Guide to the best events and things to do on Halloween in Milwaukee
Are you excited for this coming Halloween season? Are you planning to go somewhere but not yet sure where to go?
Travel Wisconsin, as there are too many options for spooky events, including costume parties and competitions, haunted houses, and everything else you could think of.
Halloween in Milwaukee is one I highly recommend!
Secure your best haunted Milwaukee experience with our list of 15 fun ways to celebrate Halloween in Milwaukee!
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Pssst…!!?? You can’t get enough of Milwaukee? Have a look at my other posts:
- Unique Date Ideas in Milwaukee
- Fun Outdoor Activities in Milwaukee, WI
- Where to stay in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Table of Contents
Overview: Top 3 Things to Do on Halloween in Milwaukee
- Stay at a haunted hotel
- Get dressed up for a contest
- Learn all about Milwaukee on a spooky tour
1. Stay at a Haunted Hotel
If you want a truly spooky experience for Halloween in Wisconsin, the Pfister Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the ideal haunted hotel option.
In fact, it is considered one of the most haunted hotels in Wisconsin!
The hotel has stunning luxury, known as the Grand Hotel of the West, but many locals know it for the Pfister ghosts.
I heard that the ghost stories began when Charles Sivyer was interviewed for a local paper in 1893.
Speaking about the hotel’s construction, he told the reporter that the construction workers had found bones when digging the foundations.
Was the new hotel to be built on a private burial ground? Since then, ghosts have run amok in the halls of the Pfister hotel, but will you have any close encounters?
If you want to explore haunted places in Wisconsin, you can’t go wrong with booking a night at the Pfister.
2. Visit Miller Inn & Caves
Milwaukee is one of the USA’s most haunted cities, which gives you plenty of options for haunted houses in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
This also means you don’t have to stay overnight in a creepy hotel to get the chance to see a ghost.
For this reason, the Miller Inn and Caves is one of the best Halloween activities in Milwaukee if your like ghosts, but an overnight stay would be too much because short tours are easily available.
Miller Inn & Caves is haunted by a couple of 19th-century lovers. They had arranged to meet at these historic caves, and the woman waited for hours, only to learn that her lover had fallen down the stairs.
She went to his bedside to find him dead and died herself soon after from a broken heart. The couple has still not been reunited, with staff reporting seeing the woman waiting and the man nowhere in sight.
I’m sure that this is one creepy haunted house Milwaukee will leave a lasting impression as it I did!
3. Enjoy a Cult Classic
In the mid-70s, a new cult classic changed Halloween forever: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, also one of my favorites!
Now, this is easily one of the most fun things to do in Milwaukee to ring in the spooky season.
This film tells the story of an innocent young couple breaking down and getting estranged. They inadvertently find themselves in the spooky lair of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, played by Tim Curry.
But this isn’t just a film about a mad scientist; it is tradition to attend screenings in Halloween-themed drag.
You can experience this tradition at the most unique Halloween party Milwaukee can offer, and it is the perfect way to celebrate fall in Wisconsin.
Most years, the Oriental Theatre on N Farwell Avenue runs a special Halloween screening of Rocky Horror!
4. Get Dressed Up for a Contest
You don’t have to spend much money to have an incredible Halloween in Milwaukee with the kids.
In fact, there is no shortage of fun things to do in Wisconsin in October for the whole family.
One of the best Halloween events in Milwaukee for kids is the free Bayshore BOOgie Bash and Costume Contest. If I had one, I am sure I’ll enter my little kiddo!
This annual event runs from 5-8 PM and is the most popular Milwaukee Halloween costume event.
This is a fun-packed area with prizes given at 6 PM, a spooky hay maze, giant LED robots, laser light shows, and more.
There are plenty of spooky things to do in Milwaukee with kids at this event to ensure they have a great Halloween.
Even if Halloween in Milwaukee isn’t your kids’ idea of fun, they will surely enjoy meeting their favorite fairytale princesses.
5. Take a Spooky Stroll Down Scarecrow Lane
Halloween in Milwaukee is fun, even if you have children – just head over to the Blue Trail at the tranquil Retzer Nature Center.
Here, you can enjoy a short self-guided hike that is stroller-friendly. The whole route is decorated in a fun and colorful way by local families and businesses.
Even though Scarecrow Lane is far shorter than some other Halloween events in Milwaukee, there is still plenty to do and enjoy at Retzer Nature Center.
It is known as one of the best things to do in Milwaukee in October because the forest becomes incredibly beautiful during Fall.
As you walk through the forest, you’ll even get to experience some of the beautiful fall colors in Wisconsin.
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6. Go on a Creepy Crawl
Halloween in Milwaukee isn’t just for the kids. The wildest Halloween party in Milwaukee is undeniably the Milwaukee Official Halloween Bar Crawl.
Taking in the best bars in the city, you can get drunk with friends, old and new, from 4-11 PM.
Costumes are recommended, so it’s well worth the effort to get some friends together and go with the same theme.
This isn’t just a great concept; you can rest assured that you are in for a high-quality evening because this Halloween bar crawl is run by the national company PubCrawls.com.
This organization runs hugely popular bar crawls nationwide for Independence Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas, and more.
If you happen to be in Milwaukee at the beginning of October, be sure to also kick off the holiday season by heading to Oktoberfest, one of the best Milwaukee fall festivals.
Of course, it’s also one of the best fall festivals in Wisconsin – so you really don’t want to miss it!
7. Adventure on a Cannibal Walking Tour
For fans of true crime, the Cream City Cannibal: Jeffrey Dahmer True Crime Tour is an unmissable activity for Halloween in Milwaukee.
This tour, as featured on the BBC, Netflix, and NBC, is known for being one of the most terrifying, unique, and gruesome walking tours in the country.
It is a chance to walk in Dahmer’s footsteps and discover the locations where he murdered seven victims, which I find a bit creepy and unsettling.
This tour comes in at just 75 minutes, and it could be the perfect start to your night before you go out for a bar crawl.
8. Learn All About Milwaukee on a Spooky Tour
Halloween events in Milwaukee aren’t just about scaring people, going partying, or getting scared yourself.
Some Halloween events Milwaukee can offer are a great chance to learn more about this city, like the Milwaukee Haunted History City Tour.
On this tour, you will be shown where to find the most famous haunted spots and told the fascinating history that has led people.
I personally liked the Ghost Walk tour in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, which was a ghetto in the 19th century.
9. Get Stocked Up At a Halloween Store
One of the best Halloween things to do in Milwaukee is to go shopping for all the goodies and decorations you’ll need for the holiday.
I always list what I need to get during this season!
There are several stores for your Halloween in Milwaukee, WI but one of the best is Skully’s Halloween Express.
They have popped up in a giant pumpkin every year at State Fair Park for 25 years and have everything you could possibly want for your Halloween experience.
Make sure to head over before you attend your Halloween Milwaukee event.
10. Get Truly Terrified with Haunted Houses
Visiting a haunted house in Milwaukee is sure to get you spooked out, but there is no guarantee that you will actually have a close encounter with a ghost.
This isn’t the case with The Hills Have Eyes Milwaukee, which is undeniably the most terrifying of the spooky things to do in Milwaukee.
This is a 45-acre experience that combines four haunted places in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, into one.
You can experience four horror mazes on this site – Hunger Hollo, CarniVore, Dead End, and Failed Escape.
Each is populated with great actors playing horrifying characters like The Possessed, Beelzebub, and Junkyard Ray.
I was really terrified but had fun! This experience is only for the strong-hearted who want to get their adrenaline pumping with the most terror one will likely ever experience.
11. Brave Boo at the Zoo in Milwaukee
One of my favorite things to do in Milwaukee Halloween is Brave Boo at the Zoo.
This event transforms the Milwaukee County Zoo into a spooky wonderland with costumed characters, creepy (but not too scary) decorations, trick-or-treating stations, and special animal encounters.
I love how it strikes the perfect balance between festive and fun, making it an ideal outing for younger kids who want a taste of Halloween without the frights.
Plus, you get to see the animals and enjoy seasonal activities, so it’s a win-win for everyone as it is one of the most fun fall activities near Milwaukee.
12. Watch a Halloween Parade
Another one of the exciting Milwaukee Halloween events I highly recommend is its annual Halloween Parade especially if weather in Milwaukee is great!
This vibrant event typically occurs on the last Saturday of October, filling the city’s streets with colorful floats, costumed characters, and lively music.
As a tourist, I love watching the parade from a prime spot along the route, soaking in the festive atmosphere and enjoying the creativity of the participants.
It’s a truly unforgettable experience that captures the spirit of Halloween in Milwaukee.
13. Go trick-or-treating!
Halloween in Milwaukee wouldn’t be complete without going trick-or-treating!
One of my favorite neighborhoods for these things to do in Milwaukee for Halloween is the Historic Third Ward, where the charming brick buildings and festive decorations create a magical atmosphere.
Discovery World, a popular science museum, also hosts a Halloween event with trick-or-treating, games, and other family-friendly activities.
For a more traditional experience, head to one of Milwaukee’s historic neighborhoods, like Bay View or Walker’s Point, where you’ll find friendly residents eager to share candy with costumed kids.
15. Carve Pumpkins at a Local Farm or Market
Halloween is not complete without the most known symbol – the jack-o’-lanterns. One of my favorite Halloween activities in Milwaukee is carving pumpkins!
There are plenty of local farms and markets where you can pick out the perfect pumpkin for your jack-o-lantern.
I love the tradition of carving pumpkins with my friends and nieces, and it’s a great way to get into the Halloween spirit.
Once you’ve carved your pumpkin, be sure to display it on your front porch to add a festive touch to your home. I gave it to a friend while I was visiting!
15. Attend a Halloween party
Halloween parties Milwaukee are a great way to celebrate the spooky season in Milwaukee.
Milwaukee’s nightlife really comes alive this time of year, with bars and venues hosting everything from spooky costume contests to live music and DJ sets.
A personal favorite Halloween party is the annual costume party at the Pabst Theater, where you can dance the night away to spooky tunes and enjoy festive drinks.
Places like the SafeHouse, with its secret-agent vibe, or Shaker’s Cigar Bar, rumored to be haunted, are also perfect for a unique Halloween experience and things to do in Milwaukee at night!
These parties are great because they combine the festive atmosphere of Halloween with dancing, drinks, and socializing—there’s always a fun, energetic crowd, and people really go all out with their costumes.
Also, those looking for fun fall weekend getaways in Wisconsin for adults will love this Halloween activity!
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Why Celebrate Halloween in Milwaukee
There are scores of things to do on Halloween in Milwaukee, but that is not the only reason you should choose Milwaukee for your Wisconsin fall getaways.
Milwaukee is unique because of the huge amount of Halloween activities that happen during the daytime. This started in 1973 after a young girl was attacked.
For this reason, Milwaukee is the perfect place for your children to celebrate Halloween, as the utmost is done to keep everyone safe during daytime events.
Something for everyone has been included on this list of things to do on Halloween in Milwaukee.
Adults can search for Halloween parties in Milwaukee, and you can also choose a Milwaukee haunted house if you want to get truly terrified.
However, the best Halloween activities Milwaukee can offer are for families with children, as they are affordable, fun, and safe.
Make sure to take your children through this list before you travel to Milwaukee to make sure they are excited to get dressed up for unique and spooky experiences.
Short FAQs About Halloween in Milwaukee
What time is Milwaukee trick or treating?
It varies through the different parts of the city, but trick-or-treating usually runs somewhere between 4 pm and 8 pm.
What are the best Halloween events in Milwaukee for kids?
The best Halloween events for kids in Milwaukee are trick or treating, the Bayshore BOOgie Bash and Costume Contest, and walking around Scarecrow Lane.
What are the best things to do on Halloween in Milwaukee for adults?
Adults in Milwaukee during Halloween can enjoy a spooky-themed bar crawl and Halloween parties, or head to a haunted house for something a little creepier.
How to spend Halloween in Milwaukee for families?
Families can spend Halloween in Milwaukee by watching the Halloween Parade, trick-or-treating at Discovery World, or exploring haunted attractions at the Wisconsin Fear Grounds’ kid-friendly events.
What to do on Halloween in Milwaukee for kids?
On Halloween in Milwaukee, kids can enjoy trick-or-treating and enter a costume contest.
How to spend Halloween in Milwaukee for adults?
Adults can spend Halloween in Milwaukee by attending spooky pub crawls, visiting haunted houses, or enjoying themed parties and live music at bars.
What are the best Milwaukee Halloween events for kids?
The best Milwaukee Halloween events for kids include the Boo at the Milwaukee Zoo and the Discovery World’s trick-or-treating event.
Before You Go: Top Tips for your Trip
- You’ll snap tons of photos and I love to take my GoPro in order to shoot even in extreme situations.
- Make sure to wear comfortable walking shoes and hiking sandals when traveling to warm countries. Consider trying some of these eco-friendly vegan hiking boots.
- Sunscreen is key! I always take with me my eco-friendly sunscreen by Thinksport.
- I always carry a light rain jacket, just in case. Pack smart with these organic cotton clothing companies.
- Be environmentally friendly and get one of these awesome backpacks made from recycled materials.
- Get in the mindset with these amazing wilderness survival books.
- Travel insurance is essential! If you haven’t already obtained travel insurance for your trip, travel is protected against all odds with HeyMondo.
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
