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.
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 many 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 (tba for 2021) 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 2021
Boo at the Zoo: Every weekend in October, Friday-Sunday! 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.
Delaware Fall Festival and Treatfest KidsFest: Sunday, October 3, 2021 from 1 pm – 4 pm at Buckeye Valley High School, 901
Coover Road, Delaware. Admission is free, but register to qualify for VIP entry, bags, and other fun activities.
The Delaware Fall Festival & Treatfest features trick or treating, hayrides, pumpkins, bounce park, costume contest, stage entertainment, character meet & greet, fun prize wheel, VIP bag, food & treat trucks, shopping, find things for the fall, education, classes, things for family, home & more!
Dublin Halloween Spooktacular: Thursday, October 14 and Friday, October 15 in Coffman Park. Merry, not scary family fun! Guests of all ages can come in costume and enjoy this ghoulish celebration. New for 2021, the event will be spread out in Coffman Park providing even more fun for everyone. Goblins and ghouls will enjoy returning favorites like the Trunk or Treat Trail, eerie exhibits and dance performances on the Coffman Park Tennis Courts. Don’t forget to dress up as Squier Photography will be back to take portraits.
Boo-tacular at Westerville Community Center: October 15, 2021 from 6-8 pm. Dance the night away with ghosts and goblins to
celebrate Halloween with your friends and family. Enjoy Halloween inspired snacks, desserts, games and dancing. Don’t forget to wear your costume. $10 per person. Registration required; use activity #401619-01
Trunk or Treat Car Show: Saturday, October 16 from 11am-3pm at Hilliard Presbyterian Church. Trophies awarded for the best-decorated cars/trucks, and best Halloween costumes. All makes, models, and years welcome. If you’d like to enter the car show, just register between 11 am to 1 pm on the day of the event, and pay $10 registration fee. Don’t forget to bring lots of candy to pass out! Trick or Treat: 1 pm to 3 pm. Spectators and Trick or Treaters get free admission.
Boo ‘N Brew Birthday Party at Polaris Fashion Place: Saturday, October 16 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!
Trunk or Treat at TLS South – Canal Winchester: Sunday, October 17 from 2-4 pm. Hosted by TLS South and ASCO Autism Society Central Ohio. Fun and safe Trunk or Treat for all ages and all abilities. Details tba. ALL ABILITIES/AGES.
Worthington Halloween Party: Halloween on the Village Green is Sunday, October 17 from 3-5 pm. Kids can Trick or Treat on the Green from vendors passing out treats. There will be entertainers on all four quadrants, as well as arts and craft stations, and more!
Special Needs “Trick or Suites” at Embassy Suites: Thursday, October 21 at 5:30 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 typically required. Activities take about 45 minutes to enjoy.
Trunk or Treat at Hebron New Life United Methodist Church: Thursday, October 21 from 5:30-7:30 pm. 925 W. Main St., Hebron, Ohio.
New Albany Parks and Recreation Trunk or Treat: Saturday, October 23 from 4-6 pm at Bevelhymer Park. Wear your best costume and trick or treat through our parking lot to play games and get candy from various local organizations. TRUNKS NEEDED! We are looking for local businesses, non-profits, or volunteers to set up displays that evening.
Prairie Township Trick or Treat: Saturday, October 23 from 4-7 pm at Westland High School Parking Lot. Details for 2021 tba at link.
Trick or Treat Trail at Gallant Woods: Sunday, October 24 from 1-4 pm. Come in costume to gather treats from characters along the enchanted nature trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, view insects with The Bug Man, get close to Ohio’s nocturnal birds of prey with Ohio Nature Education (ONE), vote for your favorite scarecrow, and visit Gallant Farm across the road. It’s all free!
The Maize at Little Darby Creek Trick or Treat: Sunday, October 24 From 2pm – 3pm, kids wear your costumes and trick or treat for candy. Marshall from Paw Patrol will be helping with trick or treat. The costume contest will follow at 3pm.
KidX Club™ Candy Crawl at Polaris: Tuesday, October 26
Kids can grab a trick-or-treat bag (while supplies last) and go store to store for trick-or-treating. Dress to impress for the family costume contest. There will be games, prizes, and more.
Boo & Brew at Bridge Park: Wednesday, October 27 from 5-8 pm. Boo & Brew is a family-friendly event held at Bridge Park which will take place of the traditional trick-or-treating. Boo & Brew brings the community together by encouraging our Bridge Park businesses to pass out candy and fun promotional materials (samples, coupons, gift cards, etc.) in front of their establishment for children, families and community-goes to enjoy. This event will include fall-themed activities, live music and more! Afterwards, stick
around to visit participating bars and restaurants to enjoy any specials being offered during the event.
Pickerington Haunted Village: Wednesday, October 27, 6-8 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 28 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm. Children 2-5 years old accompanied by an adult may wear their favorite costumes as they walk through the decorated City Hall to see staff dressed in costumes while receiving a few goodies.
Trunk or Treat at The Event Loft Columbus: Friday, October 29 from 5-9 pm. 5441 Westerville Rd Westerville Oh 43081. Games, costume contests, prizes, food, and trunk or treat. Tickets are $5.
Trunk or Treat at New Beginnings Church: Saturday, October 30 from 3-5 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. Sign up details TBA. ALL ABILITIES/AGES.
Candy by the Carload in Powell: Saturday, October 30 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.
Trick or Treat Loot Bag during Pumpkins Aglow at FPC: October 30 & 31: On Halloween weekend during Pumpkin Glow at Franklin Park Conservatory, children ages 2-12 will receive a small bag filled with treats and surprises. Family friendly costumes are encouraged.
Hilliard Trunk or Treat at Hilliard/Ray Patch YMCA: Sunday, October 31 from 5-7 pm. Food trucks, music, Hilliard Police, a DIY photobooth, and much more
More options for Trick or Treat:
Friday, October 1, 2021
Saturday, October 2, 2021
Sunday, October 3, 2021
Friday, October 8, 2021
Saturday, October 9, 2021
Sunday, October 10, 2021
Friday, October 15, 2021
Saturday, October 16, 2021
Sunday, October 17, 2021
Friday, October 22, 2021
Saturday, October 23, 2021
Sunday, October 24, 2021
Tuesday, October 26, 2021
Thursday, October 28, 2021
Friday, October 29, 2021
Saturday, October 30, 2021
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Find more Fall Fun here!
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- 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
Upcoming Halloween events
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Friday, September 24, 2021
Saturday, September 25, 2021
Sunday, September 26, 2021
Monday, September 27, 2021
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Wednesday, September 29, 2021
Thursday, September 30, 2021
Friday, October 1, 2021
Saturday, October 2, 2021
Sunday, October 3, 2021
Monday, October 4, 2021
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Events TBA for 2021
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
Blacklick Woods Metro Park Trick or Treat Drive-Thru: tba 2021. 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!
Brightside Academy Trunk or Treat: tba 2021, 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: TBA 2021, 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: TBA 2021 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: TBA 2021 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.
Kidslinked Treat Fest at Lifepoint Church Lewis Center: TBA 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: TBA 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
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.
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!
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: tba for 2021 Trick-or-treat, scavenger hunt, kid and dog costume contest and family fun activities
Howl-O-Ween at Ohio Wildlife Center: tba for 2021 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.
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.
Halloween Family Funday at North Market: tba for 2021 Crafts, trick or treating starting at 11 am, face painting, games, farm animals, music and more!
Inniswood Halloween Party: tba for 2021 from 2-4 pm Head to the Gardens for activities and crafts to celebrate this traditional holiday.
Young Explorers: Trick-or-Treat Hike: tba for 2021 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.
Boo on Broadway in Grove City: tba for 2021 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 […]