Halloween
Events in Columbus 2026

Halloween 2026 Celebrations In Columbus

Columbus has plenty happening once Halloween season begins, with concerts, costume events, live performances and themed nights appearing across the city throughout October. You can catch electronic music at KEMBA Live!, hear Halloween classics performed by a string quartet, watch a sober drag show or dress up for a rock-focused costume party. Columbus also has events that lean into fantasy and pop culture, so the Halloween calendar is not limited to haunted houses and trick-or-treating. Whether you want live music, costumes or something theatrical, Halloween 2026 brings several different ways to spend October in Columbus.

Fun Things To Do In Columbus On Halloween 2026

Halloween activities in Columbus range from large live music shows to smaller themed performances. Electronic music fans can check out Haunted Fest, while a candlelit concert offers a quieter take on Halloween music. There is also an alcohol-free drag show, a rock costume party in nearby Worthington and a fantasy-inspired masquerade. The events below cover different dates throughout October, making it easier to find something that fits your Halloween plans.

1) 2026 Haunted Fest - Friday | KEMBA Live!

Electronic music takes over KEMBA Live! just before Halloween. Happening on October 30, 2026, 2026 Haunted Fest - Friday features it's murph, MPH, Twin Diplomacy and SKILAH at KEMBA Live! Outdoor. Doors open at 6 PM, with the event scheduled rain or shine, and all ages are welcome with a ticket. The combination of a Halloween-weekend date, outdoor festival setting and electronic lineup makes Haunted Fest one of the larger music-focused events on Columbus' October calendar.

2) Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | Columbus Museum of Art

Halloween music gets a calmer setting at the Columbus Museum of Art. Happening on October 25, 2026 at 6:30 PM, Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics presents familiar spooky-season music as live string arrangements surrounded by candlelight. The program includes music associated with Halloween, Beetlejuice, The Addams Family, Ghostbusters, Stranger Things and The Nightmare Before Christmas. The concert runs for about an hour and is open to guests ages eight and older, with younger attendees requiring an accompanying adult.

3) HALLOWEEN IN HELL COSTUME PARTY | The KING of CLUBS

Heavy music and Halloween costumes come together on Halloween night. Happening on October 31, 2026 at 6 PM, HALLOWEEN IN HELL COSTUME PARTY takes place at The KING of CLUBS in Worthington, just outside Columbus. The lineup includes Penntera, a Pantera tribute, Sanitarium, a Metallica tribute, along with XFactor1 and 8LB Pressure. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes, with prizes planned for standout looks. The event is listed as all ages with an accompanying adult, making it a live-music option for rock and metal fans during Halloween weekend.

4) HAUNTING THE HOUSE DOWN II: Columbus's Premier Sober Halloween Drag Show | Clintonville Books

For something theatrical and alcohol-free, head to Clintonville Books early in the month. Happening on October 3, 2026 from 7:30 PM to 10 PM, HAUNTING THE HOUSE DOWN II: Columbus's Premier Sober Halloween Drag Show brings a new Halloween-themed drag lineup to the bookstore. Performers include Hee Haw the Drag Donkey, Homer E. Rodick, Morte, Snot Rokette and Susan Starr, along with special guests. The event is 18+ and alcohol-free, giving adults a Halloween performance option built around drag, costumes and stage entertainment rather than nightlife.

5) The Butcher's Masquerade | Autonomy Project

Fantasy fans get a Halloween event inspired by Dungeon Crawler Carl. Happening on October 24, 2026 from 8 PM to 1 AM, The Butcher's Masquerade takes place at the Autonomy Project's Wicked Eden space on South High Street. The 21+ event is built around the fictional Butcher's Masquerade from the LitRPG series, with costumes, dancing, themed photo opportunities, a charity raffle and a costume contest. Guests can dress as characters from the books or choose dark fantasy, gothic or other Halloween-inspired looks. This is an adults-only event.

Best Places To Go For Halloween Celebrations In Columbus

Columbus is packed with haunted happenings each October every year, from frightening to family-friendly. Celebrate the spookiest time of year with night-time parades, haunted houses, spooky movies, ghost tours, pumpkin picking, and beyond.
Columbus has some fantastic venues that hosted Halloween events last year, find them below:

• 278 N Fifth St
• Echo Spirits Distilling Co.
• The Alibi Bourbon & Cocktail Lounge
• United Skates of America - Refugee Rd.
• P3 Magic Theater
• Taft's Brewpourium Columbus
• Howl at the Moon Columbus
• Lumin Sky Bar & Kitchen
• Franklinton Cycle Works
• Jury Room
• TownHall Short North
• Ace of Cups
• Rumba Cafe
• Fortress Obetz
• Skully's Music-Diner

Where Should I Go To Celebrate Halloween In Columbus?

The hardest part when celebrating Halloween in Columbus is to decide what to do since the choice is great!!! as there are so many Halloween events, ghost Parties, and things to do in Columbus during Halloween.
Columbus has some fantastic venues that hosted Halloween events last year, find them below:

• Art Series - Pumpkin Carving was hosted at The Alibi Bourbon & Cocktail Lounge.
• Haunted House Party was hosted at 2364 Cleveland Ave.
• Books & Boos (Kid Friendly Halloween Event) was hosted at Thurber Center.
• TownHall Short North Family Pumpkin Carving was hosted at TownHall Short North.
• Columbus Halloween Bar Crawl was hosted at Park Street Cantina.
• Blooming Pumpkin Floral Design Class @Le Meridian Columbus The Joseph was hosted at Le Meridian Columbus - The Joseph.
• HighBall Halloween 2023 was hosted at Short North Arts District - On High Street and W. Goodale Street.
• Yay Bikes! October Spooky Ride was hosted at Franklinton Cycle Works.
• Halloween at Howl at the Moon Columbus was hosted at Howl at the Moon Columbus.
• Bonfire & Boos (Adult Halloween Event) was hosted at Thurber House.
• Whiskey Business Halloween Special was hosted at The Jury Room.
• Halloween Mixology Class was hosted at Taft's Brewpourium Columbus.
• Spooky Boyz: A Sad Boyz Halloween Party! was hosted at Ace of Cups.
• Halloween Mixology was hosted at Taft's Brewing Company (Brewpourium Columbus).
• All Hallows' Eve was hosted at Ohio Village.