Halloween 2022: Ghost stories, trick or treating, more in Bloomington, Monroe County

Spellbound immersive theater experience, Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 14-16, 10:30 a.m., Bonne Fete, starting at $49.37

By day, the Bonne Fete Museum of the Occult welcomes guests to peruse its treasures and oddities. By night, the museum hosts the Spellbound Society, one of the most exclusive and secretive clubs for practicing occultists in the world. The Drima Team invites participants to this immersive theater experience, "Spellbound," which is a thrilling mix of theater, drag, potion-making, a costume contest and other delights.

Attending a session will get those 21 and older free entry into The Cade to purchase Hocus Pocus-themed cocktails. Family-friendly showtimes are Oct. 9 and 16 at 10:30 a.m. Hosted by Bonne Fete, 112 W. Sixth St.

Halloween stores in Bloomington:We didn't get a Spirit Halloween this year. Here's where you can get costumes

Spooky nature crafts, Oct, 15, noon, $5 city residents/$6 all others, Lower Cascades Park

The beginning of October marks the time where the homeowner or renter can decks their halls with spooky, autumnal decorations. If the usual Halloween decor found at outlet stores isn't cutting it this year, you can try your hand at making your own crafts at Lower Cascades Park, 2851 Old Ind. 37. At this event, participants will make intriguing objects from natural, locally foraged materials that they can take home and showcase. Crafting doesn't have an age limit, so the program is open to all ages.

Dearly Departed Cemetery Tour, Oct. 15, 5:30 p.m., Rose Hill Cemetery, $12

Take a crash course in Bloomington's haunted history at the Rose Hill Cemetery. The Monroe County History Center hosts guided walking tours with re-enactors who share the secrets lying beneath the stones. Rain date for the tour is Sunday, Oct. 16. This is a walking tour, so attendees should expect to walk at least one mile on uneven terrain. Flashlights are recommended.

Ghost stories under the October sky, Oct. 21, 7-9 p.m., T.C. Steele State Historic Site, $10 adults/$5 youth

Thrills and chills abound from spooky storytelling by the Bloomington Storytellers Guild in this evening under the stars. Bring a flashlight, a blanket and a picnic to enjoy while hearing famous and local ghost stories near the cemetery. Ages 8 and older at the T.C. Steele State Historic Site, 4220 T.C. Steele Road, Nashville. Members get a 25% discount.

Bloomington pumpkin launch, Oct. 22, gates at 11 a.m., Monroe County Fairgrounds, $10 per vehicle

High flying, ground splatting, orange orbs are taking the skies over the Monroe County Fairgrounds in this competitive team event. How far can each team launch their pumpkin? How accurate is their launching device? The only things prohibited are cannons and chemically powered launchers.

The event offers a children's area with fall-themed activities, live music, food vendors, and the festive feel of fall. Bring a lawn chair to the Monroe County Fairgrounds, 5700 W. Airport Road. Launching begins at noon.

For more information about the Pumpkin Launch, contact Bill Ream at 812-349-3748 or reamw@bloomington.in.gov.

IU greek community's Safe Halloween, Oct. 26, 5-7 p.m

Young trick-or-treaters can practice their candy collecting skills ahead of actual Halloween night through the Indiana University greek community's annual Safe Halloween. Undergraduate students will don festive dress and hand out candy to the local youth. This year, families can also enjoy an allergy-free table and pizza provided by Bucceto’s. Kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween attire and participate in the costume contest.

Visitors can park in the Green Lot at gate 12, north of the Gladstein Fieldhouse, and begin trick-or-treating at Alpha Delta Pi and Alpha Xi Delta, working their way up the street. During the event, traffic will be restricted on both ends of David Baker Avenue by the IU Police Department, and officers will be available to assist pedestrian crossing.

Trick or treat at the fairgrounds, Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m.

The Monroe County Fair Board and Monroe County 4-H Clubs will host a safe night of trick or treating Oct. 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Monroe County Fairgrounds, 5700 W. Airport Road, Bloomington. The event will be held rain or shine.

Children's Candy Parade, Oct. 27, 6:30-8 p.m., Evergreen Village

Evergreen Village promises no tricks, just treats at its fifth annual Halloween Boo-Bash and Children's Candy Parade. There will be candy, spooky music, and a photo booth. Evergreen Village is at 3607 S. Heirloom Dr. in Bloomington.

Ghostly Gathering, Oct. 28-Oct. 29, Paynetown State Recreation Area, Lake Monroe

Both campers and day visitors to Paynetown State Recreation Area (entrance fee is $7 per vehicle, $9 out-of-state) can participate in Ghostly Gathering activities, beginning at the activity center 1-5 p.m. Oct. 28 with ghost tales and crafts. Between 4:30-6 p.m., attendees can participate in Roll-A-Jack-O-Lantern at the campground playground, followed by mad scientists' demonstrations at 7:30 p.m. at the amphitheater.

Events on Oct. 29 include creepy, crawly crafts 12:30-2:30 p.m. at the activity center shelter, a pumpkin drop obstacle race from 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the campground playground and trick-or-treating at 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the campground A loops. Dark stories of the night sky begin at 8:30 p.m. at Deer Run Shelter; attendees should arrive at least 10 minutes early and bring their own chairs or blanket. Paynetown State Recreation Area is at 4850 S. Ind. 446.

Downtown Trick or Treat, Oct. 28, 5-8 p.m.

Downtown Bloomington Trick or Treat Walk will be 5-8 p.m. Oct. 28. Families with kids are invited and encouraged to wear a Halloween costume. Maps will be available with participating downtown businesses a couple days before the event. Sponsored by Downtown Bloomington Inc. and Gather.

Trunk or Treat the the Y, Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m.

Monroe County YMCA will host Trunk or Treat at the Y, 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28. The free event is open to the community and will include some Halloween-themed fun. Vehicles will set up in the parking lot near the soccer field at the southeast YMCA, 2125 S. Highland Ave. Reserve a spot online at MonroeCountyYMCA.org. There will be a best decorated vehicle contest, chosen by the crowd.

Festival of Ghost Stories, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., Bryan Park, 10 and up

The Festival of Ghost Stories, a local Halloween-time tradition, features haunting tales of ghosts and horror intended to tingle the spine. Seasoned storytellers will spin their tales in the dark

Attendees should bring a lawn chair or blanket and dress warmly to avoid the outdoor chill. The festival is best suited for adults, teens, and older school-age children; it may not be appropriate for younger children. The Festival of Ghost Stories is presented by Bloomington Parks and Recreation and sponsored by the Monroe County Public Library and the Bloomington Storytellers Guild. For weather-related updates, call the Community Events Hotline at 349-3754. Rain location is the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Ave.

Dennis James Hosts Halloween, Oct. 28, 7 p.m., IU Auditorium, starting at $15

Bloomington musical mastermind Dennis James will provide the soundtrack on IU Auditorium’s 4,543 pipe organ behind a live reenactment from the original 1940 radio drama series "Suspense" featuring Bach’s "Fugue in C Minor." Students from IU’s Department of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance will act out the suspenseful radio drama. This will be the first time live actors have ever been a part of Dennis James Hosts Halloween in his over 50 years of performing at the auditorium.

James will still present a traditional silent film with live accompaniment in act two of his performance with the 1927 thriller titled "The Unknown." This special family-friendly Halloween tradition is sure to be a treat!

Trunk or treat, Oct. 28, 6-8 p.m., Southeast YMCA, free

The Southeast Y will be home to some Halloween-themed fun where families can trunk-or-treat, enter contests, and more!

Vehicles will be set up in the parking lot near the soccer field. To reserve your spot as a parked car from which people can trunk-or-treat, please register online. You may register for as many vehicles as you would like! There will also be a "Best Decorated Vehicle" contest for the crowd's favorite. Those who are only trunk-or-treating need not register.

Safe Trick or Treat, Oct. 29, noon - 2 p.m., Danny Smith Memorial Park, free

Trick or treat, touch a truck, food trucks are all on offer at this family friendly trick or treat at Danny Smith Memorial Park, 8600 E. Ind. 45. Donations are accepted to raise funds for accessibility improvements.

Halloween Spooktacular, Oct. 29, 3 p.m., Monroe County Public Library, free

Have a ghost busting good time as Monroe County Civic Theater presents a musical and dramatic Halloween revue show at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium.

Zombie Prom: A Night to Dismember, Monroe County Public Library, 7-10 p.m. Oct. 29

Drop by the Monroe County Public Library for an after-hours Halloween dance. Snacks, zombie makeup tutorials and dance music provided. Undead formal attire encouraged. For ages 12-19.

Skate and Scare, Oct. 29, 7-9 p.m., Frank Southern Ice Arena, $6 admission plus $3 skate rental

Skate to the sounds of spooky tunes followed by a trip through a haunted house at this all-ages event. Costumes are encouraged. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. at Frank Southern Ice Arena, 2100 S. Henderson St.

Halloween Heroes Trunk or Treat, Oct. 29, 5-8 p.m., Ellettsville Pizza Pantry, free

Ellettsville's Pizza Pantry, 5690 W. Ind. 46, will host a trunk or treat and a meet and greet with Ellettsville First Responders. Fire trucks and police cruisers will be on site.

Trunk or treat 2022, Oct. 29, 7-8:30 p.m., Stinesville

The Stinesville Lions Club is sponsoring a trunk or treat at 8060 N. Stinesville Road. Cars should be in place by 6:30 p.m. and there will be prizes awarded for best costume and best decorated trunk.

Rocky Horror Picture Show, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., Buskirk-Chumley Theater, $21-$23

A costume contest, a drag queen and the cult classic film Rocky Horror Picture Show will take over the Buskirk Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Oct. 29. The fundraiser for Constellation Stage and Screen's educational programming will be hosted by Oriana Perón, with a devirginization and costume contest taking place 30 minutes before the show. Prop bags with goodies and guides for participating will be offered for $5. Tickets are $5 more at the door. Tickets at seeconstellation.org.

Halloween Dance Party, Oct. 30, 6:30-8 p.m.

All ghouls, ghosts and goblins are invited to a Halloween Dance Park. Put on your dancing shoes and Halloween costume and come to the family-friendly after-hours event. There will be dancing, lightly haunting movies and stories and some creepy crafts. For ages birth to 12.

Trunk or treat, Oct. 30, 6-7 p.m., Ellettsville Christian Church

Ellettsville Christian Church, 731 Independence St. in Ellettsville, is hosting a trunk or treat on Oct. 30 from 6-7 p.m. in the upper church parking lot. This is a safe trick or treat option for kids. If people want to host a trunk, there is a place to sign up on the website.

Trick or treat hours, Oct. 31, 5:30-8:30 p.m. in Bloomington

City of Bloomington trick-or-treat hours will be 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31, rain or shine. Hoosiersaurus Rex will have a dinosaur themed trick or treat in the Eagleview neighborhood on West Dove Drive.

Trick or treat hours, Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. in Stinesville

Stinesville's trick or treat hours will be 6-8 p.m. Oct. 31.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Halloween in Bloomington: Trick-or-treating and other spooky events