 29 from 10:30 am-2 pm Inflatables, hayride, character photos, food, carnival games and trunk-or-treating, and lots of candy
• Jerome United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat: October 29 from 4-5:30 pm Collect candy at the car
• Haunted Village in Pickerington: October 30 Ghost tours, hayride, trick-or-treating at Old Pickerington Village businesses
• Costco Wholesale Plain City Trick or Treat Hallows Eve: October 30 from 6-8 pm. Treats Stations, Activities for kids, refreshments, and membership deals.  No membership required to attend.
• Boo on Broadway in Grove City: October 31 Family-friendly alternative to the traditional door-to-door Beggars’ Night allows children to dress in costume and safely collect candy and other goodies from area businesses and civic organizations.