Celebrate the spookiest time of year in these quaint villages across America.
Independence, Kansas
Head to this southeast Kansas small town for their “Neewollah” (Halloween spelled backward) festival. It’s a 9-day long celebration and “Homecoming," which includes dozens of activities like parades, food festivals, carnivals, and more. You’ll be there along with 75,000 more visitors for the largest annual event in the state, so be sure to book your hotel and accommodations ahead of time!
St. Helens, Oregon
You may recognize this town from the iconic Disney movie Halloweentown, since many of the scenes were filmed here. In addition to St. Helens' annual giant pumpkin lighting, visitors can get in on the local fun by attending all of the various "Spirit of Halloweentown" Festival events. Just last year, the Halloweentown cast reunited in the small town to honor their late costar Debbie Reynolds.
Romeo, Michigan
While some cities create over-the-top Christmas displays every year, this Midwestern town likes to get all gussied up for its annual "Terror on Tillson Street" Halloween event. During the month of October, local homeowners create spooky and seriously detailed displays on their front lawns. Why pay for a haunted house frights when you can simply walk around the neighborhood and get the same experience for free?
Estes Park, Colorado
This mountainside village is home to the historic Stanley Hotel, which was the inspiration behind Stephen King's chilling novel The Shining. Visitors can get into the Halloween spirit by attending the "Shining Ball" or a murder mystery dinner hosted at the hotel. Also fun: On Halloween night, everyone in the community skips door-to-door visits and heads to Main Street for trick-or-treating.
Anoka, Minnesota
Known as the "Halloween capital of the world," this lively community has made it it mission to provide everyone in town with fun ways to celebrate the holiday since the 1920s. Special events were originally planned to prevent teens from stirring up trouble in the neighborhood, but nowadays, troves of volunteers organize scarecrow contests, balls and parties, scavenger hunts, runs, bonfires, and parades galore.
Salem, Massachusetts
Back in 1692, the infamous Salem witch trials were held in this tiny New England town. Hundreds of years later, the area's witchy ties still draw herds of visitors—especially around Halloween. The community hosts hundreds of spooky events every October including festivals, balls, and tours—you can get more information at HauntedHappenings.org.
Sleepy Hollow, New York
There are oh-so-many ways to celebrate Halloween in the hometown of Washington Irving's Headless Horseman legend. Visit the 300-year-old Van Cortlandt Manor, which gets an epic makeover for the Great Jack-'O-Lantern Blaze every year, tour the historic Lyndhurst Castle, or take a walk around the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Washington Irving rests.
Telluride, Colorado
Every year locals have a wicked good time in this sleepy Colorado mountain town at the Telluride Horror Show film festival, KOTO Halloween bash, and town parade.
Ceredo and Kenova, West Virginia
Not just one, but two small towns in West Virginia team up every year to host the C-K AutumnFest which includes bake-offs, festivals, tractor shows, and more fall fun. But the best part is definitely the 3,000 jack-'o-lanterns put on display at famous "Pumpkin House."
Chatham, Massachusetts
This scenic seaside town is known for its annual "Pumpkin People in the Park" event. Every October, townspeople create fun and quirky pumpkin creations to display on the greens. The Cape Cod town also hosts its very own Oktoberfest event with foodie fun and activities on the Saturday before Halloween.
Laconia, New Hampshire
This New England town attracts more than 40,000 visitors every October, and for good reason. Get ready for plenty of haunted attractions, festivals, food events, and more at this small town's famous "NH Pumpkin Festival."
See more at: Country Living
