Haunted HoCo
Halloween is coming to Howard County! The leaves have changed color and a crisp chill fills the air, making it the perfect season to enjoy haunted happenings and trick-or-treating adventures. Find Halloween events for all ages throughout Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Laurel, and beyond!
More events available on the Visit Howard County online events calendar.
Howard County Halloween Events
Trick-or-Treating in Historic Ellicott City
From unraveling the haunted mysteries of Savage Mill and Ellicott City to the quest for the perfect pumpkin on a picturesque farm, Halloween in Howard County promises spine-tingling excitement for all who dare to embrace it.
Don't forget to pick up your perfect pumpkin at a pumpkin patch in Howard County!
In this blog post, we'll unveil a thrilling array of suggestions to make your Halloween festivities unforgettable. So, fasten your seatbelts and prepare for a hair-raising journey through the heart of Halloween in Howard County!
Not-So-Scary Halloween Events
Photo Credit: Howard County Recreation & Parks
October 3rd, 2025 - Cryptids for Kids with Maryland History Tours (Historic Ellicott City, Maryland): Learn about the legendary beasts of Maryland at a family-friendly program designed to be approachable for all ages and all guests.
October 3rd, & 12th 2025 - Halloween Doormat Paint Day & Milkshakes at Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar (Historic Ellicott City, Maryland): Prepare your very own doormat decorations, plus enjoy a delicious milkshake at The Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar.
October 4th & 5th 2025 - Wizarding Weekend on Magical Main (Historic Ellicott City, Maryland): Journey into a world of magic and mystery this October with the return of Wizarding Weekend in Historic Ellicott City. On October 4th & 5th wizards and witches are invited to Main Street Ellicott City for exclusive discounts, specialty treats, and magical events. Plus, catch a magical movie night showing of "Harry Potter & The Order of the Phoenix" at The Wine Bin on October 4th at 7PM.
October 4th 2025 - Pumpkin Painting at North Laurel Community Center (Laurel, Maryland):
Paint your own pumpkin at the North Laurel Community Center in preparation for Halloween! All ages are welcome to register. Stencils, paint, and stickers available for participants.
October 11th, 2025, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Truck or Treat at Gary J. Arthur Community Center (Cooksville, Maryland): Meet our hometown heroes and celebrate Halloween with a fun truck themed day outdoors! Come dressed in your favorite costume to trick-or-treat with trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles, and more!
October 18th, 2025, 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM - Floating Pumpkin Patch (Ellicott City, Maryland): Children ages 3 - 11 can enjoy unique Halloween themed activities, games, and more at the floating pumpkin patch at the Roger Carter Community Center
October 19th & 26th, 2025, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM - Happy Haunted Hayride (Elkridge, Maryland): Looking for a haunted hayride that isn’t too spooky? Visit Rockburn Branch Park, West for a fun fall hayride for children ages 2 - 7 years old for Halloween in Howard County!
Merriweather District Spooktacular in Color Burst Park - Photo Credit to Howard Hughes Co.
October 24th, 2025 - Spook-tacular at Color Burst Park (Columbia, Maryland): Meet in the Merriweather District for spooky fun for all ages! Don't miss the costume contest, trick-or-treat trail at merchants, group costume competition, live music, pumpkin decorating, costume catwalk, and more!
October 25th, 2025 - Halloween STEAM Stations at the Savage Branch of the Howard County Library System (Savage, Maryland): Learn about science with your little ones (ages 3-5 years with adult) at a festive, hands-on Halloween adventure as part of the 2025 Maryland STEM Festival. Build a glow web, make a witch’s brew, mix a potion, and more! Dress for mess! Ticket required.
October 25th, 2025 - Haunts & Hounds presented by Maryland History Tours (Historic Ellicott City, Maryland): Take a Ghost Walk at 1PM through Ellicott City that will benefits the Canine Humane Network.
October 25th & 26th - Halloween Tricks, Treats and Trees (Columbia, Maryland): Explore a Halloween adventure through the trees and trails at Robinson Nature Center. Register to enjoy fun interactive activities like potion making, puppet shows, crafts, and sensory play. Morning trail activities are designed for ages 0-4 years; afternoon trail activities are designed for ages 5 years +
October 25th & 26th, 2025 - Halloween Costume Parade at Clark's Elioak Farm (Ellicott City, Maryland): At 11AM & 2PM both days, enjoy the annual Halloween Costume Parade Celebrations! Strut your costumes through the farm as you join in these special Halloween parades and enjoy the fall activities on the farm.
October 26th, 2025 - Halloween Costume Adventure at TLV Tree Farm (Glenelg, Maryland): Wear your Halloween Costume and visit the farm for a fun-filled Halloween adventure!
October 26th & November 2nd, 2025 - Spooktacular Halloween Brunch at Alexandra's American Fusion (Ellicott City, Maryland): Get into the spooky spirit with a festive Halloween Brunch at Alexandra's on Sunday, October 26th & November 2nd. Try fun and spooky seasonal menu highlights like Cobweb Cookies and an Ominous Omelet Station!
October 30th, 2025 - Belmont Blockbuster Series The Nightmare Before Christmas (Elkridge, Maryland): Come in costume to celebrate the spooky season with this beloved seasonal classic. Enjoy the movie in the formal gardens located behind the Belmont Historic Park & Manor. Showtime is at dusk.
October 31st, 2025 - Monster Mash at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center (Columbia, Maryland):
Teenagers 14 - 17 will love this fun filled night at the Harriet Tubman Cultural Center. Grab your costume and join in a night of games, music, snacks, and more! Pizza and drinks will be provided.
October 31st, 2025 - Trick or Treat on Main Street (Old Ellicott City, Maryland):
Experience trick-or-treating in one of Howard County's historic towns with your besties and your kids! Shops and boutiques will give out lots of free candy and chocolates and the streets will be filled with incredible costumes for the full trick-or-treating experience!
Thrilling Halloween Experiences
Photo Credit: Howard County Recreation & Parks
October 9th, 2025 - Return to Hell House at the Museum of Howard County History (Ellicott City, Maryland): Journey to the top of Mt. Misery for a captivating journey through time as we explore the transformation of a once-revered school into one of Maryland's most notorious haunts and the story behind Hell House.
October 11th, 18th, 24th, 31st, 2025, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM: Museum After Dark at the Ellicott City Station Museum (Old Ellicott City, Maryland): Celebrate the Halloween season at the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum with exclusive Museum After Dark tours. These tours focus on the darker aspects of railroad history, telling the deadly stories and ghostly tales of the B&O railroad.
October 17, 18, 24th, 25th, 2025 - The Haunted Experience with Howard County Recreation & Parks (Elkridge, Maryland): Find spine tingling excitement at Rockburn Branch Park on a spooky hayride through eerie trails to the ghostly stories that await you deep in the woods. Best for ages 7+.
October 23rd, 2025 - Curiosity Themed Girls Night Out at Savage Mill (Savage, Maryland): Explore a world filled with curiosity and creepiness with your ghouls this October at Savage Mill. Come as you are or dress in your best costumed attire while enjoying sips, sweets, and savings for another memorable Girls Night Out event!
October 23rd, 2025 - History of Maryland Witches with Maryland History Tours (Historic Ellicott City, Maryland): Join Rissa Miller at the Museum of Howard County History for the spine chilling historic tales of Maryland's witches.
October 24th, 2025, 8PM - 11PM - Monster Mash and Glow Party featuring The Reagan Years at Turf Valley Resort (Ellicott City): Sing along to the greatest hits of the 80s with The Reagan Years Monster Mash and Glow Party at Turf Valley Resort! Dress up in your best costume for a chance to win prizes in their Costume Contest – the top 5 costumes will get an award!
October 25th, 2025 - Grave Obsessions presented by Maryland History Tours (Historic Ellicott City, Maryland): Join a chilling exploration of vampires, ghosts, and death rituals at the Museum of Howard County History.
October 29th, 2025 - Cryptid Crawl & Halloween-ish hike at the Howard County Conservancy (Woodstock, Maryland): Learn about the spooky stories of what could be lurking in Maryland with a night hike through the trails of the Howard County Conservancy. Learn about spooky and spectacular legends like the Goatman of P.G. County, our watery friend Chessie and the Snallygaster.
Halloween Fun at Restaurants, Breweries and Bars
October 1st - November 1st, 2025 - Step into the Spook-Easy at The Fairway Lounge at Turf Valley Resort (Ellicott City, Maryland): Enjoy spooky bites and eerie libations to get you into a wickedly wonderful Halloween mood!
October 16th, 2025, 4PM - 8PM: Ghouls Night Out at the Manor Hill Tavern (Historic Ellicott City, Maryland): This October, step into the shadows for a night of costumes, cocktails, and just the right amount of mischief.
October 31st, 2025: Doc Marten and the Flannels Halloween Extravaganza at Reckless Shepherd Brewing Co. (Columbia, Maryland): Get ready to party through Halloween night with rock, grunge, and party anthems performed by Doc Marten and the Flannels.
November 1st, 2025, 6PM - 11:45PM - Halloween in the Holler at Woodstock Inn (Woodstock, Maryland): Dancing, music, games, and prizes await you this Halloween at the Woodstock Inn. Wear your costume to the costume contest, enjoy tequila tastings, and more all included with your registration!
Wondering which ghosts still linger around to spook visitors and residents? One must-visit activity during the Halloween season is Howard County Ghost Tours.
Mt. Misery Ghost Walk
MT. MISERY GHOST WALK
The hills north of town harbor some very eerie legends of spirits and unexplained happenings from decades ago and even days ago!
The tour meets at the Museum of Howard County History 8328 Court Ave. Ellicott City, Md. Recommended for guests age 16 and up.
HAUNTED MAIN STREET
Old Ellicott City today is a resilient town almost 250 years old with great shops and a history lurking in every corner…so is it any wonder that the many ghosts who still call this town home remain to see if they can still raise the hairs on the back of your neck? Explore the hauntings of Historic Ellicott City on a ghost tour along Main Street.
GHOST TOURS AT HISTORIC SAVAGE MILL
An hour-and-a-half ghost tour led by Savage Mill’s Historian exploring the history and ghostly tales of Savage Mill. Are you a paranormal thrill-seeker? Do you binge Ghost Hunters until 3 a.m.? Discover the Mill’s haunted history, where restless spirits continue to roam these halls to this very day. Learn about the working conditions during 19th century Savage Mill and how they tie to the ghostly encounters today and the cheeky little girl who loves tripping the living.
Reservations are required - no walk-ups allowed
See a full listing of upcoming events in Howard County here
Check back often for updated Halloween events, and make sure to Submit Your Events here. Event details are subject to change. Make sure to check dates, times, and locations with the organization before attending.
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