13 Halloween events to attend in Springfield, including the 14th annual 'Spooky Symphony'
As evening temperatures begin to dip and leaves change color, folks are gearing up for a family-favorite holiday: Halloween. This year, there are various "spooky" events being held throughout the month leading up to Halloween on Monday, Oct. 31.
The News-Leader compiled a list of these events to enjoy, from trunk-or-treating to pet costume contests.
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema's Graveyard Shift
When: Tuesday, Oct. 18 through Monday, Oct. 31
Where: Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at 4005 South Ave. Suite A
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema is hosting the Graveyard Shift series this year, welcoming horror movie fans to watch the classics. From Tuesday, Oct. 18 to Halloween night, a variety of horror movies will be available late at night. These movies include "The Crow," "The Guest," "Trick 'r Treat" and "Donnie Darko."
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To purchase a movie ticket, visit drafthouse.com/springfield/movies/graveyard-shift.
Bark & Boos
When: Saturday, Oct. 22 at noon
Where: Bark Yard at 3110 E. Cherry St.
Bark Yard is hosting a Halloween party to raise money for Havaheart Rescue, a nonprofit with a mission to provide rescue, care, rehabilitation and adoption to homeless dogs. Folks are encouraged to come dressed up with their dogs, as a dog costume contest will be held. The top two winners will receive annual memberships to the park.
Local musician Shaun Munday is performing from 2-3 p.m., and Mother's Brewing Company is providing drinks.
Missouri Institute of Natural Science Trunk-or-Treat
When: Saturday, Oct. 22 from 5-8 p.m.
Where: Missouri Institute of Natural Science at 2327 W. Farm Road 190
The annual Missouri Institute of Natural Science Trunk-or-Treat is the weekend before Halloween weekend. Free activities include a costume contest, trick-or-treating, pumkin painting and Halloween crafts.
Cooper Smash Halloween Party
When: Friday, Oct. 28 from 5-6 p.m.
Where: Cooper Tennis Complex at 2331 E. Pythian St.
The Cooper Tennis Complex is hosting a free Halloween party for children ages 5-12. Children can play a round of indoor tennis and enjoy other games, candy and awards for the best costumes.
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'Spooky Symphony'
When: Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
Where: Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts at 525 S. John Q. Hammons Parkway
Children of all ages and their families are invited to enjoy the Springfield Symphony Orchestra's 14th annual "Spooky Symphony." The free Halloween concert features the full orchestra dressed in Halloween costumes, led by Music Director and Conductor Kyle Wiley Pickett. Performances will include themes from "Star Wars," "Indiana Jones" and "In the Hall of the Mountain King, Ride of the Valkyries."
Though the concert is free, tickets are required for entry with assigned seating. To reserve your spot, visit springfieldmosymphony.org/events/spooky-symphony. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The Springfield Symphony Orchestra is also hosting a Halloween costume contest for children. Winners will receive free tickets to the orchestra's annual holiday concert.
To apply for the costume contest, "like" the "Springfield Symphony Orchestra MO" Facebook page at facebook.com/springfieldsymphony/. Then, post a photo of your children wearing their Halloween costume at Hammons Hall on Facebook. Lastly, make sure to tag "Springfield Symphony Orchestra" in the post so the organization can see the entry.
Winners will be announced on the "Springfield Symphony Orchestra MO" Facebook page on Wednesday, Nov. 2.
Trick-or-Treating at Wonders of Wildlife
When: Oct. 29 through Oct. 31
Where: Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium at 500 W. Sunshine St.
Families are welcome to trick-or-treat and explore Wonders of Wildlife during the museum and aquarium's three-day event. Trick-or-treating is available on Oct. 29 from 4-7 p.m., Oct. 30 from 3-6 p.m. and Oct. 31 from 2-5 p.m.
Trick-or-treating is free, but general admission to Wonders of Wildlife is required. Purchase tickets at wondersofwildlife.org/tickets-pricing/.
The Halloween Hustle: Where's Bigfoot?
When: Saturday, Oct. 29 from 9 a.m. to noon
Where: Begins at City Utilities at 301 E. Central St.
Springfield's City Utilities is hosting in-person and virtual races to benefit Harmony House, a local organization that provides shelter, advocacy and education to survivors of domestic violence. Folks can race in-person or virtually in either the 5K or the 10K. The race route is fairly flat, winding through mid-town Springfield.
To register, visit bit.ly/3Tg1O7g.
Entry fees through Oct. 16 are $10 for the children's 5K (ages 12 and under), $25 for the adult 5K and $30 for the adult 10K. Entry fees after Oct. 16 are $15 for the children's 5K, $30 for the adult 5K and $35 for the adult 10K. Virtual registration is $25 before Oct. 16 and $30 after. All participants will receive an official Halloween Hustle t-shirt.
Trick Art Treat
When: Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Springfield Art Museum at 1111 E. Brookside Drive
The Springfield Art Museum's annual, free Trick Art Treat event provides crafty activities for families throughout the morning. Costumes are encouraged.
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Halloween Boo Bash Party
When: Saturday, Oct. 29 from 1-3 p.m.
Where: Battlefield Mall at 2825 S. Glenstone Ave.
Battlefield Mall is hosting its inaugural Boo Bash Party Halloween weekend. The party will be held in the mall's JCPenney East Court. Activities include crafts and giveaways. Costumes are encouraged.
Historic C-Street Trick-or-Treat
When: Saturday, Oct. 29 from 2-4 p.m.
Where: Historic Commercial Street
The businesses along Historic C-Street are welcoming trick-or-treaters during the afternoon of Saturday, Oct. 29. Children are encouraged to dress up.
Halloween Monster Ball to benefit CARE Animal Rescue
When: Saturday, Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
Where: Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque at 601 E. St. Louis St.
Folks are encouraged to come dressed to impress for the Halloween Monster Ball to benefit Castaway Animals Rescue Effort. C.A.R.E is a local nonprofit dedicated to ending animal cruelty. All proceeds from the ball will be donated to the organization. The ball includes food catered by Pappo's Pizzeria and costume contest. The winner will receive $500 cash.
Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com/e/halloween-monster-ball-tickets-384783908027.
Coven of the Queens Halloween Drag Brunch
When: Sunday, Oct. 30 at 10 a.m.
Where: SBC's The Cellar at 507 W. Walnut St.
Drag Brunch returns to SBC's The Cellar this month for an all-ages Halloween-themed show. Doors open at 10 a.m., brunch is served at 10:30 a.m. and the show begins around 11:30 a.m. Queens on the lineup include Ether, Kora Kay, Nikotine, Queen Lasagna and Reggie So Kold Markstone-Carrington.
Purchase tickets for $30 at bit.ly/HallowQUEENDragBrunch. To reserve for larger groups, email info@springfieldbrewingco.com.
CoxHealth Trunk-or-Treat
When: Monday, Oct. 31 from 5-8 p.m.
Where: CoxHealth Wheeler Heart and Vascular Center parking garage at 3800 S. National Ave.
CoxHealth's annual Trunk or Treat event will be held at the new parking garage at the Wheeler Heart & Vascular Center, just off National Avenue. Trunk or treat booths, ambulance tours, games, hot chocolate and popcorn will be available for children of all ages. The event is free.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: 13 Springfield Halloween events to attend this October
