It's taking all my willpower to write this blog coherently and not just type "IT'S HALLOWEEN TIME" over and over again for five paragraphs. Because that's how excited I am about this spooky little holiday and all it has to offer. I'm talking costumes, haunted houses, and ghost stories around a fire. Just to name a few.
In the same way that Oxford, Ohio is the perfect place to enjoy autumn, it's also the perfect place for all things Halloween. Anytime you have a place with as much history as Oxford there's bound to be some chilling stories to tell. (I hear Peabody Hall on Western Campus is haunted. Anyone care to confirm?) Another reason Oxford packs a mighty punch for Halloween is that, quite simply, our town as a whole seems to LOVE this holiday. This means that there are lots of ways to enjoy yourself, whether you're running around with your friends or taking the kids out on a spooky but family-friendly adventure.
Keep reading because we've rounded up All Things Halloween for you. This way you'll spend less time searching for events and more time getting your costume ready. Otherwise, you'll end up like a friend of mine last year who procrastinated and ended up buying a child's size emoji costume at the last minute out of sheer desperation.
(Just kidding, that was me.)
When: Every Saturday in October
Where: Schwab Family Farm (3967 Oxford Reily Road)
The Schwab Family Farm's Haunted Corn Maze is every Saturday now through Halloween. If you have a little one who wants to go through the maze, just let one of the organizers know first and they'll tell their goblins to tone it down so that it's age appropriate for your walkthrough.
$3 for kids 12 and under.
$5 for ages 13 and over.
For more information, click here.
When: Friday, Oct. 12 & Saturday, Oct. 13 from 8PM - 11PM
Where: Electric Campground at Hueston Woods State Park
There's still time to enjoy a Halloween-themed weekend at Hueston Woods. Enjoy walks down haunted trails (only $5/person), games and crafts, trick or treating, and more. There will be both a costume contest and a campsite decoration contest, so get creative!
All activities will take place in the Electric Campground. For more information, call (513) 523 - 6347
When: Wednesday, Oct. 17 from 6:30PM - 7:15PM
Where: Gazebo at the Oxford Community Park (6801 Fairfield Road)
The Parks and Rec Department is teaming up with the Lane Library to sing spooky songs and tell even spookier stories. This is a family-friendly event and the songs/stories will be age appropriate for the little ones. This free event will take place under the gazebo in the Oxford Community Park.
For more information, click here.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 6PM - 8:30PM
Where: Shideler Hall, Room 32 (Miami University)
Pumpkin Pride is an annual event that takes place on the Miami University campus, hosted by the Office of Diversity Affairs. This Halloween-themed evening will feature scary movies, painting pumpkins, a photo booth, and more.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 24 from 5PM - 8PM
Where: Oxford Community Arts Center (10 S. College Ave)
Mini-pumpkin painting, crafts and games, face painting, and so much more will take place at the OCAC's annual Howl at the Moon event. This community event will have a little something for everyone, so bring the whole family and enjoy a variety of activities. There will be a kid-friendly haunted house and an Autumn Market with local artists, crafters, and vendors.
For more information, click here.
Uptown Trick or Treat and ParadeWhen: Thursday, Oct. 25 | Trick or Treat 4:30PM - 6:45PM | Parade 7PM - 9PM
Where: Uptown Oxford (2 E. High Street)
What's Halloween without a little (or a lot) of candy? A town favorite, the Uptown Trick or Treat includes a pet costume contest, family entertainment, and trick or treating door to door at our friendly uptown businesses. When you're done collecting candy, make sure to stick around because at 7PM the Lion's Club Halloween Parade will begin down High Street for all to see and enjoy.
This entire event is FREE and open to the community.
When: Friday, Oct. 26 at 7:35PM and Saturday, Oct. 27 at 5PM
Where: Goggin Ice Center (610 S. Oak Street)
The RedHawks are hosting their annual Halloween Series on Friday and Saturday! Admission for kids ages 14 and under is just $10 as long as they're wearing costumes. Come to the Red Lounge (second floor of Goggin) to enjoy Halloween activities and plenty of candy before the games start! Learn more here.
When: Saturday, Oct. 27th from 1PM - 4PM
Where: Armstrong Student Center (550 E. Spring Street)
That's right, another opportunity to get some candy! If you want to keep the little one indoors and still get their fair share of treats (without the tricks) then take them to the Armstrong Student Center on the Miami University campus. This event is hosted by the Residence Hall Association and will not only include candy but also games and activities.
This event is FREE and open to the community.
When: Saturday, Oct. 27th from 3PM - 5PM
Where: Goggin Ice Center (610 S. Oak Street)
Strap on your skates and hit the ice for a special Halloween skate at Goggin! Get in the Halloween spirit and wear a costume, just make sure that you can safely move on the ice in whatever you wear. For example: don't wear anything with long pieces hanging off that you or someone else may trip over. Have fun but be safe!
Have any questions? Call Goggin at (513) 529-9800
When: Saturday, Oct. 27th & Sunday, Oct. 28th from 10AM - 5PM each day
Where: Nation Road Horse Rental, LLC (6484 Morning Sun Road)
Join Nation Road Horse Rental for their Horseback Trick or Treat event! You'll go on a half hour long guided trail ride and collect candy along the way.
For more information, call (513) 255 - 5752
When: Sunday, Oct. 28th from 12:30PM - 2:30PM
Where: AP Church (5450 College Corner Pike)
Hayrides, bonfires, FREE food, local vendors and so much more await you AP Church's biggest event of the season. Bring the little ones down to enjoy the activities and trunk-or-treating.
For more information, click here.
When: Sunday, Oct. 28th from 9PM - 11PM
Where: O Pub (10 W. Park Place)
If you love trivia nights at O Pub, as well as beloved Halloween movies from the early '90s, you're going to love the Hocus Pocus Trivia Night event happening later this month. It's free to play and there's no limit on team members. There will be prizes for the top winners, holiday-themed drinks, and more.
This event is for ages 21 and up. For more information, click here.
When: Monday, Oct. 29th from 7PM - 8PM
Where: Oxford Bible Fellowship (800 S. Maple Road)
The Oxford Bible Fellowship is a Trunk or Treat event where the entire family can safely trick or treat (that's right, MORE candy! ALL OF THE CANDY) in the parking lot of the church. There will be Halloween-themed activities, costumes, and food.
For more information, click here.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 31st from 5:30PM - 7:30PM
Where: Oxford, OH neighborhoods
What's this? Good, old-fashioned door-to-door trick or treating? That's right! Join your neighbors and walk through the residential areas of Oxford for Halloween night trick-or-treating. Make sure to wear reflective clothing, carry a flashlight, and stick to a buddy system. We want you to have the best Halloween ever, and that means staying safe, too.
When: Thursday, Oct. 18 - Sunday, Oct. 21 | Thursday, Oct. 25 - Sunday, Oct. 28th | Box office opens at 6:30PM
Where: Holiday Auto Theatre (1816 Old Oxford Road, Hamilton, OH)
Okay, so this isn't technically in Oxford but it's pretty darn close. (How lucky are we to have a drive-in movie theatre just ten minutes away?) Terror at the Drive-In takes place over the course of two weekends, and each night they'll show anywhere from three to four movies in a row. This event is best enjoyed with your adult friends because the movies are not exactly going to be family-friendly.
For more information, including movie lineups and times, click here.
Written Oct. 10, 2018
By Taylor Meredith
Enjoy Oxford Communications Specialist
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