As the leaves turn and the air grows crisp, Shores & Islands Ohio transforms into a Halloween haven filled with thrilling haunted houses, ghost tours, delightful harvest festivals, and seasonal events, with a few other fun things thrown in. Whether you’re in the mood for a spine-tingling adventure or a cozy family outing, there’s something for everyone. Explore the best ways to embrace the magic and mystery of the region with these 25 featured October events!
Shake Rattle & Stroll!
Daily through Oct 31, 2024
During business hours
Downtown Vermilion
Check out the spooky sights throughout Oct 2024 in Vermilion! During October, local businesses adopt silly skeletons and other fun fall decor that you’ll find in windows, stores or storefronts, all festive, ready to surprise, and make you laugh. Vermilion shops, restaurants and stores create a whole month of festive fall fun while you dine, shop and enjoy Vermilion. It’s free, fun and will put you in the mood for Halloween. Be sure to stop at Main Street Vermilion first and get your free map to all the locations around town and learn how to vote for your favorite display.
Haunted Sandusky
Thursday-Sunday through October 27
6-8:30 pm
Firelands Adventure Tours, Departing Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky
Experience the shadowy side of Sandusky on Firelands Adventure Tours' Haunted Sandusky Tour. The original Grand Witch, Donna Bretz, is a Sandusky native and widely known for her deep knowledge of the supernatural as well as her captivating storytelling. She leads you through the streets of downtown Sandusky stopping at locations where you'll hear the stories of spirits who are said to still inhabit them. You'll explore infamous buildings, the mysterious waterfront, a portal to an other-worldly location, as well as a cemetery to hear her tales of supernatural circumstances. Donna's insightful commentary illuminates Sandusky's spooky secrets making each step an adventure. So, make reservations and climb aboard Firelands Adventure Tours’ bus to learn about the supernatural side of Sandusky’s history that very few know about or have ever experienced – until now.
Cedar Point's HalloWeekends 2024!
Thursday-Sunday through Nov 2, 2024
Thurs 6 pm-12 am, Fri-Sat 11 am-12 pm, Sun 11 am-8 pm
Cedar Point, Sandusky
It’s family fun by day and fright by night as Cedar Point®’s HalloWeekends returns for its 27th year on select days and nights! With daytime family activities like corn and hay mazes, pint-sized tractors for kids, pumpkin decorating, games and trick-or-treating, plus nighttime haunted mazes, scare zones and entertainment, HalloWeekends will send silly and scary chills down the spine. The popular event for fans of fall is back for seven weekends with several new experiences to explore.
Oastoberfest 2024
Friday-Saturday, Oct 4-5, 2024
Fri 2-10 pm, Sat 12 pm-10 pm
Twin Oast Brewing Co., Catawba
Join Twin Oast on Oct 4-5th for Twin Oast Brewery's Annual Oastoberfest: Presented by Firelands Auto Group. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of beer, German culture, and fun at Twin Oast Brewing! With guest breweries, two biergartens, live music and performances, and delicious food, there's something for everyone. Come celebrate and enjoy great beer from a wide selection of breweries. Pro(a)st!
Lake Eerie Fearfest
Friday-Saturday, Oct 4-5, Oct 11-12, Oct 18-19, Oct 25-26, 2024
8-11 pm
Ghostly Manor Thrill Center, Sandusky
Get ready for the scariest night as Lake Eerie FearFest returns to Ghostly Manor Thrill Center! Brace yourself for horrifying haunted attractions, heart-pounding scares, and some of the best horror entertainment in the state! Who’s brave enough to survive?
Panic in the Pines
Saturday, Oct 5, 12, 19, 26, Nov 2, 2024
7:30-10 pm
Country Lane Tree Farm, Genoa
Three Haunts: Hayride, Trail, and Woods – Longest running hayride in Northwest Ohio! Panic in the Pines offers 3 Bone Chilling Haunts for one price. First, board a hay wagon that takes you deep into the backwoods of a 160-year-old family farm. Looming Pines now grow where generations of the family tended crops. Wind tears through the Pines carrying the screams of souls departed. Will you make it off the ride? Or will the Pines claim YOUR soul too? Next, walk the Trail, where Clowns and Circus Misfits never sleep. Their only goal? To lure in unsuspecting victims to scare and keep….. perhaps forevermore….. Just past the Trail, don’t assume you are safe! You will find yourself haunted by the residents of the Woods from the long-ago abandoned Asylum. The Woods holds their screams from the outside world. Will the Deranged Doctor keep you for his next patient? Only time will tell………
The Fall Festivals at Burnham Orchards
Saturday-Sunday, Oct 5-6, Oct 12-13, Oct 19-20, Oct 26-27, 2024
10 am-7pm
Burnham Orchards, Berlin Heights
Get ready to launch into a season of cosmic fun at Burnham Orchards’ Space-Themed Fall Festival! This year, they’re taking fall festivities out of this world with weekends packed full of stellar activities, space-age treats, and intergalactic adventures. Each weekend features a unique theme that will have your family soaring through the stars and making memories that are truly out of this world.
28th Annual Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival
Saturday, Oct 12, 2024
9 am-4 pm (John Berry 6 pm & 8 pm)
Lakeside Chautauqua and Marblehead
This free, peninsula-wide event includes fun for the whole family: tours of the Marblehead Lighthouse and the Wolcott Keeper’s House, live entertainment, children’s games and crafts, a pumpkin-decorating contest, over 100 arts & crafts vendors, a farmers’ market, hayrides and much more in Lakeside Chautauqua and the Village of Marblehead. Grammy-nominated country music artist John Berry will perform two shows in Orchestra Hall, following the Lakeside-Marblehead Lighthouse Festival. Because space is limited in the historic theater, two concert times will be offered. The singer-songwriter first rose to stardom on the country music charts in the 1990s with Grammy-nominated hits “Your Love Amazes Me” and “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye,” as well as “She’s Taken a Shine.” Tickets required for the concert.
Fall Festival/Civil War Encampment
Saturday, Oct 12, 2024
11 am-4 pm
Wolcott Keeper’s House, Marblehead
Ottawa County Historical Society Annual Civil War Encampment featuring the 14th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the 73rd OVI Regiment Band. Apples, cider and cornbread available. This is also our fall festival with historic military displays and music. Always a favorite for our visitors and guests!
Apple Peak Harvest Gathering
Saturday, Oct 12, 2024
10 am-6 pm
Quarry Hill Orchards, Berlin Heights
Quarry Hill Orchards will celebrate a true taste of autumn with their annual Apple Peak Harvest Gathering. This event will highlight the peak of harvest, the turning of the leaves, and an appreciation for all things local. This community event is open to the public! Quarry Hill Orchards has teamed up with local and regional favorites to bring a full day of flavors, engaging activities, and unique keepsakes for all ages. Here’s what you can expect: Apple Picking, Wagon Rides, Food Trucks, Quarry Hill Wine, Vendor Market, Live Music, Honey Demo, Hiking, Face & Pumpkin Painting, and more!
Oak Harbor Apple Festival
Saturday, Oct 12, 2024
10 am-8 pm
Downtown Oak Harbor
This family friendly festival features a grand parade, baking contest, cornhole tournament, candy apple cutie contest, car show, 5K/kids one mile fun run, beer garden, local entertainment, mechanical rides, over 125 vendors and many other activities! Enjoy fresh apple butter, various apples, apple pies, apple dumplings, apple cookies and more!
Downtown Port Clinton Witches, Warlocks, and Ghouls Walk
Saturday, Oct 12, 2024
Scavenger Hunt: 10 am-6 pm; Walk and Awards: 8-10 pm
Downtown Port Clinton
Erie Events is excited to announce that they and The Verve Port Clinton will be hosting a Downtown Port Clinton Witches, Warlocks, and Ghouls Walk event this October! The whole family is welcome!
Oktoberfest
Saturday- Sunday, Oct 12-13, 2024
Sat 11 am-7 pm, Sun 12-5 pm
DeRivera Park, Put-in-Bay
Experience the rich Bavarian tradition at Put-in-Bay’s Oktoberfest! This annual two-day festival celebrates German culture with fantastic food, spiced wine, and cold beer. Oktoberfest Put-in-Bay promises a weekend filled with culinary delights and lively entertainment. Enjoy a range of German delicacies, including brats, potato pancakes, apple dumplings, and more, prepared by Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce member restaurants, complemented by beer from Put-in-Bay Brewery.
Pumpkins in the Park
Sunday, Oct 13, 2024
11 am-5 pm
Lakeview Park, Port Clinton
Join in at the 2nd annual Pumpkins in the Park. Hosted by Port Clinton Candy Company, the event will be benefiting Island Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary and Champions for Children. This year’s event includes food trucks, craft vendors, pumpkin painting, tarot cards readings, music and more! A Halloween “egg” hunt will be held at noon for children 12 and under. Costumes are welcome and encouraged
Harvest Festival
Saturday, Oct 19, 2024
9 am-3 pm
Farmer Jones Farm Market, Huron
Live music, craft vendors, face painter, squash challenge, balloon creations, pumpkin painting, yard games and more! Visit the all-new corn maze challenges, plus farmyard games for all!
Sandusky Donut Fest
Saturday, Oct 19, 2024
11 am-1:30 pm
Cedar Point Sports Center, Sandusky
Sandusky Donut Fest is back! Walk the .5K "race" and taste donuts and beer from local vendors. Watch or join in on the donut-eating fun with three contests: professionals, amateurs, and first responders! This will be a unique event that promises to be full of fun and fundraising for Ability Works, a great local charity that strives to be the provider of choice for individuals with disabilities.
Brew-Haha
Saturday, Oct 19, 2024
1-5 pm
Milan Museum, Milan
The Milan Museum BREW-HAHA is back! Gates open at 1 pm with pours starting at 2 pm. Live music by Jeff Scott, MiCasa food truck, giveaways, limited-edition merchandise and much more! Tickets include a souvenir keepsake glass, 4 tasting tickets, and 1 pint ticket. Ticket sales and silent auction sales will help support community programming and projects and will help the museum continue to grow and thrive! This fundraiser will be a celebration of the 100+ years of brewing history.
The Wake at Round House Bar
Saturday, Oct 19, 2024
Round House Bar and Red Moon Speakeasy, Put-in-Bay
“The Wake” at the Round House Bar: A Unique End-of-Season Celebration. This unique event, now in its 35th year, symbolically mourns the end of another vibrant Put-in-Bay summer season. Guests are encouraged to dress in black to participate in the festivities, which include live music and a lively atmosphere. The Red Moon transforms into a Haunted Bar, offering a spooky journey through a season-ending casket display. The evening then continues at the Round House Bar for a night of cold drinks, live entertainment, and the iconic Put-in-Bay party atmosphere. Don’t miss this distinctive event that captures the spirit of Put-in-Bay. “The Wake” offers a blend of fun, nostalgia, and a unique way to bid farewell to the summer season.
Sandusky Witches' Walk 2024
Saturday, Oct 19, 2024
5-10 pm
Jackson Street Pier, Sandusky
Sandusky Witches Walk is celebrating 13 magical years! This year, they're brewing up something even more exciting! Join in at the Jackson Street Pier for a night of enchantment and wonder. It's going to be Pier Magic! One seriously lucky witch will win $2500! Enjoy mystical tunes throughout the evening with both live music choices and their DJ’s from Rock & Roll Express! Have their witchy shuttle drive you to 6 different enchanted stops! Taste the many potions available in their cauldron stop businesses. Show off your witchy finest in the largest costume contest in the area and see who will win The Golden Broom! Frolic through their magical local shops and the Enchanted Market! Be mesmerized by the street performers! And much, much more!
Midwest Crappie Alliance Sandusky Bay Expo
Thursday-Saturday, Oct 24-26, 2024
Thurs & Fri 12-8 pm; Sat 10 am-5pm
Free
Cedar Point Sports Center, Sandusky
This Expo is free so bring your families and friends. You won’t want to miss the Raffles and Prize Giveaways that will be happening daily. Vendors will have the top brands in the fishing industry. Items will include everything you need to be a successful angler and then some. There will also be nightly seminars for those interested in the "How To's".
The Garlic Fest at Mulberry Creek Herb Farm!
Saturday, Oct 26, 2024
10 am-5 pm
Free
Mulberry Creek Herb Farm will host "THE GARLIC FEST: a Celebration of Food & Wine," featuring food-focused local artisans in their century barn, delicious food trucks, and wine tastings. Tours of the wine & herb gardens and the wine cellar, where Mulberry Creek Winery offerings are made will be available along with garlic bulbs for sale, planting demonstrations, and using garlic classes.
Halloween at the Bay
Saturday, Oct 26, 2024
Put-in-Bay
Get ready for a spirited Halloween celebration! This event invites you to experience Halloween a little early, with a mix of spooky fun and festive excitement. The local taverns will be decorated in Halloween themes, and the downtown streets of Put-in-Bay will be filled with people in costumes. Join in for one of the final weekends of the season, where the island transforms into a Halloween haven, offering a unique and thrilling experience for visitors and locals alike.
Adult Trick or Treat
Saturday, Oct 26, 2024
6-9 pm
$30/per ticket
Gideon Owen Wine Co., Catawba
Get ready for a Halloween celebration like no other! An unforgettable night, as local vendors transform their Glasshouses into a spooky Halloween wonderland! They'll deck the space out with frightfully fun décor and offer candy and sneak peeks at what they're bringing to the Holiday Market in December! Enjoy a night filled with: Wine Tastings, Live Entertainment to keep the energy high, Spooky Cocktails to add to the thrill, and a Costume Contest with prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners! Join in for an unforgettable evening of Halloween fun, wine, and camaraderie. Purchase your tickets now to secure your place at this eerie event! They can't wait to see your costumes and celebrate with you!
Downtown Sandusky Ghost Walk
Saturday-Wednesday, Oct 26-30, 2024
5:30 pm
$10/person, cash only
Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center, Sandusky
Join Doug Hulett, paranormal investigator and local historian, on a 60-minute walking tour of downtown Sandusky. Hear the stories of curious sites, notable people, and of course, the paranormal! Tours are family-friendly. Easy walking distance. No reservation necessary, walk-ups welcome. Tour departs at 5:30 pm from Shores & Islands Ohio Welcome Center, Sandusky. Please arrive 15 minutes early and enjoy coffee, hot chocolate, and hot cider!
Pumpkin Palooza
Sunday, Oct 27, 2024
12-3 pm
Milan Museum, Milan
PUMPKIN PALOOZA 2024! IT’S BACK! Enjoy pumpkin decorating, pumpkin-themed games, costume contest, and much more. Watch the team from Ice Creations carve spooky, creepy and cool pumpkins. All activities are free! The costume contest begins at 1 pm for all ages! NEW for 2024 - Rock & Roll Express Photo Booth, sponsored by Croghan Colonial Bank!
Find more events and fun things to do in Shores & Islands Ohio this month by searching the Events Calendar!
