Trick or Treating and other Spooky Events in Central Iowa
Trick-or-treating on Friday, Oct. 25
Perry
Trick-or-treating on Saturday, Oct. 26
Bondurant
Dallas Center
Dexter, 5-8 p.m.
Granger, 5-7 p.m.
Redfield, 5-7 p.m.
Windsor Heights
Trick-or-treating on Wednesday, Oct. 30, also known as Beggars' Night
Altoona
Ankeny
Carlisle
Clive
Des Moines
De Soto
Indianola
Johnston
Linden, 5-7 p.m.
Norwalk
Pleasant Hill
Polk City
Urbandale
Waukee
West Des Moines
Trick-or-treating on Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31
Adel: 6 to 8 p.m.
Ames, 5:30 to7:30 p.m.
Dawson: 5 to 7 p.m.
De Soto: 6 to 8 p.m.
Grimes: 6 to 8 p.m.
Minburn: 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Newton
Osceola, 6:30-8 p.m.
Story City, 6 to 8 p.m.
Van Meter: 6 to 8 p.m.
Winterset, 5 to 7 p.m.
Woodward: 6 to 8 p.m.
Other Halloween events
Waukee Public Safety Halloween Open House
Date: Thursday, Oct. 24
Time: 4:30 - 6 p.m.
Location: Waukee Public Safety Building
Join Waukee Police and Fire for a free Halloween Open House. Meet first responders as they hand out candy and high-fives. Costumes encouraged!
Beggars Night at the Fire Station
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Location: Dexter Fire Station
Bring the kiddos to the fire station for hot dogs off of the griddle, chips, water and of course, CANDY! Dexter Fire & Rescue will have raffle tickets for sale for pancake supper raffle items, including 1/2 pork, patio heater and Adirondack chairs.
Spooktacular Downtown Trick-or-Treat Walk
Date: Friday, Oct. 25
Time: 4 - 6 p.m.
Location: Downtown Perry
This event, sponsored by the Perry Chamber of Commerce, includes safe trick-or-treating with local businesses and community organizations. Willis Avenue (from 1st to 3rd) and 2nd Street (from Otley to Pattee) will be closed to vehicles during the event. Parking will be available at city lots (Caboose Park and near the post office) as well as side streets. Participants should enter at intersections and stay to the right to follow the designated one-way route through the downtown area.
Safe and Healthy Halloween
Date: Friday, Oct. 25
Time: 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Location: Dallas County Hospital, Perry
Dallas County Hospital north entrance, Perry. Join Dallas County Hospital for this completely indoor event with multiple stations of giveaways and themed, group costumes. In addition to safe and healthy giveaways DCH be providing children throughout the hospital's first floor, water bottles will be given away to the first 200 adults who enter. Hospital departments are also decorating over 20 pumpkins for the annual contest and all will be available that night.
Pumpkin Festival
Date: Friday, Oct. 25
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Crossroads Church, Perry
The annual Pumpkin Festival returns indoors at Crossroads Church. The event will feature candy, free games and activities for kids of all ages.
Bouton Haunted Church
Dates: Oct. 25-26 & 31
Time: 7 - 10 p.m.
Location: 109 South St., Bouton
Come support Bouton Fire Department by getting spooked at the Haunted Church. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for kids 12 and under. All of the proceeds will go to the department to help with the purchase of gear and the addition of a third bay.
Ambro's 8 Year Anniversary Party and Halloween Bash
Date: Friday, Oct. 25
Time: 9 p.m. - 1 a.m.
Location: Ambro's Roadhouse, De Soto
9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25 at Ambro's Roadhouse, De Soto. The event will include drink specials, karaoke with Jake and a costume contest.
(Not So Scary) Haunted Library
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 10 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Adel Public Library
Come in costume and trick-or-treat in the library. Please bring your own candy bucket or bag.
Trick or Treat at Perry Hy-Vee
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Location: Perry Hy-Vee
Get ready for a free, hauntingly good time. Stop by Perry Hy-Vee for spooky family fun and activities. Remember to dress up in your best costume. Perry Hy-Vee will take free photos of the kids and will post to its Facebook page.
Trunk or Treat at Ketelsen RV
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Location: Ketelsen RV, De Soto
Join Ketelsen RV for an exciting event filled with trunk-or-treating, fall treats, activities and more. A fleet of decorated RVs will be transformed into a spooky wonderland for families to enjoy. Dress up in your favorite costumes and come experience a spooktacular day at Ketelsen RV!
HandleBOO Halloween Festival
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: The Handlebar, Dallas Center
The event will feature a cornhole tournament, Trunk or Treat, live music and a costume contest. The cornhole tournament starts at 12 p.m. The cost is $15/team. Sign up at The Handlebar. Trunk or Treat will be held from 3-6 p.m. with treat stations around the pond for the kids. Last of the Mojitos will play live music from 6-9 p.m. along with a costume contest.
Halloween Party at the Park
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Location: Little Bridge Park, De Soto
Join the De Soto Public Library and De Soto Fire & Rescue for fun Halloween crafts and activities, hot dog roast, hot cider and more. Wear your best costume for the costume contest.
Halloween Hayday Parade
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Dallas Center
The parade will travel down Walnut Street to 15th Street starting at 3 p.m. The event also features chili dogs for a free-will donation at the fire station, games, zombie mini golf at the Roy R. Estle Memorial Library, spooktacular games on Walnut Street, inflatable interactive brain (Dallas County Health Department booth on Walnut), Halloween joke contest at Board and Batten, mini horses on 13/14th & Walnut Streets, DC Betterment Foundation Pumpkin Walk and more. The city's trick-or-treating will follow from 6 to 8 p.m.
Halloween in the Park
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 3 - 5 p.m.
Location: Redfield City Park
The Halloween in the Park event will feature hot chocolate, s'mores, inflatables, games and Trunk or Treat. The city's trick-or-treating will follow from 5 to 7 p.m.
Trunk or Treat at Granger Emmanuel United Methodist Church
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 3 - 5 p.m.
Location: 1910 Locust St., Granger.
Pumpkin Walk
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 3:30 - 5 p.m.
Location: Dallas Center
Dallas Center Betterment Foundation will host its annual Pumpkin Walk following the Halloween Hayday Parade. Trick-or-treat with participating businesses as you journey through the Pumpkin Walk. The adults can also get in on the fun by visiting the participating Pumpkin Walk businesses, taking a photo and getting a mark on a punch card. Full punch cards will be entered into a drawing. Punch cards and voting forms (for adults) and trick-or-treat bags will be available at the DCBF booth from 3:30-5 p.m. in front of the Suites at Walnut.
Trolley Crawl
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 4 - 10 p.m.
Starting Location: Whiskey River, Ankeny
AHeinz 57 Pet Rescue & Transport is hosting a Trolley Crawl. The trolley will take off from Whiskey River in Ankeny and will travel to Uptown in Grimes, Kenny's Garage in Waukee and The Handlebar in Dallas Center before wrapping up back at Whiskey River. The event will feature drink specials, games and prizes. The cost is $30 for one, $50 per couple (must be 21 yrs old). Register on the AHeinz 57 Pet Rescue & Transport Facebook page (just make a donation for the amount of the registration fee and add a note saying it’s for the trolley). Space is limited, sign up soon. Proceeds will help AHeniz remodel its Puppy Patrol area, which was a special place for Mollie Quick. In memory of Mollie, AHeinz is adding an addition to its existing puppy area to make the rooms bigger and add heated floors.
Woodward Friends and Neighbors Trunk or Treat
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 5 - 8 p.m.
Location: 301 S Main St., Woodward
Woodward Friends and Neighbors invites the community to enjoy Trunk or Treat with an extra bonus of a chili cookoff. The chili cookoff will be held at the fire station, with prizes awarded at the end. Trunk or Treat will be held at the plaza. This will be the same night as the Woodward Fire Department Halloween festivities, come on out for a great night of SPOOKY FUN!
University Kids Haunted Hallway
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 5 - 9 p.m.
Location: 111 Desoto Rd, Van Meter
Come walk through University Kids' haunted hallway. The event is open to the public and all ages are welcome. The lights will be on for little kids from 5-6 p.m. and the lights will be turned off from 7-9 p.m. Costumes are encouraged!
Halloween Hay Rack Ride
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Woodward Fire Station
Join the Woodward Fire Department for a Halloween Hay Rack Ride. Afterward, warm up with soup, hot dogs, hot chocolate, desserts and more. A free-will donation will be taken with proceeds going to purchase equipment for the department.
Van Meter Halloween Dance
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 5:30 - 9 p.m.
Location: Van Meter Middle School
Get ready for some spooky fun! The sixth grade dance will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. with the seventh and eighth grade dance following from 7:30-9 p.m. Sign up for tickets online.
Halloween Trivia
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Rookies Sports Bar, Clive
Join the Waukee Area Historical Society for a spooky night of Halloween Trivia, with proceeds benefitting the organization. Check-in is at 5 p.m. with trivia starting at 6 p.m. The cost is $10/per person with teams of up to 6. Find the registration link on The Waukee Area Historical Society's Halloween Trivia event page. Hint: Make sure to brush up on your movie facts!
Beyond the Grave Rave
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 6 - 11 p.m.
Location: Perry Elks Lodge, Perry
Join the Perry Girls Softball Association for a Halloween dance. The event will feature music by DJ Pat Graney, drinks, dancing, appetizers, 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. The cost is $15 per person (21 and older). Pay at the door. Wear your costumes if you dare!
Movie Night
Date: Saturday, Oct. 26
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Tripple Berry Farm, Linden
Get ready for a spooktacular night of fun and feast! Tripple Berry Farm is serving up fresh smoked wings, juicy burgers, sizzling hot dogs, cozy hot cocoa and cider and the famous wine slushies from Lucky Wife Wine Slushies. A free showing of "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire" will start at dark. Free popcorn will be available. Bring lawn chairs and blankets. See you there for a frightfully good time!
Granger Trunk or Treat
Date: Sunday, Oct. 27
Time: 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Assumption Gym, 1906 Sycamore St., Granger
Adel Acres Halloween Party
Date: Sunday, Oct. 27
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: 1919 Greene St., Adel
Adel Acres will host a Kids Halloween Party.
Faith Lutheran Church & Preschool Trunk or Treat
Date: Sunday, Oct. 27
Time: 4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Location: 602 South 14th St., Adel
Join Faith Lutheran Church & Preschool for a Trunk or Treat event. Dress up in fun costumes, pick up candy and concessions and play games
Van Meter United Methodist Church Trunk or Treat
Date: Sunday, Oct. 27
Time: 6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: 100 Hazel St., Van Meter
The event will feature decorated trunks, candy, bounce houses, crafts, games, music, homemade donuts and cider and more. All are welcome to this free, family-friendly event.
Trick or Trout
Date: Monday, Oct. 28
Time: 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Location: Triumph Park, 805 University Ave., Waukee
Watch hundreds of fish pour into the pond at Triumph Park and then cast a line. If you catch a tagged fish, turn it in to Waukee Parks and Recreation for a treat from local sponsors. If you're 16 years or older and plan to cast a line, be sure to bring your Iowa fishing license and trout stamp. Even if you don't like to fish, it's great fun to watch the Iowa DNR stock the pond, which is expected to happen around 1:30 p.m. Waukee Parks & Recreation will have some family-friendly activities, and you can enjoy our fun EPIC playground or wander the trails too. No need to register for this free event. Just show up! Bring your own fishing gear.
Trunk or Treat at Willis Chevrolet of Granger
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 30
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: 3333 Hwy 141, Granger
Put on your costume, come enjoy some goodies and vote on your favorite trunk!
Trunk or Treat at Dallas County Fairgrounds
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 30
Time: 5:30 - 7:00 p.m.
Location: Dallas County Fairgrounds, Adel
Come out to the Dallas County Fairgrounds for Trunk or Treat night!
Halloween at Van Meter Public Library
Date: Thursday, Oct. 31
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Van Meter Public Library
Be sure to stop by the library to show off your costume, grab a treat and listen to a story.
Children's Halloween Party
Date: Thursday, Oct. 31
Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Perry Public Library
Bring your little ghosts and goblins to a Children's Halloween Party at the Liboooorary. The event will include painting and decorating tiny foam pumpkins, coloring and cutting Halloween masks, playing "What's in the Box?" with creepy and silly Halloween-themed items and a Halloween-themed experiment! There will be spooky fun for ages 2-11. Costumes are welcome, but not required. No registration is required for this free program.
De Soto Trunk or Treat
Date: Thursday, Oct. 31
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: 805 Guthrie St.
100 Acre Woods Childcare Center is teaming up with Pit Happens BBQ to host a Trunk or Treat event at 805 Guthrie St. Pit Happens BBQ will be handing out FREE pulled pork or pulled chicken sliders to trick-or-treaters and their families while supplies last. There will also be others handing out candy from their trunks.
Minburn Trunk or Treat
Date: Thursday, Oct. 31
Time: 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Baker St.
Minburn Public Library will host a Trunk or Treat event from 5:30-7 p.m. on Baker Street.
Van Meter Halloween
Date: Thursday, Oct. 31
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Baker St.
Van Meter Parks and Rec will be handing out full-size candy bars, non-chocolate options, Halloween tattoos and glow sticks at Memorial Park. Families are invited to come trick-or-treat at the Van Meter Public Library (6-7 p.m.) and Van Meter Fire and Police Station (6-8 p.m.)
Woodward Halloween
Date: Thursday, Oct. 31
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Woodward Social Center
The Woodward Lions Club will be serving food and passing out free books at the Woodward Social Center. Face painting and games will also be available.
Halloween on the Hill
Date: Thursday, Oct. 31
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Sherman Hill neighborhood
Halloween on the Hill (HOTH) returns as Des Moines’s premier Halloween night event – October 31 from 6:30-8:30 pm. Residents of the historic Sherman Hill neighborhood will be going all out to decorate their homes with spooky scenes while collecting donations for the Des Moines Area Religious Council (DMARC) Food Pantry.
This neighborhood haunted house is a great family event for all ages and a fun way to support those in need in our community. Visitors can expect to see lots of creatures, Imperial storm troopers, Medieval knights, zombie spiders, Freddy Kruger roaming the streets, a full-size pirate ship, live performances of Thriller, and much more. See more at https://www.shermanhilldsm.org/
Perry Halloween Dance
Date: Friday, Nov. 1
Time: 7:00 - 10:00 p.m.
Location: Perry High School Commons
The Perry Junior Class Prom committee will host a Halloween dance for students. The event will also include a costume contest, pizza and a bake sale. The cost is $5 with a costume and $8 without.
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