CLEVELAND (Oct. 2, 2018) – The sights, sounds and smells (we’re looking at you pumpkin and apple lovers) of fall are officially taking over the CLE. Residents and their visiting family and friends have the full month of October to celebrate the seasonal and Halloween happenings around the region. From trick-or-treating at awesome attractions to un“BOO”lieveable entertainment, Destination Cleveland recommends that residents get out to explore Northeast Ohio’s array of autumn activities.
Thrills and Chills
Cedar Point
Cedar Point is a summer-long destination for thrills with its 70 rides, including 18 roller coasters. Add Halloween festivities to the mix and it becomes an even more exhilarating attraction. At HalloWeekends, Clevelanders can fill their evenings with “spook”tacular entertainment and startling scares by venturing through one of the mazes or scare zones. If locals are not up for frights, they can also visit the Great Pumpkin Fest for family-friendly activities like arts and crafts, trick-or-treating and the Great Pumpkin Parade.
- 1 Cedar Point Drive, Sandusky
- Fridays – Sundays, Now-October 28
FaBOOlous Entertainment
Cleveland Orchestra
The
Cleveland Orchestra is opening its doors to scary movie fans who also have an extra appreciation for classical music. Locals can listen to music from organist Todd Wilson as they watch “The Lodger: A Story of the London Fog” on the big screen. For a not-so-scary show, residents can attend the Family Halloween Spooktacular where festive Halloween attire is encouraged (and can be rewarded in the costume contest). The sounds of Halloween will echo throughout Severance Hall with the music from Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” and Berlioz’s “Witches’ Sabbath.”
- 11001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland
- At the Movies, Friday, Oct. 26, 8 p.m.
- Family Halloween Spooktacular, Sunday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m.
Music Box Supper Club
For great music and ghost stories, residents can check out the
Music Box Supper Club located on the West Bank of the Flats. Residents can dance the night away at Halloween Throwdown with The Sunrise Jones, featuring guest DJs Freddy and Jason, or they can celebrate the end of the harvest at Celtic Halloween with music, costumes and ghost stories. On Halloween night, guests can listen to tales of Cleveland’s paranormal activity from authors Charles Cassady, Jr. and William Krejci while enjoying a menu complete with Witches Brew and Devil’s Food Cake.
- 1148 Main Ave., Cleveland
- Halloween Throwdown, Saturday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m.
- Celtic Halloween, Sunday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m.
- Cleveland Ghost Stories, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Surrounded by dinosaur skeletons, critters of the region and exhibits that are out-of-this-world, residents can raise a glass (and even learn a bit) at the
Cleveland Museum of Natural History’s “Think and Drink” event. This month, guests can try to solve the “Murder at the Museum” while enjoying happy hour, participate in interactive demonstrations, chat with museum staff and researchers and explore the museum after hours.
- 1 Wade Oval Drive, Cleveland
- Thursday, Oct. 18, 6 – 10 p.m.
Trick or Treat Down a Sweet Street
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Clevelanders can dive into a Halloween high seas adventure at the
Greater Cleveland Aquarium’s annual Hauntaquarium event. Locals can come dressed in their favorite Halloween costume for the trick-or-treat pirate party and bring their own bag to fill during the treasure hunt for the coveted candy gold. Science experiments, games, Jolly Roger-themed crafts and costumed SCUBA divers in the shark exhibit add to each evening’s celebration.
- 2000 Sycamore St., Cleveland
- Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 19 & 20, 26 & 27, 6 – 9 p.m.
I-X Center
Trick or treaters are invited to sport their costumes and find cauldrons of candy waiting to be devoured at the
I-X Center’s Trick or Treat Street. This not-so-scary event features a surplus of sweets at decorated Halloween houses as well as kiddie rides and live entertainment like Jungle Terry’s animal show, a meet and greet with superheroes and princesses, tricks and illusions with magician David Anthony and pony rides.
- 6200 Riverside Drive, Cleveland
- Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 20 & 21, 27 & 28, 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
No matter the season, visitors flock to the
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo to see the more than 3,000 animals that call The Land “home.” Throughout October, Clevelanders can bring their pack dressed in Halloween costumes to take a walk on the “wild” side and trick or treat through the Zoo. Guests can climb aboard the Boomerang train or Circle of Wildlife carousel, navigate their way through a hay maze and show off their best moves at a monster mash dance celebration.
- 3900 Wildlife Way, Cleveland
- Fridays – Sundays, Oct. 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28, 5 – 9 p.m.
Cleveland Botanical Garden
Residents can gather their ghouls and boys for the
Cleveland Botanical Garden’s “Boo-tanical Bash” to experience Halloween in the gorgeous gardens. At this beloved family-friendly event, guests can explore the 10 acres of indoor and outdoor gardens by day, and trick or treat through a “spooky” garden at night filled with crafts, games, music and dancing.
- 11030 East Blvd., Cleveland
- Saturday, Oct. 20, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 21, noon – 5 p.m.
Fall into Halloween
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Clevelanders can tour the Cuyahoga Valley National Park aboard the
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad and experience a variety of fall-themed festivities. The Fall Flyer Train Ride allows guests to revel in the autumnal sights – and hopefully catch a glimpse of the trees’ peak fall colors – on this two-hour, nonstop round trip. On the Pumpkin Party Train Ride, guests not only see sights of the national park, but they also can decorate pumpkins while wearing their Halloween best. For a trip with singing, storytelling and sweet treats, Clevelanders can hop aboard The Super Royal Halloween Train with special guests Ice Princess, Snow Queen, Bat Guy and Super Power Girl.
- Akron Northside Station, 27 Ridge St., Akron
- Rockside Station, 7900 Old Rockside Road, Independence
- For more information on Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad schedule, visit www.cvsr.com
Mapleside Farms
Pumpkins, apples and festivals, oh my! Just a 35-minute drive from Downtown,
Mapleside Farms is full of festive fall fun for the family. From picking the perfect pumpkin to meandering through a seven-acre corn maze to touring the orchard in the cow and pig trains, the farm’s Pumpkin Village is the hub for autumn activities. Clevelanders can even participate in special themed weekends throughout the season, including Superhero Weekend and Wild, Wild West Weekend.
- 294 Pearl Road, Brunswick
- For more information on fall festivals at Mapleside Farms, please visit www.mapleside.com
For more fall or Halloween-inspired activities or to learn more about Destination Cleveland or new attractions and activities, please visit
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DON’T FORGET: Destination Cleveland’s Concierge Team is also available to help residents and their visiting family and friends explore the region. Contact our team through email at
cleconcierge@destinationcle.org, live chat at
thisiscleveland.com or stop in the Cleveland Visitors Center (334 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, 44114) Mon. – Sat., 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. to plan your adventure.
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ABOUT DESTINATION CLEVELAND: Destination Cleveland is Cleveland’s convention and visitors bureau. This private, non-profit organization’s mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. Cleveland welcomes 18 million visitors annually. For more information, visit thisiscleveland.com