If a trip to Salem or New Orleans isn’t in the cards for Halloween, have no fear (or perhaps have much fear?) — you’ll find plenty of spooktacular fun right here in Missouri.
Spirits in the Garden, Missouri Botanical Garden
Oct. 23
Celebrate the season with a sophisticated soiree at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. This 21+ event features live music, tarot readings, a look at the garden’s paranormal history, a haunted tram ride to the Victorian-era Tower Grove House, and plenty of spirits. Get the details.
Spirits of the Past, The Historic Daniel Boone Home
Oct. 10
Venture through the village at The Historic Daniel Boone Home in Defiance, Missouri, by lantern light while listening to legends and stories from the past. Tickets to tour the historic village are $10, or $15 to tour the village and the Daniel Boone Home. Get the details.
Halloween Monster Ball, Springfield, Missouri
Select dates in October
Halloween Monster Ball is throwing not one, but four Halloween parties, in Springfield, Missouri. Creatures of the night can dance like it’s the end of the world Oct. 24 at The Shrine Mosque. Halloween Monster Ball will also host a family-friendly bash featuring pizza, trick-or-treating and more Oct. 23 at The Shrine Mosque. For a truly unforgettable experience, book the VIP Castle Ball, which will be held Oct. 16 and Oct. 17 at a nearby castle. Get the details.
The Halloween Monster Ball in Springfield, Missouri, will host both family-friendly and grownup events, including a party in a local castle. Photo courtesy Halloween Monster Ball.
Backyard Movie Nights, Screenland Armour
Select nights in October
Throughout October, grab your chair and enjoy classic Halloween movies like “Casper,” “Dracula,” “Frankenstein” and more under the stars at Screenland Armour, an indie cinema in North Kansas City. Get the details.
Wicked Wings and Wine, Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House
Oct. 16
Join the Sophia M. Sachs Butterfly House in Chesterfield, Missouri, for this unique 21+ happy hour event. Enjoy local wine and brews while meeting Owl butterflies and guests from the World Bird Sanctuary. The Bug Chef will serve up snacks for more adventurous palates. Get the details.
Bust a Ghost, Various Locations Throughout Missouri
Ongoing
For the quintessential spooky season experience, book a haunted tour, ghost hunt or other paranormal experience. From haunted history museums to seances beneath a cursed brewery, you’ll find plenty of options in The Spook-Me State. Get the details.
Lemp Mansion Spirit Tour, photo courtesy Otter Graphics Studios.
Macabre Tours, Vaile Victorian Mansion
Oct. 9-10 and Oct. 16-17
“The Butler invites you to join us at the Vaile Mansion.” Learn more about the history of the Vaile Victorian Mansion, a three-story Gothic structure in Independence, Missouri, on a one-hour Macabre Tour. Built in 1881, the stately mansion features 31 rooms, nine marble fireplaces and a wine cellar. Tickets are $35 and go on sale Aug. 15. Tours are expected to book quickly.
Nightmare on 12th Street, St. Louis
Sept. 19-Oct. 31
Just like a hungry werewolf who transforms under the light of the full moon, Eat Crow in St. Louis will transform itself into Nightmare on 12th Street, a horror-themed pop-up bar and restaurant featuring spooky food, drinks and decor. The pop-up will kick off with a pet costume contest Sept. 19. Nightmare on 12th Street will also host a Rocky Horror Picture Show costume contest and trivia contest Sept. 26 and a Halloween party and costume contest Oct. 31.
Toast the haunting season with themed food and drink specials, special events and creepy decor at Nightmare on 12th Street, a horror-themed pop-up bar in St. Louis.
Fall Classics: Rocky Horror Picture Show 2026 at the Gillioz
Oct. 23
Whether you’re a Rocky Horror virgin or a Rocky Horror veteran, you’re sure to have fun at this film screening at the Gillioz Center for Arts & Entertainment in Springfield, Missouri. The event will include a costume contest, t-shirts, interactive kits and raffle prizes. Get the details.
Costume Ball at the City Museum, St. Louis
Oct. 9
You’ll want to pull on your vampire best for this upscale costume ball at the City Museum in St. Louis. This 21+ event will include drinks, dancing, Halloween decor and even freaky sideshow performances, all within the City Museum. Get the details.
Haunted Attractions, Various Locations Throughout Missouri
Ongoing
With haunted houses, haunted trails, and even a haunted cinema, if you’re looking for a night of fright, you’ll find plenty of options across Missouri. Get the details.
Kansas City Symphony Presents Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Oct. 28
Experience silent film horror like never before at this unique performance at Helzburg Hall. Dorothy Papadakos will improvise a live organ accompaniment for this special screening. Get the details.
Hocus Pocus Night on the Hermann Trolley
Oct. 30
Sisters! Sanderson fans are invited to wear their costumes for this special Hocus Pocus-themed dark history trolley ride through Hermann, Missouri, which will include a stop at the local cemetery. Visit the Hermann Trolley’s Dark History Tour page to purchase Hocus Pocus tickets for 7 p.m. Oct. 30.
Halloween Bash at the Haunted Lemp Mansion
Oct. 31
Really, is there a more iconic way to spend Halloween than at a bash in a haunted mansion? This spooky soiree at the Lemp Mansion in St. Louis features live music, food, costumes … and perhaps a few guests from the beyond. Get the details.
Looking for family-friendly Halloween destinations in Missouri? Check out these bewitching events!
EDITOR’S NOTE: Featured cover photo by Kat Niehaus, courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden.
Kathryn Deters McDonald is a Missouri native, writer, author and lover of all things spooky, ooky and eerie. Salem, Shmalem. It’s all right here in The Spook-Me State.
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