These are the Halloween 2018 and related events that we currently have on our calendar. If you know of other related free events, please add them with details in the comments below or share with the social media post. Any additional events that we know about will be added to the calendar, and you can search for “halloween” to find them all. We always include links and relevant event details in the notes section. If you wish to check for updates, weather concerns or anything else, check the source events details or contact the organization.
Thu, Oct 25
5:30 – 7:30 pm: 1st Trunk or Treat at Blue Ridge Elementary School (3700 Woodland Dr). Kids can enjoy a fun and safe trick or treating experience, with lots of candy and more. Note: Only the Trunk or Treat is free, all other food and activities incur a cost.
Fri, Oct 26
4 – 6 pm: (Not So) Frightening Friday throughout The District (downtown). Local businesses provide treats for kids. Look for bright orange participation signs in store windows. Note: Rock Bottom Comics (1013 E Walnut St Suite 101) will participate by providing their Halloween ComicFest comics (see event on Sat Oct 27 below).
7:30 – 9:30 pm: Party With the Stars by entering through the Gene Martin Secret Garden, at the Columbia Public Library (100 W Broadway). For families, and children, ages 6 and older. A spooky Halloween moon will rise up as an orange orb just after 8 pm, but our telescopes will show us that there’s nothing to fear. The red planet, Mars, will also be visible. The event begins inside in the Children’s Program Room with a slide show, and then, if it’s clear, head outside for views with the telescope. Everyone receives a free moon map. Co-sponsored by the Central Missouri Astronomical Association.
Sat, Oct 27
9 am – 12 pm: Pumpkin Painting & Breakfast Kids Event at Joe Machens Toyota (1180 Vandiver Dr). For kids of all ages and their families. Paint and decorate pumpkins—they will have lots of pumpkins, art supplies and paints and would love to see just how creative your kiddos can be. They will have fresh donuts, juice and delicious, locally brewed coffee.
10 am – 6 pm: Halloween ComicFest at Distant Planet Comics (Parkade Center—601 Business Loop 70 W Suite 263) and Rock Bottom Comics (1013 E Walnut St Suite 101). Note: Slackers is no longer participating in this event.
Distant Planet Comics (open 10 am-4 pm): Free comics, candy, Costumes are welcome for any age.
Rock Bottom Comics (open 10 am-6 pm): The remaining comics left after (Not So) Frightening Friday (see event on Fri Oct 26 above) will be available until they run out.
11 – 11:30 am: Storytime & Activities – How to Scare a Ghost by Jean Reagan in the Children’s area at Barnes & Noble (2208 Bernadette Dr). It’s Halloween and ghosts shouldn’t get all the fun! Kids who want to scare ghosts have to find them first in this story that will be sure to delight.
5 – 7 pm: Trunk or Treat at Second Missionary Baptist Church (407 E Broadway). Sponsored by their Sunday School Department, this is provided as a safe event for children of all ages.
6 – 8 pm: 1st Trunk or Treat in the parking lot at Tiger Bounce (3601 Buttonwood Dr). There will be games, and coupons, and lots and lots of candy.
Sun, Oct 28
1 – 2:30 pm: Trunk or Treat at Columbia Independent School (CIS) (1801 N Stadium Blvd). This is a family and community event for all ages. Bring a treat to share, and come in costume if you dare! Families will decorate tables in the cafeteria and the kids will trick or treat from table to table. CIS has games, light snacks and ends with a parade. This event is a great way to gather as a group and let kids from CIS and the surrounding community dress in costume and gather treats in a safe environment. RSVP requested.
3 – 5 pm: Trunk or Treat at Columbia Church of Christ (3100 Pioneer Dr). For the whole family. The theme is 1990s cartoons. Each car will be decked out in a different cartoon and will have treats and activities for children. Themes include Looney Toons, Pokemon, Dexter’s Lab, X-Men, Sponge Bob.
4 – 6 pm: Trunk or Treat in the parking lot at CenterPoint Church (20 E Green Meadows Rd). A family-friendly outreach opportunity to serve CenterPoint neighbors. Children come dressed in costume and trick or treat. Church members sponsor stations (trunks) and provide candy, trinkets, and games for the children.
5 – 7 pm: Tricked-Out Trunk or Treat at Community United Methodist Church (UMC) (3301 W Broadway). Our theme for this year is Hogwarts.
5:00-5:30 pm: If you enjoy looking at the night sky and floating candles, join them in the fellowship hall for grilled food and decor reminiscent of the great hall at Hogwarts. Food will begin being served at 5 pm, so come a couple minutes early to save your family a seat.
5:30-6:00 pm: Take your time finishing your meal, no rush. When you are ready, drop by the welcome center to visit a couple Hogwarts themed games and attractions. Strike a pose for your Azkaban mugshot. Pick up a broom and join us on the Quidditch pitch outside! You may not have known this, but Quidditch is a competitive collegiate sport and the Mizzou Club Quidditch team will be there to play with the kids and teach them the basics of the game. It is recommended you bring a broom that shows off your style, but we will have some extra brooms on campus. Take a potions class with one of nutty professors to watch some sweet science experiments right in front of your eyes. *Disclaimer* Community UMC is not responsible for the actions taken by crazy scientists or nutty professors.
6:00-7:00 pm: Trunks will be opened and ready to accept kids. Reward your kids for all the playing and learning they did with some sweet candy.
6 – 8 pm: Light the Night at Christian Chapel Assembly of God Church (C2 Church) (3300 S Providence Rd). Light the Night and IMAGINE with Jesus is an action packed night where we shine the JOY of Jesus through all sorts of games and candy. This Night Will include: – Bounce Houses – Interactive Trunks – Hayrides – First Responder Vehicles and of course… CANDY.
Tue, Oct 30
6 – 9 pm: Haunted Observatory at Laws Observatory (top of Physics Bldg, 701 S College Ave), University of Missouri. The Haunted Observatory is an annual gathering of long-deceased scientists, fictitious brainiacs, and other human(oid)s. Professors Snape and Sinistra are both common occurrences, along with the likes of Isaac Newton and Carl Sagan. The kids who come are treated to a scavenger hunt dedicated to finding all of the famous (ghostly) folk roaming around. The parents who tag along have a chance to deepen their stellar knowledge, or simply walk and gaze at the many fascinating astronomical artifacts. Children are free to frolic, and the adults can come at zero cost.
Wed, Oct 31 – Halloween
4 – 7 pm: Halloween Walk at all three Hy-Vee locations: #1 (West)—3100 W Broadway; #2 (Rock Bridge)—405 E Nifong Blvd; and #3—25 Conley Rd. They will have treats, snacks, crafts, and more at stations inside the stores—so you will be warm and dry no matter what the weather.
5:30 – 7:30 pm: Trunk or Treat in the parking lot at Midway Locust Grove United Methodist Church (2600 N Locust Grove Church Rd). Bring your Ghouls and Goblins for safe trick-or-treating.
6 – 8 pm: Halloween at The Neighborhoods by TigerPlace (3003 Falling Leaf Ct). Bring your kiddos to show off their costumes and get some free candy.
6 – 8 pm: Trunk or Treat at Faith Baptist Church (3909 Brown Station Rd). Rain or shine. Candy, puppet shows, inflatables, chili, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and more. Free drawing for a $100 Walmart gift card.
6:30 – 8:30 pm: Halloween Trivia Night in the Friends Room at the Columbia Public Library (100 W Broadway). For ages 18+. Too old to trick or treat? Come to this trivia night for a spooky good time instead. Bring your costumed team of up to five people, or come as an individual and join a team. Prizes will be awarded to winning teams and for the best costumes. Register at 573-443-3161.
Do you know of any other fun, free Halloween or related events? Please share the details in the comments, so that everyone can benefit!
Have a wonderful week!
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