Halloween events, activities still on despite virus
Here’s the bad news: many familiar Halloween events won’t happen this year. Wickedly Whiting, A Haunting in Hammond, Hessville Zombie Crawl — all canceled, thanks to COVID-19.
But here’s the good news: towns in Northwest Indiana are trying their best to make Halloween happen this year. There will be drive-through trunk or treating, events with a limited capacity, ghost tours and showings of scary movies. While the times we live in are actually scary, it’s nice to take a break with some Halloween fun. We’ve done our best to round up some spooky-fun events near you, but make sure you call or check the website or Facebook page as things can change quickly.
Cedar Lake
Haunted Forest: 7-10 p.m. Oct. 16-17, Oct. 23-24, and Oct. 30-31 at 13039 Wicker Ave., behind the Knights of Columbus Hall. $9. 219-232-6091; haunted forestnwi.com.
Chesterton
Cemetery Ghost Hunt: 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Val’s Famous Pizza, 112 S. 11th St. $21. 219-714-3761; chaos trips.com.
Dark Shores Haunted Bus Tour: 7 p.m. Oct. 16 departing from the visitors center, 1420 Munson Road. $39. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com/tours.
Crown Point
South Lake County Haunted Bus Tour: 7 p.m. Oct. 9 and 23, departing from the Old Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square. $39. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com/tours.
Crown Antique Mall Spooktacular: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 10 at Crown Antique Mall, 545 E. 110th Ave. Free. 219-779-9767;
Facebook. Outdoor vendors, costume contest, live band, candy and more.
Lake County Chiller Haunted Bus Tours: 7-11 p.m. Oct. 10, Oct. 17 and
Oct. 24, departing from the Old Courthouse, 1 Courthouse Square. $39. 219-7143761; chaostrips.com/tours.
Haunted Walking Tour of Crown Point: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 at Crown Point Courthouse Square, 1 Courthouse Square. $16.50. 219-7143761; eventbrite.com.
Midnight Tour of Crown Point Jail: 11:55 p.m. Oct. 17 at Crown Point Jail, 226 S. Main St. $43. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
East Chicago
Drive Through Trunk or Treat: 5-8 p.m. Oct. 30 at Carrie Gosch’s parking lot, 4001 Indianapolis Blvd. Free. Must have East Chicago ID. 219-391-8300; eastchicago.com.
Hammond Drive-Through Trunk or Treat:
5-7 p.m. (or while supplies last) Oct. 30 at Hammond Sports Plex, 6630 Indianapolis Blvd. Free. 219-853-7660; hc3hessville.org.
Highland
Trunk or Treat: 2-5 p.m. Oct. 24 at Main Square Park, 3001 Ridge Road. Free. 219-972-7598; Facebook.
Hobart
Halloween Bash with tributes to Aerosmith and Lynyrd Skynyrd: 7-11:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Hobart Art Theatre, 203 Main St. $10; $15 day of show. 219-942-1670; Facebook.
La Porte
Halloween Family Fun Night: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 30 at La Porte Branch YMCA, 901 Michigan Ave. Free. 219-325-9622; lpymca.org
Lake Station
Haunted Hills Hospital Haunted House Kid’s Days: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 at 4700 Central Ave. $5. 219-241-9498; hauntedhillshospital.com.
Michigan City
Halloween Trunk or Treat: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 29 at the La Porte County Family YMCA Michigan City Elston Branch, 1202 Spring St. Free. 219-221-4055; lpymca.org.
Munster
A Walk in the Woods: 7-9 p.m. Oct. 22 at Bieker Woods Nature Area, 1050 Ridge Road. $1. 219-8366900; www.munster.org. Stroll through Bieker Woods and view the pumpkin carvings of residents and groups for a luminous nighttime experience.
Portage
Haunted Hayrides: 6:30-9:30 p.m. Oct. 22-24 at Woodland Park, 2100 Willowcreek Road. $3. 219-7621675; Facebook.
Schererville
Spiders in the Park — “Arachnophobia”: 5 p.m. Oct. 16 at Peter G. Redar Park,1722 S. Park Ave. Free. 219-865-5530; Facebook. This event will feature food trucks, crafters and the movie.
Halloween House Decorating Contest: Oct. 22-31. Register by Oct. 19 at schererville.org; $5 to enter. 219-322-2211; Facebook.
Halloween Stories and Campfire: 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28 at Schererville Community Center, 500 E. Joliet St. Free. 219-865-5530; Facebook. Listen to spooky tales around the glow of a camp
fire, led by Cindy Horgash and the Northwest Indiana Storytelling Guild. Bring your own lawn chairs and blankets.
Monster House Mash: 6-9 p.m. Oct. 30 at Schererville Community Center, 500 E. Joliet St. $30 resident; $36 non-resident. Register at schererville.org. 219-865-5530; Facebook. Decorate a gingerbread cookie graveyard, enjoy pizza and hot chocolate and watch the movie “Monster House” on the big screen.
Valparaiso
Walking Haunted Pub Crawl: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10, 17 and 24 at The Franklin House, 68 S. Campbell St. $20. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com.
Porter County Terrors Haunted Bus Tour: 7-11 p.m. Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 at 153 S. Franklin St. $39. 219-714-3761; chaostrips.com/tours. This tour stops inside Val’s Famous Pizza in Chesteron.
Haunted Hayrides by ABATE: 6:30-10 p.m. Oct. 23-24 at Sunset Hill Farm County Park, 775 N. Meridian Road. $10; children 6 and under free with adult. 219-851-0980; registration.abate online.org.
Whiting Ghost Walk:
5:30-8:30 p.m. Oct. 24 in downtown Whiting. $5; must register online. 219-659-0292; wrchamber.com. This hour and half, mile-long walk is wheelchair accessible and open to all ages. Storytellers will keep you on edge as they weave tales.