Dust those cobwebs off of that spooky costume stored in your eerily dank attic, or better yet, visit a costume store for something new (and ultra-frightful). Why? Because HALLOWEEN 2023 is sneaking up from behind, ready to tap you on the shoulder with its long, bony fingers and send a shiver or two up your spine. It’s that time when ghouls fly through graveyards, toads hop into your tea, and the Grim Reaper gets the last laugh!
Calhoun County is bracing for an onslaught of heebie-jeebies, and you can be part of the action by attending one or more of the many macabre opportunities to dress up, trick-or-treat, dance, or venture through a horrifying haunted house! The ghastly possibilities are endless. Time to get your freak on!
Spotlight: Llama Llama Red Pajama Halloween Dance Party
We wanted to shine our brightest orange and purple spotlights on an extraordinary kid-friendly event taking place at RedBird Willow Farm, a venue that provides a home to all kinds of adorable animals from llamas and alpacas to goats, chickens, pigs, cows, miniature horses, donkeys, rabbits, a zebra, a kangaroo, and even a tortoise!
They’ll be continuing their tradition of hosting the unique Halloween event Llama Llama Red Pajama Halloween Dance Party, where kids (and parents too) are encouraged to dress up in their favorite pajamas and dance the night away beneath an outdoor covered pavilion at the rustic farm. A live band and a DJ will provide all kinds of dance classics (some Halloween-themed) so kids can get their groove on and dance till they drop! And what’s extra special about dressing in PJs? A Pajama costume contest! That’s right–kids who sport their ultra-trendy PJs can compete and even win prizes.
There will be special characters on site to greet and take photos with the kids, including one mystery guest who’s famous among pre-schoolers (Hint: he loves the colors blue and orange). Families can enjoy a hayride or a train ride, pet the animals, get their faces painted (this is probably more attractive to kids), and enjoy some spooky-themed treats.
By the way, there will be over 30 vendors, mostly of the crafty kind, along with some food trucks like Little Slats Smoke House and Royal Slush. All of this, and more, can be enjoyed for a $5 entry fee per person, while children 2 & under (and Veterans) get in FREE.
The Llama Llama Red Pajama Halloween Dance Party was hugely popular last year, so make sure you don’t miss out in 2023.
Date: Saturday, October 28
Time: 3 pm – 7 pm
Where: RedBird Willow Farm, 1103 Lenlock Lane, Anniston, Alabama
Info: (256) 239-3067 or redbirdwillowfarm@gmail.com
Kids Night 2023 at City of Chaos
The City of Chaos will be bringing back its kid-friendly/no-scare City of Chaos 2023 Kid’s Night / Sensory Night, a terrific event where kids can experience events catering just to them, minus the strobe lights, fog, and menacing scares. A friendly guide will take the family on a tour of the City Of Chaos. Friendly actors along the way will be available for handshakes and photo ops. And children can get all the thrills they could ask for at the haunted-themed Gelly Ball Arena where they can fight spooks terror-free. Other features include the Blow-Up Axe Throwing Arena, Carnival Rides, Carnival Games, Face Painting, and Inflatables. Free popcorn and drink will be included in each paid ticket. And kids are encouraged to dress up for this spooktacular event.
Date: Thursday, October 19
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
Where: Combat Park, 6755 Curry Station Road, Eastaboga Alabama
Info: (256) 600-6230, or combatparkalabama@gmail.com
What city is opening its streets to invite mischief and mayhem of the ominous kind? Why Anniston, of course, at their annual Neewollah on Noble. Candy, costume contests, a kid zone, live music, vendors, and more can be enjoyed at this family-friendly event as you stroll down historic Noble Street, all the while keeping a sharp lookout for a hungry zombie…or a creepy-looking clown.
Date: Saturday, October 21
Time: 4 pm – 9 pm
Where: Noble Street, Anniston, Alabama
Info: (256) 371-3711 or keden@annistonal.gov
Howl-a-ween Pet Costume Contest
Did I hear a howl, a growl, or a meow? Pets are people too (in some owner’s opinions, anyway), so why not get your furry friend all gussied up and bring it to the Howl-a-ween Pet Costume Contest, hosted by Happy Little Paws Pet Salon in Piedmont? Your pet can compete in a costume contest, and maybe pick up some treats. Humans can enjoy vendors, food, and a haunted house (hopefully your pooch will protect you from phantom menaces you may encounter).
Date: Saturday, October 21
Time: 5 pm
Where: Happy Little Paws Pet Salon, 100 South Center Ave., Suite B, Piedmont, Alabama
Community Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat
Safe, family-friendly fall festivals are always popular in Calhoun County, and the annual Community Fall Festival & Trunk-or-Treat hosted by Parker Memorial Baptist Church is high on our kudos list. Get your fill of candy, food, prizes, games, inflatables, and more on Sunday, October 22 in downtown Anniston. More fun for the kiddies like a petting zoo, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, and sno cones will provide enough “thills”–scary monsters, talk to the hand!
Date: Sunday, October 22
When: 3 pm – 5 pm
Where: Parker Memorial Baptist Church, 1205 Quintard Ave., Anniston
Say “hurray” for the witch’s parade! In its 4th year now, Downtown Oxford’s Witches Ride & Walk on Main will showcase witches, warlocks, goblins, and other spooks parading in unorderly fashion down Main Street, Snow Street, Choccolocco Street, and Oak Street. Dress up like one of the aforementioned frightening characters and take a walk with them, or spectate (from a safe distance). Kids are encouraged to bring their trick-or-treating buckets because we have a feeling there will be gobs of candy for the taking! The proceeds from ticket sales go to fund downtown Oxford. Each participant will receive a T-shirt.
Date: Friday, October 27
Time: 6 pm
Where: Main Street, Oxford, Alabama
Price: $25 adult/$10 children
Info: 256-241-6667 or hunter.gentry@oxfordal.gov
Full Moon Family Night at the Berman Museum
The Anniston Museum and Gardens has made plans to celebrate the full moon in ominous style with their event Full Moon Family Night at the Berman Museum. Featured attractions are spooky storytelling of ancient moon stories from around the world, full moon myths, and other activities for kids ages 4-17. They’ll also get to enjoy moon-themed desserts and pizza. The cost is $8 for adults and $6 for kids 4-17. Preregistration is required by visiting www.ExploreAMAG.org or calling (256) 237-6766. The last day to register is Wednesday, October 25.
Date: Saturday, October 28
Time: 6 pm – 8 pm
Where: Anniston Museum and Gardens, 800 Museum Drive, Anniston, Alabama
A Very Square-y Halloween Party
If you are in search of a howling good time for the entire family, check out A Very Square-y Halloween Party in the heart of Jacksonville on Public Square. Trick-or-treating, ghost stories, games, candy, and more fun will be happening, so get your gear on and come on out!
Date: Saturday, October 28
Time: 5 pm – 7 pm
Where: Public Square, Jacksonville, Alabama
The Mountain View Apartments complex will host a Community Trick or Treat for folks looking for great places to bring their costumed-up kids to collect candy by the buckets-full.
Date: Saturday, October 28
Time: 6 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Mountain View Apartments, Torreon Lane, Anniston, Alabama
Oxford PARD Halloween Carnival 2023
Frankly, Oxford folks simply love the awesome events hosted by the Oxford Parks and Recreation Department, and they’ve gone all out this year in planning the Oxford PARD Halloween Carnival 2023. If your child (aged 0-12) wants to dress up cute or spooky, there’s a costume contest they can take part in at 5:30 pm. If they enjoy games, candy, and sliding, they’ll be set up for success. Admission is free and carnival-style games cost a mere $1 per 4 games, with prizes available. Call (256) 831-2660 for more info.
Date: Tuesday, October 31
When: 4:30 pm – 7 pm
Where: Oxford Civic Center, 401 McCullars Lane, Oxford, Alabama
Trick-or-Treating at Glenwood Terrace
e of the most popular haunts for trick-or-treating in Calhoun County is a quaint neighborhood tucked away in Anniston. Yearly, they host a spine-numbing event called Trick-or-Treating at Glenwood Terrace, where countless spooks, witches, superheroes, princesses, and other popular characters come out in droves to get their fill of Halloween candy at the historic neighborhood homes. But beware! You may encounter one particular phantom who rides the streets, bent on giving you quite the fright–the Headless Horseman!
Date: Tuesday, October 31
Time: 5 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Glenwood Terrace Historic District, Anniston, Alabama
Historic Downtown Oxford never disappoints when it comes to making sure families have an opportunity to celebrate Halloween in a safe, albeit mischievous atmosphere. Trick or Treat on Main will have all kinds of fun going on like bouncy houses, slides, carnival games, costume contests, live entertainment, free candy, craft vendors, and food trucks. You won’t want to miss this well-attended event!
Date: Tuesday, October 31
Time: 5 pm – 8 pm
Where: Simmons Park, Downtown Oxford, Alabama
The Halloween Light Show in Piedmont is a big hit with residents in the area, and for good reason. You can listen to pop-rock classics while watching a colorful light show turn a historic house in Piedmont into a true Halloween spectacle. Tune in to 100.7 FM to hear coordinating songs like Thriller, Monster Mash, Ghostbusters, Skeleton Sam, Adams Family, I Put a Spell on You, Spooky Scary Skeletons, and more.
Date: Nightly through October 31
Time: 6 pm – 9 pm
Where: 107 Craig Ave., Piedmont, Alabama
Other Children’s Events
Children’s Halloween Paint Party
Date: Friday, October 20
Time: 5:30 pm
Where: Angel Cakes Creamery, 4412 McClellan Blvd., Anniston, Alabama
Halloween Not So Haunted Trail Trek
Date: Tuesday, October 24
Time: TBA
Where: Jax PARD, Jacksonville, Alabama
Date: Wednesday, October 25
Time: 4 pm
Where: Public Library of Anniston-Calhoun County, 108 E. 10th St., Anniston, Alabama
Story Time Trick-or-Treat at the Library
Date: Thursday, October 26
Time: 10:30 am
Where: Oxford Public Library, 110 E. 6th St., Oxford, Alabama
