Halloween Festivities Across Northwest Arkansas And The River Valley

It won’t be long before goblins, ghouls and superheroes are roaming the streets. While many of them will be trick-or-treating Saturday night, there are a number of other Halloween events going on across the area.

Thursday,  Oct. 29

• Roland
  • Safe Trick or Treat
    •  6 – 8 p.m.
    • At Roland High School
    • Free of charge
    • Kids can come trick-or-treat in a safe environment inside the school’s commons area. Students from the high school will be passing out candy and playing games with those who come out.

Friday, Oct. 30

• Fayetteville
  • 14th Annual Trick or Treat on the Square
    •  3 – 5 p.m.
    • At the Fayetteville Square
    • Free of charge
    • There will be carnival game, face painting, candy and trick-or-treating available for all kids who participate
  • Halloween Monster Dash 5K and Fun Run
    • Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. and the race starts at 5 p.m.
    • Costs vary depending on how many people are racing and whether they want shirts or not
    • Organizers say this is a new way to trick-or-treat. You can enjoy the run and pick up lots of candy and treats along the way.
  • Halloween Costume Party & Fun-Raising Event
    • 6 – 9 p.m.
    • At the Hometowne Office Centre
    • Costs $20 per person
    • There’s a costume contest as well as fun and games. Treats will also be handed out.

• Fort Smith
  • Halloween Make and Take Craft
    • 1 – 6 p.m.
    • At the Miller Branch of the Fort Smith Public Library
    • Free of charge
    • Children can stop by the library to make a fun Halloween craft. They are invited to wear their costumes and trick-or-treat with the librarians as well.
  • Murder and Mayhem Haunted Trolley
    • Starts at 5:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m.
    • At the Fort Smith Museum of History
    • Costs $35
    • The tour features haunted and gruesome stories from years past. The night will begin with Halloween treats, drinks and ghost stories. Guests will then visit haunted houses around town. You must be 21 or older to participate.

• Lowell
  • Stories from the Grave
    • Starts at 5:30 p.m.
    • At the Elm Springs Cemetery
    • Free of charge, but organizers request a donation of $3
    • The Historical Society of Elm Springs will host the event both Friday and Saturday

• Paris
  • Downtown Spooktacular
    • 3 – 5 p.m.
    • Downtown Paris
    • Free of Charge
    • Area merchants will offer safe trick-or-treating for area children.

•  Poteau
  • After School Old Town Trick or Treat Walk
    • 3:30-5 p.m.
    • Historic Downtown Poteau

• Rogers
  • The Goblin Parade
    • 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
    • Downtown Rogers
    • Free of charge
    • Bring children 13 and under out to trick-or-treat in downtown Rogers. Organizers say you can join anywhere in the parade line as it makes it way through town.

• Siloam Springs
  • Downtown Trick or Treat
    • 3:30 – 5:30 p.m.
    • Downtown Siloam Springs
    • Free of charge
    • Downtown merchants will line up outside their stores and pass out candy to costumed children. There will also be music, carnival-style games, a costume contest and a petting zoo.

• Springdale
  • Treats at the Tracks Family Carnival
    • 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.
    • At the Arkansas Missouri Railroad on East Emma Avenue
    • Costs $5, but kids 2 and under get in for free
    • The event will provide a safe place for families to come trick-or-treat on the train, enjoy carnival games and live music. There will also be a haunted train for the older kids. Proceeds raised will benefit the House of Hope Rescue Mission. There will also be a canned food drive happening for those who want to participate.

Saturday, Oct. 31

• Bella Vista
  • Trunk or Treats will be held at these area churches
    • Lutheran Church – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
    • St. Theodore Episcopal Church – 6-8 p.m.
    • Bella Vista Christian Church – 4:30-6 p.m.
    • United Lutheran Church – 5:30-7:30 p.m.
    • Bella Vista Community Church – 5:30-7 p.m.
    • First United Methodist – 5:30-7:30 p.m.

•  Bentonville
  • Goblin 5K and Kids Fun Run
    •  Starts at 7:30 a.m.
    • At the downtown activity center
    • Costs $25
    • Race begins and ends downtown. Costumes are encouraged for this spooky race around town.
  • OctoberFest
    • 12 – 5 p.m.
    • At various locations around town, including the Bentonville Brewing Company, Bike Rack Brewing, Ozark Beer Company, Core Brewing and one mystery brewing company
    • Costs $34
    • A special Ale Trail Tour for adults this Halloween, featuring a variety of different breweries across Northwest Arkansas. You must be 21 years old to attend this event.
  • Trick or Treat on the Square
    • Starts at 10:30 a.m.
    • At the Bentonville Square
    • Free of charge
    • This event is being held in conjunction with the Bentonville Farmer’s Market. Kids can trick-or-treat and participate in a costume contest. There will also be a costume contest for pets.
  • Halloween in the Hallow
    • 8 – 11 p.m.
    • At Crystal Bridges
    • Free for members; $25 for guests (includes one drink ticket)
    • There will be a costume contest, live music, dinner and a cash bar. You must be 21 years old to attend this event.

• Clarksville
  • Safe Treat
    • 6-8 p.m.
    • At Johnson County Fair Grounds (In case of rain, Safe Treat will move to the Marvin Vinson Multipurpose Building across the street from the fairgrounds)
    • Free of charge
    • Games and treats provided by local businesses and organizations

• Elm Springs
  • Fall Festival and Trunk-Or-Treat
    • 6-8 p.m.
    • At Elm Springs United Methodist Church on Highway 112
    • Free of charge
    • There will be candy and treats. There will also be inflatables, a carnival and other Halloween-themed activities.

• Fayetteville
  • Mall-O-Ween at the Northwest Arkansas Mall
    • 6 – 8 p.m.
    • At the Northwest Arkansas Mall
    • Free of charge
    • There will be trick-or-treating and a costume contest. There will also be free photographs sponsored by Bedford Camera & Video. Free Halloween coloring books and crayons will also be given out while supplies last.

• Fort Smith
  • Murder and Mayhem Haunted Trolley
    • Starts at 5:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m.
    • At the Fort Smith Museum of History
    • Costs $35
    • The tour features haunted and gruesome stories from years past. The night will begin with Halloween treats, drinks and ghost stories. Guests will then visit haunted houses around town. You must be 21 or older to participate.
  • Paranormal Lamplight Tour
    • Starts at 6 p.m.
    • At the Clayton House
    • Costs $15
    • Learn more about those individuals with a new twist to our annual “Paranormal Lamplight Tour.” After a pizza party in the gazebo, we’ll gather in the large Servant Quarters for an attempt to call forth some of those historic characters. Our “Ouija board” will be artifacts from the home’s eras that just might interest a few particular spirits.

• Greenwood
  • Trick or Treat on the Trail
    • 5:30 – 8 p.m.
    • At the city’s walking trail
    • Free of charge
    • High School students will be giving back to the community by passing out candy on the “Halloween Trail” They’ll dress in non-scary costumes. City firemen will also be in attendance. Organizers ask that kids in 7^th grade or younger be the only ones who participate.

• Lowell
  • Stories from the Grave
    • Starts at 5:30 p.m.
    • At the Elm Springs Cemetery
    • Free of charge, but organizers request a donation of $3
    • The Historical Society of Elm Springs will host the event both Friday and Saturday
  • Halloween Pub Crawl Nightmare
    • 7 – 11 p.m.
    • At various bars and restaurants along Dickson Street
    • Costs $10 (includes t-shirt and goodie bag)
    • There will be prizes and drink specials for those who participate. There will also be a costume contest and karoke throughout the night. Proceeds raised benefit Habitat for Humanity.

• Ozark
  • Scare on the Square
    • 4 – 8 p.m.
    • At the Ozark Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Free of charge
    • Games and candy handed out by local businesses. This is a safe location for children to trick-or-treat and play games. We also have giant animated dinosaurs and costume contests.

• Pocola
  • KISR’s Jetsetters Ball
    • Starts at 7 p.m.
    • At the Choctaw Pocola Casino
    • Costs $15

• Sallisaw
  • Halloween on Elm Street
    • 4-7 p.m.
    • It will be on Elm Street from Cherokee to Chickasaw
    • There will be carnival games and an obstacle course, and several business will be out with a booth.

• Springdale
  • Spooktacular Skating Event
    • Noon – 3 p.m
    • At the Jones Center
    • There will be ice skating, treats, games and a costume contest for those who make it out.

• Van Buren
  • Halloween on Main Street
    • 5 p.m. – dark
    • Downtown Van Buren
    • The Old Town Merchants Association is hosting the event. Candy will be handed out to little ones in their Halloween best until the candy is gone.

Disclaimer: There may be additional events that are not on this list.