No tricks, only treats: Halloween music, merriment and mayhem around KC
The KC area offers more than just candy to gobble this Halloween weekend.
There are several pumpkin-centric operations for the kids and haunted houses for those a bit older. And of course, don't forget lots of trick-or-treating opportunities for the young’uns and plenty of musical events for adults.
Choose from this smorgasbord of ghoulish (and some not-so-scary) array of family and grown-up fun.
FAMILY FRIENDLY
Through Oct. 31
▪ Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily
Where: 17607 N.E. 52nd, Liberty
What: Attractions include petting farm, train rides and pumpkins. $10-$12.
Info: CarolynsCountryCousins.com, 816-781-9196
▪ Faulkner’s Pumpkin Season
When: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (open until 4 p.m. Oct. 31)
Where: Faulkner’s Ranch, 10600 Raytown Road
What: In addition to pumpkins, hayrides and farm animals await visitors. $8.
Info: FaulknersRanch.com, 816-761-1234
▪ Pumpkin Hollow
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday
Where: Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, Overland Park
What: Pumpkin boats, corn tunnel and pumpkin-picking are just a few of the activities. $8.
Info: DRFarmstead.org
THROUGH NOV. 1
▪ Liberty Corn Maze
When: 5-10 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday
Where: 17607 N.E. 52nd, Liberty
What: Find your way through the maze. $8-$10.
Info: LibertyCornMaze.Wix.com, 816-781-9196
Oct. 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19
▪ Hoots & Howls
When: 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive
What: Activities will include pedal tractors, hayrides and daily pumpkin smashes.
Info: KansasCityZoo.org, 816-513-5800
Oct. 10-11
▪ Magic Woods
When: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 10, 5-9 p.m. Oct. 11
Where: Lakeside Nature Center, 4701 E. Gregory
What: Talk to and learn about Missouri’s animals, with live animal presentations as well as crafts, face painting and other activities. $5.
Info: LakesideNatureCenter.org, 816-513-8960
Oct. 17-18 and 24-25
▪ Night of the Living Farm
When: 6-9 p.m.
Where: Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, Overland Park
What: Activities include a haunted horse-drawn hayride and haunted barn. $8-$10.
Info: DRFarmstead.org
Oct. 18
▪ Kid Safe Halloween
When: Noon-3 p.m.
Where: Shoal Creek Living History Museum, 7000 N.E. Barry
What: Trick-or-treating for elementary school-age children. Free.
Info: KCParks.org
▪ Pumpkins on Parade
When: 4:30-9 p.m.
Where: Cave Springs Park, 8701 Gregory
What: Hundreds of carved, lighted pumpkins will be on display. Free admission.
Info: JacksonGov.org, 816-547-9679
▪ Fright Night at Shoal Creek
When: 6-9 p.m.
Where: Shoal Creek Living History Museum, 7000 N.E. Barry
What: Visitors can walk through frightfully decorated log cabins and wooded areas. $8.
Info: KCParks.org
Oct. 24
▪ Friday Fright Night
When: 6-8 p.m. for ages 3-8, 8-10 p.m. for 9-adult
Where: Gladstone Amphitheatre, 76th and North Troost, Gladstone
What: There will be scary stories and safe trick-or-treating.
Info: GladstoneChamber.com
Oct. 24-25
▪ Spirits From the Past
When: 6-9 p.m.
Where: Missouri Town 1855, 8010 E. Park, Lee’s Summit
What: The village comes alive after dark with ghosts and other creatures, as well as a haunted hayride. $10; reservations required.
Info: JacksonGov.org/MissouriTown, 816-503-4860
Oct. 25
▪ Trick or Treat
When: All day, during regular business hours
Where: Downtown Parkville
What: Goodies will be handed out at participating businesses.
Info: ParkvilleMO.org
▪ Boos, Barks & Badges Halloween Parade
When: 10 a.m.
Where: City Hall Plaza to Howard Station Park, Lee’s Summit
What: For those who like to dress up their pooches.
Info: DowntownLS.org
▪ Running Dead 5K
When: 11 a.m.
Where: Kansas City Renaissance Festival site, 628 N. 126th, Bonner Springs
What: Humans will try to outrun zombies. $30.
Info: RunningDeadKC.com
▪ Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Overland Park
When: 2-4 p.m.
Where: Downtown Overland Park
What: Halloween Fun Band will play on clock tower patio.
Info: DowntownOP.org
▪ Independence Halloween Parade
When: 3 p.m.
Where: Historic Independence Square
What: 66th annual event.
Info: ichamber.biz
▪ Trick-or-Treat Off the Street
When: 4 p.m.
Where: Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, 1200 E. Kansas City Road, Olathe
What: Kids can celebrate Halloween 1860s style, complete with hay-wagon rides. $3.
Info: OlatheKS.org/ParksRec/Mahaffie, 913-971-5111
▪ Spookfest
When: 5-8 p.m.
Where: Science City at Union Station, 30 W. Pershing
What: Treats will include creepy critters, eerie edibles and spooky science. $5-$7.
Info: UnionStation.org/ScienceCity
▪ Historical Hauntings
When: 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: Shawnee Town, 11501 W. 57th, Shawnee
What: Activities will include hayrides, trick-or-treating and costume contests. $1 suggested donation.
Info: ShawneeTown.org, 913-248-2360
▪ Monster Dash 5K
When: 7 p.m.
Where: City Market, Third and Walnut.
What: Runners will compete for age-group awards as well as best costumes; also, Lil’ Monsters’ Kids Run. $15-$40.
Info: KCMonsterDash.com
Oct. 25-26
▪ Boo at the Zoo
When: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive
What: There will be trick-or-treating and other Halloween-themed events.
Info: KansasCityZoo.org, 816-513-5800
Oct. 28
▪ Scary Skate
When: 7-8:30 p.m.
Where: Line Creek Community Center, 5940 N.W. Waukomis
What: A costume party on ice. $6; $2 skate rental.
Info: KCParks.org
Oct. 29
▪ Marlborough Ghoul Fest
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Marlborough Community Center, 8200 the Paseo
What: Kids can enjoy games, crafts, refreshments and live entertainment.
Info: KCParks.org
Oct. 31
▪ Scare-It Halloween
When: 4-8 p.m.
Where: Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall, 3218 Gladstone
What: Haunted house, inflatables and zombies on stilts will be among the attractions.
Info: KansasCityMuseum.org, 816-513-0720
▪ Trick-or-Treat
When: 4-6 p.m.
Where: Briarcliff Village, 1300 N.W. Briarcliff Parkway
What: Merchants, residents and community groups will distribute candy and other goodies to kids.
Info: briarcliffvillagekc.com
▪ Trick-or-Treat Street
When: 4-6 p.m.
Where: Brookside Shopping District, 63rd and Brookside
What: Merchants will provide treats for the kids.
Info: BrooksideKC.org, 816-523-5553
▪ Safe Trick-or-Treat
When: 5-9 p.m.
Where: Zona Rosa, 8690 N. Dixson
What: Along with candy will be a haunted house and games.
Info: NorthlandHalloween.org
▪ WonderSpook
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Wonderscope Children’s Museum, 5700 King, Shawnee
What: Activities will include trick-or-treating, a costume contest and entertainment by Dino O’Dell. $5-$10.
Info: Wonderscope.org, 913-287-8888
▪ Haunted House Party
When: 6-8 p.m.
Where: Tony Aguirre Community Center, 2050 West Pennway
What: Event will feature haunted house, scary music and candy.
Info: KCParks.org
▪ Howling Halloween Public Nocturnal Overnight
When: 6 p.m.-10 a.m.
Where: Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive
What: For children 10 and up, who must be accompanied by adult. $35.
Info: KansasCityZoo.org, 816-513-5800
▪ Monster High School Ballaz’ Ball
When: 8 p.m.
Where: K.C. Funzone, 2620 N.E. 43rd
What: Party and concert is for ages 13-20. $10.
Info: BrownPaperTickets.com
Oct. 31-Nov. 1
▪ Kansas City Symphony, “Mysterioso: A Magical Night”
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Helzberg Hall, Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
What: Not just music, but also an illusionist, magic acts and more. $40-$85.
Info: KCSymphony.org, 816-471-0400
Nov. 1
▪ Great Pumpkin Smash
When: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Where: Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive
What: Big animals will kick, crush and crumble pumpkins.
Info: KansasCityZoo.org, 816-513-5800
FOR THE GROWN-UPS AND BIG KIDS
Through Nov. 1
▪ Chambers of Poe Haunted House
When: Opens 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday (7:30 p.m. Saturday starting Oct. 11)
Where: 1100 Santa Fe
What: Haunted tales and poems come to life. $22.
Info: ChambersOfPoe.com, 816-842-4280
▪ Macabre Cinema Haunted House
When: Opens 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday (7:30 p.m. Saturday starting Oct. 11)
Where: 1222 W. 12th
What: Actual movie sets and movie scenes are part of the allure. $22.
Info: MacabreCinema.com, 816-842-4280
Through Nov. 8
▪ Beast Haunted House
When: Opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday until Oct. 23, then nightly through Nov. 2, also Nov. 7-8 (6:30 p.m. Saturday in October)
Where: 1401 W. 13th
What: Includes 30 scenes on four floors. $27.
Info: KCBeast.com, 816-842-4280
▪ Edge of Hell Haunted House
When: Opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Sunday until Oct. 23, then nightly through Nov. 2, also Nov. 7-8 (6:30 p.m. Saturday in October)
Where: 1300 W. 12th
What: Features five-story “fright from heaven to hell.” $27.
Info: EdgeOfHell.com, 816-842-4280
Oct. 9 and 29
▪ Halloweenie Roast Night 1 and 2
When: 5:30 p.m.
Where: Midland, 1228 Main
What: Live music galore. $38 in advance and $48 at door for Night 1; Night 2 sold out.
Info: MidlandKC.com, 816-283-9921
Oct. 18
▪ Hammerween V
When: 5:20 p.m.
Where: Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway
What: Music will be provided by Troglodyte and Hammerlord, among others. $10 or $6 if you’re in costume.
Info: UptownTheater.com, 816-753-8665
Oct. 25
▪ Boo Ball
When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: The Pavilion at John Knox Village, 520 N.W. Murray, Lee’s Summit
What: This Halloween-themed benefit will feature Beatles tribute band Liverpool. $100.
Info: SaintLukesGiving.org, 816-347-4632
Oct. 26
▪ Halloween Festival
When: 8 p.m.
Where: KC Live!, Power & Light District
What: Big bash will feature DJ Mike Scott and more than $5,000 in prizes for the costume contest.
Info: PowerAndLightDistrict.com
Oct. 28
▪ No Costume Halloween Party
When: 7:30 p.m.
Where: Riot Room, 4048 Broadway
What: Courtney Barnett and Mikhael Paskalev will perform. $15-$20.
Info: TheRiotRoom.com, 816-442-8179
Oct. 30
▪ Gummy Halloween
When: 10 p.m.
Where: Riot Room, 4048 Broadway
What: Music and costume contest are among highlights. $5.
Info: TheRiotRoom.com, 816-442-8179
Oct. 31
▪ A Night in the Asylum: Halloween 2014
When: 6 p.m.
Where: The Arts Asylum, 1000 E. Ninth
What: JPT Scare Band will play, along with the Waspmen. $15-$20.
Info: theartsasylum.org or brownpapertickets.com/event/867629
▪ Freaky Friday Fright Night
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Uptown Theater, 3700 Broadway
What: Music will be by Abbamania. $35.
Info: UptownTheater.com, 816-753-8665
▪ Monster Mash
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Madrid Theatre, 3810 Main
What: Charity party benefits Love Fund for Children and Phoenix Family. $45-$85.
Info: BacchusKC.org
Burlesque on the Rocks: Halloween Edition
When: 9 p.m.
Where: Buffalo Room, 817 Westport (inside Westport Flea Market)
What: Zombies and ghouls will infiltrate the dance acts. $15-$25.
Info: BrownPaperTickets.com
▪ “Ghostbusters” Themed 30th Anniversary Party
When: 9 p.m.
Where: The Guild, 1621 Locust
What: Check out the movie look-alikes. $10.
Info: TheGuildKC.com
▪ Party Monster VIIII: Super Heros vs. Super Villains
When: 9 p.m.
Where: VooDoo, Harrah’s Casino, North Kansas City
What: Music will be complemented by costume contest. $20-$30.
Info: VoodooKC.com
Oct. 31-Nov. 1
▪ Pandemonium
When: 8 p.m.-2:30 a.m.
Where: FireFly Lounge, 4118 Pennsylvania
What: Two nights of haunted decor, dancing and drink specials. $10.
Info: KCHalloween.com
This story was originally published October 2, 2014 at 7:00 AM with the headline "No tricks, only treats: Halloween music, merriment and mayhem around KC."