Family Halloween

Oct 24, 2018 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

August 8, 2018

11:56 AM

Get into the spooky spirit a few days early with the annual Madison Central Business Improvement District Halloween extravaganza. More than 75 local businesses and organizations will open their doors for family-friendly games, crafts, activities — and, of course, trick-or-treating. From hay rides around the Capitol Square to creepy entertainment, there's plenty to do for adults and kids alike.

2018 FAMILY FUN & ACTIVITIES

(All activities from 3:00 - 6:00 pm, free, and include trick-or-treating unless otherwise noted.)

Trick-or-Treat at 75 downtown locations!
Boulder’s Climbing Gym In the Mifflin St. Grove: Climb the new outdoor Boulder’s Gym climbing wall! Climbing wall is weather permitting. (Free)
Downtown Madison Visitors Center: Special appearance by Bucky Badger from 4-5pm. Enjoy Halloween stories told by the spooky folks from Madison Ghost Tours 3pm - 6pm. Halloween stories appropriate for all ages. (Free)
Grace Episcopal Church invites you to stop by to hear spine-chilling organ music while trick or treating. Mark Brampton Smith, the Grace Church organist, along with other organists will be playing the magnificent Casavant Freres Opus 3639 pipe organ during the event. (Free)
Groove Madison: Come to Groove and have a spooktacular fun time playing minute to win it ghouly games and get your photo taken in our photo booth and take a slo mo video too! We are located between Rare Steakhouse and Field Table. Enter the lobby and take the elevator down to Level B. (Free)
Madison Children's Museum: Join us for a Pumpkin Toss Challenge! (Outdoor and lobby activities are free; regular museum admission applies to indoor exhibits.)
Madison Parks Hay Rides: Madison Parks has a fun stop planned for you! Enjoy tractor hayrides around the Capitol Square. Rides leave approximately every 20 minutes. ($3.00/person, Children 2 and under are free, no reservations required.) Candy stop and games to play. Come see us!
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art: Learn printmaking techniques inspired by the artwork on view at the museum! Families are invited to view William J. O'Brien: Reliquary, an exhibition that combines a tent with ink drawings, and a wide range of mysterious material studies. Visitors will also enjoy treats, storytelling and more from 3-6pm. (Admission to MMoCA is free.)
Madison Police Department Outside at “The Forum” Meet our Downtown Neighborhood officers team and get your own police badge from 3 - 5pm. (Free)
Madison Central Library: Visit the Children's Room for spooky (or silly!) crafts, along with a trick or treat station. Stop by The Bubbler from 2-6pm for Open Studio with Artist-in-Residence Jacki Whisenant; draw with her or make your own project. (Free)
The Overture Center for the Arts: Ken Lonnquist will perform spooky Halloween melodies for all ages in the Rotunda Stage at 3:00, 4:00 and 5:00 pm. (Free) Have your photo taken in costume and grab some Halloween treats in the Rotunda Lobby. (Free)
Revel: Drop in to Revel for candy treats (+ cocktails for the adults ;) and a little DIY fun! Make a spooky paper mummy or choose another Halloween-themed project off the Craft Bar menu. (Paper mummies free, drinks/other crafts for purchase.)
Short Stack Eatery: Stop by Short Stack for candy, Halloween-themed cookie decorating and flower wand crafts! *In order to participate in cookies/crafts, a small fee is charged at the door for participants. (Cookie decorating $12.00 and Flower Wand Crafts $5)
Wisconsin Historical Museum: Join the Wisconsin Historical Museum for Downtown Madison Family Halloween! Learn about some of Wisconsin’s spooky creatures and create fun, silly crafts! Storytelling will take place in the theatre every half-hour from 3:30-6pm and with a suggested age of 8+. (Free)