Halloween 2022: Where to see scary movies, shows, tours and more around Indianapolis

Domenica Bongiovanni and Rory Appleton, Indianapolis Star
·4 min read

Indianapolis dresses up well in October. Accompanying our stunning foliage is all manner of ghoulish fun.

We've got Halloween concerts that pile on scary soundtracks; movies that will have you balling your fists with either terror or laughter, depending on your disposition; contests to show off the crafty costumes you sweat over for hours; stories with characters who will haunt your dreams; and stage productions that will explode with colors and creative props.

Here are some of the Indy area's best Halloween celebrations that range from slightly spooky to all-out terror. Simply choose what you can handle.

Scary movies

  • "Kan-Kan Says Boo." Classics and terrifying thrillers including "House," "Candyman" and "Scream 2" are hitting the theater's screens. Through October. Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie, 1258 Windsor St. $11-$15. kankanindy.com

  • "Halloween Ends" and "People Under the Stairs." The Skyline Drive-In has long loved films that terrify, and they take Halloween seriously. Oct. 14-15. 3986 E. Michigan Road in Shelbyville. $8 adults, $4 ages 3-11, free ages 2 and under. theskylinedrivein.com

  • "Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein." You'll find yourself in the swirl of a brain switch, Dracula and Frankenstein's antics, a Wolf Man and more — all 1948 horror-comedy style. Oct. 22. Garfield Park Arts Center, 2432 Conservatory Drive. $5 at the door. bit.ly/3CHo9VO

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Historic Irvington Halloween Festival

Tickets and details: irvingtonhalloween.com

Irvington — so named for the writer of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow" — is practically synonymous for Halloween around Indianapolis, and it celebrates accordingly. Here are some highlights:

  • Oct. 22: The Halloween Ball returns with an '80s theme and costume contest

  • Oct. 23: Spooky Organ Concert, Our Lady of Lourdes, 5333 E. Washington St.

  • Oct. 25-28: Tours of Irvington's scariest homes

  • Oct. 29: Vampire Run 5k Run/walk, Halloween Street Fair, Battle of the Bands, costume contests, parade and after-party

Mirian Buchanan, 3, rides around in a stooler dresses as velociraptors with her younger sibling during the Historic Halloween Festival on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Irvinginton, in Indianapolis.
Mirian Buchanan, 3, rides around in a stooler dresses as velociraptors with her younger sibling during the Historic Halloween Festival on Saturday, Oct. 30, 2021 at Irvinginton, in Indianapolis.

Spooky concerts

  • Mac Sabbath. This is exactly what it sounds like: A metal band specializing in Black Sabbath covers while dressed as macabre versions of McDonalds mascots. Oct. 18 at the Hi-Fi, 1043 Virginia Ave. #4. $20-$25. hifiindy.com

  • "One Dark Night … A Rock Symphony of the Macabre." Evil masterworks from the likes of Mozart, Beethoven and more greats all rolled into one with guitarist Neil Zaza, vocalists, actors and horror film clips on screen. Oct. 22. Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, 1 Carter Green in Carmel. Starting at $25. thecenterpresents.org

  • Mummy Dearest. Here Come the Mummies, a nine-piece funk band made up of (allegedly) 5,000-year-old Egyptian mummies, comes to The Vogue. 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at 6259 N. College Ave. $29.50 advance, $34.50 at the door. thevogue.com

  • Classical Halloween. Your imagination can run wild with fright to the Indianapolis Symphony's performances of "Night on Bald Mountain" and "The Noonday Witch." Oct. 28-29. Hilbert Circle Theatre, 45 Monument Circle. $10-$96. indianapolissymphony.org

  • Local tribute shows. The Melody Inn will host two nights of eclectic Halloween tribute shows. The first includes local versions of Foo Fighters, Heart, INXS and Chicago. The following night, Melody hosts punk tributes to The Pretenders, System of a Down and Riverdales. 8 p.m. Oct. 29-30 3826 N. Illinois St. $10. melodyindy.com

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Ghost stories and tours

  • "Ghost Stories at Washington Park East Cemetery." The city staple from Storytelling Arts of Indiana is back with seven Hoosiers spinning spooky tales. Oct. 15. 10612 E. Washington St. $20 adults, $10 ages 6-17, free 5 and under. $50 carload of family living under one roof. storytellingarts.org

  • "Twilight Tales." A flashlight tour of creepy artifacts tied to Indiana folklore and the supernatural. Oct. 19, 21, 26 and 28. Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. $20. indianamuseum.org

  • "The Haunted States of America." Spirits use Indiana as a crossroads, too, and many have traveled from New Orleans, Boston and other cities to haunt Benjamin Harrison's home in these performances. Oct. 14-15, 22-23 and 28-29. Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St. $14.95 students and members. $17.95 adults. Ages 10 and up. bhpsite.org

  • Amy Bruni. Paranormal investigator, author and host of Discovery+ series "Kindred Spirits" Amy Bruni will share stories from a lifetime of ghostly communions. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Schrott Center for the Arts at Butler University, 610 W. 46th St. Starting at $35 plus fees. butlerartscenter.org.

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On-stage frights

  • "The Addams Family." The classic musical comedy follows Gomez Addams' horror as Wednesday dates a "normal" boy. Through Nov. 20. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre, 9301 Michigan Road. $51-$76, including the buffet. beefandboards.com

  • "Shadowland." Explore Indianapolis mysteries and unexplained happenings. Oct. 22, 27, 29 and 31. District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave. $25. Ages 18 and up. indydistricttheatre.org

  • "Boo-la-la: An Indianapolis Spooktacular." A multicultural celebration ghost stories, thrillers and history written by Indy playwrights. Oct. 14-30. Fonseca Theatre Co. 2508 W. Michigan St. $25. $20 students. $15 for Near West residents. fonsecatheatre.org

  • "Indiana Night Live! Fall-o-ween." A Saturday Night Live-esque sketch comedy produced by Betty Rage Productions. Oct. 14-15. Theater at the Fort, 8950 Otis Ave. $20. $15 seniors, military and students. Ages 17+. artsforlawrence.org/tickets

  • The Rocky Horror Show — Live. The acclaimed Zach & Zack production chronicles Brad and Janet's unexpected evening that unfolds on a dark and stormy night. Oct. 21, 22, 27, 28 and 29. The Athenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St. $30. rockyhorrorindy.com

More spooky fun

  • The Children’s Museum Guild’s Haunted House: Game Night Fright. With "Corrupt Confections," a maze and giant pieces called "Delusional Dominoes" and "Wretched Rooks," you'll want to tread carefully in the game-influenced Monster-opolis. Lights-on hours during the day make the experience less scary, while hours at night turn up the terror. Oct. 12-30. The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St. $9.childrensmuseum.org/haunted-house or 317-334-4000

  • Zooboo. Costumes, dance parties, the Mirror Maze, a reverse carousel, trick-or-treat stations and more. Wednesdays-Sunday through Oct. 31. Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St. Included with regular admission and free for members. indianapoliszoo.com/events/zooboo

  • Rowdie's Pumpkin Patch. Victory Field's outfield will transform into a pumpkin patch, with hayrides and trick-or-treating available as well. 12-3 p.m. Oct. 23. $5. milb.com/indianapolis/community/rowdie/fall

Looking for things to do? Our newsletter has the best concerts, art, shows and more — and the stories behind them

Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis Halloween 2022: Scary movies, ghost tours, pumpkins & more