Guide to Halloween Activities in Cincinnati, Ohio
Whether you’re a parent looking for a non-scary event for younger children, or a die-hard haunted house aficionado who loves being scared silly, there’s sure to be a Halloween activity or two in the Cincinnati area that’s just right for you. All you ghosts and goblins, you don’t want to miss these special (and spooky) events!
Family-Friendly Non-Scary Activities
Nick or Treat, held at Paramount’s King’s Island amusement park. October 1 and 7-8, 10:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.; October 14-15, 21-22, and 28-29, 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. NOTE: FearFest (see below, in the section called “Maximum Frights, Sure to Delight”) begins at 7:00 p.m.; Paramount’s King’s Island recommends that FearFest is not suitable for children under 13 years. Admission: free with park admission (adults, $29.99; children $14.99).
While Paramount’s King’s Island is known for its scare-packed Halloween event FearFest, they also offer a non-scary daytime Halloween event called Nick or Treat. Kids 12 years and under can dress in costume and join Nickelodeon characters to trick-or-treat throughout Nickelodeon Central. Other family-friendly activities include: face-painting, Halloween games, a corn maze, a magic show, the “Pumpkin Patch Express” train ride, “Wizard’s World of Wonder” fun house, the “Monster Bash” song-and-dance show, and the “Bubble Blast Suds Factory.” More information can be found at www1.paramountparks.com/kingsisland/special/fearfest/nickortreat.html.
HallZOOween, held at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. October 13-15, 20-22, and 27-29, 4:00-8:00 p.m. Admission: free with Zoo admission (adults, $12.95; children ages 2-12, $7.95; children ages 2 and under, free).
The Cincinnati Zoo’s HallZOOween celebration offers kids ages 12 and under the fun of trick-or-treating their way around the Zoo, while watching the animals take part in “Pumpkin Pandemonium.” Guests can also enjoy the MadCap Puppet Theater’s presentation of “Ghost Without a Gimmick” every night, as well as a pumpkin patch, train ride, and a “Scare”ousel. More information is at www.cincinnatizoo.org.
Halloween Nights, held at Parky’s Farm in Winton Woods (part of the Hamilton County Park District). October 13-30. Sunday-Thursday, 6:00-9:00 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 6:00-11:00 p.m. Admission: $5.00 per person (ages 2 and under free).
This event is designed for families with young children, or anyone else who prefers to enjoy their Halloween fun with no creepy-crawlies and other scary creatures. It features animated light displays of pumpkins, ghosts, bats, and witches, using tens of thousands of lights. Some of the other activities offered include: hayrides through decorated farm fields and woods; Parky’s “Hardly Haunted Barn;” shows by the MadCap Puppet Theater; indoor playbarn; climbing wall; and magician Phil Dalton. More details are at www.greatparks.org.
Ghosts of Pirate Cove, held at the Newport Aquarium, Newport, Kentucky. October 21-31, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Admission: up to 4 kids (ages 12 and under) in costume get in for $5.00 with each adult paying full price ($17.95).
This is the fourth year of the Newport Aquarium’s Halloween event, featuring a sunken ship in the shark tank, pirates, storytelling, activities, and treasures. The Aquarium promises a “special famous guest” on October 21 and 22 who will share Halloween secrets to Aquarium guests. More details can be found at www.newportaquarium.com.
Scary Knight Tours, held at Loveland Castle, Loveland, Ohio. October 13-14, 20-21, and 27-28, 7:00-11:00 p.m. Admission: adults, $8.00; children ages 12 and under, $7.00.
This is a full-scale replica of a 10th-century castle that was built by hand almost entirely by one man. The castle is currently operated by the Knights of the Golden Trail, who offer the Halloween-themed tours every year. More information is at www.lovelandcastle.com.
History of Halloween Brunch, held at the Sharon Woods Visitor Center in Sharon Woods (part of the Hamilton County Park District). Wednesday, October 25, 10:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Admission: $17.95 per person. Registration deadline: October 16 (www.greatparks.org/events/halloweenhistory_registration.htm).
This full brunch buffet features a fun presentation by two naturalists from the Hamilton County Park District, who will explain the origins, customs, and legends of Halloween. Other activities include a costume contest, pumpkin decorating, apple bobbing, pictures taken, exploring the natural museum, or taking a walking tour through nearby Heritage Village. More information is available at www.greatparks.org.
Suitable for Pre-Teens and Older
Shocktober, held at the Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal. October 13-15, 21-23, and 27-29, starting at 6:00 p.m. on Fridays and 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission: free with museum admission (adults, $7.25; children, $5.25).
The Cincinnati Museum of Natural History & Science is the setting for this spooky tour of the lower levels of the historical museum building, filled with thrills, chills, and scares. Although Shocktober is a self-guided tour, 19th-century curator Joseph Dorfeuille returns to make the tour a screamingly good-and creepy-time. More information is at www.cincymuseum.org.
The Return of Bubba Ho-Tep, held at the Cincinnati Art Museum, presented by Cincinnati World Cinema. Tuesday, October 31.
If you’re too old for trick-or-treating, Cincinnati World Cinema offers a unique treat: a special Halloween night screening at the Cincinnati Art Museum of the cult classic Bubba Ho-Tep, in which Elvis and JFK battle the mummy Ho-Tep. Prizes will be awarded for the best Elvis, JFK, and Ho-Tep costumes. Museum Ghost Tours will also be conducted. More information can be found at www.cincyworldcinema.com.
Maximum Frights, Sure to Delight (a.k.a., Not Recommended for Children)
St. Rita Haunted House, held on the school grounds of St. Rita School for the Deaf. October 5-31, every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Admission: $8.00.
This haunted house, held in a Civil War-era farmhouse that was the boys’ dormitory in the early 1900s, features 13 “theme” rooms designed to send shivers down your spine and bring shrieks of fright and delight.
A “Children’s Matinee,” with the lights ON, is offered for kids under the age of 12, held ONLY on October 28 and 29, 3:00-5:00 p.m. Admission for this special Children’s Matinee is $2.00.
More information is available at www.srsdeaf.org.
USS Nightmare, held on a steamboat at the BB Riverboats on Newport Landing, in Newport, Kentucky. September 22-October 31. Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays: 7:00-11:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays: 7:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Special Halloween shows on Monday and Tuesday, October 30 and 31: 7:00-11:00 p.m. Admission: $15.00 per person.
Thrills and chills are alive (or undead) on the Ohio River in this thirty-minute tour of the area’s only “haunted steamboat.” Special effects include 100 animations and a 3-D Vortex Tunnel. The terrifying tour includes many graphic scenes involving all sorts of fiends and gruesome scenarios, which is why this event is not recommended for children.
A “Children’s Matinee,” with the lights ON, is offered for children, held ONLY on October 29, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
More information can be found at www.ussnightmare.com.
FearFest, held at Paramount’s King’s Island amusement park. Begins September 30 and runs on Fridays and Saturdays in October, 7:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. Admission: if purchased in advance, Friday-night tickets are $19.99 and all-day Saturday tickets are $29.99.
Paramount’s King’s Island emphasizes that this event is not for young children, and urges parents to exercise discretion in bringing children under age 13. The warning is because FearFest, like its name implies, is an event designed to scare guests witless.
If you like being scared, if you seek out the spookiest haunted houses every year, if shrieking in terror is your idea of a good time, then make your plans for FearFest. Wander through haunted houses, chain-link mazes, and spooky wooded trails. A total of 13 haunted attractions and 9 rides are filled with freaks and frights, thanks to audio, visual, and special effects, including fog, smoke, strobe lights, confined spaces, and graphic scenes. More information is available at www3.paramountparks.com/kingsisland/special/fearfest/index.html.
