The “nation’s most elaborate costume party” returns this weekend to bring haute couture and hallowed haunts to the Short North in Columbus.
With a vendor bazaar, live performances, a public costume contest and the main event, the Costume Couture Fashion Show, HighBall Halloween is back for its 18th year.
Presented by the Short North Alliance, the main HighBall Halloween event runs from 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, Oct. 25 on N. High Street from Goodale St. to Nationwide Blvd.
Six fashion designers have created collections of haunted high fashion to present to the public for the fashion show. Models will walk the runway from 9:30-11 p.m. before one design team will be crowned the 2025 HighBall champion.
In 2025, the fun extends both before and after the Saturday event.
Things kick off with a HighBall Halloween Pre-Party from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24 at Denmark on High, 463 N High St. 2nd floor.
The weekend will wrap up with a HighBall Halloween Recovery Brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 26 at Black Sheep, 1124 N. High St.
Meet the ‘Who’s Who’ of HighBall
Beyond the high fashion haunts, HighBall Halloween hosts include Columbus icon, Virginia West, and NBC4’s Matt Barnes and Joe Speir.
Designers include Aaron James, Andrew Shields, Que Jones and Steve Puhl Jr., Shiree Houf, Shelly Teed and Macy Cloer.
Houf, the event’s veteran designer and reigning champion, will return this year for her 14th time. In the week prior to unveiling her latest collection, she said it felt good to prepare for the 2025 runway as each year continues to get better.
Providing a teaser to her 2025 collection, Houf said this year her concept is a “bit unhinged.” It will celebrate wins and local sports pride, she said.
“It’s a really silly idea, and hopefully we’ll make people smile and laugh and enjoy themselves
As the event’s longest-participating designer, Houf encouraged younger designers to have fun and not be afraid to take risks.
“Make the mistakes and enjoy yourself,” she said. “A lot of times the things that you think, ‘Oh, nobody’s going to enjoy that,’ or people are like, ‘That’s like too crazy,’ are sometimes what makes you stand out and be unique, and people end up enjoying it.”
The upcoming VIP area has been updated this year, and the runway will be longer, Houf said.
For a full event lineup, visit HighBallColumbus.org/2025-event-schedule.
Info for the high-fashion Halloween party
Main event entrances are at the intersections of High St. and Goodale St. as well as High St. and Nationwide Blvd.
Attendees will first go through a security check, including a bag check, an ID check and a metal detector scan.
General admission is free for the rain-or-shine event. Guests can also purchase a Weekend Access Pass that provides access to discounted food and drink deals and exclusive access to the HighBall Halloween one-night speakeasy at Sacred Palm.
Tickets to the El Vaquero VIP party grant guests access to the Arnold Plaza at the Greater Columbus Convention Center for indoor restroom access and more.
All ticket purchases support the Short North Alliance.
While the main event is geared for adults, those under 18 are permitted to attend if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Tickets can be purchased through Oct. 25 on Eventbrite.
Reporter Sophia Veneziano may be reached at sveneziano@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: HighBall Halloween brings couture and costumes to downtown Columbus Oct. 25
Reporting by Sophia Veneziano, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
