Halloween has always been one of my favorites. It’s fun to see the costumes, eat candy and enjoy in some spooky thrills.
You’ll find lots of Halloween spirit at the many pumpkin patches in Columbus but there are lots of other places this year that decorated for Halloween. Several local communities are going all out with scarecrows across the city, glowing pumpkins, mazes and more! Bonus: many of these are free.
Halloween Decorations Around Columbus
Minion Hunt in Grove City
Minion Hunt in Grove City: Don’t miss the new 2020 Minion Hunt in historic Town Center. Search for 10 costumed minions hidden among the buildings.
Scarecrow Spooktacular in Hilliard
Scarecrow Spooktacular: There are a bunch of businesses, organizations and schools participating in this scarecrow contest. These will be on display from October 9 – November 1. Download the map here so you know where to visit: scarecrow map
There’s lots of other Halloween fun happening in Hilliard. See below for more information.
Pumpkin Patchport Trail
Pumpkin Patchport Trail: Pick up a patchport at a participating local business in Hilliard, or print one here: pumpkin patchport. Look for the “Pumpkin Patchport” sticker on the window of participating businesses and go inside to find a decorated pumpkin, get your passport stamped and receive a treat. (It says on the website you get a treat but we went to a few businesses and weren’t given anything.Tthe kids were still excited to collect the stamps.) This is going on from October 1 – October 31, 2020.
2020 Trail of Scarecrows
2020 Trail of Scarecrows: Fairfield County has been named “The Scarecrow Capital of Ohio” and there are 14 communities throughout the county displaying scarecrows. There are almost 300 on display. Use the link to get a map of where to visit.
Westerville Public Library
Hilda the Dragon: Check for updates on the Westerville Public Library Instagram page to learn when Hilda the Dragon will officially be roaring and smoking. Hilda is perched on top of the library and is wearing a mask this year. Stop by between now and October 31.
Celebrity Pumpkin
Paras Pumpkins: Each year local artist, Jeanette Paras paints a HUGE celebrity pumpkin (or two) and puts it on her front porch in Dublin. My children and I look forward to seeing this display. The decorated pumpkin always makes National news! (The pumpkin isn’t on display yet as of the date this post was published, but use the link to check their Instagram page for an update.) In the past the pumpkin has stayed up through the Christmas season or as long as the pumpkin will last.
Harvest Blooms & Pumpkins Aglow
Harvest Blooms: During the day you can stroll around Franklin Park Conservatory to see the spectacular pumpkin house and other colorful displays.
Pumpkins Aglow: On select nights (October 14 – 18 and October 21 – 25) enjoy the magic of the Halloween season under the stars. Pumpkins will be glowing and seasonal horticulture displays will be out for guests to enjoy.
Be sure to review the ticketing information.
Read about why one mom on our writing team loves Franklin Park Conservatory.
Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo: This is a yearly tradition for so many. Boo at the Zoo is happening three weekends this year. Special regions will be dressed up for this spooky kooky holiday! There are lots of Halloween decorations spread out throughout the zoo and so many great picture opportunities.
The Great Westerville Pumpkin Glow
Pumpkin Glow: This is the community’s newest fall favorite tradition with a twist! Westerville Parks and Recreation will present the Glow as a drive-thru experience with thousands of carved pumpkins. The cost is $15 per vehicle. This occurs on October 21 – October 25 and October 28 – November 1, 2020.
Spooktacular in Dublin
Spooktacular: Dublin has changed up their popular event this year so be sure to use the links to read about the new offerings. The dates are October 27 – October 30 from dusk until dawn.
Check out the Spooktacular Map to see the activities available at Coffman Park. There’s a Storybook Walk featuring the book If You’re Scary and You Know It, Pumpkin Sign Hunt, and a Hay Maze.
For Dublin residents and Dublin school district residents only there is a haunted trail that you must pre-register to walk through.
Spirit Halloween
Spirit Halloween: I’m not sure if all of the locations are decked out for Halloween but I have visited the store on Sawmill Road in Dublin next to Target and there’s lots of spooky fun inside. There are numerous interactive displays that make noises and move.
Hoover Gardens and Gift Shop
Hoover Gardens and Gift Shop: There’s a little haunted maze her for the kids and Halloween decor to purchase at the gift shop.
Houses Decorated for Halloween
If you know of neighborhoods or houses that have gone all out on Halloween decorations, let us know in the comments!
If you are in Dublin, be sure to stop by 2691 Sawmill Meadows Ave. to see an elaborate yard display. We took a ride around a few streets in the neighborhood and there were several other houses with skeletons and other Halloween decor in their front yards.
House in Dublin
Road Trip Ideas
Pumpkin Glow at Caesar Ford Park
Nelsonville Halloween Train Ride
There are still several Trunk-or-Treating and Trick-or-Treating events happening this year. Check out the list: Trick-or-Treating Events
Have a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween season!!
