Glow, Go & Trick-or-Treat Safely
Halloween is a fun time for costumes, candy, and neighborhood traditions. A few simple precautions can help make trick-or-treating safe and enjoyable for everyone.
Children should trick-or-treat with a trusted adult or in a supervised group. Choose costumes that fit well, use face paint instead of masks that block vision, and add reflective tape or carry a flashlight. Stay on sidewalks, cross streets at corners, and look both ways before crossing. Never enter a stranger’s home or vehicle.
Drivers should slow down, avoid distractions, and watch carefully for children who may step into the street. Homeowners can help by keeping walkways well lit, removing tripping hazards, securing pets, and offering only wrapped treats. Caregivers should also inspect candy before children eat it and follow any allergy precautions.
When neighbors stay alert and look out for one another, Halloween can be a safe, welcoming, and memorable evening for the entire community. A Frightfully Safe Halloween Starts at Home.
Here are top places and events in the Cleveland area for Halloween trick-or-treating and Family-Friendly Trick-or-Treat & Fall Events:
- Boo at the Zoo (Cleveland Metroparks Zoo)
- Address: 3900 Wildlife Way, Old Brooklyn, Cleveland https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/program-events/boo-at-the-zoo
- Details: Features glowing pathways, trick-or-treat candy stations, costumed characters, and the Monster Mash Dance Party.
- Time/Cost: Thursdays through Sundays in October, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Advance online tickets are $20 for members and $22 for non-members (day-of tickets are slightly higher; children under 2 are free). [1, 2, 3]
- Fright Fest at the Farm (Greenwood Farm)
- Address: 264 Richmond Rd, Richmond Heights
- Details: A free family festival with music, candy, food, games, inflatables, pumpkin carving, and Trunk-or-Treat (phone registration required for participants).
- Kindrid Kava Trick-or-Treat Festival
- Address: 2024 W Schaaf Rd, Old Brooklyn, South Hills, Cleveland
- Details: An indoor family-friendly trick-or-treat community event hosted at a local cafe.
- Time/Cost: Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. [1]
- Pumpkins & Piranhas (Greater Cleveland Aquarium)
- Details: Features underwater jack-o’-lanterns, family activities, and designated sensory-friendly hours. [1]
- Halloween Volleyball Showdown at Mulberry’s
Grab your team, 4s or 6s, and dive into Mulberry’s Halloween beach volleyball tournament. Bump, set and spook your way through the night with pumpkin beer in hand, body-painting stations at the ready and plenty of cheers for the best-dressed players. Costumes are highly encouraged: Come dressed to win. Free, Oct. 4, 11 a.m., 2316 Mulberry Ave., Cleveland, facebook.com/mulberryscleveland
Tower City’s Spooky Tower
Tower City Center in Downtown Cleveland is well known for its Christmas and New Years Eve celebrations, but it’s pretty good at getting its haunt on, too, with its Spooky Tower event. While spirits might roam the shops, parents can take their kids inside the tower to enjoy crafty activities like making slime. Just don’t let your kids make something so scary that they stay up at night. With the strobe lights and scary sounds transpiring, you might not know what’s around the corner. Free, Oct. 4-26 (Saturdays & Sundays only), 230 West Huron Road, Cleveland, towercitycenter.com
Goodtime III Halloween Ghostly Cruise
Kick off spooky season on the water with the annual Halloween Ghostly Cruise. This family-friendly afternoon features a lively costume contest, ghost stories, games and music from All About You DJ Entertainment. Kids will love meeting Jungle Terry and his creepy critters, while everyone can enjoy scenic views of Cleveland decked out in their Halloween best. Costumes are encouraged, prizes are on the line and the fun sails rain or shine leaving from the North Coast Harbor. $25-$35, Oct. 5, boarding 1:30-4 p.m., 825 E. 9th St., Cleveland, goodtimeiii.com/halloween-ghostly-cruise
I-X Trick or Treat Street: Final Boo
After nearly 30 years, the I-X Center’s Trick or Treat Street bids farewell with one last Halloween celebration. The indoor village comes to life with decorated houses, a spooky graveyard, 14 amusement rides and endless opportunities for children to fill their treat bags in a safe, festive setting. Live entertainment from Flower Entertainment, Jojo’s Magic, Tricia Ramos’ Little Princess Sing-Along and Jungle Terry with his animal friends keeps the fun going. $17+, Oct. 18-19 & Oct. 24-25, 1 I-X Center Drive, Cleveland, ixtrickortreatstreet.com
Heights Halloween Festival
Take your kids around the Cedar Lee District, where they can safely trick-or-treat with their friends at local businesses and then attend a dance party afterwards. Along the way, they might meet characters from Ghostbusters, The Little Mermaid and other films perfect for photo opportunities. This festival is more than just for kids, as it features face painting, temporary tattoos, and performances by the Wizbang Circus, along with games for the whole family to enjoy. Free, Oct. 18, 3-6 p.m., 2230 Lee Road, Cleveland Heights, dobama.org/hfest
Pumpkins & Piranhas at the Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Enjoy a splash of Halloween spirit at the aquarium on select weeknights. The evening brings together underwater jack-o’-lanterns, diver shows, seasonal decor, music, animal encounters, appearances by Finn the landshark, a rotating array of nightly entertainers and an activity booklet. Costumes are encouraged for adults and kids, with advance registration recommended to ensure treat bags for children. A sensory-friendly evening will also be offered on Sunday, Oct. 19, with softened lighting and reduced noise for those who may benefit. $15, Oct. 17-25, 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland, greaterclevelandaquarium.com
Weird Wonders at the Museum of Illusions
The Museum of Illusions can already play with your mind, but with their Halloween-themed decor, it surely will make you have nightmares about what you’re seeing. Families can have plenty of fun with trick-or-treating and taking photos to remember the illusions. Grab a family four-pack ($113.19) for the entire family to enjoy, complete with a $20 merchandise voucher. $28.62, Oct. 20-31, 186 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, moicleveland.com
Spooky Autumn Fest at Skylight Park
Tower City’s Skylight Park transforms into a Halloween playground for one festive afternoon. Families are invited to show off their costumes and enjoy a full day of games, crafts, and seasonal activities. Highlights include a Candy Trail Walk-Through, obstacle courses, a Spooky Roller Rink, jumbo apple bobbing, inflatable ax throwing, pumpkin decorating and even a Haunted House VR station. Free, Oct. 25, 12–6 p.m., Tower City Center, 230 W. Huron Road, Cleveland, towercitycenter.com
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Candlelight brings the magic of a live musical experience, immersing the audience into a performance under the soft glow of candles at the Maltz Performing Arts Center. Hear and see the Listeso String Quartet play Halloween classics like the Ghostbusters and Beetlejuice theme songs, along with the medley from The Nightmare Before Christmas. The hour-long performance will also feature songs such as “Danse Macabre,” “Night on Bald Mountain” and “The Funeral March of a Marionette.” Prices and times vary, 1855 Ansel Road, Cleveland, feverup.com
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