(Like our photo? It’s from BPT’s Inaugural Greatest Pumpkin Contest. See all of the pumpkin art on our Instagram.)

Halloween creeps up on you. One minute it’s September and then the next, you’re sifting through cat ears in the store’s picked-over seasonal aisle, searching for accessories to make a last-minute costume.

We curated a list of 11 Halloween events, so if you’re a procrastinator, you can still get in on the fun. But hurry, a lot of these events are expected to sell out.

Ghost Hunts and Haunts

Go on a hunt, stay in a haunted prison or even have a meal among the spirits.

1. The 76 Ghost Hunt

The ’76 House is New York’s oldest tavern, which is good because according to ghost math, the older it is, the more ghosts it will have. According to the event description, “full blown apparitions have been experienced and witnessed coming from rooms.” This event includes a three-course meal in the executioner’s room and a psychic medium.

2. White Hill Mansion Ghost Hunt

Known as one of the most “active” location in the Northeast, a ghost hunting ticket includes exclusive overnight access to the most haunted areas of the mansion, group séances and ghost hunting vigils, plus a hunt with an experienced ghost hunting team and their pro equipment.

Costume Parties

Find a Halloween party and dance the night away with Mario and Luigi, a giant peanut butter and jelly, and whatever the trendy costume is for 2019.

3. Masquerade Macabre

Live music, dancing, revelry, all with the coolest theme ever, Ghost Town on the Oregon Trail. Come in dressed in Old West and get ready to play an immersive version of the retro game.

4. Halloween Ball

Who doesn’t love a Halloween Ball? This one features interactive horror rooms, live performance stages and stars Trixie Mattel of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

5. Vampire Ball

Chicago vampires, this is your night and your event. Enjoy a cocktail hour, followed by a pageant where you will get to vote on the Queen Vampire, and then dance at the epic coronation party once the winner is announced.

Halloween Shows

Halloween is rife with folklore, elaborate costumes, scares and thrills, and that makes for amazing performances.

6. Devil in the Deep Blue Sea

This show explores ghastly tales from the deep blue, merging contemporary circus, giant puppets, theatre, and dance to create a truly immersive experience. “A chosen few guests will find themselves entangled in the evening’s festivities, lured into the mire and transformed into unsuspecting participants in the epic tales unfolding before them.”

7. Night of the Living Dead, a Radio Play

If you prefer ghouls to ghosts,
check out Night of the Living Dead, a radio play. Kentucky Shakespeare
recreates an in-studio performance of the tale in front of live audiences.
Chilling!

8. Quarantine: Phantasmagoria

The audience is part of the action at this live performance and art installation. Quarantine has a gothic-horror theme this year, perfect for Halloween.

Family-Friendly Halloween Events

Some events are too scary for the little pumpkins or (let’s be real) the adults. But a tame Halloween doesn’t mean a lame Halloween. Try these events if you’re in search of family-friendly activities.

9. Halloween Planter Workshop

Make your own spooky cement planters—choice of pumpkin or skull, of the steps explained to create a long-lasting piece of your own.

10. KatieMade Spooky Cookie Decorating

Ice some sweet treats. Learn how to make beautiful hand-iced sugar cookies and then take home your creations.

11. Nightmare at Beaver Lake

This crowd-pleasing Haunted House offers a terrifying full scare and a toned-down version for the little ones.

Didn’t find something in your town? This is just the scary start of it. Search for Halloween events on Brown Paper Tickets.