Pull out your costumes and trick-or-treat bags — it’s Halloween, and St. Louis does the holiday right. Grab your family, a date or meet a new friend at one of these events happening from the Mississippi River to the streets of St. Charles, all through October.
FOR THE FAMILY
Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo is back, and there’s even more to explore this year. The Saint Louis Zoo is decorated to cast a spell, and fall-themed items and souvenirs are available around the zoo. Admission includes access to the Primate House, Dinoroarus, the Insectarium, the Herpetarium, the Sea Lion Sound Aqua Tunnel, the Conservation Carousel and Stingrays at Caribbean Cove. The 4D Theater will be showing “Spookley’s 4D Jamboree,” and for an add-on, families can take the Zooline Railroad or try out the Wild Explorer Virtual Reality Experience. To celebrate Dia de los Muertos, the zoo invites community members to submit photos of pets and other loved animals to be featured in a special Beloved Animals Ofrenda. The Ofrenda will be on display in the lower level of The Living World building Oct. 30 during Boo at the Zoo (Boo at the Zoo ticket purchase required), Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 during regular zoo hours and Nov. 2, 9 –11 a.m. Boo at the Zoo tickets are $16 for general admission or $13 for zoo members and can be purchased online. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged.
Select nights, Oct. 9-30, 5-8:30 p.m. – 1 Government Drive, St. Louis, 314.781.0900, stlzoo.org
Casa Don Alfonso
Casa Don Alfonso is celebrating fall with a seasonal menu. At Casa Boutique, the Italian-inspired pastry counter, fall and Halloween-inspired treats include a pumpkin spice muffin, caramelized apple & cinnamon entremet with cinnamon crunch, pumpkin spice latte delice and autumn harvest cookies. Casa Don Alfonso has its own Witching Hour espresso martini with a jack-o’-lantern decal on top. They are also highlighting seasonal produce from Eckert’s Farm across several dishes, including a special fall cocktail, Wassail di Casa, with Eckert’s apple cider, bourbon, pumpkin and baking spices. Their butternut squash soup comes with hazelnut crumble, thyme and shaved pecorino, and the zucchini flan features spaghetti squash purée, ricotta espuma and deep-fried zucchini. Finish off your meal with dessert — the caramel apple mousse comes with raisin compote, honeycomb and Granny Smith sorbet.
100 Carondelet Plaza, Clayton, 314.719.1496, casadonalfonsostlouis.com
Central West End Halloween Street Party
The annual CWE bash has something for everybody. Start the day off with a children’s parade, culminating in festivities like a dance party, pumpkin decorating and a visit from Glinda the Good Witch. Kids can then trick-or-treat at local businesses, and dogs parade from McPherson Avenue to Maryland Plaza at 1 p.m. Don’t miss the live music before the street party begins at 6 p.m., including fire dancers and a flash mob. The adult costume contest at 8 p.m. features cash prizes for the winners, and the adult-only street party kicks off at 10 p.m. and goes until midnight. Central West End restaurants will have food and beverages available. The party is free, but check out the website for information on entry into the costume contest.
Oct. 31, 11 a.m. – midnight – Central West End, St. Louis
City Museum: Fright at the Museum
Every floor of the City Museum is full of mystifying oddities and curiosities this October, from Jack-O-Lanterns to spiders to creeping, crawling creations. All ages are encouraged to dress their best and experience activities such as fireside shows at Doc Terminus’s Odditorium, Not-So-Spooky Stories and the Haunted Harmony Circus. The adults-only City Nights Costume Ball is Oct. 9 and features live entertainment all night. On Oct. 23, do the Time Warp again during an interactive, late-night screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show. And when Halloween finally ends, City Museum still celebrates with their annual Pumpkin Throwdown on Nov. 1, where guests are invited to throw their old pumpkins, squashes or gourds off the side of the building. Check out the City Museum website for all the details on dates, times, tickets and info about specialty food and drink, like the Vampire Bar.
Through Nov. 1 – City Museum, 750 N. 16th St., St. Louis, 314.231.2489, citymuseum.org
Clementine’s Ice Cream
Clementine’s Halloween collection is all about the spooky stories of Edgar Allan Poe. The Raven features blue cookie butter ice cream with a deep blueberry swirl, while the Midnight Dreary includes dark chocolate ice cream with ribbons of raspberry jam. Thing of Evil is a naturally purple, non-dairy caramel-miso coconut ice cream with crumbles of gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies, and to wrap things up, the NevermOrange offers an elevated dreamsicle flavor with blood orange and olive oil. Order your scoop in a black waffle cone for a photo-ready bite.
Through Nov. 2 – Multiple locations, clementinescreamery.com
Eckert’s Farm
Seasonal farm favorites are back. Jack’s Lighted Trail, a half-mile Halloween trip featuring giant pumpkins, illuminated displays, photo ops and interactive surprises among the cornstalks has some new features this year. The Windmill Speakeasy is tucked away, waiting for guests to order this year’s signature drink, the Drink Me Potion. Jack’s After Dark, for adults only, takes place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 22 and includes a cocktail and light-up glasses or a necklace for each guest. Costume Night is fun for the whole family on Oct. 29 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; each child will receive a Halloween treat bag to enjoy while they explore the trail. Get tickets in advance and find the whole trail schedule on the Eckert’s website. Eckert’s also has pick-your-own apples and pumpkins at all three Illinois farms. Ecktoberfest runs Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 1 with wagon rides, live music, seasonal food and drinks, and family-friendly activities. At the Millstadt farm, guests can also take a Haunted Hayride on Friday and Saturday nights through Oct. 31, while private groups can rent four-hour bonfire rentals. Find all the details on the Eckert’s website.
Multiple locations. 800.745.0513, eckerts.com
Grant’s Farm: Halloween Nights
Grant’s Farm is open for a spellbinding after-dark experience with gentle scares this Halloween. Along with the everyday farm fun, guests can take a ride on the Haunted Tram through lights and scenes with live actors. The Tiergarten will feature a haunted scare zone, plus a themed show and monster mash dance party. Tickets are $15 plus tax per person, but children 3 and under get in free. Grant’s Farm encourages visitors to save money by purchasing parking online.
Oct. 1-30. Thursday and Sunday 5-9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5-10 p.m. – 7385 Grant Road, St. Louis, 314.843.1700, grantsfarm.com
Legends & Lanterns
Legends & Lanterns takes attendees on a spirited journey through Halloween history down historic Main Street in St. Charles. This all-ages event comes with interaction with villains like Medusa and the Queen of Hearts, historical exhibits and haunted activities. Guests can learn about 19th-century grieving customs at the Victorian Mourning Museum, write a story with Edgar Allan Poe, take a self-guided video tour of Main Street’s paranormal hotspots and more. Visit the website for a full list of times for this free event.
Oct. 10-11, 17-18, 23-25 – Main Street, St. Charles, 636.946.7776, discoverstcharles.com/events/legends-lanterns
Lion’s Choice
The fan-favorite tradition is back. On Halloween, kids 12 and under who visit Lion’s Choice dressed as a lion receive a free mini custard cone.
Oct. 31 – Multiple locations, lionschoice.com
The Magic House: Not-So-Haunted House
This daytime costume party and trick-or-treating event is for kids of all ages at The Magic House. Each child will receive a trick-or-treat bag, plus an autograph book for meeting storybook characters. All the fun, including a scavenger hunt, is included in regular Magic House admission.
Oct. 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31 – 516 S. Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.822.8900, magichouse.org
Mid America Adventure: Fright Fest
Six Flags St. Louis is now Mid America Adventure, but Fright Fest is still back. The fun happens Friday through Sunday, and this is the final year for the iconic “Love at First Fright” stage show. All sorts of events and attractions take over the park, including a Blood Bank Cabaret, Spooky Stories with Jack and a Monster Mash Bash. Find the whole event guide here. The specialty food menu is extensive, with everything from snacks to meals. Highlights include the graveyard dog — a hot dog with beer cheese and sauerkraut — a cookies-and-scream churro, the boo-b-q burger and so much more. The Blood Bank has drinks like Murder Rita and Sinister Sangria, as well as mocktails like the Liquid Lightning with cherry, blue raspberry and lemonade. For the nostalgia lovers, this is also the last chance to get Six Flags-branded merch — grab it before it’s gone.
Through Nov. 1 – 4900 Six Flags Rd., Eureka, 636.938.5300, midamericaadventure.enchantedparks.com
St. Louis Aquarium: Pirates & Pumpkins
Celebrate Halloween at the St. Louis Aquarium, now under pirate command. Families can go on scavenger hunts, design pirate crowns and even practice firing the cannons. When you’re done competing in a pirate rubber duck race, explore pirate scenes and hunt for carved pumpkins throughout the aquarium. Trick-or-treat at all Union Station attractions on weekends, Oct. 17, 23-24, with your aquarium ticket.
Through Nov. 2. – 201 S. 18th St., St. Louis, 314.923.3900, stlouisaquarium.com
FOR ADULTS
Ballpark Village: Freakshow Halloween Party
Ballpark Village will tell a series of horror stories through their Freakshow Halloween Party, presented by 105.7 The Point and hosted by the Rizzuto Show. Featuring five venues in one haunted house, explore coven, asylum and hotel themed bars while enjoying a variety of entertainment and local DJs on Halloween night. General admission includes entry into five themed venues and access to the Halloween costume contest with $10,000 in cash and prizes, while VIP tickets come with an all-inclusive drink package from 9 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are available online now. BPV invites you to enter…if you dare.
Oct. 31, 8 p.m. 601 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314.797.7530, stlballparkvillage.com
Ballpark Village’s Sports & Social: The Black Flame Candle and Gal-O-Ween
The Black Flame Candle, a throwback Halloween pop-up bar, has taken over Sports & Social at Ballpark Village, and they promise their boo-zy cocktails and themed bites will put a spell on you. Oct. 22 is Gal-O-Ween featuring tarot card reading, drink specials and permanent jewelry vendors beginning at 6 p.m. The Black Flame Candle has tons of nostalgia, themed events and “spook-tacular” menu items. Reservations for this event are free and can be made online.
Through Oct. 31 – 601 Clark Ave., St. Louis, 314.797.7530, stlballparkvillage.com
HandleBar: HauntedBar
HandleBar is undergoing its annual transformation into its Halloween-inspired alter ego, HauntedBar.” The space in The Grove fills with skeletons, aliens, spiders and ghouls for this pop-up inspired by the bar’s love of Halloween, as well as the creative direction of general manager Erin Wiles. Distinct spaces are inspired by Halloween films like “Killer Klowns from Outer Space,” “The Shining,” “Beetlejuice,” and “Nightmare on Elm Street.” The themed drink menu features cocktails in blood bags, potion bottles and skeletal flutes. On weekend nights, burlesque star Sofie de Sade spooks the crowd with live performances. Bring your costumes to this month-long celebration of all things haunted, ending with a party on Halloween night.
Through Oct. 31 – 4127 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.652.2212, handlebarstl.com
Hidden Gem: Haunted at the Disco
It’s a scary good time at Hidden Gem’s Haunted at the Disco. Your $5 reservation gets you access to Halloween cocktails and mocktails, an exclusive food menu and all the neon-soaked, spooky-chic vibes you can handle at this discotheque. Check out their website for reservations.
Through Oct. 31 – 3118 Locust St., 314.925.8931, shopgoldengems.com
Indo and Sado
The flagship restaurants from acclaimed chef Nick Bognar will give a free sake pour to anyone who wears a costume to the restaurants on Halloween, while you’re there, check out the exclusive cocktail lists and food perfect for warming you up this fall.
Oct. 31 – Multiple locations, indo-stl.com, sado-stl.com
Lemp Mansion Halloween Bash
For almost 50 years, Lemp Mansion has been hosting one of the biggest spooky parties in the city at the famed haunted hotel. On Halloween night, guests can partake in an open bar and buffets, along with live music from Almost Famous, Rock ‘n’ Rascals and Tailgators. The costume contest comes with cash prizes for the winners. Tickets are $93.55 in advance or $110 at the door, plus tax; call to purchase.
Oct. 31, 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 3322 DeMenil Place, St. Louis, 314.664.8024, lempmansion.com
The Magic House: Haunted Happy Hour
This adult play date includes food, spirits, and a good time at the museum. Don’t miss out on the costume contest and karaoke, and be sure to register to save your spot! Tickets are $40 or $45 at the door for this 21+ event, and food and drinks are included. All proceeds benefit Access for All, Magic House’s commitment to provide free admission and educational programming for children and families in need.
Oct. 22, 6 – 9 p.m. – 516 S Kirkwood Road, Kirkwood, 314.822.8900, magichouse.org
Nightmare Bar
The nationwide pop-up Nightmare Bar has partnered with Smirnoff Ice for its return to St. Louis, promising an immersive experience that’s part bar, part Halloween party. Your ticket gets you 90 minutes of interactive games and challenges, music, photo ops and access to a seasonal cocktail menu, all themed after classic horror movies. Costumes are strongly-encouraged for this 21+ event.
Oct. 3-31 – The Attic Music Bar, 4247 S. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, feverup.com/m/740596
Planter’s House: The Haunting
The minds behind Christmas pop-ups Miracle and Sippin’ Santa have a twisted new venture — The Haunting, a Halloween pop-up bar inspired by haunted houses, vintage Halloween decorations and ghost stories. Signature drinks will include concoctions like the Clown Pear-anoia, featuring mezcal, aperitif wine, French bitter, pear, fennel, yogurt and lemon; the Severed Sun, with bourbon, amaro, elderflower, sage, ginger, grapefruit and lambrusco; the Tangled Web, with vodka, ube, passion fruit, vanilla, lemon and prosecco foam, along with many others. The Pumpkin Payback shot even comes with its own collectible shot glass. Reservations can be made on the Planter’s House Tock site.
Oct. 1-31 – Planter’s House, 1000 Mississippi Ave., St. Louis, 314.696.2603, thehauntingpopup.com
Platypus: Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon, the Halloween pop-up that hits dozens of cities across the country, returns to Platypus this fall. Along with immersive decor that will take over Platypus’s identity for the season, Black Lagoon also features an exclusive cocktail menu, combining theatrical presentations with ingredient-driven recipes inspired by the spirit of the season. This year, some of those cocktails include the Moon Shadow, an eerie take on an espresso martini; Abyssa’s Obsession, featuring Pumpkin-Infused Kraken Black & Gold Spiced Rums in this spooky season take on the classic piña colada; and the Bone Temple, a fall-inspired margarita.
Through Oct. 31 – Platypus, 4501 Manchester Ave., St. Louis, 314.449.0905 blacklagoonpopup.com
Riverboats at the Gateway Arch: Halloween Cruise
The mighty Mississippi is home to a floating Halloween party full of spooky entertainment at the Riverboats. The Halloween Cruise features a DJ, a cash bar and a costume contest with prizes. Specialty cocktails include the Born to be Wile, Poison Apple and Corpse Reviver. Tickets are $34 for this 21+ event; call or visit the Riverboats website to purchase.
Oct. 30-31, 8:30-11 p.m. – 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, 877.982.1410, gatewayarch.com/riverboats
Spirits in the Garden
Spend a spooky season evening sampling tastings from local beverage makers at the Missouri Botanical Garden. The event features live music, pumpkin carvings, paranormal investigators, tarot readings, aura drawings, a haunted tram ride and more. Tickets for this 21+ event are $35, or $32 for garden members, and include all activities and tastings. Steve’s Hot Dogs will also be available for purchase. Tickets sell out quick, and advanced registration is highly encouraged.
Oct. 23, 6-8:30 p.m. – 4344 Shaw Blvd., St. Louis, 314.577.5100, missouribotanicalgarden.com
Wicked Wings & Wine
The Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House celebrates owl butterflies and the spirit of witchiness with this annual event. Guests can sample offerings from local partners PRP Wine, St. James Winery, Noboleis Vineyards and Chateau Sainte Genevieve, along with snacks from the Bug Chef for the brave. While you stroll through the Tropical Conservatory and outdoor garden, enjoy live music and tarot readings, plus education and animal visits from the World Bird Sanctuary. Tickets are $25 for garden members and $30 for adults. This is a 21+ event, and designated drivers can get tickets for $15.
Oct. 16, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – 15050 Faust Park, Chesterfield, 314.577.0888, missouribotanicalgarden.com