Vintage Halloween postard
Is your costume ready? While many Halloween activities are for kids, there is free Halloween fun for adults, too! Check out the events below, and as always, if you want more details or Web links, check the event notes section in the calendar.

Note: The State Historical Society of Missouri will not have a Halloween event this year.

Remember, Daylight Savings Time (DST) ends on November 1, so remember to set your clocks back an hour after Halloween! Will you get an extra hour of sleep, or an extra hour to get things done?

Check the ad and/or coupons at the bottom of the post, and use them to support FreeColumbiaMo.com! Save money and no extra cost to you!

If you attend any of these events, leave a comment at the bottom of the post, to let others know which are the best (or least interesting) events to attend!

Oct 24-31, 2015

Bass Pro Shops – Halloween Activities (kids) (3101 Bass Pro Dr)
Activities are while supplies last. Throughout the week, 4″ X 6″ Photo with the Peanuts Gang (New look for 2015)! Flashing Necklace to the first 100 kids to have their photo taken.
Sat Oct 24: 12-5 pm – Garden Tips booklet. Color a milk carton and take home seeds to plant.
Sun Oct 25: 12-5pm – Decorate a Trick-or-Treat Bag
M-F Oct 26-30: 6-8 pm – Create a Halloween Decoration
Fri-Sat Oct 30-31: 6 pm -Kids (0-12) line up for Costume Parade (participants will receive a glow-in-the-dark bucket)
Fri-Sat Oct 30-31: 6-8 pm – Trick-or-Treating
Sat Oct 31: 2-8 pm – Decorate a Trick-or-Treat Bucket w/Lid (until 7 pm)

Sat-Sun Oct 24-25

  • 9 am (or 10 am) – (free or $1) FreeQuent FMG Movie Series – Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb (2014) [PG] [1:30] (Forum 8, 1209 Forum Katy Pkwy)
    Frequent Moviegoer Club (FMG) members [Goodrich Theaters rewards program] can see this movie free-of-charge when they present their FMG card at the box office, and can get up to 6 free admissions per show. See the Website to sign up. Non-members pay $1 per ticket. First come, first served.

Sat Oct 24

  • 1-4 pm – Hy-Vee Halloween Party and Fall Festival (kids) (all 3 locations: 3100 W Broadway / 405 E Nifong Blvd / 25 Conley Rd) The first 100 kids in costume through the door will receive a glow-in-the-dark trick-or-treat bag. Activities include cookie decorating, coloring and mini pumpkin decorating.
  • 9 pm-1:11 am – Totally Bitchin 80s Dance Party 5th Anniversary—Heroes & Villains! (age 18+) (Eastside Tavern, 1016 E Broadway) Age 21 to drink alcohol. Fun 80s retro dancing with DJs IrONic and GlitterStorm!

Sun Oct 25

  • 1-3 pm – Spooktacular – Trunk-or-Treat & Day of Play (Columbia Independent School, 1801 North Stadium Blvd) Activities, crafts, and treats.
  • 2-4 pm – Local Author Signing – “The Haunted Boonslick” by Mary Collins Barile (Barnes & Noble, 2208 Bernadette Dr)
  • 4-6 pm – Fall Festival (Trunk or Treat) (Columbia Church of Christ, 3100 Pioneer Dr) Each car will have a different Superhero theme and will have treats and activities for children.

Mon Oct 26

  • 4-5 pm – (registration full) Hy-Vee #3 (Conley) – Kids in the Kitchen: Spooky Treats (kids) (Club Rm, 25 Conley Rd) If you signed up, enjoy! Look for future classes, and sign up as soon as possible—these fill quickly!

Tue Oct 27

  • 4-5 pm – (registration full) Hy-Vee #3 (Conley) – Kids in the Kitchen: Spooky Treats (kids) (Club Rm, 25 Conley Rd) If you signed up, enjoy! Look for future classes, and sign up as soon as possible—these fill quickly!
  • 5-7 pm – Trick-or-Treat in GreekTown (Greek Town, University of Missouri, Tiger Ave and Rollins St) Walk through Greek Town for treats at participating houses!
  • 9:45pm – 12:00am – The As Yet Unnamed Comedy Show (age 18+) (Eastside Tavern, 1016 E Broadway) Expect Halloween-theme performances!

Wed Oct 28

  • 4-5 pm – (registration full) Hy-Vee #1 (West) – Kids in the Kitchen: Halloween snacks (ages 2-12) (Hy-Vee, 3100 W Broadway) If you signed up, enjoy! Look for future classes, and sign up as soon as possible—these fill quickly!
  • 6-8 pm – Safe Trick-or-Treat (kids, ages 5+) (Kimball Ballroom, Lela Raney Wood Hall, Stephens College, 6 N College Ave) Children, their parents, and Stephens students are invited to wear their costumes, bring their treat bags, and enjoy a variety of activities in a safe, contained environment.
  • 6 pm – Historic Preservation Commission Historic Walking Tour—Ghosts and Other Scary Tales (meet at MU Columns, Francis Quadrangle, Elm and 8th Streets)
    A Historic Walk emphasizing the ghosts, urban legends, and dramatic fires that have impacted downtown’s history over the past 125 years. Be prepared for some surprises and unexpected twists and turns. Parental discretion is advised as some stories may be quite scary.
  • 7-9 pm – Haunted Observatory (top floor, MU Physics Bldg, 701 S College Ave)
    Laws Observatory​ (and rooftop) will be haunted by the ghosts of dead astronomers corralled by guests from the astronomy tower at Hogwarts. You do not have to be a parent or a child—everyone is welcome! Candy and other treats will be available during the event.
    The event will feature Harry Potter and deceased astronomers from history who will be available to talk with visitors as they view the night sky from the observatory. Visitors will have opportunities to visit the “Hogwarts Astronomy Tower” where they will meet long-dead historical astronomers, including Carl Sagan, Isaac Newton, Annie Jump Cannon and Sally Ride. Ghosts will be shepherded by guests from the astronomy tower at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, including Professors Snape and McGonagal.

Thu Oct 29

  • 12:30-1:30 pm – Bach’s Lunch Recital Series (Historic Senior Hall Recital Hall, Stephen’s College, 100 Waugh St) Fun music theater shorts; should include Halloween-theme performances.

Fri Oct 30

  • 4-5 pm – (registration full) Hy-Vee #2 (Rock Bridge) – Kids in the Kitchen Class (ages 3-12) (Club Rm, 405 E Nifong Blvd) If you signed up, enjoy! Look for future classes, and sign up as soon as possible—these fill quickly!
  • 4-6 pm – Halloweenie (kids) (The District / downtown) Find locations with the Halloweenie sign and collect treats in your bag/basket! Locations to check out include Missouri United Methodist Church (lots of games and activities), businesses along 9th Street, Good Nature, Gotcha! (usually has full-size candy), Main Squeeze (usually has lollipops made with real sugar, not corn syrup), My Secret Garden (walk through the haunted garden path), and Sparkys Ice Cream (token for a free kid scoop of ice cream)!
  • 5:30-8:30 pm – Mizzou Halloween and Hoops (Mizzou Arena, 1 Champions Dr) Fun with the men’s and women’s basketball teams!
  • 6-8 pm – Light the Night (trunk or treat) (C2 Church, 3300 S Providence Rd)
    Family friendly fun: bounce houses, hayride, music, lots of candy, and more.
  • 6-8 pm – Biggest Trunk or Treat (Liberty Square parking lot, 3200 Penn Terr)
    AND
    6:30-8:30 pm – Biggest Trunk or Treat (Tiger Family Chiropractic, 3700 Interstate 70 Dr SE Ste 110)
    Two coordinated events—locations confirmed: Century 21 Advantage and Tiger Family Chiropractic Center are joining forces to host huge two location trunk or treat events! At the Penn Terrace location we will have a Bounce House, Free Hot cider & Cocoa, Kids games, Central Missouri Humane Society, a firetruck, Ozark Mountain Biscuit Co [$], lots of candy and more!
    Teal Pumpkins Here! Does your child have a food allergy? Century 21 Advantage will be providing non-food treats for children with allergies!

Sat-Sun Oct 31-Nov 1

  • 9 am (or 10 am) – (free or $1) FreeQuent FMG Movie Series – Minions (2015) [PG] [1:31] (Forum 8, 1209 Forum Katy Pkwy)
    Frequent Moviegoer Club (FMG) members [Goodrich Theaters rewards program] can see this movie free-of-charge when they present their FMG card at the box office, and can get up to 6 free admissions per show. See the Website to sign up. Non-members pay $1 per ticket. First come, first served.

cat in jack-o-lantern illustration
Sat Oct 31—Halloween!

Tip: On this day, you may want to stop by your favorite businesses in costume, and see if they have anything special. Share in the comments, or via the social media links below, so others can enjoy also!

  • 8 am-12:30 pm – Body Refinery Kids Halloween Event (3400 Broadway Business Park Ct, Suite 110) Free if wearing a costume. Parents and kids: play and work out with your favorite costume! Activities include Trick or treat, Games, Body Refinery Pumpkins decorations, Arts and Crafts, Gifts, and much more!
  • 9 am-10 pm – Tricks + Treats (kids to age 11) (Smoothie King, 805 E Nifong Blvd Suite G) Treat bags for kids all day. While supplies last. Kids 12 and under in costume receive a free Kids Cup Smoothie. Adults in costume can get a 20 oz smoothie for $1. Limit 1 per person.
  • 10 am-2 pm – Halloween Spooktacular (Gerbes, 1729 W Broadway) Activities include face painting, cake walk, pumpkin carving, beanbag toss, bobbing for apples, and much more!
  • 10:30-11:30 am – Saturday Morning Science – Everything Is Toxic (Monsanto Auditorium, Bond Life Sciences Ctr, University of Missouri, 1201 E Rollins St) Sweet breads and beverages available from 10 am. Plan time to eat as food is not allowed in the auditorium. Everyone is encouraged to dress up as your favorite superhero or supervillain. Learn how to “talk toxic” and interpret whether toxic news is fact or fiction.
  • 10 am-6 pm – Halloween ComicFest (3 comic locations in Columbia!) Comics are available, first come, first served; selection varies by location. Update: Rock Bottom Comics participates by giving out packs of comics to kids during Halloweenie (Fri Oct 30, 2015, 4-6 pm, downtown), and will not distribute comics on Halloween.
    • Rock Bottom Comics (open 10am-6pm) (1013 E Walnut St Suite 101) Kid friendly.
    • Slackers CDs & Games (open 10am-9pm) (1010 E Broadway) Slackers will have a selection of free full-size and mini comics!
    • Distant Planet Comics & Collectibles (11am-5pm) (601 Business Loop 70 W Suite 263—Parkade Center) Kid friendly. Free comics, candy, and a kids costume contest at 4pm.
  • 11-11:30 am – Storytime – Halloween favorites and parade (kids) (Children’s area, Barnes & Noble, 2208 Bernadette Dr)
  • 11 am-1 pm – Hy-Vee #2 (Rock Bridge) Gluten-Free Gala (405 E Nifong Blvd) Get lots of gluten-free samples to try!
  • 12-1 pm – Toys “R” Us Halloween Parade / Event (1901 Bernadette Dr)
    Wear a costume, and bring your trick-or-treat bag to collect goodies and take pictures with Geoffrey!
  • 12-10:30 pm – Rocheport Monster Mash (Central St (downtown), Rocheport, Missouri) Enjoy a day of free music, with a costume contest for kids and adults and 6 pm.
    • 12 pm – Noah Earle
    • 1 pm – Pat Kay
    • 2 pm – Down Side Up
    • 3 pm – John Galbraith and the Broken Promises
    • 4 pm – The Many Colored Death
    • 5 pm – Dead Bed Bad
    • 6 pm – Costume Contest
    • 7 pm – The Flood Brothers
    • 9 pm – Decadent Nation
  • 1-4 pm – Gluten-Free Tasting Expo & Health Fair (Natural Grocers, 400 N Stadium Blvd) Sample fabulous gluten-free products—foods, vitamins, body care and so much more. Natural Grocers fairs are always fun and have tons of wonderful samples! Do not miss it!
  • 3-5 pm – Trunk or Treat (Trinity Lutheran Church, 2201 W Rollins Rd) A safe and fun environment for children and adults. Car trunks will be decorated and full of candy and goodies. Everyone is welcome.
  • 4-6 pm – Fall Festival (ages 0-12) (Christian Fellowship Church, 4600 Christian Fellowship Rd) A family-friendly, safe, and fun alternative to Trick or Treating. The church facility is filled with bounce houses, games, and fun for kids of every age. Candy is available at every game booth. Costumes are optional; please, no scary costumes.
  • 4-7 pm – Hy-Vee Halloween Walk (kids) (all 3 locations: 3100 W Broadway / 405 E Nifong Blvd / 25 Conley Rd) Visit stations around the store for treats!
  • 5-7 pm – Trunk or Treat (parking lot, Compass Church, 600 Silvey St) Candy, a giant inflatable obstacle course, and more!
  • 5-7 pm – SPOOKtacular (kids to age 12) (Cosmo Park, 1615 Business Loop 70 W)
  • 9 pm-1:30 am – B△D BLOOD – Halloween Dance Party (age 21+) (Eastside Tavern, 1016 E Broadway) Adults, finish your Halloween with merriment and dancing! DJ sets by Jonathan Kane + Details. + Seoul Train. Show off your costume in the photo booth. Enter the costume contest (1st place wins $100 bar tab; 2nd place wins $50 bar tab). Free for age 21+; $3 for minors.

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