Halloween fun guide: Haunted houses to pumpkin patches to trick-or-treating
Halloween represents different things to different people, and there are plenty of activities for all of you.
If you’re part of the scare-me-to-death crowd, the region includes world-class haunted houses (Edge of Hell, Beast, Macabre Cinema and 3rd Street Asylum) that already are open and will operate through the holiday.
If you are more attuned to the pumpkin-and-spice allure of Halloween, places such as Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch, Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, Faulkner’s Pumpkin Ranch and the Liberty Corn Maze are worth visits.
And if you merely hope to be entertained in a spooky sort of way, there are plays, concerts and other extravaganzas scheduled in the coming days.
But if all you want is to collect that Halloween candy, you’ll have to wait until closer to the big day. Halloween falls on a Monday this year, though, so several trick-or-treating events will occur the previous weekend.
Through Oct. 30
Exiled KC
This new attraction at the venue of the KC Timber Challenge consists of a hike through a haunted forest populated by the criminally insane. The hike will take 45 minutes to an hour and requires climbing hills, bending, stooping and crawling. Check website for times and dates. ZipKC, 12829 Loring, Bonner Springs. exiledkc.com. 913-276-0018. $25.
Through Oct. 31
3rd Street Asylum
If you have nightmares about returning to your adolescent years, this haunted house in an abandoned high school might be the scare of a lifetime. One of the current inhabitants is Bob Barber, the Butcher of Bonner Springs, said to have killed 16 people with an ax. Check website for times and dates. Third and Cedar, Bonner Springs. 3rdstreetasylum.com. $25.
Through Oct. 31
Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch
There’s so much more than pumpkins at this patch. The Pumpkin Jumpin’ Pad and Corny Corral are new for 2016, joining the train and wagon rides, pig races, petting farm and live entertainment. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. 17607 N.E. 52nd, Liberty. carolynscountrycousins.com. $10-$12.
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Pumpkin Hollow includes a pumpkin patch as well as a corn maze and hay pyramid. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 13800 Switzer, Overland Park. drfarmstead.org. $9-$10.
Through Nov. 5
Edge of Hell, Beast and Macabre Cinema
The West Bottoms are ground zero for scary stuff with these three haunted houses. Edge of Hell is the granddaddy of them all, having been in business for more than four decades. Beast features special effects, holograms, props and animatronics on four floors, with true 4D experience. And Macabre Cinema is a haunted 1930s movie theater with horror scenes throughout. Edge of Hell (1300 W. 12th), Beast (1401 W. 13th), Macabre Cinema (1222 W. 12th). Check websites for times and dates. edgeofhell.com, kcbeast.com and macabrecinema.com. 816-842-4280. $27.
Oct. 13-31
“Evil Dead: The Musical”
Just in time for Halloween, Egads Theatre will present a musical based on the cult movie “The Evil Dead.” Five college students spend a weekend in an abandoned cabin in the woods. What could possibly go wrong? Check website for times and dates. H&R Block City Stage, Union Station. evildeadkc.com. $17.50-$25.
Oct. 14-15
Glow Jack-O’-Lantern Festival
Visitors to Powell Gardens will encounter dragons, fairies and other creatures as they traverse the one-mile trail lined with more than 700 jack-o’-lanterns. Other attractions will include hayrides, crafts, storytelling, costumed characters and a pumpkin-carving demonstration. 4-10 p.m. Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. 50, Kingsville, Mo. powellgardens.org. 816-697-2600. $5-$12.
Oct. 15-16, 22-23 and 29-30
Kansas City Zoo
From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the next two weekends, Hoots & Howls will include hayrides and a hay-bale maze. Some animals will smash pumpkins at scheduled times throughout the day, and other critters will munch on pumpkins. Then, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30, Boo at the Zoo will present trick-or-treating, entertainment and other Halloween-themed events. 6800 Zoo Drive. kansascityzoo.org. 816-513-5800. Included in admission, $11.50-$14.50.
Oct. 21-22, 28-29
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead
Night of the Living Farm features lanterns and jack-o’-lanterns lighting activities such as a haunted barn, science experiments and hayride. 6-9 p.m.. 13800 Switzer, Overland Park. drfarmstead.org. $9-$10.
Oct. 22
Pumpkins on Parade
Hundreds of pumpkins carved by students, artists, community groups and others will line the trails through the woods of Cave Springs Park for one of Raytown’s biggest events of the year. Children’s activities and vendors are other highlights. Shuttle parking will be available at the Raytown Crossing Shopping Center. 4:30-9 p.m. Cave Springs Park, 8701 E. Gregory. cavespring.org/pumpkins-on-parade-2016. 816-659-1945. Free.
Oct. 23
Día de los Muertos/Day of the Dead
Live music by Mundo Nouvo, puppetry by StoneLion Puppet Theatre and a mini fashion show are the highlights of a day dedicated to the Day of the Dead. Visitors can take part in crafts, contribute to a community altar installation and sample traditional Día de los Muertos bread. 1-4 p.m. Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall, 3218 Gladstone. kansascitymuseum.org. 816-513-0720. Free.
Oct. 29
Spookfest
Kids can enjoy creepy critters, eerie edibles, spooky demos and molten munchies at Maze Park, as well as mysterious maker activities and spooktacular stage shows. 5-8 p.m. Science City, Union Station. unionstation.org/sciencecity. $5-$7.
Other attractions
Through Oct. 30
Liberty Corn Maze
Maze design will be “Rock the Vote.” Check website for hours and dates. 17607 N.E. 52nd, Liberty. libertycornmaze.wix.com/liberty-corn-maze. 816-781-9196. $8-$10.
Sylvia Bailey Farm Park
Corn Maze, Hay Mountain, Corn Box and Pumpkin Bowling. Noon-6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. 1800 S.E. Ranson, Lee’s Summit. lsparks.net. 816-969-1500. $6.
Worlds of Fun events
Great Pumpkin Fest, Halloween Haunt and Military ID Haunt Friday Nights. Check website for times and dates. Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave. worldsoffun.com. 816-454-4545. $35.99-$57.99.
Through Oct. 31
Faulkner’s Pumpkin Ranch
Pumpkin drop and Halloween Egg Hunt on Oct. 30. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Faulkner’s Ranch, 10600 Raytown Road. faulknersranch.com/pumpkin-season. 816-761-5055. $9.
Mount Washington Manor Haunted House
Family-friendly experience in 95-year-old Masonic temple. 7-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. 9515 E. Independence Ave., Independence. mtwashingtonmanor.com. $5-$10.
Oct. 14
Buzz Halloweenie Roast
Phantogram, Bishop Briggs, Rachel Mallin & the Wild Type and more. 7:30 p.m. Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland. midlandkc.com. 816-283-9921. $25-$30.
Oct. 15
Halloween History Howl
Hayrides, face-painting, magic show and other children’s activities. 2 p.m. Wyandotte County Historical Society and Museum, 631 N. 126th, Bonner Springs. wycomuseum.org. 913-573-5002. $5.
Oct. 21
Burlesque Downtown Underground
Halloween performance for adults. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Musical Theater Heritage, Crown Center, 2450 Grand. kcburlesque.com. $15-$25.
Oct. 21-23
Fairy Tale Forest
Trail lit by jack-o’-lanterns and populated by animal characters. 5:30-8 p.m. Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, 407 N. Lafrenz, Liberty. naturesanctuary.com. 816-781-8598. $5-$8.
Oct. 21-22 and 28-29
Ghost Tours and Paranormal Investigations
Tours leave every 15 minutes. 6:30 p.m. (tours) and 10 p.m. (investigations; also Oct. 31). Wornall House, 6115 Wornall. wornallmajors.org. 816-444-1858. $15-$30.
Oct. 22
Boo Ball
St. Luke’s Foundation benefit will feature Quixotic. 6:30 p.m. Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference Center, 18011 Bass Pro Drive, Independence. saintlukesgiving.org. 816-347-4853. $100.
Halloween Extravaganza
Superheroes and other costumed characters will be on hand for party with face painting, contests, music and more. 1-6 p.m. Municipal Auditorium Exhibition Hall, 301 W. 13th. kcconvention.com/event/halloween-extravaganza. $9.
Halloween Trunk-or-Treat
Also games, food and educational displays. 2-4 p.m. Wyandotte County Fairgrounds, 13700 Polfer, Kansas City, Kan. wycofair.com. 913-721-2333. $5.
Hammerween VII
Fiend Club and Troglodyte will play, along with others. 5 p.m. Granada, 1020 Massachusetts, Lawrence. thegranada.com. 785-842-1390. $10.
Haunted Bell Tower Bash
Benefits SocialHeart. 7 p.m. The Arts Asylum, 1000 E. Ninth. social-heart.org/event/the-haunted-bell-tower-bash. $30-$50.
Oct. 22-23 and 29-30
Brick or Treat
Search for monsters, build a Great Pumpkin and go on scavenger hunt. 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Legoland Discovery Center, 2475 Grand. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/kansascity. 816-471-4386. $15-$18.50.
Oct. 22 and 29
Fort Leavenworth Haunted Tours
7 p.m. Old U.S. Disciplinary Barracks. ffam.us. $13-$15.
Oct. 22-23 and Oct. 29-30
Underwater Pumpkin Carving
11 a.m. and 2 p.m. SeaLife, 2475 Grand. visitsealife.com/kansas-city. 816-471-4386. Included in regular admission, $13.50-$20.
Oct. 26-Nov. 6
Day of the Dead Altar Installation
More than 100 papier-mache skulls decorated. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak. nelson-atkins.org. 816-751-1278. Free.
Oct. 27
Enchanted Forest
Puppets, magicians, singers and season displays along trail around Rose’s Pond. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th Street Parkway and Lackman Road, Lenexa. ci.lenexa.ks.us/parks/festivals_enchanted.html. 913-477-7500. Free.
Oct. 28
Halloween Concert
KU School of Music. 7:30 p.m. Lied Center, 1600 Stewart, Lawrence. lied.ku.edu. 785-864-2787. $6-$8.
Oct. 29
Boo Bash
Ben Rector, Jacob Whitesides and Anne-Marie. 8 p.m. Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main. midlandkc.com. 816-283-9921. $25-$30.
Boos, Barks & Badges Halloween Parade
For families and their dogs; hosted by Lee’s Summit police and fire departments. 10 a.m. City Hall Plaza to Howard Station Park, Lee’s Summit. downtownls.org. 816-246-6598. Free.
Halloween Trolley Bar Crawl Crawl-o-ween
Drink tickets and transportation between bars. 8 p.m. The Well, 7421 Broadway. eventbrite.com. $15-$25.
Historical Hauntings
Hayrides, trick-or-treating and costume contests. 6-11 p.m. Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th. shawneetown.org. 913-248-2360. Free.
Independence Halloween Parade
10 a.m. Historic Independence Square. ichamber.biz. Free.
Pumpkin Palooza
Free treats, DJ, hayride, bounce house and other activities. 6-8 p.m. Memorial Park, 602 Maurer Parkway, Belton. beltonparks.org. 816-348-7400. Free.
The Running Dead 5K
Features zombie attack zones. 8 a.m. Kansas City Renaissance Festival, 633 N. 130th, Bonner Springs. runningdeadkc.com. 913-721-2110. $30-$40.
Spooky Skate
Halloween party on ice. 2-4 p.m. Line Creek Community Center, 5940 N.W. Waukomis. kcparks.org. 816-513-0760. $6 (free if you wear costume); $2 skate rental.
Trick-or-Treat in Downtown Parkville
Regular business hours. Downtown Parkville. parkvillemo.org. 816-505-2227. Free.
Trick-or-Treating
Music by Rockin’ Rob. 2-4 p.m. Downtown Overland Park. downtownop.org/halloween. Free.
Trick-or-Treat on Main Street
Activities will include games, crafts and a haunted maze. 10 a.m.-noon. Main Street, between 10th and 12th Streets, Blue Springs. business.bluespringschamber.com/events/details/trick-or-treat-on-main-street-9449. Free.
WonderSpook
Storytime with Traci Angel, music by Funky Mama and costume parade and contest. 5-7 p.m. Wonderscope Children’s Museum, 5700 King, Shawnee. wonderscope.org. 913-287-8888. $5-$10.
Zombie “Holloween”
(Disco Is Dead!!) Boogie Wonderland Zombie Contest. 8:30 p.m. Knuckleheads, 2715 Rochester. knuckleheadskc.com. 816-483-1456. $10.
Oct. 29-30
Boo-Tastic Fun
Photos with Wicked Queen, StoneLion Puppet Theatre and other entertainment. Noon-4 p.m. Crown Center Shops, Level 1 Atrium. crowncenter.com. 816-274-8444. Free.
Oct. 30
Overland Park Orchestra Halloween Concert
Storyteller with scary classical music. 3 p.m. Tomahawk Ridge Community Center, 11902 Lowell, Overland Park. oporchestra.com. 913-268-7376. Free.
Oct. 31
Gatsby Halloween Party
Prohibition-inspired event benefits Hillcrest Hope. 7 p.m. Belvoir Winery, 1325 Odd Fellows, Liberty. belvoirwinery.com. 816-200-1811. $80.
Halloween Monster Maze
3:30-6:30 p.m. Gage Center, 1101 N.W. Jefferson, Blue Springs. gagecenter.com. 816-220-7775. Free.
The People’s Liberation Big Band of Greater Kansas City
Halloween celebration. 7 p.m. Blue Room, 1600 E. 18th. club.americanjazzmuseum.org. 816-474-6262. Free.
Safe in Sound Halloween Festival
DJs Snails, Brillz and Botnek. 8 p.m. Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main. midlandkc.com. 816-283-9900. $20-$30 ($35 day of show).
Safe Trick-or-Treat
5-9 p.m. Zona Rosa, 8690 N. Dixson. northlandhalloween.org. Free.
Trick or Treat Downtown
5-7 p.m. Downtown Liberty, 111 N. Water. historicdowntownliberty.org. 816-781-3575. Free.
Nov. 6
Annual Dia de los Muertos
Local music and dance groups, art activities, readings and food. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak. nelson-atkins.org. 816-751-1278. Free.
This story was originally published October 12, 2016 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Halloween fun guide: Haunted houses to pumpkin patches to trick-or-treating."