Trunk-or-treat and community trick-or-treating events are a wonderful and safe 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.
With changes and safety guidelines in 2020, fewer events are being held, and some have residency restrictions. We’ve added the ones we have confirmed for now, and will continue to add to the list. Cancellations are possible at any moment, pending safety recommendations. It’s important for you to check the event links before you go, in case of cancellations.
Trunk-or-treat events are especially fun as cars are decorated with themes and fun displays and they require minimal walking between stops. Many are drive-thru style for 2020.
There are over 50 events offering special trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat fun 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! In addition to these special trick-or-treating options below, there are also 25+ parties at the local community centers during the month of October to get you in the Halloween spirit.
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 50+ fall and Halloween events around Columbus for families and adults that you don’t want to miss this year!
Don’t forget – there are plenty of places to eat free or cheap on Halloween.
Safe Trick-or-Treat and Trunk-or-Treat for 2020
Boo at the Zoo: October 16-18, October 23-25, October 31-November 1, 2020 Visit the Tommy C. Turtles Trick or Treat Trail, Cali’s Pirate Dance Party, Frogwortz Academy, Zoo Boo Choo Choo rolling through Vertebrate Village, plus animal encounters, character ambassadors, and many other exciting Halloween activities and demonstrations.
Kid’s Night in Halloween Town at Boost Mobile Local Pataskala: Friday and Saturday, October 23-24, from noon – 8 pm. Enjoy a Halloween kids party with games, prizes and giveaways. There will be punch and cupcakes, pumpkin decorating, and haunted maze scavenger hunt
Trunk or Treat at New Beginnings Church: Saturday, October 24 from 2-4 pm. Hosted by New Beginnings Church and ASCO Autism Society Central Ohio. Enjoy a fun and safe Trunk or Treat for all ages and all abilities. In order to maintain social distancing we need families to sign up for a half hour time slot. Some timeslots may be full.
Reynoldsburg Trunk or Treat: Saturday, October 24 starting at 3 pm. Drive up so the kids can collect treats from the safety of your vehicle. Sponsors will be set up in the park to hand out treats. This event is for Reynoldsburg residents and St. Pius students in 6th grade or under. Must present flier or bring proof of residency. You must be in a car; no walk-ups. Bring bring a treat container for each child. Masks are required by everyone in the vehicle.
Candy by the Carload in Powell: Saturday, October 24 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.
Prairie Township Drive Thru Trick or Treat: Saturday, October 24 from 6-8 pm at Westland High School Parking Lot. This is a free drive-thru event where families can drive-thru and receive candy from local businesses. Cars will enter through Westwoods Blvd. and exit on to Galloway Road.
Children and adults will need to stay in cars. Children are encouraged to wear costumes. It is encouraged that both children and adults wear face coverings during the event.
Blacklick Woods Metro Park Trick or Treat Drive-Thru: Tuesday, October 27. Join Blacklick Woods Metro Park for a drive-thru style Trick or Treat! There will be 10 stations for families to drive through in the Meadows Picnic Area parking lot. Trick-or-treaters and their families will need to stay in their vehicles while participating in the event. Drivers are asked to wear face coverings while candy is being distributed. This event is for children ages 13 and under. Costumes are encouraged!
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. Check the available time slots and choose one that works for you. Note: there are still timeslots as of 10/25, but these may fill up at any time.
Dublin Halloween Spooktacular: Tuesday, October 27 – Friday, October 30 The event has been adapted for 2020. Head to Coffman Park to go on the Pumpkin Sign Hunt, explore the Hay Maze, and take a Storybook Walk. Dublin Residents and Dublin School District Residents can also register for the Haunted Trail. No treats this year.
Pickerington Village Haunted Highway: Wednesday, October 28, 4-7 pm. Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and decorate your car for this drive thru trick-or-treat event! Registration is required starting on October 5. It’s free to register, but spaces are limited.
Tots Trick or Treat at Pickerington City Hall: Thursday, October 29 12pm – 3pm. Drive-thru style. Children 2-5 years old accompanied by an adult may wear their favorite costumes as they drive through the City Hall parking lot to see staff dressed in costumes while receiving a few goodies.
Brightside Academy Trunk or Treat: Friday, October 30, 4-6 pm. Children and parents can walk by or drive by and get a bag of candy and participate in the Halloween contest. Hiring event as well. Get hired on the spot. Masks required. 1977 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus.
Rockin’ Tots Halloween Party at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park: Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 9 am – 11 am. $10 for one child and one parent, $10 for each additional child (Ages 6 and Under). Includes Arts and Crafts Games Costume Contest and much more!
Newark Treatfest Drive-Through Edition: Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 11 am – 1 pm at Christian Endeavor United Methodist Church, 1415 Londondary Parkway, Newark, OH 43055
Stay in your car and drive through the event! You may choose to briefly get out of your car and check out the vendors, or you can stay in your car for the activities. Masks are required if you get out of the car. Drive up, or park & visit vendor booths. There will be special Treat Stations throughout the event. Admission is FREE and the first 100 cars to arrive after 11 am will get a special loot bag filled with goodies and coupons. Visitors will also enjoy local vendors, characters, a live Elvis tribute, family bingo and trivia, balloon artists, scavenger hunt, check out local businesses, activities and classes for kids.
Candy Crawl at Indian Mound Mall: Saturday, October 31, 12-2 pm. Goblins and Ghouls can head to the Indian Mound Mall in Heath for curbside, social distancing trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 31st from 12:00pm-2:00pm. Pull into the parking lot of Altitude Trampoline Park and follow the signs. You and your family will be greeted by costume characters, balloon artist and a free goody bag filled with sweet treats, crafts and prizes! One lucky family will win a Halloween fun pack with Cosi tickets, AMC tickets Halloween items and more!
Trunk or Treat at Gateway Church: Saturday, October 31, 12-3 pm. Join Gateway Church for a safe Trunk or Treat event in Grove City. There will be a trunk or treat event and free food! Wear your best costume and get ready to make some memories! Please remember to wear your masks social distance from others. 1660 Gateway Circle, Grove City For more info, message us or email us at info@gatewaygrovecity.com
Scarysville in Uptown Marysville: October 31 from 10 am – noon. 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. This event is sponsored by the Historic Marysville Business District Association.
More options for Trick or Treat:
Saturday, October 10, 2020
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
Thursday, October 15, 2020
Friday, October 16, 2020
Saturday, October 17, 2020
Sunday, October 18, 2020
Friday, October 23, 2020
Saturday, October 24, 2020
Sunday, October 25, 2020
Monday, October 26, 2020
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
Wednesday, October 28, 2020
Thursday, October 29, 2020
Friday, October 30, 2020
Saturday, October 31, 2020
Find more Fall Fun here!
- Best places to pick apples in Central Ohio
- Columbus Pumpkin Patches, Farm Activities, Corn Mazes, and More!
- Big list of great Fall date ideas around Columbus
- Best hikes and scenic drives for Fall Color in Ohio
- Over 120 events celebrating Fall and Halloween in Columbus
- 11 Haunted Woods and Haunted Houses Around Columbus
2020 events that are expired
Trunk or Treat Car Show: October 10 from 11am-4pm at Hilliard Presbyterian Church. Trophies awarded for the best-decorated cars/trucks. Trick or Treat: 1 pm to 3 pm. Please come prepared to wear masks & gloves & hand candy to the children per Hilliard’s trick or treat mandate.
KidX Club Fall Fun at Polaris Fashion Place
KidX Candy Crawl Craft Bag Pickup Days at Polaris Fashion Place: Wednesday October 14 from 1-4 pm and Thursday, October 15 from 4-7 pm
Before you attend the KidX Candy Crawl Drive-Thru event on Saturday, October 17, be sure to stop by and pickup your candy bag to bring home and decorate! You can find us at COhatch:The Hub (on the Lower Level by Apple) from 1PM-4PM, and stop on by to grab your bag to-go! You’ll receive a bag and all of the supplies you’ll need to customize and decorate your candy bag, including stickers, marker, and more.
KidX Candy Crawl Drive-Thru event at Polaris Fashion Place: Saturday, October 17 from 10 am – 11:30 am
Goblins and Ghouls, you are invited to join us for a Candy Crawl on Saturday, October 17th from 10 AM-11:30 AM! Come dressed in your best costume and ready to collect all your favorite treats in a safe and enjoyable way! It will be a Drive-Thru very similar to our Summer Summer KidX Series! More information to follow, stay tuned!
Kidslinked Treat Fest at Lifepoint Church Lewis Center: Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 11 am – 1 pm. Stay in your car and drive through the event! You may choose to briefly get out of your car and check out the vendors, or you can stay in your car for the activities. Masks are required if you get out of the car. Drive up, or park & visit vendor booths. There will be special Treat Stations throughout the event. FREE – but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Olentangy Treatfest Drive-Through Edition: Saturday, October 17, 2020 from 11 am – 1 pm
Stay in your car and drive through the event at Lifepoint Church! You may choose to briefly get out of your car and check out the vendors, or you can stay in your car for the activities. Masks are required if you get out of the car. Drive up, or park & visit vendor booths. There will be special Treat Stations throughout the event. Admission is FREE – but REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Upcoming Halloween events
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Safe Trick-or-Treat and Trunk-or-Treat from 2019 – tba for 2020
Boo-Tacular Halloween Party at Everal Barn: tba $10 per person. Dance the night away with ghosts and goblins as we celebrate Halloween with our first ever Boo-tacular! We’ll enjoy pizza, snacks and beverages along with games and of course dancing. Don’t forget to dress in your favorite Halloween costume, parents too!
Worthington Trick-or-Trot Family Festival: tba from 10 am – 12 pm. Presented by the Worthington Linworth Kiwanis. The Worthington Trick-or-Trot Family Festival includes a 3-mile run, shorter kids trots, costume contest, bounce houses, games and more. Event is free, but registration is required and limited to the first 300 participants.
Historic Dublin Family Fall Festival: tba The Family Fall Festival features happenings all throughout the Historic District with fun activities at many of Historic Dublin’s unique businesses – including musicians & a Magician, activities, vendors, trick or treating through the district and more
Trunks Tricks and Treats at Worthington Place: tba Safe trick or treating at the mall, plus entertainment, Tricks & Treats, crafts, activities, music, story Time with a surprise character and more!
Halloween Treat Trail Party at Everal Barn: tba 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!
Boo ‘N Brew at Polaris Fashion Place: tba Fall festival with beer garden and lots of family-friendly activities throughout the lifestyle center. Live music, trick-or-treating, costume contest, parades and more!
Gahanna Creepside Festival: tba Games, food trucks, live music, activities, haunted trail and get candy from different businesses
Halloween Family Fun Night at Three Creeks Metro Park: tba from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Not-too-scary stories and s’mores at the campfire and go trunk-or-treating for candy. Kids of all ages encouraged to wear costumes. Meet at Confluence Trails bulletin board.
Old Hilliard Halloween Haunt: cancelled for 2020 Trick-or-treat, scavenger hunt, kid and dog costume contest and family fun activities
The Maize at Little Darby Creek Trick or Treat: trick or treat cancelled for 2020 From 2pm – 3pm, kids wear your costumes and trick or treat for candy. The costume contest will follow at 3pm.
Trick or Treat Trail at Gallant Woods: cancelled for 2020 Gather treats from characters along the s-p-o-o-k-y trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, & vote for your favorite scarecrow. Fun at Gallant Farms afterwards.
Costume & Candy Crawl at Kingsdale Shopping Center: tba from 4 pm – 7 pm. Dress in your Halloween best and Trick-or-Treat at Kingsdale Shopping Center! There’s a costume contest, face painters, and balloon artists. Please meet at the green for registration and a trick-or-treat bag to take along the route. This is a FREE event. Open to kids 12 and under, with adult supervision.
Howl-O-Ween at Ohio Wildlife Center: cancelled for 2020 Walk through the White Tail Trail, visits from “spooky” Animal Ambassadors like owls Bella, Alex and Woodsy, snakes Checkers, and Percy and Lenore, our American Crows. $5 per person ages 6 and up or bring a donation from the wishlist.
Worthington Halloween Party: Under the Sea Halloween: cancelled for 2020 Trick or Treat Trail, Petting Zoo, hayrides, games, music, and more
Trick or Treat at the Conservatory: tba Free with admission. Dress in costume and travel to treat stations in the Conservatory and in the Children’s Gardens.
Halloween Family Funday at North Market: tba Crafts, trick or treating starting at 11 am, face painting, games, farm animals, music and more!
Radiant Life Trunk-or-Treat: tba from 10:30 am-12 pm Inflatables, hayride, character photos, food, carnival games and trunk-or-treating, and lots of candy
Inniswood Halloween Party: tba from 2-4 pm Head to the Gardens for activities and crafts to celebrate this traditional holiday.
Hilliard Trunk or Treat at Hilliard/Ray Patch YMCA: tba Food trucks, music, Norwich Fire, Hilliard Police, a DIY photobooth and much more
Special Needs “Trick or Suites” at Embassy Suites: tba at 5 and 6 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.
Young Explorers: Trick-or-Treat Hike: tba from 6-7 pm at Homestead Metro Park. Wear your favorite costume and earn some goodies on a 1-mile hike. Ages 2-14. Meet at the Barn Shelter.
Haunted Village in Pickerington: cancelled for 2020 Ghost tours, hayride, trick-or-treating at Old Pickerington Village businesses
Boo on Broadway in Grove City: cancelled for 2020 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 in the Grove City’s Town Center Promenade.
[…] communities around Central Ohio; check out the Trick or Treat schedule here. There are also over 30 community events with trick or treating or trunk or treating for a safer alternative to Beggar’s Night. If you don’t know what to dress up as for […]