Halloween is fast approaching, and Anchorage has a lot to do this October, from family-friendly activities to a spooky show.
With fall foliage on full display, the BOOtanical garden is underway at the Alaska Botanical Garden and can be seen every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, until Sunday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
A mix of scary and sweet, Anchorage Parks and Recreation’s Haunted and Enchanted Trails is taking over Goose Lake Park for two days of Halloween fun. The Enchanted Trail is open for all ages on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2 to 4 p.m. while the Haunted Trail is for kids over the age of nine on Friday, Oct. 18, 7 to 9 p.m.
Get the whole family in the spooky spirit with the Jams for Fams at the Bear Tooth Theatrepub on Sunday, Oct. 20. DJ Spencer Lee will be playing music from current hits to party classics. Attend one of two sessions from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Halloween at the Anchorage Museum will have even more activities for the little ones. It begins on Friday, Oct. 25, from 3 to 6 p.m. with trick-or-treating in the galleries, a treat station in the atrium, a Halloween Toddler Dance Party, and Spooky Storytime in the Thomas Planetarium.
Once you’ve coordinated the costumes, check out one of the many community events featuring trick-or-treat stations. Head downtown along 4th Avenue for a spooktacular afternoon at Trick or Treat Street 2024. The fun begins at noon on Saturday, Oct. 26 with activities and nearby businesses handing out sweet treats.
The annual Zoo Boo event at the Alaska Zoo begins on Sunday, Oct. 27 where they’ll hand out candy from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Make sure to bring your favorite trick-or-treating containers to collect candy along their spooky trails. This year, the Zoo is also introducing a new event for adults (21 and over) called Howl-O-Ween on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 5 to 9 p.m. Enjoy mystic readings, a costume contest, decorated spooky trails, food trucks, bars with drinks, a DJ by Newcity Entertainment, a photo booth, and spooky animal enrichment.
For adults looking for more fun, Scared Scriptless Improv is performing at 49th State Brewing on Friday, Oct. 25 with doors opening at 7 p.m. Don’t miss the Halloween Bar Crawl starting at the Avenue Bar on Saturday, Oct. 26. Tickets are $10 and include one free snack, exclusive drink specials, an afterparty, and more.
The Workshop Community Center will host a Very Friendly Halloween on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 6 p.m. This inclusive trick-or-treating event is designed to be sensory, allergy, and mobility-friendly, so everyone can join in on the fun
Need a break from all the late-night fun and candy consumption? Lace up your running shoes for the Zombie Half Marathon at Goose Lake Park on Saturday, Oct. 12 starting at 8 a.m. Run with the whole family at the Frightening 4K on Saturday, October 26th at 11 a.m. in the Hotel Captain Cook courtyard. There will be treats, costumes, and a costume contest, so come dressed to impress while you break a sweat. If you’d rather not race, get outside and enjoy the fall colors on a hike or bike ride. October is the perfect time to bike along the Moose Loop trail or cross off a trek from your to-do list. For more ideas about what to do in Alaska’s biggest city explore our Anchorage Neighborhood Guide.
