Calling all ghosts and ghouls, Halloween is here.
This year, the annual Oct. 31 festivities fall on a Friday. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday in the greater Iowa City area, from trick-or-treating to spooky shows and other festive events.
When is trick-or-treating in Johnson County?
Here are the trick-or-treat times on Friday, Oct. 31 in the greater Iowa City area:
Halloween-themed events in Johnson County
Johnson County is filled with exciting events throughout the month of October. Here are some Halloween week and weekend events to check out for a scary good time.
HALLOweek for all ages
Tuesday to Friday: The Iowa Children’s Museum is celebrating Halloween with HalloWEEK. Bats, pumpkins, and more take over the exhibits during the spooky season. Families can check out special Halloween activities throughout the week, including a scarecrow build, a pumpkin scavenger hunt, and extra events on Halloween day. Costumes are encouraged but not required.
Downtown trick-or-treating in Iowa City
Tuesday: From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21, during the Iowa City Community School District’s no school day, kids and families of all ages can tour the downtown district to gather candy. Over 35 local businesses will be offering treats during the free event.
Spend a spooky night at the museum
Wednesday: Roam the Old Capitol Museum from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 for a spooky night. From docents spilling lore with a twist to the original Iowa House Chamber, where the Iowa Constitution was first drafted and signed, there is more than history to discover. The event is free to attend.
The revenge of Late Shift at the Grindhouse
Wednesday: Though FilmScene’s longstanding Late Shift at the Grindhouse happens every Wednesday, Halloween week is the perfect time to see a scary movie. The theater will screen “Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers” at 10 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29. The film follows Michael Myers after he survives a mine explosion thought to have killed him, but instead, he is still wreaking havoc. Tickets are available online and at the box office.
Spend Halloween with a variety of local bands
Friday: Wurst Impressions Sessions returns on Halloween night for its third installment. The mini-Halloween festival starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31. The concert includes a line-up of some of Iowa City’s favorite local bands, including Worst Impressions, Fishbait, Lady Igraine, Spirit Awake, Critical Mass, and Two Boyfriends. Costumes are highly encouraged, and brats will likely be available in the beer garden. Tickets to the show are available online and cost $13.06
FilmScene becomes FilmSCREAM for a night of frights
Friday: The screams will come from inside FilmScene at the ninth annual fright fest, FilmScream. The yearly 12-hour event screens low-budget B-movies, horror and gore-fests, and camp classics, including “Sugar Rot” and “The Church.” Tckets are available to purchase online and cost $35 for non-members, $25 for FilmScene members, and $20 for University of Iowa students.
The evening, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 31, includes six films, trailers, short films, and vintage advertisements.
Tickets include free Fix! Coffee, complimentary breakfast, a commemorative keepsake, midnight pizza, drink, snack deals and prizes. Guests are encouraged to bring a sleeping bag and pillow, though free movie passes will be given to those who make it through the whole night.
Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and education reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @rishjessica_
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Iowa City Halloween guide, trick-or-treat times and themed events in Johnson County
Reporting by Jessica Rish, Iowa City Press-Citizen / Iowa City Press-Citizen
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