Eureka Springs, Arkansas Is Where Ghosts, Ghouls, And Goblins Roam Free This Halloween
Halloween in Eureka Springs transforms the charming Victorian town into a spooky wonderland where the supernatural feels startlingly real.
Nestled in the Ozark Mountains, this historic Arkansas gem combines natural beauty with spine-tingling legends and ghostly tales.
Whether you crave haunted hotels, costume contests, or cemetery tours, Eureka Springs delivers frightful fun for thrill-seekers of all ages.
1. Zombie Crawl
Picture hundreds of people shuffling through Victorian streets covered in fake blood and tattered clothes. Participants dress up as the undead and stumble through downtown in one massive, moaning horde.
Anyone can join the fun by showing up in zombie makeup and joining the crowd. Prizes go to the most creative, scariest, and most convincing walkers who truly embrace their inner brain-eater!
2. Thorncrown Chapel
Glass walls soar 48 feet high, creating a stunning sanctuary nestled deep in the Ozark woods. Sunlight filters through 425 windows, making you feel like you are floating among the trees.
While not traditionally spooky, visiting during October adds an eerie beauty to the experience. Fallen leaves and misty mornings give the chapel a hauntingly peaceful atmosphere perfect for reflection.
3. Halloween Bash and Costume Contest
Get ready to show off your most creative costume at one of the biggest Halloween parties in town. Local venues host competitions where participants strut their stuff for prizes and bragging rights.
Categories range from scariest to most original, so every costume has a chance to shine. Live music, dancing, and themed drinks keep the party going late into the spooky night!
4. Crescent Hotel
America’s most haunted hotel sits majestically on a hilltop, watching over the town below. Built in 1886, the building served as a hospital run by a fake doctor who performed questionable treatments.
Ghost tours take brave visitors through creepy hallways where spirits supposedly still roam. Room 218 is especially active, with guests reporting mysterious footsteps and moving objects throughout the night.
5. Harvest Witch Festival
Witches of all kinds gather to celebrate magic, mystery, and the changing seasons. Vendors sell crystals, tarot cards, handmade potions, and spellbinding crafts perfect for Halloween enthusiasts.
Live entertainment includes psychic readings, witch fashion shows, and educational workshops on folklore and mythology. Families enjoy kid-friendly activities while adults explore the mystical marketplace and embrace their inner sorceress!
6. Downtown Eureka Springs
Winding streets lined with Victorian buildings create the perfect backdrop for Halloween festivities. Historic storefronts transform into haunted displays with cobwebs, skeletons, and glowing jack-o-lanterns.
Quirky shops sell everything from handmade jewelry to vintage treasures and spooky souvenirs. Street performers, live music, and outdoor cafes make wandering the hilly sidewalks an adventure worth every step!
7. Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge
Big cats prowl through spacious habitats at this rescue sanctuary dedicated to saving abused and abandoned animals. Tigers, lions, leopards, and bears find safe homes after being rescued from bad situations.
Special Halloween tours let visitors learn about these magnificent creatures while supporting their care. Watching powerful predators up close adds a thrilling, wild element to your spooky season adventures!
8. Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treat
Kids dressed as superheroes, princesses, and monsters march through town in a colorful procession. Families line the streets, cheering and tossing candy to excited trick-or-treaters of all ages.
Local businesses welcome costumed children inside for treats and special surprises. The parade creates a safe, fun environment where everyone celebrates together and makes lasting Halloween memories in small-town style!
9. Nightmare in the Ozarks Film Festival
Horror movie lovers gather to watch independent and classic scary films on the big screen. Filmmakers showcase their creepiest creations, from psychological thrillers to gory monster flicks.
Panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and special effects demonstrations give fans behind-the-scenes access to the horror industry. Late-night screenings and themed events make this festival a must-attend for serious fright film fanatics!
10. Voices from Eureka’s Silent City Cemetery
Actors in period costumes bring cemetery residents back to life through dramatic storytelling. Visitors walk among weathered tombstones while performers share true tales of the people buried beneath.
Local historians research each person’s story, revealing fascinating details about early settlers and town characters. The experience blends education with entertainment, making history feel personal and surprisingly moving under the moonlight!
