Celebrate Halloween this weekend in JoCo, plus more family-friendly events

This weekend in Johnson County is packed with Halloween fun for goblins of all ages. Lots of trick-or-treat events, as well as a Scooby Doo escape room at a library and a haunted swamp at a community center.

We’ve got details on traditional local events, ways to get involved in your community and things to put on your calendar now.

Each week, as part of our Johnson County News coverage and weekly newsletter, we share news, tips, events and community resources for several cities across Johnson County.

Have an event in your community you want to share? Submit it for free to our community calendar. And sign up for the weekly newsletter to get more JoCo news delivered right to your inbox.

Gardner

Celebrate Halloween: The Halloween Boo Bash runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Celebration Park, 32501 W. 159th St. It features games, rides, activities, candy and prizes. The costume parade starts at 7 p.m., and wristbands are $5 per child. Parents get in for free. There’s a low-sensory segment, too, from 5:30 to 6 p.m.

Lenexa

Go to a fall festival in the park: The Enchanted Forest will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park, 8801 Greenway Lane. Hayrides, pumpkin decorating, puppet show, music and a fire show will be there. This is an entertainment event, not a trick-or-treating event, organizers say, and there will be a limited supply of candy at sponsor booths.

Merriam

Honor Merriam’s birthday: The city’s 75th birthday bash will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive. Expect cake, food trucks and family activities.

Olathe

Dress up for a cause: The Spooktacular Safety event for National Drug Take Back Day is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Johnson County Square, southeast corner of Santa Fe and Kansas Avenue in downtown Olathe. Hosted by the Johnson County Prevention and Recovery Coalition and Olathe Communities That Care, more than 10 local organizations will be at the event to pass out candy and share prevention and safety tips. Costumes are encouraged.

Test yourself at an escape room: A Scooby Doo Escape Room will be all day Friday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Oct. 26, at Indian Creek Library, 16100 W. 135th St. All ages are welcomed, and you can sign up for 30-minute time slots. Teams are limited to six people and should have at least one member who is thirteen or older.

Go trick-or-treating: A Trick-or-Treat Trail is open from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Stagecoach Park, 1205 E. Kansas City Road. Tables and candy stations with tricks, treats and other goodies will be there. Bring your own bag.

Go on a horse-drawn hayride: Trick-or-Treat Off the Street is being held from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, 1200 E. Kansas City Road. Costumes encouraged, and there will be horse-drawn hayrides and a candy station. Admission is $4 per person for ages 3 and up. Mahaffie members receive free admission.

Swim in a haunted swamp: The Haunted Swamp at the Olathe Community Center will be open for swimming 6:30 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. There will be themed games and treats, but organizers ask that you don’t wear costumes. Registration is required for kids only (parents are free).

Overland Park

Learn more about US-69 construction: The project team for the 69Express project will be at the Matt Ross Community Center and Farmer’s Market from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 25, to answer questions and give information. The team will be also be there on the mornings of Nov. 8 and 22.

Enter a Halloween home contest: Overland Park’s Most Spirited Halloween Home contest is underway. Snap a photo of your home’s exterior decked out for spooky season and submit it online by Friday. Online voting opens Monday and closes at noon Oct. 31. Winner announced on social media and will received their choice of up to six one-day admission passes to a local spot.

Go trick-or-treating: Trick or Treat from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, in downtown Overland Park. Costumes are encouraged, and bring your own treat bag. You can pick up a map at Thompson Park, 8045 Santa Fe Drive.

Meet local police: Trunk or Treat with the Overland Park Police Department 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at City Hall, 8500 Santa Fe Drive. Collect treats and meet police officers.

Roeland Park

Go to a trunk-or-treat: Trunk or Treat from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at the Roeland Park Community Center parking lot, 4850 Rosewood Drive. The family-friendly event is hosted by the city.

Shawnee

Go to a Halloween festival: Historic Hauntings will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Shawnee Town 1929, 11600 Johnson Drive. Children are encouraged to wear costumes to compete in the costume contest. Activities, trick-or-treating, crafts, food, and photos will be there, and admission is free. Donations are accepted.

Buy homemade holiday gifts: The Holiday Treasures Craft Festival is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25, at the Shawnee Civic Centre, 13817 Johnson Drive. Peruse hand-crafted holiday gifts at the festival. Admission is free.

This story was originally published October 22, 2025 at 5:30 AM.