Bring on the ghouls, ghosts and good times! 11 things to do for Halloween in Memphis

John Beifuss, Memphis Commercial Appeal
·6 min read

From ghoulies and ghosties — and long-leggedy beasties — and things that go bump in the night — Good Lord, deliver us!

In October, that traditional Scottish prayer seems even more quaint than usual. In October, it requires a rewrite: It should end with the plea, "Good Lord, bring 'em on!"

People may not love to be scared in "real" or "normal" life, but they sure do seem to enjoy being spooked in the context of Halloween. That's why horror movie screenings are big in Memphis this month; and it's why we now offer this look at other Halloween-themed activities, for costumed kiddies and grownup gorehounds alike.

So, put on your ghost-vision glasses, and take a look.

Haunted houses

Through Oct. 31. Ghost devotees believe Memphis has plenty of houses that are haunted year-round. But what about those locations known as "haunts" — those attractions contrived for paying customers who jump for joy at a chance to scream in fear? We've got those, too, including the HauntedWeb of Horrors at 2665 S. Perkins and the Wicked Ways Haunted House at 160 Cumberland. For other demonic addresses, check the internet — a search of "haunted houses near me" should reveal multiple options.

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A-maze-ing mazes

Through Oct. 31. Mazes rival haunted houses as popular Halloween/autumn attractions. Some of the better-known maize mazes in the Memphis area include the 10-acre Mid-South Maze at the Agricenter, which this year celebrates its 21st anniversary; the Cedar Hill Farm maze in Hernando; and the Jones Orchard corn maze in Millington. Again, an internet search will reveal other options.

Zoo Boo runs on select nights from Oct. 14-31 at the Memphis Zoo.
Zoo Boo runs on select nights from Oct. 14-31 at the Memphis Zoo.

Zoo Boo

Oct. 14-31 (select nights), 6-9 p.m., Memphis Zoo. The lions and tigers and bears, oh my, that already populate Memphis' most popular attraction must compete for attention this month with ghouls and ghosts and goblins, as the place where the wild things really are hosts its annual fundraiser for Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. Kids of all ages are invited to look even wilder than the animals as they costume-up for such activities and exhibits as "Dracula's Disco," "Ghostly Encounters" and "Mermaid's Bay." For tickets and more information, visit memphiszoo.org.

'Stranger Things' Laser Light Show

Oct. 14, 21, 28 and Nov. 14, 7 and 8:30 p.m., Museum of Science and History Planetarium, 3050 Central. "Take a trip to the upside-down in the safety of the dome." That's the proposal offered by the overseers of the Planetarium at the Pink Palace, which this month is devoting its laser rock shows to the 1980s songs and the '80s-influenced soundscapes showcased in the most recent season of the popular Netflix horror/science-fiction hybrid, "Stranger Things." Yes, "Running Up that Hill" by Kate Bush — which reached a new generation of fans due to its prominent placement in the streaming series — will be featured, along with "Detroit Rock City" by Kiss, "You Spin Me Round" by Dead or Alive, and many more, all "reinterpreted in vibrant laser light." For tickets and more information, visit moshmemphis.com.

Colliervillle Scare on the Square

Oct. 21, 4-7 p.m., Collierville Historic Town Square. Main Street merchants and the Junior Auxiliary of Collierville have partnered to present this safe and family-friendly pre-Halloween event, which invites boys and ghouls of all ages to dress up, trick-or-treat on Main Street, participate in games and crafts, and more. Visit jacollierville.org.

Children's Museum Halloween Spooktacular

Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Children's Museum of Memphis, 2525 Central. The city's top spot for tots is offering free carousel rides, tattoo stations, "pumpkin sculpting" and other less-than-terrifying activities for kids (and parents) eager for Halloween fun that de-emphasizes the ghoulishness.

'Sivad Buries Rock and Roll' Record Release Party

Oct. 22, 6-9:30 p.m., Bar DKDC, 964 Cooper. On blood-red vinyl, local label Black & Wyatt Records has crafted a first-ever reissue of a gravestone, er, milestone in Memphis music history, "Sivad Buries Rock and Roll," a 45 rpm novelty single released in 1963 by Sivad (real name: Watson Davis), the vampiric "horror host" of WHBQ-TV's hit monster movie program, "Fantastic Features." Memphis filmmaker and pop culture maven Mike McCarthy masterminded both the elaborately packaged collector's-item reissue and the party itself, which will feature music by Tyler Keith & the Apostles and an unusual raffle that promises "You Could Win a Real Dead Body!" Admission is $5, or $15, which includes a copy of the record. Visit blackandwyattrecords.com/sivad.

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Ballet Memphis presents 'Dracula'

Oct. 28-29, 7:30 p.m., and Oct. 30, 2 p.m., the Orpheum. Vampires take wing as the dance company's artistic director, Steven McMahon, stages a terpsichorean adaptation of author Bram Stoker's terrifying tale about the bloodsucking count who travels from the mountains of Carpathia to the drawings rooms of Victorian London in search of nubile necks to nibble. For tickets and more information, visit balletmemphis.org/dracula.

The star of director Sam Raimi's horror franchise, screen actor Bruce Campbell will be present in spirit only when the New Moon Theatre Company presents its Overton Square production of a musical version of "Evil Dead."
The star of director Sam Raimi's horror franchise, screen actor Bruce Campbell will be present in spirit only when the New Moon Theatre Company presents its Overton Square production of a musical version of "Evil Dead."

'Evil Dead: The Musical'

Oct. 28-Nov. 13, TheatreWorks at Overton Square, 2085 Monroe. Patrons who want to be splattered with stage blood are advised to sit in the "SPLASH ZONE" when they attend this stage adaptation of director Sam Raimi's cult-classic 1981 horror movie about a quartet of college friends who are possessed by ancient demons, transforming a backwoods Tennessee cabin into a slapstick splatterfest. ("You WILL get messy," promises — or warns — the website.) Memphis theater veteran Ann Marie Hall is the director of this New Moon Theatre Company production of a rock musical that debuted in 2003 in Toronto; the play is accompanied by a "parental advisory for strong language and violent content," and is "Not recommended for those under 17." For tickets and more information, visit newmoontheatre.org.

Seen here in 2019 at Minglewood Hall, it's the Mighty Souls Brass Band.
Seen here in 2019 at Minglewood Hall, it's the Mighty Souls Brass Band.

Mighty Souls Monster Mash

Oct. 29, 10 a.m., Buckman Performing Arts Center at St Mary's School, 60 Perkins Ext. The Mighty Souls Brass Band, which showcases some of Memphis finest funk-soul-jazz horn players and percussionists, presents a concert of spooky-themed music for kids ages 2-8. Promises the Buckman: "With music, marching, singing, dancing, and storytelling, the Mighty Souls Monster Mash will get everyone ready for the season with this not-so-scary show." Visit buckmanartscenter.com.

Halloween Hike

Oct. 29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Memphis Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road. "Bat crafts" and a bone dig are among the "activity stations" that can be found along this tour through the garden, which also will acquaint visitors with larger-than-life topiary renditions of characters from the world of Alice in Wonderland. Visit membg.org.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Halloween 2022 in Memphis: Things to do with family, friends, kids