2024 Halloween events run the gamut in the Corridor

Devotees don’t wait until Oct. 31 to celebrate Halloween. Some have already started, and many will have the chance to get a jump-scare on the haunted holiday’s haunted attractions this week and in the coming days — and nights.

The Cedar Rapids lighted parade will wind its way through Czech Village and NewBo District from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Oct. 19, but road construction means the route will change up. Watch for updates in upcoming Hoopla news and at cedarrapidshalloweenparade.com/parade-info-1.

In the meantime, we’ve dug deep in the internet trenches to find the following events sure to have you shivering in anticipation.

Don’t see your event on this list? Add it under “Things to Do” at hooplanow.com.

Hauntings

The Deranged Haunted Attraction: 7 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 4 to 26, 102 Eighth St., Belle Plaine; $20, tickets only sold at door. Kids Haunt: 3:30 to 6 p.m. Oct. 27, lights on, no actors, special pricing. facebook.com/thederangedhauntedhouse

The 5th Realm: Continuing Oct. 4 to Nov. 2, First Avenue entrance inside Lindale Mall, 4444 First Ave NE, Cedar Rapids; 7 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sunday, beginning Oct. 13; 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, Saturday beginning Oct. 4. A clandestine operation obsessed with finding the secret to opening the portal to the 5th Realm captures a diver named Brooks, who discovered an ancient mystery at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. They believe Brooks and the secrets he discovered are key to opening the portal to the 5th Realm. But their experiments have not gone to plan, unleashing mutated horrors from the 5th Realm.; tickets and details, enterthe5threalm.com/

Scream Acres: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4 to 26, Bloomsbury Farm, 3260 69th St., Atkins. Haunted Cornfield, The Slaughterhouse, Sinister Silo 3D, Cell Block Z; also, Beer Garden for ages 21 and up; tickets and details, screamacrespark.com/

  Buy Photo

Circle of Ash: Oct. 4 to Nov. 1; various dates; weekday gates open 8 p.m., weekends open 7 p.m., Linn County Fairgrounds, 201 Central City Rd., Central City. Traditional indoor haunted house, walk-through fun house maze, haunted forest; $25 to $75 VIP; $5 more Oct. 19 and 26; $150 season pass; ticketsignup.io/TicketEvent/CircleofAsh

Midwest Haunted Rails: Oct. 11 to 26, 405 E. Threshers Rd., Mount Pleasant; $15, free ages 4 and under. Hours: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday; 6 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Family-friendly event. oldthreshers.org/midwest-haunted-rails/

Thrashers House of Terror: Oct. 3 to 31, 405 E. Threshers Rd., Mount Pleasant; $15 or $25 fast pass. Hours: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Thursday; 6 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday; kids under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. thrashershouseofterror.com/

Garrison’s Haunted: 7 to 11 p.m. Oct. 18, 19, 25, 26; Main Street, Garrison; $10. Fundraiser for Garrison Fire Department. garrisonshaunted.com/

Tunnel of Terror haunted car wash: 6 to 10 p.m. Oct. 26, 4035 First Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; $25. tommys-express.com/tunnel-of-terror/

A Haunting on Lincoln Avenue: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 19, Mathias Ham Historic Site, 2241 Lincoln Ave., Dubuque. Family friendly; $9 adults, $6 youths; registration encouraged at rivermuseum.org/events. Evening tours are sold out.

Recreation

The Great Green Halloween Costume Swap: Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W. Willman St., Hiawatha. To Oct. 10, drop off used costumes in good condition for kids and adults; return and pick up a new-to-you costume Oct. 11 to 21. hiawathapubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/11729647

Boo at the Barn: 1 to 3:30 p.m. Oct. 19, Miracles in Motion Therapeutic Equestrian Center, 2049 120th St. NW, Swisher; early access noon to 1 p.m. for people with sensory sensitivities. Free admission for spooktacular fun with the Miracles team and horses; crafts, games, treats, costumed horse parade; wear your Halloween costume, too. hooplanow.com/things-to-do/170572-boo-at-the-barn-miracles-in-motion-therapeutic-equestrian-center

Creepy Kid Zone: 4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 19, NewBo City Market, 1100 Third S. SE, Cedar Rapids; family costume contest 5 to 5:30 p.m.; cedarrapidshalloweenparade.com/events-schedule/

Not of This World Halloween Parade: 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. Oct. 19, NewBo/Czech Village District, Cedar Rapids; route altered due to construction; details at cedarrapidshalloweenparade.com/parade-info-1

Orchids are a Scream Show & Sale: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 19; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 20, Elks Lodge No. 251, 801 33rd Ave. SW, Cedar Rapids; free admission. Eastern Iowa Orchid Society’s Halloween-themed show; exhibits from orchid societies from around the Midwest and vendors selling orchids; easterniowaorchidsociety.org/our-orchid-show

Creep the Alley Walking Tours: 6 p.m. Oct. 22 and 29. History Center program meeting at Town Centre Plaza, Third Avenue and Third Street SE, Cedar Rapids; same tour led by Jenny Thielman both nights. Downtown alleys reveal a great deal of history about Cedar Rapids buildings — and they can be a little spooky, too. Explore the dark side of downtown architecture; includes stories of how alleys function as service and utility access, how they provided secret entrances for Prohibition era businesses as well as clever retail store designs; wear alley appropriate footwear; $8 public; $6 History Center members; historycenter.org/tours.

Spooky Hayrack Night: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 30, Ushers Ferry Historic Village, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE, Cedar Rapids; $10 residents, $11 non-residents, free ages 5 and under. Final fall hayrack night takes a Halloween twist. Event features a hayrack ride, children’s craft, s’mores and cocoa around the bonfire, and an after-dark tour with one of the village’s mysterious residents. Hear some of the rarely told stories and history of Ushers Ferry and Linn County. https://cms8.revize.com/revize/cedarrapids/Parks%20&%20Rec/Fall-2024-Play/Fall-2024-Ushers-Ferry.pdf

Ely Spooky Walk: 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 22, Ely Public Library, 1595 Dows St., Ely; free. Ely Public Library and the businesses along Dows Street will be handing out goodies to all the trick-or-treaters. Come into the library for treats and a Halloween-themed story walk. ely.lib.ia.us/events.

Friday Night Spooky Swim: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Bender Pool, 940 14th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids; $3, all ages, or pass. Receive a bag of treats as you leave; no preregistration required; cedar-rapids.org/residents/parks_and_recreation/bender_pool.php

Music & More

Happy Halloween with Orchestra Iowa Music School: 10 to 10:45 a.m. Oct. 24, Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W. Willman St., Hiawatha; free. Not-so-spooky music and movement for kids and their caregivers; hiawathapubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/11210861

Halloween Party with Winifred and the Undeads: 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 25, Amana Performing Arts Center, 39 38th Ave., Amana; free but donations accepted. The band sings classic rock and blues, as well as ghoulish party favorites such as “I Put a Spell on You,” “Monster Mash,” “Time Warp” and more. Also: fortune readings by Cherie the Great; face painting; costume contest at 8 p.m.; tkmtheatricalproductions.com/courses

Orchestra Iowa: The Music of Harry Potter: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26, Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Take a magical tour into the wizarding world of Harry Potter. Experience the thrill of adventure, the warmth of friendship, and the triumph of good with John Williams’ spellbinding music. Enjoy the charm as Orchestra Iowa performs favorites from the iconic film series; also featuring the Orchestra Iowa Discovery Youth Chorus; $32 to $68, artsiowa.com/tickets/concerts/harry-potter/

Pipe Screams: 6 p.m. Oct. 27, FaithLife Lutheran Church, 8300 C Ave. NE, Marion. Halloween-themed music; presented by River Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and Beethoven Club; free, costumes encouraged, treats follow.

Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics: 6:30 and 8:45 p.m. Oct. 29, the Midnight Gem, 2613 Ders Dr. NW, Swisher; mix of screen classics and chilling classical works; $32 to $55 only in advance; themidnightgem.com/

Programs

Spooky Legends of Linn County: 7 p.m. Oct. 18, The History Center, 800 Second Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Authentic Linn County ghost stories told by Darrin Crow; also campfires, s’mores and cocoa, Almost Famous Popcorn and cash bar available; outdoor event, bring a lawn chair; $5 general admission; historycenter.org/spooky

  Buy Photo

Jack Splat! 9:30 to 11 a.m. Nov. 2, Chauncey Swan Park, 405 E. Washington St., Iowa City. Don’t toss your jack-o'-lanterns in the garbage. Watch them being tossed by the Iowa Children’s Museum team from up high, off the northwest corner of the parking ramp next to the park; free. Drop off your ghoulish gourd in the park beginning at 9:15 a.m., then set up your blanket or lawn chair to watch. Stay for outdoor activities, sing-alongs, food from local food vendors. theicm.org/event/jack-splat/

Theater

Carrie: The Musical: To Oct. 13, Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third St. SE. Based on Stephen King’s 1974 debut novel, “Carrie: The Musical” follows a teenage outcast who longs to fit in. At school, she’s bullied by the popular crowd, and virtually invisible to everyone else. At home, she’s dominated by her loving but cruelly-controlling mother. What none of them know is that Carrie has just discovered she has a special power — and if pushed too far, she’s not afraid to use it. Times: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $27 to $59 adults; $27 students and youths; theatrecr.org/event/carrie-the-musical/2024-09-20/

Vintage Hitchcock: To Oct. 13, Giving Tree Theater, 752 10th St., Marion. Spies, murder, love, and other trademarks of Alfred Hitchcock come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast of the master of suspense’s earlier films. With “The Lodger,” “Sabotage” and “The 39 Steps,” this live radio play is a triple feature, complete with vintage commercials, that recreates a daring train chase, a serial killer’s ominous presence, and a devastating explosion — all through the magic of live sound effects. When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $23, givingtreetheater.com/

Lizzie: The Musical: Oct. 4 to 13, Iowa City Community Theatre at The James Theater, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City. Featuring four women fronting a six-piece rock band. Filled with rage, sex, betrayal and bloody murder, it’s an American mythology set to a blistering rock score with a sound owing less to Sondheim and Andrew Lloyd Webber than to Bikini Kill, the Runaways and Heart. When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $22 adults, $19 ages 13 to 18 and seniors; $14 ages 12 and under; iowacitycommunitytheatre.org/tickets/

Bawdy Horror: Bawdy Bawdy Ha Ha’s Halloween-themed burlesque and variety experience, 8 p.m. Oct. 19, The James Theater, 213 N. Gilbert St., Iowa City; $30 general admission; $50 VIP; thejamesic.com/

Monster Mash Murder Mystery Dinner: 6 p.m. Oct. 24, Ideal Theater and Bar, 213 16th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Come in character as your favorite monster and piece together clues to figure out which monster is the murderer at large. Immersive, all-ages experience from Graphically Novel Mysteries. Evening begins with cocktail hour; then several “acts” and scenes, full-course catered meal, ending with crowning of king or queen; $60. Open karaoke follows at 9 p.m. theidealtheaterandbar.com/show-calendar

Morbid Curiosities: An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26, Giving Tree Theater, 752 10th St., Marion. Iowa storyteller Darrin Crow will bring Gothic horror master Edgar Allan Poe to life from beyond the veil, to talk about his life and share his best stories and poetry. Tickets: $18, givingtreetheater.com/s/shop

Broadway at the Paramount: Shrek: The Musical: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 29, Paramount Theatre, 123 Third Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Based on the hit DreamWorks animated film, this fairy tale adventure is for all ages. The unlikely hero finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and the feisty Princess Fiona, who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and more than a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you have the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand, and his name is Shrek. Tickets: $58 to $88, creventslive.com/events/2024/shrekthemusical

Movies

Friday Family Fright Night: Market Yard, NewBo City Market, 1100 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids; gates open 4:30 p.m., movies begin at 6:45 p.m.; with balloon twisting, scary face painting, twisted spin art, costume contests; bring seating, snacks for sale inside the Market. “Aliens in the Attic,” Oct. 4; “Casper,” Oct. 11; cedarrapidshalloweenparade.com/events-schedule

Rocky Horror Picture Show: 11:59 p.m. Oct. 26, Englert Theatre, 221 E. Washington St., Iowa City; cult classic film; $25; prop bags provided, no outside movie props permitted; englert.org/events/

Disney’s Encanto, live-to-film sing-along concert: 6 p.m. Nov. 3, Hancher Auditorium, 141 E. Park Rd., Iowa City. Banda de la Casita will perform the film score live while the movie is shown on a big screen. Fans are encouraged to dress up as Mirabel, Luisa, Isabela, or any of their favorite characters from the film and to use their voices to transform Hancher into one big celebration of the Madrigal family. Adults $30 to $50; students and youths $15 to $25; hancher.uiowa.edu/2024-25/encanto

Kids/youths

Spooky Story Time: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 19, Ladd Library, 3750 Williams Blvd. SW, Cedar Rapids; free. Slightly spooky stories and songs in a Halloween vein. crlibrary.org/

Halloween at the Market: 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 26, Chauncey Swan Park, 415 E. Washington St., Iowa City. Trick-or-treat at the vendor tables, costume parade 10 a.m. north side of the Chauncey Swan parking garage; decorate a pumpkin to take home. Kids of all ages welcome. icgov.org/government/departments-and-divisions/parks-and-recreation/farmers-market

Mad Scientist Party: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 27, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, 350 E. Third St., Dubuque. Trick-or-treating, games, science experiments, music by the Americana Band, activities and crafts 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; register online for discounted admission of $18.95; tickets purchased on the day of the event will be regular general admission price; rivermuseum.org/events/mad-scientist-party-0

HalloWEEK: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 29 to Nov. 2; Iowa Children’s Museum, inside Coral Ridge Mall, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Suite 715, Coralville; not-too-scary Halloween activities for all ages; costumes encouraged, not required; included with museum admission; theicm.org/events/

Halloween Story Time: 10 to 10:30 a.m. Oct. 31, Hiawatha Public Library, 150 W. Willman St., Hiawatha; fun stories and do the Monster Boogie, then trick-or-treat inside the library; free, for kids and caregivers. hiawathapubliclibrary.libnet.info/event/11442913

Trick-or-Treat

Trunk or Treat at Unity Center: 3 to 4 p.m. Oct. 19, Unity Center, 3791 Blairs Ferry Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids. Treats and selfie/photo station. unitycr.org/events/trunk-or-treat/2024-10-19

Safe Halloween for Kids: 1 to 4 p.m. Oct. 20, Ushers Ferry, 5925 Seminole Valley Trl. NE, Cedar Rapids. Includes trick-or-treating, games, costume contests; $5, registration encouraged. https://cms8.revize.com/revize/cedarrapids/Parks%20&%20Rec/Fall-2024-Play/Fall-2024-Ushers-Ferry.pdf

Tanager Trunk or Treat: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 24, Tanager Place Estle Center, 1030 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Tanager and Eastern Iowa Health Centers' second annual celebration, with treats, decorated vehicles and booths, games and more. tanagerplace.org/event/2024-trunk-or-treat/

Strictly Teal Trunk or Treat: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 25, Guthridge Park, 10th Avenue parking lot, Hiawatha. Free non-food items for children and individuals with food allergies, special diets. facebook.com/events/1044950423319669/

El Kahir Shrine Trunk or Treat: 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 25, El Kahir Shrine, 905 Tower Terrace Rd., Hiawatha. Free and open to public; facebook.com/ElKahirShrine

Trunk or Treat at Good Shepherd: 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 26, Good Shepherd Ev. Lutheran Church, 2900 42nd St. NE, Cedar Rapids; free. Costumes welcome, not required; candy, bouncy slide, hot dogs; register at goodshepherdcorridor.org/trunk-or-treat.

319 Jeeps Club Trunk or Treat: 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26, First Avenue side of Lindale Mall, 4444 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids, across from Firestone. Free candy from decorated jeeps. lindalemall.com/event/319-Jeeps-Club-Trunk-or-Treat/2145584365/

Trunk or Treat: 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 26, parking lot, former Hy-Vee, 1556 First Ave. NE, Cedar Rapids. CAAP (Community Aid & Assistance Program) is partnering with Save US from US nonprofit organization and The Breakfast House for a family friendly, fun-filled evening. hooplanow.com/things-to-do/171056-trunk-or-treat-hy-vee

Trunk or Treat: 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 27, Christ Episcopal Church, 220 40th St. NE, Cedar Rapids. Partnering with Community Connections of Iowa and Kenwood Neighborhood Association, with treats and games. facebook.com/crconnections

Sensory Friendly Halloween: 6 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27, Iowa Children’s Museum, Coral Ridge Mall, 1451 Coral Ridge Ave., Coralville; free. Sensory-friendly activities in a calmer environment; costumes encouraged but not required. Look for “treat stations” throughout the museum; all treats will be small non-food items to avoid allergy concerns. Also: not-too-spooky Halloween activities. theicm.org/event/sensory-friendly-halloween/

Trunk or Treat: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30, St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 8300 C Ave., Marion, free, with treat cars in the parking lot; accepting non-perishable food donations for the Churches of Marion Food Pantry. faith-life.org/trunkortreat

Trick-or-Treat: 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 31, Marion City Hall, 1225 Sixth Ave., Marion; free. Children can dress up in their Halloween costumes and collect candy and other treats from staff on both floors at Marion City Hall. cityofmarion.org/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/16099/2087

Miscellaneous

Day of the Dead: Oct. 25 to Nov. 2, Mi Lindo Vallarta, 529 Fifth Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Celebration in which the people of Mexico build shrines of flowers and skulls made of sugar to honor their ancestors. The owners of the restaurant have assembled a ofrenda, or shrine, in the dining room and the public is welcome to come in costume or as they are and decorate a sugar skull in remembrance of their own loved ones past. Meet Flacco Arturo, the celebration's mascot skeleton, and find his miniature brothers and sisters, hidden throughout the restaurant, to win a prize. All children in costume receive a free bolsa dulces sweet treat. Sing along with the lively Day of the Dead music videos on the big screen and earn a spicy festive gift. For reservations: (319) 200-1515.

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com