October is here, so get ready for pumpkins, corn mazes, scarecrows, haunted houses, crafts, ghost tours, and of course, trick-or-treating. Have a spooky good time visiting all of these haunts.

Special Events

Fright Fest. Six Flags. The amusement park transforms into a ghoulish place with ghosts and goblins, with haunted attractions, pumpkin painting and trick-or-treating. Weekends through Oct. 27. Sat. 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun. Noon-10 p.m. 275 Riverside Parkway, Austell. 770-948-9290. General admission, $59.99; kids under 48”, $39.99;
2 and younger, free; parking, $20.
Scarecrows in the Garden. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Families can enjoy more than 100 kooky and spooky scarecrows crafted by Atlanta-area business, organizations and individuals. Through Oct. 31. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859. $18.95 for adults; $12.95 for ages 3-12; 2 and younger, free.
Pumpkin Festival. Stone Mountain Park. Weekends in October enjoy attractions, entertainment and plenty of fall fun. Dress your own scarecrows, then let kids try the trick-or-treat scavenger hunt and join the costume dance party. Sept. 27-Oct. 27. Sun., 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. US Hwy. 78, Stone Mountain. 770-498-5690. Adults, $28; children ages 3-11, $22; younger than 3, free; parking, $10.
Brick-or-Treat. Legoland Discovery Center. Receive free giveaways, see LEGO monsters, and build your own LEGO pumpkins, coffins and tombstones. Oct. 1-31. 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Last admission is 2 hrs. before closing.) Phipps Plaza, 3500 Peachtree Rd., Atlanta. 404-848-9252. Adult, $19; ages 3-12, $15, 2 and younger, free.
Scarecrow Harvest. Historic Downtown Alpharetta. Over 100 scarecrows decorated by elementary school children, a farmers market, awards, music, hayrides to the log cabin, face painting, cornhole, storytelling, inflatables and activities. Oct. 5. 10 a.m-2 p.m. 2 South Main St., Alpharetta. 678-297-6078. Free.
Magic Monday. Atlanta History Center. Kids come dressed in Halloween costumes and come trick-or-treating through the museum exhibitions. Hear Halloween tales, make a spooky craft, and enter costume contests. Oct. 14. 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 130 W. Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4110. Adults, $6.50; ages 5 and younger, $5.50.
Halloween Fun House. East Roswell Recreation Center. Fun for ages 8 and younger. Enjoy face painting, carnival games, inflatables, hayrides and more. Oct. 18. 4:30-7 p.m. 9000 Fouts Rd, Roswell. 770-594-6134. Free.
Halloween Hayride & Family Festival. Cochran Mill Nature Center. Hayride, photos with live animals and haunted house! Crafts and activities, haunted house and costume contest at 6:45 p.m. Sweets and treats available for purchase. Sat., Oct. 19. 5-9 p.m. 6300 Cochran Mill Rd., Palmetto. 770-306-0914. $7.
Halloween Night Hikes. Chattahoochee Nature Center. Guided hike along well-lit trails where children meet friendly costumed forest creatures. Stay for a world music bonfire, animal encounters, and treats for purchase after hike. Oct. 18, 19, 25, 26. Hikes begin at 7 p.m. and run continuously. 9135 Willeo Rd., Roswell 770-992-2055. $9/person; 2 and younger, free.
Boo at the Zoo. Zoo Atlanta. Celebrate Halloween with more than 1,000 animals that call the zoo “home.” See festive paths with craft stations, enter a costume contest enjoy the hay maze. Oct. 19, 20, 26, 27. Boo at the Zoo hours: 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 800 Cherokee Ave. SE, Atlanta. 404-624-5600. Adults $20.99, children $15.99, younger than 3, free.
Little Five Points Halloween Festival & Parade. Findley Plaza. Live music, street entertainment, vendors, a costume contest and street parade. Oct. 19. Noon-10 p.m. Parade, 4 p.m. Intersection of Moreland and Euclid Avenues, Atlanta. 404-762-5665. Free.
Run Like Hell 5k and 1k Run Like Heck Races. Historic Oakland Cemetery. Runners of all ages can race through the cemetery and Grant Park then enter the costume contest. Oct. 19. 5k, 9 a.m.; 1k, 10 a.m. 248 Oakland Avenue SE, Atlanta. 404-327-7738. Pre-register at active.com. 5k, $27; 1k, $20.
Trunk or Treat. Kennesaw United Methodist Church. Wear your costume. Inflatables, a balloon artist, games, contests and more. Oct. 20, 4-6 p.m. 1801 Ben King Rd., Kennesaw. 770-428-1543. Free. Donation of a non-perishable food item and bag of candy suggested.
Haunted Museum: Villains in History. Downtown Kennesaw. Waxworks of Horror, storytelling, the Incredible Pumpkin Trail, costume contest nightly at 7 p.m. around the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. Oct. 21-22. Fri., 6 p.m.; Sat., 5 p.m. 2829 Cherokee St., Kennesaw. 770-427-2117. Adults, $7.50; children (recommended for ages 10-12), $5.50.
Great Chefs of Atlanta Pumpkin-Carving Contest. Atlanta Botanical Garden. A 25-minute Halloween showdown using only knives and power tools during the Oct. 24 Fest-of-Ale. The winner is decided based on audience applause. Contest, 7-8 p.m. Fest-of-Ale every Thursday in Oct., 5-10 p.m. Regular Garden hours, Tues.-Sun., 9 a.m.-7 p.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta. 404-876-5859. Adults, $18.95; Children 3-17, $12.95; 3 and younger, free.
Spooky Mill. Autrey Mill Nature Preserve. Go trick-or-treating in the Heritage Green, play games, enjoy spooky stories. Fortune telling and a not-so-spooky haunted house. Oct. 25-26. 5-9 p.m. Fri., preschool only, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. 9770 Autrey Mill Rd., Johns Creek. 678-366-3511. Activities are ticketed, free trick-or-treating.
Trick or Treat on the Square. McDonough Square. Trick or treat around downtown. Oct. 25. 3-6 p.m. 5 Griffin St., McDonough. 770-898-9311. Free.
Mummies and Milkshakes. Michael C. Carlos Museum. Visit animal and human mummies in the Egyptian galleries, purchase a Jake’s Ice Cream milkshake, and watch funny vintage mummy cartoons and mummy-themed films featuring the Three Stooges and Abbot and Costello. Oct. 25, 6:30 p.m. 571 South Kilgo Circle NE, Atlanta. 404-727-0519. $5; RSVP required by Oct. 23.
Family Fall Festival. Southern Belle Farm. 7-acre corn maze, pumpkin and flower patches, hayride and cow train. Kids costume contest at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26. 3-6 p.m. 1658 Turner Church Rd., McDonough. 770-288-2582. Adults and children, $12; 2 and younger, free.
Great Pumpkin: Carving a Night of Fun. Cumming First United Methodist Church. Activities include pumpkin carving, pumpkin patch, outdoor movie on the lawn, roast s’mores, hot dog supper, hayride and more. Oct. 26. 5-8 p.m. 770 Canton Hwy, Cumming. 770-887-2900. $10/family.
Haunted Halloween Festival. Lucky Shoals Community Rec Center. Enjoy crafts, games, a costume contest, haunted hay house, hayride and more! Includes a walk-through dark attraction with incredible monsters and special effects for older children. Oct. 26. 5-8 p.m. 4651 Britt Rd., Norcross. 678-277-0860. Pre-register. $5/person.
Train or Treat. Southeastern Railway Museum. Make special crafts, trick or treat around historic trains, participate in a costume contest and more. Oct. 26, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 3593 Buford Hwy, Duluth. 770-476-2013. Adults, $8; children 2-12, $5; under 2, free; Wild West train ride, $3.
Trek or Treat. Suwanee Creek Park. Trick-or-treat along the park’s greenway and participate in fall festival activities. Oct. 26. 11 a.m. 1170 Buford Hwy., Suwanee. 770-945-1524. Free.
Trick or Treat. The Children’s Museum of Atlanta. A night of fun, fall activities including crafts, prizes, games, Halloween movies and more. Come dressed in a costume. Ages 8 and younger. Oct. 26. 6:30-8:30 p.m. 275 Centennial Olympic Park Dr., Atlanta. 404-659-5437. $15.
Trick or Treat on Main Street. Downtown Fayetteville. See the jack-o-lanterns that decorate the Fayetteville Square and trick-or-treat at local businesses. Oct. 26. 3-4 p.m.; kids costume contest, 4 p.m. Main St., Fayetteville. 770-719-4173. Free.
BOO-seum Trick-or-Treat. Fernbank Museum of Natural History. Halloween party with music, games, costume characters and treats for kids in costumes. Also, visit the rest of the museum. Oct. 26. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 767 Clifton Rd. NE., Atlanta. 404-929-6300. Adults, $17.50; children 3-12, $15.50; 2 and younger, free.
Day of the Dead Festival. Atlanta History Center. Celebrate the Mexican festival and see elaborately decorated altars, listen to storytelling, enjoy authentic Mexican food, music, and much more. Oct. 27. Noon-5 p.m. 130 West Paces Ferry Rd., Atlanta. 404-814-4000. Free with admission.
Goblins in the Garden. Atlanta Botanical Garden. Wear your favorite costume for an afternoon of treats and activities, including a parade, storytelling and more. Train and pony rides extra. Oct. 27. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 1345 Piedmont Ave., Atlanta. 404-876-5859. Adults, $18.95; children 3-12, $12.95; younger than 3, free.
Munchkin Masquerade. Historic Newnan Square. Downtown merchants pass out Halloween treats to costumed kids. Oct. 31. 10 a.m.-noon. Historic Downtown Newnan Courthouse Square. 770-253-8283. Free.

Halloween Theater and Music

The Sleepy Hollow Experience. Serenbe Playhouse. Come to the Serenbe Stables to enjoy this classic spooky story with all the thrills, chills and laughs that keep you on the edge of your seat. Oct. 10-31. Thurs.-Sun., 8 p.m. 9065 Selborne Ln., Chattahoochee Hills. 770-463-1110. $20.
Halloween Magic Show. Aurora Children’s Playhouse. Atlantan Arthur Atsma will amaze and amuse with a show filled with captivating sleight of hand magic, audience interaction and comedy. Oct. 26. 10 a.m. 128 Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. Reservations recommended. $7.
The Phantoms of Orchestra. Woodruff Arts Center. Every Halloween the “phantoms of the orchestra” return to haunt the concert hall. The maestro and his terrified assistant must use the power of the baton to control this ghoulish orchestra of the undead and lead them in concert. Oct. 27, 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. Atlanta Symphony Hall. 1280 Peachtree St., Atlanta. 404-733-5000. $15-20 plus tax & service charge.

Haunted Tours and Storytelling

Ghost Tales & Trails. Woodstock. Go on a tour to help capture “The Shadow” lurking around town. Also enjoy games and activities for all ages. Oct. 24-26. 6-10 p.m. Groups depart every 45 minutes starting at 6:30 p.m. 111 Elm St., Woodstock. 678-494-4251. Games and activities, free. Tour, $10/person for ages 5 and older.
Ghosts of Marietta. Marietta. A 90-minute lantern led walk through historic Marietta. Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. 131 Church St., Marietta. 770-425-1006 . Adults, $17; ages 12 and younger, $12.
The Original Howlpharetta Ghost Tour. Alpharetta. The legends and ghosts of Alpharetta’s downtown come to life during a two-hour walking tour. Recommended for ages 13 and older. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. through Nov. Historic downtown Alpharetta. 800-979-3370. $15.
Lawrenceville Ghost Tours. Aurora Theatre. Listen to vivid stories of the strange and supernatural as guides lead groups on a 90-minute adventure. Through Oct. 31. Sun.-Thurs., 7:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. 128 East Pike St., Lawrenceville. 678-226-6222. Adults $12-$15, 16 and younger, $9-$12.
Roswell Ghost Tour. Roswell. Take a walking ghost tour led by paranormal investigators. Daily through Oct. 31. Times vary. 617 Atlanta St., Roswell. 770-649-9922. Adults, $15; children 12 and younger, $10.
Decatur Ghost Tours. Decatur. Come meet some of Decatur’s ghosts on this historical, paranormal walking tour of downtown Decatur. Oct. 4-5, 11-12, 17-19, 23-31. 7:30 p.m. 101 East Court Sq., Decatur. 404-296-7771. Pre-register. Adults, $15; 10 and younger, $12.
Tour of Southern Ghosts. Stone Mountain Park. Professional storytellers spinning tales of Southern ghosts along lantern-lit paths of the plantation grounds. Oct. 11-27. Thurs. and Sun., 7-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat., 7-9:30 p.m. U.S. Hwy. 78 East, Exit 8, Stone Mountain. 770-469-1105. Adults, $15; 12 and under, $7; parking, $10.
Ghosts of Marietta. Marietta. A 90-minute lantern led walk through historic Marietta. Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m. 131 Church St., Marietta. 770-425-1006 . Adults, $17; ages 12 and younger, $12.
Family Storytelling: Spooky Stories. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center. Join the Georgia Youth Storytellers and Emerging Voices as they share spooky stories. Oct. 18. 7 p.m. 980 Briarcliff Rd. NE, Atlanta. 404-872-5338. Adults, $3; ages 12 and younger, $1.
Beasties at Barrington. Barrington Hall. North Fulton Drama Club leads outdoor spooky story tours and refreshments are available for purchase. Oct. 18 -19. 7:30-9:30 p.m. 535 Barrington Drive, Roswell. 678-561-2273. $5.
Scary-etta Ghost Tour. Marietta Trolley Co. Hop aboard the trolley for a 90-minute, fully-narrated ride through the city, learning the history and hearing stories of the resident ghosts. Includes a brief period of walking, about 2 blocks. Fri.-Sat. in Oct., 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. 131 Church St., Marietta. 770-425-1006. Reservations needed. Adults, $27; children 12 and younger, $14.

Haunted Fun For Older Kids

Netherworld Haunted House. Norcross. This terrifying haunted house is not recommended for small children. Oct. 4-31. Sun., 7-11 p.m.; Mon.-Thurs., 7:30- 10:30 p.m.; Fri.- Sat., 7 p.m.- midnight. Nov. 1-2, 7- 11 p.m. 6624 Dawson Blvd, Norcross. 404-608-2484. $22/person for the main haunt ($25 on Fridays and Saturdays), Dead Ones; $28/person for Dead Ones plus Boogeyman ($30 on Fridays & Saturdays).
Fear The Woods. Stockbridge. Haunted Hayride and Haunted Barn and Zombie Paintball Hayride. Not recommended for small children. Oct. 4- Oct 31. Fri-Sat. 7 p.m.-midnight, Sun. 7-11 p.m. 3565 N Hwy 155 Stockbridge. 770-954-9356. Adults, $15. 10 and younger, $12.
13 Stories Haunted House. Newnan. Take a tour through five different attractions: 13 Stories Haunted House, Vertigo, Horror Hill Zombie Alley, Clown Haud 3D, and 13 Xtreme. Not recommended for small children and pregnant women. Oct. 9-Nov. 16. 320 Temple Ave., Newnan $25 for four hunts and $30 for all five.
Containment. Atlantic Station. A 25,000-square foot, quarter mile long maze of haunted mayhem caused by demonic artifacts. Not recommended or small children. Oct. 4-Nov. 3. 1380 Atlantic Dr. NW, Atlanta. 404-549-5953. $25.

Mall-oween Events

Ghostly Halloween Party. Northlake Mall. Kids can stock up on goodies from mall retailers. Halloween photo booth, balloon artist and bounce house. Attendees who join or renew their Kidgits Club membership at the event will receive a special gift, while supplies last. Oct. 31. 6-8 p.m. 4800 Briarcliff Rd., Atlanta. 770-938-3564. $5.
Boo Bash. Town Center at Cobb. Enjoy trick-or-treating, a bounce house and Halloween giveaways hosted by Radio Disney. Oct. 26. 6-8 p.m. 400 Barrett Pkwy., Kennesaw. 770-424-9486. $5.
Trick-or-Treating. Mall of Georgia. Mall-wide trick or treating. Simon Kidgits Club and Radio Disney are joining forces for the celebration, which will include entertaining performances by the Academy of Performing Arts, various games and activities, bounce houses, cotton candy machines and prize giveaways. Costume contest at 2 p.m., so children are encouraged to dress up. 1-3 p.m.  Ages 12 and younger. 3333 Buford Dr., Buford. 678-482-8788. $5.

Monster Mashes & Bashes

Mother/Son Halloween Dance. Bill Johnson Community Activity Building. Moms and sons dress in costumes and dance the night away. Games, prizes and snacks included. Oct. 25. 7-9 p.m. 10495 Woodstock Rd., Roswell. 770-641-3760. Pre-register. $12 for Roswell residents; $18 for non-residents.
Mother/Son Halloween Dance. George Pierce Park Community Rec Center. Dance with mom, enjoy refreshments and wear your costume. Ages 4 and older. Oct. 25. 7-9 p.m. 55 Buford Hwy., Suwanee. 678-227-0910. Pre-register by Oct. 18. $10/person.
Family Halloween Dance. Pinckneyville Park Community Rec Center. Bring the whole family to this frightfully great Halloween dance, with light refreshments. Ages 4 and older. Oct. 26. 7-9 p.m. 4650 Peachtree Industrial Blvd., Norcross. 678-277-0910. $6/person.

Beyond Atlanta

The Great Pumpkin Patch Express. Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. Kids can pick their own pumpkin, meet Charlie, Lucy and Snoopy and enjoy hayrides and music. Wear your costumes. Oct. 5-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27. Fri. departures, 3 p.m. Sat.-Sun. departures, 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. 226 Everett St., Bryson City, NC. 1-800-872-4681. Pre-register online at gsmr.com. Adults, $55; ages 2-12, $33; younger than 2, free.
Fall Hoedown. Vogel State Park. Celebrate fall with a cakewalk, hayrides, chilli and drinks, campfire and square dancing, trick or treating, and storytelling. Oct. 19. noon-8 p.m. 405 Vogel State Park Rd., Blairsville. 706-745-2628. Free, parking, $5.
Not So Spooky Halloween Fest. The Rock Ranch. Try pumpkin carving and painting, a costume contest for humans or pets, and entertaining shows. Families can trick-or-treat all over the Ranch, then try the corn maze after dark with no lights! Oct. 26. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 5020 Barnesville Hwy., The Rock. 706-647-6374. $15.
Ghost Train Halloween Festival. Tweetsie Railroad. Visit the 3-D maze, the Freaky Forest and of course, the Ghost Train! Older kids and adults, visit the Haunted House. Fridays and Saturdays through November 2. 7:30-11:30 p.m. U.S. Hwy. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, NC. 877-893-3874. Adults and children 2 and older, $28; under 2, free.
Haunted Cavern. Ruby Falls. Visit the terrifying Haunted Cavern and beware of the Body Forge – this spooky event takes place above and below ground. Not recommended for young children or pregnant women. Through Nov. 2. Fri.-Sat., 8-11 p.m. Sun., 8-10 p.m. 1720 S. Scenic Hwy., Chattanooga, Tenn. 423-821-2544. $21/person online at hauntedcavern.com; $23 at the door.

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