With October only a hop, skip, and lanky leap away, it’s time to dust the cobwebs off your ghoulish home decor, order a new costume (or resurrect an old favorite), light the glowing lanterns, and get ready for Halloween 2024 to make its ghostly entrance to Calhoun County, Alabama! There are so many bewitching events going on in this enchanted season, your head will be spinning faster than a Jack-o’-lantern’s if you don’t know what to plan for in advance. That’s why Calhoun County Insight has your bony back covered with our ultimate guide to horrific Halloween adventures to be had. Whether you’re longing for a hayride, want to take a faster track zipping through a haunted house ride, or you’re looking for safe places to take your kids trick-or-treating, read on and get ready for a little hocus-pocus!

Haunted Houses

The Terrortorium Haunted House and Amusements

A spine-tingling adventure is waiting to be had at the Terrortorium Haunted House and Amusements in Oxford, Alabama, where the thrills are eerie, and the fun is frightfully contagious. Nestled in the heart of downtown, this haunted haven offers more than just goosebumps—it’s a full-blown Halloween carnival! Whether you’re daring enough to brave the Haunted Castle dark ride or want to test your courage on the gravity-defying Bullet or the Spaceball 2000 Gyro, there’s a thrill for every member of the family. Take a spin on the Ferris Wheel, or hop aboard the Terror Tour Stagecoach for a ride that’s anything but ordinary. With a variety of combo tickets available, you can experience multiple attractions for a hauntingly good time. Perfect for families seeking a mix of chills and carnival thrills, the Terrortorium promises a wickedly fun night out!

The City of Chaos

The City of Chaos in Eastaboga, Alabama, is your ultimate Halloween destination, filled with heart-pounding thrills and hair-raising frights. This eerie Old West-style ghost town lures the brave and daring with eight haunted buildings, each crawling with ghouls, zombies, and monsters lurking around every corner. Led by the menacing Sergeant Chaos, you’ll encounter spine-chilling special effects like strobe lights, fog, and moving floors, all designed to leave you on edge. Perfect for groups of up to six, this haunted attraction is not for the faint of heart—those with sensitivities to light, sound, or motion should proceed with caution. 

For families looking for a less intense, more festive experience, the City of Chaos hosts a special Kid’s Night on Thursday, October 10th. During this family-friendly evening, the usual terrifying atmosphere gives way to a lighter, more playful version of the haunted town. Guides lead children and families through the grounds, with toned-down spooks and fun photo opportunities. Kids can enjoy activities like Gellyball warfare, visit the Feathered Friends Petting Zoo, hop on pony rides, get their faces painted, or even sing along with live music and karaoke. There’s plenty of Halloween magic for little ones, with treats like popcorn, candy, and more, encouraging kids to dress up and dive into the fun!

For those ages 13 and up, the full haunted experience is available, with an option to purchase the Chaos Pass to skip the line and dive straight into the fear. If you’re craving even more action, hop on the Chaos Convoy for a ghostly military battle, paintball-style, or sharpen your skills at the Haunted Shooting Gallery. Whether you’re looking to scream or just soak in the spooky fun, the City of Chaos offers Halloween thrills for everyone!

The Haunted Chicken House

If you’re itching for a bone-chilling adventure deep in the Alabama backwoods, the Haunted Chicken House in Heflin is your next must-visit haunt. Established in 2003 and growing from humble beginnings, this farm-turned-nightmare now draws over 13,000 thrill-seekers each season. As one of East Alabama’s premier haunted attractions, it promises terrifying experiences that are sure to leave your heart racing and your nerves frayed. The Haunted Chicken House is known for its twisted take on a classic farm setting, where demented poultry and gruesome ghouls roam free. Whether you’re braving its ominous corridors or taking in the rural terror from the comfort of a hayride, the scares here are anything but ordinary.

The Haunted Chicken House offers three spine-tingling attractions, each more thrilling than the last. Enter the infamous chicken house itself, where monstrous fowl and bloodthirsty fiends await in eerie, human-sized pens—don’t get too close, or you may not make it out! For those who prefer a slower burn of terror, the Haunted Hayride takes you through a fiery junkyard and desolate farm grounds, where you might encounter rampaging monsters or explosive surprises. And for the adrenaline junkies, there’s the Crazy Train—a wildly unpredictable ride through the haunted woods, where speed, danger, and pure chaos collide. Just be sure to sign the waiver; you’ll need more than courage to survive this twisted experience!

Festivals, Trunk-or-Treats, and More

If you thought haunted houses were the only way to go in Calhoun County this Halloween, you are eerily mistaken. Check out our list of the best trunk-or-treat events, Halloween or fall festivals, and beyond.

Neewollah on Noble

Mark your calendars and come dressed for a terror-filled time at Neewollah on Noble in historic Downtown Anniston. This annual family-friendly festival offers a lively mix of Halloween fun, with a Kid’s Zone full of games and activities, trick-or-treating down the charming streets, and costume contests for kids, adults, and even pets. As you stroll along Noble Street, enjoy live music, festive decorations, and a playful atmosphere perfect for all ages. Whether you’re collecting candy or just soaking in the festive spirit, Neewollah on Noble promises a fang-tastic day for the whole family, pets included!

Fall Market on Main & 4th Annual Witches Walk and Parade

Historic Downtown Oxford, Alabama, has an amazing array of events planned for Saturday, October 19, 2024. The Fall Market on Main kicks off the fun during the day with artisan, craft, and pet vendors, along with festive photo ops around Simmons Park, including a giant pumpkin and themed signs. Don’t miss the dog costume contest, parade, and chances to win prizes. As the sun sets, the magic continues with the 4th Annual Witches Ride & Walk on Main. Dress up as a witch, warlock, goblin, or anything you like, and parade down Main Street. Be sure to bring a trick-or-treat bucket for candy! After the parade, head to the Terrortorium for a thrilling costume contest where cash prizes and ride vouchers await.

Llama Llama Red Pajama Halloween Dance Party

Put on your favorite fall PJs and prepare for some fall fun at its finest with the Llama Llama Red Pajama Halloween Dance Party at Redbird Willow Farm in Anniston. This charming farm, home to a lovable array of animals from llamas and alpacas to miniature horses, donkeys, and even a kangaroo, is the perfect backdrop for this unique kid-friendly event. Picture the scene: the crisp autumn air, a canopy of fall foliage, and vibrant orange and purple lights illuminating the rustic pavilion. Kids (and parents!) are encouraged to don their favorite pajamas and hit the dance floor, with live music and a DJ spinning a mix of Halloween-themed hits and classic dance tunes. And don’t forget the pajama costume contest, where those ultra-cozy, spooky, or trendy PJs might just win a prize!

But the fun doesn’t stop there. Families can visit friendly farm animals, grab a picture at one of the multiple photo op stations, indulge in spooky-themed treats, and kids can get their faces painted with fall or Halloween-inspired designs. All of this autumn excitement is just $5 per person, with children 2 and under, as well as Veterans, getting in for free. With last year’s event being a huge hit, the 2024 Llama Llama Red Pajama Halloween Dance Party promises to be a night your family won’t want to miss!

Haunted Dogo and Trunk or Treat

Nothing screams Halloween fun like a trunk-or-treat/haunted house combo! Some creepiness is going down Halloween night at Excel Martial Arts’ 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat and Haunted Dojo. The dojo will be transformed into a thrilling haunted house, filled with eerie surprises and spooky sights for all ages. Outside, enjoy a festive Trunk or Treat, complete with carnival games, delicious food, and exciting giveaways. For just $10, you can enter the haunted house, or grab an unlimited wristband for $30 to experience all the thrills this frightful evening has to offer. Pre-order your wristband today to make the most of the night. Plus, help support the Jacksonville Food Pantry by bringing canned or non-perishable goods. Join us for a wickedly good time—costumes are encouraged, and fun is guaranteed!

Spears Halloween Light Show

Have you ever seen a Halloween light show?  If not, then the one in Piedmont is a must-see event!  Nightly, you can witness a colorful light show in a historic house in Piedmont, and tune in to 100.7 FM to hear coordinating songs including Ghostbusters, Adams Family, I Put a Spell on You, Spooky Scary Skeletons, and more.

Trunk-or-Treat Parker Memorial 

Get into the Halloween spirit early at Parker Memorial Baptist Church’s Trunk-or-Treat and Fall Festival in downtown Anniston on Sunday, October 27. Enjoy an afternoon of fun and fellowship with a parking lot full of creatively decorated trunks handing out candy, plus cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, and hot dogs to satisfy your cravings. The event will also feature inflatables, games, crafts, face painting, balloon animals, a petting zoo, and a photo booth to capture all your spooky memories. It’s the perfect family-friendly event to kick off the season, so mark your calendars and join us for this festive celebration!

Cornerstone Church Trunk or Treat

A festive evening of family fun awaits you at Cornerstone Church’s Trunk-or-Treat in Anniston, Alabama. Picture a crisp autumn evening filled with creatively decorated trunks, games that will keep everyone smiling, and plenty of candy to go around. Hop on a cozy hayride, snap photos at charming fall-themed setups, and enjoy the vibrant energy of the season. It’s a perfect time to bring friends and family to join in the laughter and excitement. Don’t miss out on this fantastic fall celebration!

CCMM Trunk or Treat

First Christian Church of Anniston invites you to a festive and fun-filled Trunk-or-Treat event for the whole family! Join us for a delightful evening of fall-inspired activities, including a photo booth to capture your best costumes, a variety of handmade vendors, and delicious treats from local food trucks. With pumpkins, hay bales, and colorful autumn leaves setting the scene, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season. Plus, you can give back by donating blood to the Red Cross at the event, helping to save lives while enjoying a cheerful Halloween atmosphere.

Oxford PARD Halloween Carnival

A close encounter of the chilling kind will take place at this year’s Oxford PARD Halloween Carnival, hosted at the Oxford Civic Center. The event promises fall fun with free admission and carnival games for just $1 for 4 tickets, perfect for children ages 0-12. Little ones can dress up in their cutest or creepiest costumes for the costume contest at 5:00 pm while enjoying games, candy, and even a fun slide! With pumpkins, Halloween treats, and colorful leaves flying through the air, it’s sure to be a magical evening for the whole family.

Trick-or-Treating at Glenwood Terrace

There are plenty of spook-ified neighborhoods tucked away in the nooks and crannies of Calhoun County that welcome families for safe trick-or-treating.  Visiting Glenwood Terrace is a time-honored tradition for candy-seekers. I took the streets in that area for Halloween 2023 and was super impressed by the haunted dwellings. Some of the displays were quite terrifying, and I even got to meet Beetlejuice himself! Sadly, the Headless Horseman, who made an appearance year after year as darkness descended on Glenwood Terrace, did not appear last year. We hope that he will materialize this year so trick-or-treaters can get the full ghostly experience they seek. Keep an eye on this page for details as they unfold.  

Halloween Retailers

We wanted to give a shout-out to one retailer that has set up shop annually within the Oxford Exchange that will meet all of your Halloween needs. Their location has changed slightly, so we wanted to make sure you are aware that they are still in our parts, in all of their frightful glory!

Spirit Halloween

Calhoun County residents looking to gear up for Halloween 2024 can head to the local Spirit Halloween store for all their costume and décor needs. As the largest Halloween retailer in North America, Spirit Halloween offers a ghastly huge selection of women’s, men’s, and kids’ costumes, as well as spooky decorations, accessories, and party essentials. Whether you want to dress up as your favorite movie or TV character or turn your home into a walk-through haunted house, the Oxford location has something for everyone.

The shopping experience at Spirit Halloween is just as fun as the holiday itself. Visitors can explore aisles of chilling animatronics, try on trending costumes, or browse a wide variety of wigs, makeup, and props. The store is well-organized with themed sections for easy navigation, and helpful associates are on hand to assist with any needs. For those in a rush, the option to buy online and pick up in-store adds convenience to the spooky season. In addition, visit their website for a QR code to claim a 20% off discount online or in person. Stop by the Oxford Spirit Halloween today to get everything you need for a frightfully fun Halloween!

In Conclusion

As Halloween 2024 creeps closer, Calhoun County is ready to deliver a frightfully fun lineup of events for everyone, from haunted houses that will send chills down your spine to family-friendly trunk-or-treats. Whether you’re looking to be scared silly or just soak up the seasonal vibes, Calhoun County has something to make your Halloween adventure unforgettable. So, grab your costumes, gather your crew, and get ready for a hauntingly good time this fall!