31 things to do around the Magic City this Halloween season

Reviewed by: Callie Morrison
LinkedInShares280
Skeletons
Boo! (Matthew Niblett / Bham Now)

It’s October, folks, and you know what that means—carving pumpkins, haunted houses, costume contests + more. Let’s take a look at 31 hauntingly-fun Birmingham activities to get you in the Halloween spirit.

1. Alabama Theatre: Phantom of the Opera

Here in Birmingham, we love sticking with tradition. And we’ve got one you can’t miss. The 1927 classic Phantom of the Opera has played at the Alabama Theatre every year since the 1970s. Want to know more about the tradition? Learn more about this beloved tradition from Pat Seitz.

2. Side Walk Film: Halloween Series

Side Walk is showing a variety of Halloween cult classics. Films like Casper (1995) The House of the Devil (2009) Poltergeist (1982) The Others (2001) House AKA Hausu (1977) and Suspiria (1977).

3. Atrox factory

With 50,000 square feet of terror, Atrox Factory is the largest indoor haunted attraction in the Southeast. I’m too scared to venture to Atrox, but are you?

4. Ware House 31

Turning your nightmares into realities, Ware House 31 has three different haunting attractions to offer this season. All just as spine-tingling as the next.

5. Nightmare 3008

In Fultonale you can find an award-winning haunted house full of indoor and outdoor trails twisting into your worst nightmare. Take a jump into the darkness and find out if you can make it to the other side.

BONUS: October 8th is their sensory-friendly night! No loud noises, strobe lights or jump-scares.

6. Sand Mountain Corn Maze

Looking for something a little more family-friendly? Travel to Gadsden where you can get a full fall experience at the Sand Mountain Corn Maze. Here you can grab a pumpkin, make your way through an authentic corn maze and take a hay ride.

7. Halloween silent disco at Hi-Wire

Hi-Wire is hosting its own silent disco featuring some ghoulish Halloween classics. I’m sure no mere mortal can resist the evil of this THRILLING event.

8. Halloween Alabama Symphony Orchestra: “Psycho”

Enjoy Alfred Hitchcock’s classic horror film with the score by Bernard Herrmann’s played live alongside this cinematic classic. Get your tickets soon. This is certainly a show that is expected to have no vacancies…

9. Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Costume Contest Show

This murder mystery dinner will keep you guessing all night. You never know who will be a part of the show. It could even be you…

10. Saturn’s Monster Market

Come check out Saturn’s Monster Market and grab goodies from all your favorite vendors. They will have everything from vintage clothes to handmade goods!

11. Birmingham Museum of Art Candle Light Concert: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics

See magic come to life with this awe-inspiring musical experience. Listen to the hauntingly beautiful Halloween classics being played among hundreds of candle-lit flames. Get ready for a hauntingly harmonic evening.

Family Friendly

pumpkins

Need something fun for the whole family? Maybe something a little less scary? Keep scrolling.

12. Pumpkin Patches

There are a good amount of pumpkin patches around the Magic City. Here are just a few that are worth looking into:

13. Birmingham Zoo Hoot and Howls event

Looking for no tricks and just treats? Bring the family down to the Hoot and Howls daytime Halloween festival at the Birmingham Zoo. Wear your costumes and trick-or-treat or join a dance party worthy of the name; Monster Mash!

Don’t forget to take a ride on the legendary Red Diamond Express Train and see what spooky surprises await you.

14. Flicks among the Flowers/ Hocus Pocus in Botanical Gardens

This is a fun and free event hosted by the Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Grab your picnic blanket and a festive costume and come down to watch the Halloween classic “Hocus Pocus” among the flowers and crisp Fall air.

15. Halloween Goat Yoga 

This beginner class of goat yoga is a great way to introduce yourself to yoga among many adorable goats. In this class, the herd will be extra adorable, dressed up in their favorite Halloween costumes.

Make sure to stay for s’mores after the session.

16. Boo Bash Goldfish swim school family swim event

A costume contest, family swim, trick or treating, snacks and more. Boo Bash has it all.

Parents and caregivers should plan to be in the water with their kiddos. Little swimmers who aren’t potty trained are required to wear a swim diaper.

17. Nightmare 3008: Kids Day

Baby’s first haunted house. This is a daytime event for your kiddos to trick or treat with the Nightmare 3008 characters.

18. Pelham Civic Complex Spooky Skate

This is a rather CHILLING event. Check out this family-friendly Halloween public skate at the Pelham Civic Complex & Ice Arena. There will be costume contests, prizes and more fun for the whole family.

19. North Shelby Library spooky bookshelf watercolor

Here is a chance to make your own Halloween decorations—North Shelby Library is hosting a little event where you can make your own Halloween-themed watercolor painting.

20. Titusville Branch Senior Halloween Party

Who said Halloween is just for kids? All seniors and their families, come down to the Titusville library and enjoy this Halloween holiday with some food, dancing and fun!

21. Greystone YMCA Spooktacular Fall Festival

Partake in Halloween games, facepainting and other fun activities that await you!

Leave the kids at home 

Drinks at Lumbar for Halloween
Dying to go out on a date night? (Bham Now)

Check out these events and see if you need to call a ghoul sitter for the evening.

22. Rocky Horror Picture Show Masquerade Ball

Let’s do the time warp again! Come join Dr.Frank-N-Furter and the gang for a screening of the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Irondale Civic Center. Make sure you take part in their costume contest with a cash prize for the winners!

23. Saturns Scare Your Face Off Fest

DIY Birmingham is throwing a rocking costume party with cover sets of your old favorites by some of Birmingham’s best artists. Dress up and get a discount at the door. Ghouls with the creepiest costumes get prizes, in addition to a hand-painted, horrid trophy.

Tickets will be sold at the door. Performances include contributions from Mood Room + Wax Fur, TOWU, Chayse Porter and His Palace Doors, Cash Langdon, B.O.R.N. + Anomaly, Foaming

24. Halloween Bar Crawl Carrigans Beer Garden

Get ready for a hair-raising, two-day, excursion around the bars of Birmingham. Enjoy exclusive drink and food specials at partnered venues. Don’t forget to wear your most haunting ensemble—there will be a costume contest with a $1,000 grand prize!

25. Top Shelf Burlesque Spookeasy Marble Ring

Marble Ring has all the ominous and fabulous vibes coming your way. Black cats, ghosts, mummies and vampires will all be present so BEWARE!

There will be two showings so that they can spook as many willing victims as possible!

26. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Masquerade Ball

Get ready for a bewitching evening at Birmingham’s Elysian Gardens. There will be food, drinks and spell-binding dance music (thanks to DJ Supreme). Make sure to wear a mask and your best Halloween ensemble; there is a $100 CASH prize for the best costume.

27. Theatre Downtown’s: “The Crucible”

This is Theatre Downtown’s first show since 2020!

Come travel to the old village of Salem, and witness the (mostly) true story, and then decide for yourself: Which matters more, your honor or your life?

28. Indie Horror Film Ghost Tour

Birmingham Ghost Walks, Alabama Road Shows and Door Number 3 Films are all teaming up to provide you with an exclusive screening to some indie horror films. See brand new indie projects from Door Number 3 Films, Jordan Hudecz, Max Tatum and the debut of filmmaker William Curtis Ryan with his breakout surrealist horror film, “DASHIDA”.

29. Nightmare on 20th Street

Who knew your worst nightmare could be so much fun? If you are looking for a Halloween party to join, this might just be the one for you. The DJ will be spinning until November, literally, this party goes into the wee hours of the night.

There will be drinks to die for…and dancing that might just put a spell on you…

30. Hi-Wire Birmingham, Friday the 13th Fest and Dark market

This will be a fun-filled night that will surely get you into the spirit of the season. Don’t let the date scare you…find all kinds of fun including Halloween Slushies, Henna Tattoos, Tarot readings and all the Halloween candy your heart desires. Don’t forget to browse their dark market for all kinds of oddities.

31. Rupaul’s Drag Race: Night of the Living Drag 

Get ready to sashay into The Twilight Zone with the queens of RuPaul’s Drag Race for the 12th Annual Night of the Living Drag Tour! See iconic performances from Queens, Angeria, Denali, Icesis Couture, Jaida Essence Hall, Jorgeous, Plastique, Rosé, Tayce and your host… Yvie Oddly as they grace the stage with an enchanting night full of tricks, treats and TERROR.

Want to know all the Halloween updates?  Sign up for our FREE newsletter and follow us on Instagram + Facebook.

LinkedInShares280
Sadie Sue Long
Sadie Sue Long
Articles: 24

You might also like