Halloween Season Begins
Communities Nationwide Kick Off Halloween Festivities With Parades, Tours and Attractions
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Salem’s opening-night parade begins at 6:30 p.m., follows a route from Shetland Park to the Common and has an “old school Halloween” theme. Road closures and parking restrictions start at 4 p.m.; vehicles in the South Harbor garage cannot leave until the parade ends.
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Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo said the city can receive around 65,000 visitors on an October day—and more than 100,000 on some days—despite having only 2,800 public parking spaces downtown. He recommended arriving by train or ferry.
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The Williams Holiday House is at 15304 E. Oakland Ave. Its Halloween display uses animatronics and decorations for visitors to view in the front yard; posted hours vary by day and may change because of bad weather.
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Phoenix’s 13th Floor experience takes about 20 to 30 minutes and includes Dead City Uprising, House of Flesh and Reaping Grounds. The attraction recommends children be at least 10, and tickets start around $32 and must be bought online.
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In Cork, the bat walk is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, at Páirc Eoin, with attendees meeting at the top of Quaker Road. Organizers say it is suitable for all ages and beginners, and encourage participants to dress warmly.
Halloween festivities are ramping up across cities from Massachusetts to Arizona, with ghost tours, parades, and haunted houses drawing crowds this October. Salem Massachusetts is kicking off its monthlong Haunted Happenings with an opening-night parade at 6:30 p.m., while Hagerstown Maryland offers ghost tours and nighttime train rides. Meanwhile, Phoenix and Cork Ireland are hosting their own spooky attractions, from a themed haunted house to a guided bat walk through the fall season.
Salem Braces for 65,000+ Halloween Visitors
Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo warned that the city expects around 65,000 visitors on a typical October day, with some days surpassing 100,000 people. Yet the downtown area has just 2,800 public parking spaces. The opening-night parade runs from Shetland Park to the Common with an "old school Halloween" theme. Road closures and parking restrictions begin at 4 p.m., and vehicles in the South Harbor garage cannot leave until the parade ends.
Officials strongly urge visitors to arrive by train or ferry to avoid gridlock. The massive attendance shows Halloween's pull in this historic Massachusetts city, which is also marking its 400th anniversary this year.
Maryland's Ghost Tours and Train Rides Lead the Way
Hagerstown is offering multiple Halloween attractions throughout October. The lineup includes ghost tours, nighttime train rides, and a dog costume parade where pets dress in Halloween outfits. After the spooky season wraps up, the city will transition to its annual holiday light display, giving residents a full fall and winter celebration calendar.
Phoenix Haunted House Features Three Themed Sections
Phoenix's 13th Floor Haunted House operates through November 1 on select nights. The attraction has three themed sections: Dead City Uprising, House of Flesh, and Reaping Grounds. Each walkthrough takes about 20 to 30 minutes and costs around $32 per ticket. The venue recommends children be at least 10 years old and requires all tickets to be purchased online in advance.
Florida Yard Display and Cork Bat Walk Draw Nature Lovers
The Williams Holiday House in Florida has reopened its decorated front yard at 15304 E. Oakland Ave., featuring animatronics and seasonal decorations for visitors to enjoy. Hours vary by day and may change due to bad weather. In Cork, Ireland, a free guided bat walk kicks off Friday, Oct. 2, at 7:15 p.m. at Páirc Eoin. Attendees should meet at the top of Quaker Road and dress warmly. Organizers say the walk suits all ages and beginners with no prior experience needed.
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