7 Kooky Ways to Have an Alternative Halloween
May 3, 2019
We all wish we could still go door to door, demanding free Halloween candy. But, sadly, those days are behind us, and while we must all mourn their passing, there’s now the opportunity to do something much more interesting. From glittering and ghoulish parades to themed races and even spooky events for your furry friends, these seven Halloween alternatives are a great way to celebrate the season.
1. GREAT JACK O’LANTERN BLAZE, NEW YORK (9/28-11-24): Trust us: This event is worth a visit. Along the riverside near Van Cortlandt Manor in Hudson Valley, there will be more than 7,000 creatively carved and glowing pumpkins. And that’s not all, either. There are snacks and treats (including candy apples and popcorn, of course) and a Pumpkin Planetarium.
2. BROADWAY HALLOWEEN PARADE, DENVER (10/20): Stretching from 5th to Alameda along Broadway, this freaky event features music, floats and, of course, outrageous costumes. All the family is welcome, and the fun starts at 6 p.m. Look out for the marching bands and dancers, and enjoy this special and alternative Halloween.
Image courtesy of Broadway Parade
3. MADAME MORBID’S TROLLEY TOUR, NEW YORK (10/31): OK, so it’s a tour, and that’s hardly an unusual thing to do on Halloween—but we bet you haven’t been on a tour like this one.. Ride a 22-seat, turn-of-the-century trolley, complete with chandeliers, while “morbidologists” describe Brooklyn’s gruesome history, from alien abductions to gory fights and notorious murders taking place as far back as 400 years ago.
Image courtesy of Madame Morbid
4. 17TH STREET HIGH HEEL RACE, WASHINGTON D.C. (10/30): Head on down to this Dupont Circle neighborhood for a rowdy, totally original Halloween spectacle. It’s a quarter-mile race in which participants kitted out in killer heels—most of them in full drag—compete to be crowned the winner.
5. HALLOWEEN PET PARADE, SEATTLE (10/21): Volunteer Park is hosting a Halloween parade this year, but don’t get your costume on just yet: this event is for your pet. Win prizes, eat at a food truck and do much more—all against a weird and wonderful backdrop of animals in crazy outfits.
Image courtesy of Volunteer Park Trust
6. HALLOWEEN HIGHWAY 5K, SAN FRANCISCO (10/28): More interested in cardio than candy? Then this event is for you! San Francisco is hosting a 5K running race along the Great Highway bike path. Come dressed to impress (or at least to scare) and take part in this freaky frolic.
Image courtesy of Robert Campbell, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Wikicommons
7. ORGAN EXTRAVAGANZA, PHILADELPHIA (10/27): Who said Halloween and high culture couldn’t go together? The Verizon Hall hosts its annual celebration of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ with a spectacular and spine-tingling show. And when the concert ends, you’ll be invited to lie down on the stage and experience the awesomeness of the instrument so uniquely suited to Halloween.
Image courtesy of Pete Checchia / Philadelphia Orchestra
1. GREAT JACK O’LANTERN BLAZE, NEW YORK (9/28-11-24): Trust us: This event is worth a visit. Along the riverside near Van Cortlandt Manor in Hudson Valley, there will be more than 7,000 creatively carved and glowing pumpkins. And that’s not all, either. There are snacks and treats (including candy apples and popcorn, of course) and a Pumpkin Planetarium.
2. BROADWAY HALLOWEEN PARADE, DENVER (10/20): Stretching from 5th to Alameda along Broadway, this freaky event features music, floats and, of course, outrageous costumes. All the family is welcome, and the fun starts at 6 p.m. Look out for the marching bands and dancers, and enjoy this special and alternative Halloween.
Image courtesy of Broadway Parade
3. MADAME MORBID’S TROLLEY TOUR, NEW YORK (10/31): OK, so it’s a tour, and that’s hardly an unusual thing to do on Halloween—but we bet you haven’t been on a tour like this one.. Ride a 22-seat, turn-of-the-century trolley, complete with chandeliers, while “morbidologists” describe Brooklyn’s gruesome history, from alien abductions to gory fights and notorious murders taking place as far back as 400 years ago.
Image courtesy of Madame Morbid
4. 17TH STREET HIGH HEEL RACE, WASHINGTON D.C. (10/30): Head on down to this Dupont Circle neighborhood for a rowdy, totally original Halloween spectacle. It’s a quarter-mile race in which participants kitted out in killer heels—most of them in full drag—compete to be crowned the winner.
5. HALLOWEEN PET PARADE, SEATTLE (10/21): Volunteer Park is hosting a Halloween parade this year, but don’t get your costume on just yet: this event is for your pet. Win prizes, eat at a food truck and do much more—all against a weird and wonderful backdrop of animals in crazy outfits.
Image courtesy of Volunteer Park Trust
6. HALLOWEEN HIGHWAY 5K, SAN FRANCISCO (10/28): More interested in cardio than candy? Then this event is for you! San Francisco is hosting a 5K running race along the Great Highway bike path. Come dressed to impress (or at least to scare) and take part in this freaky frolic.
Image courtesy of Robert Campbell, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Wikicommons
7. ORGAN EXTRAVAGANZA, PHILADELPHIA (10/27): Who said Halloween and high culture couldn’t go together? The Verizon Hall hosts its annual celebration of the Fred J. Cooper Memorial Organ with a spectacular and spine-tingling show. And when the concert ends, you’ll be invited to lie down on the stage and experience the awesomeness of the instrument so uniquely suited to Halloween.
Image courtesy of Pete Checchia / Philadelphia Orchestra
