Oct. 23-26 Spirits Alive: Walk Among the Shadows
Details: The guided tour through Portland’s oldest historic landscape is called Portland’s Inferno 1866, Fire and Resurgence. You’ll learn the history of the devastating blaze and will “meet” several notable figures involved with it, including journalist John Neal, Portland’s first Black fireman William Ruby and fire survivor Elizabeth Pearson Day.
Where: Eastern Cemetery, 224 Congress St., Portland
When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Sunday
Cost: $10, $4 for kids under 12
Oct. 25 Halloween Spook-Tacular Science Show
Details: Attend a Halloween science extravaganza with Mad Science at the Lewiston Public Library. Start off with decorating your own trick-or-treat bags and visiting each service desk for a treat. Enjoy the other Halloween activities and a snack before the Mad Science Spook-tacular Show at 5:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged.
Where: Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St.
When: 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Oct. 26-27 Hauntted Hotel
Details: The McKernan Hospitality center on the campus of Southern Maine Community College will be transformed into a haunted hotel for the students and community. All proceeds go to scholarships and opportunities for students in the hospitality management program.
Where: 122 McKernan Drive, South Portland
When: 5 to 6-9 p.m.
Cost: $5 to $15
Oct. 27 Granite City Ghost Tours
Details: Join the Lady in White as she leads you by lantern light through the darkened city streets of Hallowell. This 1.5-hour walking tour through central Maine will be the highlight of the fall season.
Where: 115 Second St., Hallowell (Kennebec Creeps & Crawls)
When: 6:30-8 p.m.
Cost: $25-$30
Oct. 27 Thriller Throwdown 2023
Details: The 11th year for the zombie takeover happens in the center of downtown Portland, and you don’t want to miss it. More than 100 grisly ghouls will be re-creating one of the most iconic videos ever made: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Just remember, no one’s gonna save you from the beast about to strike.
Where: Congress Square Park, Portland
When: 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Oct. 27-29 Wallingford’s Nightmare on the Ridge
Details: Take a haunted walk through some of your darkest nightmares brought to life at Wallingford’s Orchard. Participate in the costume contest on Oct. 13 for a chance to win a personal escort through the haunted walk with Jason and Punx The Clown and more.
Where: Wallingford’s Orchard, 1240 Perkins Ridge Road, Auburn
When: 7 to 10 p.m.
Cost: $25
Oct. 27 & 28 The Solon Hotel Haunted House
Details: This event is for adults. No one younger than 16 will be allowed to participate without a parent.
Where: Solon Hotel, 4 South Main St., Solon
When: 6 to 9 p.m.
Cost: $10
Oct. 27 & 28 The Trail of Terror
Details: The trail is suggested for those 13 years or older.
Where: Union Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Lane, Union
When: 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $15
Some of the entries in the pumpkin carving contest in Wayne. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal
Oct. 27 & 28 Halls of Horror
Details: Attendees will be treated to a night of terror as they try to find their way through the Halls of Horror. Organizers say this event is not for the squeamish.
Where: 128 Weld Road, Wilton
When: 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $20 general admission with upgrades
Oct. 28 Trunk-or-Treat Mercer
Details: Many treat givers, photo booth, games and more. The event will be moved into the gymnasium in the event of rain.
Where: Mercer Community Center, 1015 Beech Hill Road, Mercer
When: 1 to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Oct. 28 Trunk-or-Treat Norridgewock
Details: Bring all the kiddos, big and small to this wonderful community event.
Where: Mill Stream School, 26 Mercer Road, Norridgewock
When: 5 to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Oct. 28 Kotzschmar Spooktacular Songs & Storytime
Details: Geared for kids ages 2-12, the Kotzschmar Spooktacular features stories, songs and Portland Public Library’s book-mobile. There’s also a 10-minute silent film with with live accompaniment from organist James Kennerley, and kids will love a demo of the historic instrument. A costume parade will make its way across the stage. Be sure to reserve your free spot.
Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland
When: 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Oct. 28 Trunk-or-Treat Skowhegan
Details: Cars, trucks, firetrucks, boats, police cars and more will fill the parking lot. Each vehicle will have their trunk decorated and children will walk from trunk to trunk gathering goodies and enjoying festive Halloween decorations.
Where: MIKA After School & Summer Camp Programs, 348 Madison Ave., Skowhegan
When: 5 to 7 p.m.
Cost: Free
Oct. 28 HIVE: The Witching Hour All Night Halloween Party
Details: It’s a late-night dance party for the ages. Costumes are encouraged and music will be from DJ Gratitude, Tumbl Down b2b Kreitzman, Amrit, Max Dansky, Deja and Single Grind. You can also expect immersive experiences, dance performances and a costume contest.
Where: 77 Free St., Portland
When: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Cost: $20, $25
Oct. 28 Ghoul’s Night Out
Details: Throw on a costume and come throw it down at Geno’s. Dancing, beverages and music will be bountiful, so put together a crew and make it happen.
Where: Geno’s Rock Club, 625 Congress St., Portland
When: 9 p.m.
Cost: Free entry, 21-plus
Oct. 28 Barnyard Trick or Treat
Details: It’s the final weekend of the barnyard season at Smiling Hill Farm, so put on a costume and pay a visit. Pick-a-pumpkin wagon rides will be happening, and the goats and other animals will be very happy to see you.
Where: Smiling Hill Farm, 781 County Road, Westbrook
When: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: $9, $6 if in costume, $3 kids
Oct. 28 Trunk-or-Treat
Details: Lithgow Public Library will be hosting its first Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot. They’ll have other community organizations with their decorated trunks, candy and some books. Parking will be in one half of the lot and on street as normal.
Where: 45 Winthrop St., Augusta
When: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Oct. 28 Halloween Dance
Details: Annual Halloween Dance sponsored by United Bikers of Maine Somerset County. Live Music by Holy Smoke. There will be a costume contest, 50/50 raffle and Halloween treats. All proceeds will be going to the Thanksgiving food baskets.
Where: American Legion Post #39, 20 S. Maple St., Madison
When: 8 p.m. to 12:01 a.m.
Cost: $15 per person; $20 per couple
Oct. 28 Haunted House
Details: Not recommended for young children.
Where: Skowhegan Community Center, 39 Poulin Drive, Skowhegan
When: 6 to 8 p.m.
Cost: $5
Oct. 28 Trunk or Treat Skowhegan-Madison
Details: Bring your little ghouls and goblins and join us for some fun at the lodge.
Where: Skowhengan-Madison Elks Lodge, 21 Silver St., Skowhegan
When: 1to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Oct. 28 Black Cat Ball
Details: Get your groove on during the Black Cat Ball Halloween party, featuring Motor Booty Affair. The evening festivities will include a secret costume contest. Planted judges will scour the arena for the craziest costumes and deliberate on one final winner who will take home $500 courtesy of Black Maple Piercing. This event is 21+.
Where: 190 Birch St., Lewiston
When: 6 p.m.
Cost: $20 to $50
Oct. 28 The Great Pumpkin Ball
Details: Equality Maine and the Equality Community Center presents a massive Halloween dance party and costume contest in Portland. Head to the State Theatre where you’ll find Salina EsTitties from RuPaul’s Drag Race, host Blake Hayes from Coast 93.1, drag king Finn Gerring, music from DJ XO and DJ Robbie Leslie. The night also features a costume contest with great prizes, burlesque go-go dancers and special performances. VIP tix get you into a pre-party down the street at Sagamore Lounge.
Where: State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland
When: 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $30 in advance, $40 at the door, $60 VIP, 18-plus, pay-what-you-can and free tickets available
Oct. 29 “Grave Secrets” Cemetery Tours
Details: Join the Lady in White for an afternoon of Hallowell history, Victorian funeral practices, gravestone symbolism and other hands-on activities. Spend a beautiful fall afternoon in the city’s most peaceful cemetery.
Where: 27 Water St., Hallowell (Hallowell Village Cemetery)
When: 1-2:30 p.m.
Cost: $25-$30
Oct. 29 Space Halloween with Josie and The Pussycats, The Beach Boys, Buzzcocks and Animal Collective
Details: Pull together a spectacular costume and head to Space for a thrilling night of local cover bands slaying with tunes from some of your favorite acts. The supergroups are comprised of Maine acts KGFREEZE, Ossalot, Lunch Cult, Akela Moon and several others.
Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland
When: 6:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 in advance, $18 day of event, $10 for 18 and under/students
Oct. 29 Lore of the Jack-O’-Lantern
Details: Spend your Halloween eve eve with Brian Serven and Doctor Gasp. The latter is singer-songwriter Dan Blakeslee’s spooky alter-ego, and he and Serven will have plenty of tricks up their sleeves. The evening will feature a theatrical reading and music performance to mark the audiobook release of “Lore of the Jack-O’Lantern” during which illustrations by Blakeslee will be projected.
Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland
When: 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $15
Oct. 29-31 Trail of Terror Haunted Walk
Details: This year’s theme for the Trail of Terror Haunted Walk is CarnEvil of Souls so be ready to to scream your head off as you roam along the trail, wild with anticipation about what might go bump in the night. The walk is a volunteer-run fundraiser for OOB365.
Where: Aquaboggan, 980 Portland Road, Saco
When: 5-9 p.m.
Cost: $20, $10 kids under 10
Oct. 30 Flightmare on Elm. St. 2
Details: You don’t want to miss any night that involves powerhouse singer Gina Alibrio and her all-star band the Red Eye Flight Crew. You’ll dance ‘til you drop as they churn out soul, funk and rock covers.
Where: Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St.
When: 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door, 21-plus
Oct. 31 Halloween Celebration with Hello Newman
Details: Be a Halloween purist by partying on the actual night. Costumes are optional but don’t be that person. Hello Newman will be playing ’90s hits all night long.
Where: Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St.
When: 8 p.m.
Cost: $10 in advance, $12 at the door, 21-plus
Oct. 31 Trunk a Treat
Where: Chesterville Town Office, 409 Dutch Gap Road, Chesterville
When: 4-6 p.m.
Cost: Free
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