It’s scary how much fun you’ll have in Emporia this Halloween! We’ve put together a comprehensive guide to nearly two weeks of special Halloween events for everyone, dead or alive!

Friday, October 19 & Saturday, October 20

Rocky Horror Picture Show

Let’s do the time warp again! Come in costume for an interactive screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Pre-show includes a costume competition each night, along with tons of audience participation, props and costumes. Prop bags (included with ticket) include everything you need to enjoy the show. NOTE: Absolutely, positively no outside props allowed. If you violate this rule you will be asked to leave.

Parental Advisory: Event is open to all ages, but parental discretion is advised.

When: 8:00 p.m.
Where: Emporia Granada Theatre, 807 Commercial Street
Cost: $13, includes prop bag and key chain; tickets available online or at the box office

Saturday, October 20

Halloween Hot Dog Jog & Costume Contest

Wear your Halloween costume to enter the contest. Prizes will be awarded after the 5k. Photo booth will be available for a free will donation.

When: 10:00 a.m.
Where: Emporia High School fitness track
Cost: $25. First 25 to register receive a free T-Shirt.

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5k Zombie Run

THE ZOMBIES ARE COMING!!! It’s time for the Emporia Police Department Benefit Association’s 5k Zombie run. This year’s event will be held at a new location in Jones Park on Saturday, October 20th. On site registration begins at 4:30pm with the race beginning at 5:30pm. Registration fees are $25 for adults and $15 for kids. This also includes a t-shirt! To guarantee your t-shirt please have forms completed and turned into the Police Department by noon, 12pm, October 10th. Forms may be picked up at the Police Department. They can also be dropped off at the Police Department between 8am-5pm, Monday – Friday. Following the run will be an announcement of race winners and a free outdoor viewing of Hocus Pocus! Questions? Call 620-343-4200, option 2 and ask for Debbie or Brittany.

When: 4:30 p.m. (registration), 5:30 p.m. (race)
Where: Jones Park
Cost: $25 for adults, $15 for kids

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Hocus Pocus in the Park

Seating will begin around 6:45pm with the movie starting shortly after sundown. Make sure to bring your lawn chairs and blankets! A cash only concession stand will be available serving popcorn, hotdogs, drinks, and a few treats for the kiddos too! Donations are welcome and greatly appreciated. Presented by Emporia Police Department Benefit Association and US Cellular. Please be cautious of runners and zombies running through the park as you enter. We are hosting our 5k zombie run just before this event.

When: 6:45 p.m.
Where: Jones Park, 2400 Lincoln Street
Cost: FREE

Friday, October 26

Babes on Bikes “Boo Cruise”

Babes on Bikes presents the third annual Boo Cruise! Arrive by 6:30 to get your chili/soup and your costume entered in the contest. Then take a scary history ride through Emporia while hearing stories of murder, hauntings, and even ride through the cemetery.  

When: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Gravel City Adventure & Supply Co., 716 Commercial Street
Cost: Donation of $5 or more to benefit Plumb Place

Friday, October 26 & Saturday, October 27

Haunted Historic Tours

Get to know the spooky side of Emporia’s history! These self-guided tours walk you through some of the spookier locations in downtown Emporia. Tour stops will be both indoors and outdoors with stairs.  Bring a flashlight!

When: 9:00 p.m.-midnight (last tour at 11:30 p.m.)
Where: Start at Emporia Main Street, 727 Commercial Street; tours are self guided after check-in
Cost: $5 Tickets available at Emporia Main Street each night and online.

Saturday, October 27

Trick or Trot

Trick or Trot encourages movement, community and helping out a local organization. Costumes are encouraged and strollers and pets are welcome. Prizes will be awarded in a variety of categories. The entry fee for Trick or Trot is donations. This year donations will benefit both the Emporia Rescue Mission and S.O.S. Suggested donations include peanut butter, canned goods, boxed meals, men’s shirts, men’s socks, men’s deodorant, body wash, bottled water, individually packaged fruit snacks, granola bars, Goldfish/crackers, dried fruit/craisins, vanilla wafers and animal crackers. Let the donations overflow to help both of these Emporia agencies! Pre-register here.Questions? Contact Jana Phillips at [email protected] or 620-341-2335.

When: 8:00 a.m. (registration); 9:00 a.m. (race)
Where: Emporia Middle School track
Cost: Donations of items for Emporia Rescue Mission and S.O.S. (see above)

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Dia de los Muertos Market

The final outdoor Saturday farmers market kicks off a day-long downtown celebration.  Hot chocolate and cider available to purchase at the kiosk before the Parade of the Living Dead (see below). Live music, Veggie Power Club for Kids, and a great selection of local foods, art, and homemade items.  The market will also help Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow (HOTT) collect food items—drop off a non-perishable food item at the kiosk for a market coupon!

When: 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Where: Merchant Street parking lot between 7th and 8th Avenues

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Downtown Trick-Or-Treat

Once again downtown businesses will be handing out candy to trick-or-treaters! Visit Emporia Main Street’s website for a list of participating businesses.

When: 10:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown Emporia
Cost: FREE

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EEK Town Costume Contest

Emporia Main Street presents the third annual Halloween costume photo contest! Categories include Baby, Toddler, Child, and Family. The winner of each category will receive $20 in Main Street gift certificates. Winners will be chosen through an online voting contest and will be announced Tuesday, October 30. To enter, you must like the Emporia Main Street Facebook Page or follow them on Instagram so they are able to view your photo. Choose your photo and upload it with the hashtag #eektown. Make sure your privacy settings (for that post) are set to public!

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Dia de los Muertos Celebration

Emporia’s Hispanics of Today & Tomorrow (HOTT) present the first Dia de los Muertos! The fun begins at 10:00 a.m. with a Parade of the Living Dead down Commercial Street (click here to register), followed by a festival of food, music, face painting, Frida look alike contest, skull decorating, crafts, and much more! The festival will be on 7th Avenue, between Commercial and Merchant Streets, from noon to 8:00 p.m. Bring the kids to a free screening of Disney’s Coco at the Granada Theatre at 1:00 p.m. This event is a partnership between HOTT, Emporia Main Street, The Emporia Granada Theatre, Kansas Free For Arts, The Emporia Migrant Education Program, and Mobilizing Literacy for Lyon County

When: 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.
Where: 7th Avenue between Commercial and Merchant Streets (festival); Commercial Street (parade)
Cost: FREE

Tuesday, October 30

Spooky Science Night

Join the ESU chapters of the National Science Teachers of America and the American Chemical Society for a fun night of spooky science for the whole family!

When: 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Where: Emporia Public Library, 110 E 6th Ave
Cost: FREE

Wednesday, October 31

Boo at the Zoo

Wear your costume and enjoy games, contests, and trick or treating with the animals at the zoo!

When: 4:00-5:30 p.m.
Where: David Traylor Zoo of Emporia, 75 Sodens Rd
Cost: FREE

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Trick-Or-Treat at the Mall

Enjoy games, costume contests, and trick or treating at the mall!

When: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Flint Hills Mall, 1632 Industrial Road
Cost: FREE

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Rural Street Food Drive & Trick-Or-Treat

Come get treated on Rural Street this Halloween and give a treat to someone who needs it! Children are invited to come trick-or-treat on Rural Street, and do a good deed at the same time. Bring a non-perishable food item to the tables located behind the barricades at 12th and Rural and 15th and Rural. All donations will be given to Plumb Place.

When: 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Rural Street between 10th and 18th Avenues

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SOS CASA Trunk or Treat

SOS CASA of the Flint Hills volunteers and Hope Community Methodist Church members host a safe trick or treat experience.

When: 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Where: Hope Community Methodist Church, 428 Union
Cost: FREE

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Reading Downtown Halloween

Visit Reading for their annual Halloween celebration! Families are invited to come to downtown Reading for games, a costume contest, and trunk or treat. The Miracle Cafe will host a hot dog feed and the Fire Department will host s’mores.  Beginning at 7:00 p.m. the wagons will load up and make the rounds to every block letting the kids trick or treat at all the houses with porch lights on.

When: 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Where: Downtown Reading, Kansas
Cost: FREE