What are you doing this Halloween? Here’s a megalist for all of October

The Halloween season offers something for everyone: It all depends on how much you want to be scared.

At the top level of fright are the haunted houses and haunted tours. Three favorites — Edge of Hell, Beast and Macabre Cinema — operate in the West Bottoms.

Somewhat less frightening, and more suited for younger children, are the many wooded trails decorated for the season, including Magic Woods (Oct. 14) at Lakeside Nature Center and the Enchanted Forest (Oct. 26) at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park in Lenexa.

Even more child-appropriate are the bumper crop of corn mazes and pumpkin patches. The biggest and most popular attractions — from Carolyn’s Country Cousins Pumpkin Patch in Liberty to the KC Pumpkin Patch in Gardner to Johnson Farms in Belton — have already opened and generally will run through Halloween.

Along the same lines of child-centric activities are the many festivals and special events. Among the favorites are Hoots and Howls (Oct. 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22) at the Kansas City Zoo and Night of the Living Farm (Oct. 20-21 and 27-28) at Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park.

Finally, several venues will offer Halloween events that are pure entertainment. Options range from the Kansas City Chorale (Oct. 14 and 17) to Burlesque Downtown Underground (Oct. 28).

The West Bottoms is home to three of the Midwest’s top haunted attractions. Edge of Hell and Beast open 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday (Thursday-Saturday beginning Oct. 12), plus Oct. 22 and Oct. 26-31, through Nov. 4. Macabre Cinema open 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday (Thursday-Saturday beginning Oct. 12) plus Oct. 22 and Oct. 26-31. 1300 W. 12th. edgeofhell.com, kcbeast.com and macabrecinema.com, 816-842-4280. $27.

Family-friendly experience in 95-year-old Masonic temple. 7-11:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday. 9515 E. Independence Ave., Independence. eventbrite.com. Phone. $5-$10.

Haunted house in abandoned high school. Hours vary, Oct. 5-7, Oct. 12-14, 19-22, 26-29 and 31. 200 E. Third, Bonner Springs. 3rdstreetasylum.com. $25.

Tour of 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home and covered wagon ride around the Independence Square to learn more grisly history. 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Oct. 6-7, 14, 20 and 27-28. 217 N. Main. jchs.org, 816-252-7454. $15-$20.

Kansas City Paranormal. 8 p.m. Dillingham Home & Museum, 101 SW 15th, Blue Springs. eventbrite.com/event/38297987311. $50.

Special ghost tour with chance to meet spirits. 7, 8 and 9 p.m. 1859 Jail and Marshal’s Home, 217 N. Main. jchs.org, 816-252-7454. $25.

Tours leave every 15 minutes. 6:30 p.m. Wornall House, 6115 Wornall. wornallmajors.org, 816-444-1858. $15.

10 p.m. and 12:15 a.m. Wornall House, 6115 Wornall. wornallmajors.org, 816-444-1858. $50.

7 p.m. Old U.S. Disciplinary Barracks 1301 N. Warehouse, Fort Leavenworth. ffam.us. $15.

9 a.m.-4 p.m. National Frontier Trails Museum, 318 W. Pacific, Independence. ci.independence.mo.us/nftm, 816-325-7575. $25.

Hike more than a mile through dark, creepy forest. 7:30 p.m.-midnight Oct. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 and 26-29. ZipKC, 12829 Loring, Bonner Springs. exiledkc.com, 913-276-0018. $25.

Costumed storybook characters, live animals and more. 1-4 p.m. Ernie Miller Nature Center, 909 N. Kansas 7, Olathe. jcprd.com, 913-764-7759. $5-$7.

4-9 p.m. Lakeside Nature Center, Swope Park, 4701 E. Gregory. lakesidenaturecenter.org, 816-513-8960. $5; $25 per family.

7-9 p.m. George Owens Nature Park, 1601 S. Speck, Independence. georgeowensnaturepark.org, 816-325-7115. $3.

Hundreds of carved pumpkins along a one-mile trail. 4-10 p.m. Powell Gardens, 1609 N.W. U.S. 50, Kingsville. powellgardens.org, 816-697-2600. $5-$12.

Trail lighted by more than 100 jack-o’-lanterns and populated by fun characters. 5:30-8 p.m. Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, 407 N. Lafrenz, Liberty. naturesanctuary.com, 816-781-8598. $25 for family until Oct. 19; $8 at gate.

Puppets, musicians and singers along trail around Rose’s Pond. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 87th Street Parkway and Lackman Road, Lenexa. lenexa.com, 913-477-7500. Free.

Also, petting zoo, playground, train ride and zipline. 6-10 p.m. Friday, noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday. 20156 S. Missouri 291, Pleasant Hill. shucksmaze.com, 816-944-3650. $4-$11.

Maze design is “Farm to Table.” 5-10 p.m. Friday (10 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 20), 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday (10 a.m.-10 p.m. Oct. 15). 17607 N.E. 52nd, Liberty. libertycornmaze.wix.com/liberty-corn-maze, 816-820-5388. $8-$10.

Train and wagon rides, pig races, petting farm and live entertainment. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. 17607 N.E. 52nd, Liberty. carolynscountrycousins.com. $8.95-$20.

Pumpkins, hayrides, pony rides, zipline, petting farm and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Faulkner’s Ranch, 10600 Raytown Road. faulknersranch.com/pumpkin-season, 816-761-5055. $5-$9.

Pumpkins, hayrides, play areas and farm animals. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 17701 Holmes, Belton. johnsonfarms.net, 816-331-1067. $7-$13.

Stage shows, paintball gallery, haunted trailer, concessions and more in addition to pumpkins and gourds. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, noon-6 p.m. Sunday. 13875 S. Gardner, Olathe. kcpumpkinpatch.com. $5-$9.95.

10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. 14730 Kansas 68, Louisburg. louisburgcidermill.com, 913-837-5202. $6-$10.

10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, Overland Park. drfarmstead.org. $9-$10.

10 a.m.-2 p.m. Brookside Park, 5600 Brookside. eventbrite.com. Free.

7-10 p.m. Sylvia Bailey Farm Park, 1800 SE Ranson, Lee’s Summit. lsparks.net, 816-969-1500. $5.

Hundreds of pumpkins carved by students, artists, community groups and others will line the trails through woods. 4:30-9 p.m. Cave Springs Park, 8701 Gregory. cavespring.org/pumpkins-on-parade-2017, 816-659-1945. Free.

Pumpkin smashings through day. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive. kansascityzoo.org. 816-513-5800. Included in admission, $11.50-$14.50.

9 a.m.-noon. Shawnee City Hall, 11110 Johnson Drive, Shawnee. visitshawneeks.com/event/scarecrow-festival, 913-631-6545. Free.

Pooch Parade and Costume Contest. 1-2:30 p.m. Waggin’ Trail Dog Park, N.E. 32nd and Swift, North Kansas City. kcparks.org/event/howloween-pooch-parade-costume-contest-2. $5 per dog.

Scary and non-scary activities alike. 6-9 p.m. Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead, 13800 Switzer, Overland Park. drfarmstead.org. $9-$10.

2-3:30 p.m. Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive. merriam.org/162/merriam-marketplace, 913-322-5550. Free.

5 p.m. Adam’s Pointe Golf Course, 1601 N.E. R.D. Mize, Blue Springs. bluespringsgov.com, 816-228-0137. $8.

Live music by Pablo Sanheza’s Latin Quintet and puppetry by StoneLion Puppet Theatre. 1-4 p.m. Kansas City Museum at Corinthian Hall, 3218 Gladstone. kansascitymuseum.org, 816-513-0720. Free.

Hayrides, farmstead tours, trick-or-treating and costume contests. 6-8:30 p.m. Shawnee Town 1929, 11501 W. 57th. shawneetown.org. 913-248-2360. Free; $1 suggested donation.

10 a.m. Historic Independence Square. ichamber.biz. Free.

Free treats, music, hayrides, bounce house and other activities. 6-8 p.m. Memorial Park, 602 Maurer Parkway, Belton. beltonparks.org. 816-348-7400. Free.

Annual Day of the Dead Festival. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, 4525 Oak. nelson-atkins.org, 816-751-1278. Free.

Hayrides, hot chocolate and toasted marshmallows. Noon-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Paradise Park, 1021 N.E. Colbern, Lee’s Summit. paradise-park.com, 816-246-5224. $7.

6-8 p.m. Oak Grove Park, Gladstone. gladstone.mo.us, 816-423-4200. $2 or two canned goods.

Legoland Discovery Center, 2475 Grand. legolanddiscoverycenter.com/kansascity, 816-471-4386. $15-$19.

Superheroes, princesses and other costumed characters will be on hand for face painting, contests, music and more. 2-5 p.m. Union Station, 30 W. Pershing. eventbrite.com. $9.

Games, contests, candy and other activities. 6-8 p.m. Celebration Park, 32501 W. 159th, Gardner. gardnerkansas.gov, 913-856-0936. $2-$4.

Costume contest followed by parade and trick-or-treating. 9 a.m. City Hall Plaza, Lee’s Summit. downtownls.org, 816-246-6598. Free.

Photo booth, creepy crafts, haunted hallway and healthy snacks. 9-11 a.m. Roeland Park Community Center, 4850 Rosewood, Roeland Park. jcprd.com, 913-826-3160. Free.

5-8 p.m. Science City, Union Station. unionstation.org/sciencecity. $6-$8.

2-4 p.m. Downtown Overland Park. downtownop.org/halloween. Free.

10 a.m.-noon. Main Street, between 10th and 12th Streets, Blue Springs. business.bluespringschamber.com. Free.

3-5 p.m. Liberty Hospital, 2525 Glenn Hendren. thelibertyclinic.com. Free.

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.

Children can trick-or-treat while enjoying Halloween-themed activities and entertainment. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Kansas City Zoo, 6800 Zoo Drive. kansascityzoo.org, 816-513-5800. Included in admission, $11.50-$14.50.

4-6 p.m. Brookside Shopping District, 63rd and Wornall. brooksidekc.org, 816-523-5553. Free.

5-9 p.m. Zona Rosa, 8721 N. Stoddard. northlandhalloween.org, 816-587-8180. Free.

Children’s event with symphony performance and instrument petting zoo. 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway. kcsymphony.org, 816-471-0400. $5.

5:30-8 p.m. Alcott Arts Center, 180 S. 18th, Kansas City, Kan. alcottartscenter.org, 913-233-2787. Free.

Happy hour and nine holes of golf. 5:30-10:30 p.m. Heart of America Golf Academy, 7501 Blue River Road. eventbrite.com. $70-$80.

Free zombie makeup. 11 a.m. Kansas City Renaissance Festival, Bonner Springs. runningdeadkc.com, 913-721-2110. $30-$40.

Plus Lil Monsters Fun Run ($12-$15). 7 p.m. City Market, 20 E. Fifth. kcmonsterdash.com, 816-569-4508. $32-$40.

Costume contest, games, trunk and treat and photo booth. 2-4 p.m. Line Creek Community Center, 5940 NW Waukomis. kcparks.org. 816-513-0760. $6 (free if you wear costume).

Seven roller coasters, eight mazes, six skeleton-key rooms, scare zones, all-new acrobat show and more. 6 p.m.-midnight Friday, 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday. Worlds of Fun, 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave. worldsoffun.com, 816-454-4545. $37-$59.

Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad 5-mile roundtrip. 3:30 p.m. Belton Depot, 502 E. Walnut, Belton. beltonrailroad.org, 816-331-0630. $10.

Marilyn Manson with Alice Glass and Hyborian. 8 p.m. Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland, 1228 Main. midlandkc.com, 816-283-9900. $43.

Nick Padgett’s production of Richard O’Brien’s “The Rocky Horror Show.” 8 p.m. Prohibition Hall, 1118 McGee. rockyhorrorkc.com. $25.

Creative black tie costume party in support of Goodwill.

7 p.m. The Brass on Baltimore, 1228 Baltimore Ave. mokangoodwill.org. $125.

St. Luke’s Foundation benefit. 6:30 p.m. Pavilion at John Knox Village, 520 N.W. Murray, Lee’s Summit. saintlukesgiving.org, 816-932-1664. $100.

Kansas City Chorale. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14, Karbank 1900 Building, 1900 Shawnee Mission Parkway, Mission Woods; 7:30 p.m. Oct. 17. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 11 E. 40th. kcchorale.org. $10-$30.

Theatre for Young America. 10 a.m. Oct. 17, 10:15 a.m. Oct. 18, 10 a.m. Oct. 19, 10:15 a.m. and noon Oct. 20, 2 p.m. Oct. 21, 10 a.m. Oct. 24, 10 a.m. and noon Oct. 25, 10 a.m. Oct. 26, 10 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. Oct. 27, 2 p.m. Oct. 28, 10 and 11:45 a.m. Oct. 30, 10 a.m. Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 10 and 11:45 a.m. Nov. 3, 2 p.m. Nov. 4, 10 a.m. Nov. 7, 10:15 a.m. Nov. 8-9, 10 and 11:45 a.m. Nov. 10; closes Nov. 10. H&R Block City Stage Theater, Union Station, 30 W. Pershing. unionstation.org or tya.org, 816-460-2020 or 816-460-2083. $11.

Kokopelli Theatre Company. 8 p.m. Oct. 18-21 and 25-28, 6 p.m. Oct. 29, 7 and 10 p.m. Oct. 31, 8 p.m. Nov. 2-4; closes Nov. 4. Arts Asylum, 1000 E. Ninth. eventbrite.com/event/36446009997. $25.

5-8 p.m. Vaile Victorian Mansion, 1500 N. Liberty, Independence. vailemansion.org, 816-325-7430. $15.

7 p.m. Belvoir Winery, 1325 Odd Fellows, Liberty. belvoirwinery.com. 816-200-1811. $80.

Halloween performance for adults. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Opera House KC, 500 Walnut. kcburlesque.com. $15-$25.

3 p.m. Matt Ross Community Center, 8101 Marty, Overland Park. oporchestra.com. 913-268-7376. Free.

With organist Dorothy Papadakos. 7 p.m. Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway. kcsymphony.org, 816-471-0400. $25-$45.

This story was originally published October 2, 2017 at 12:23 PM with the headline "What are you doing this Halloween? Here’s a megalist for all of October."