Your Guide to Halloween Events in Independence, Missouri
As a community, Independence knows how to do spooky season, and we do it well.
Don't believe us? Just take a peek at what's creeping into our October calendar. From paranormal investigations and haunted history tours to ghouls' nights, family-friendly fun and the annual Halloween Parade, we've got a full-month of Halloween fun.
Whether you're looking for a good scare, a little history, free candy for the kids or just an excuse to get dressed up in costumes, you'll find plenty of Halloween happenings in Independence.
Consider this your guide to spooky season. Make sure to plan and check back as we'll keep adding events as October gets closer.
*Please check individual event websites for ticket details, hours, and reservation information.
Paranormal Pursuit with Visit Independence
Sept 23 - Nov. 6 | Independence, Mo.
Explore the haunted history, chilling legends, and unexplained stories of Independence with Visit Independence's Paranormal Pursuit Passport - an interactive journey through places where history may still linger. Visit each location, check in along the way, earn points, and unlock prizes. Paranormal Pursuit is a limited-time passport.
Spooky Garden Workshop
Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. | Uptown Market
Create your own fall-focused miniature with spooky Halloween whimsy and cute fall pumpkin decorations. All supplies provided, along with Halloween treats to enjoy while you craft. Kids ages 8+ are welcome to come with parents. $15 per mini garden. Registration is required by Sept. 28.
Register for the Spooky Garden Workshop
Fall Farmers Market
Saturdays in Oct. | Independence Uptown Market
Shop local growers, bakers, and makers offering produce, baked goods, and handmade items. Plus, buy a pumpkin from one of our vendors and decorate it at our pumpkin decorating station during October. Farmers Markets are every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Let's Build - Spooky Edition
Oct. 7 & 21 at 3 p.m. | George Owens Nature Park
Put those imaginations to work! Kids are invited to the DeWitt Nature Center for a special October edition of Let's Build, where young builders can design and create with LEGOs. October features two spooky-themed sessions with a Halloween twist. Once the building is done, participants will display their creations until the next club meeting. Membership required. Drop-in is $2, or join for the year for $15 (residents) and $30 (non-residents).
Ghouls Night Out
Oct. 8 at 4 p.m. | Independence Square
This one is just for the ghoulies. Dress up with your ghoul-friends for a fun "girls' night out" filled with shopping, food, psychic readings, photo opportunities and more. Tickets are $12 in advance or $20 at the door.
Purchase Ghouls Night Out Tickets
Haunted Covered Wagon Ghost Tour
Starts Oct. 9 | Independence Square
Step into a covered wagon for a special spooky tour with stories of haunted houses and storefronts, and even hear a personal spiritual account from the Wagon Master. Starting on Oct. 9, tours run every Friday and Saturday in October at 6:45, 7:30, 8:15, or 9 p.m. Reservations are required and cost $20 per person.
Jail Haunted History Tours
Oct. 9 & 10, 16 & 17 | 1859 Jail Museum
Want to learn the darker side of the 1859 Jail? Join Jail staff and members of Paranormal Activity Investigators (P.A.I.) for a 90-minute evening tour featuring detailed accounts of paranormal reports, including deaths, hangings, and macabre experiences. Tours are for ages 13 and up.
Fungus Festival
Oct. 10 at 1 p.m. | George Owens Nature Park
Grab your family for a nature adventure at Fungus Festival. Learn how to find mushrooms and which ones are safe to eat. Kids can enjoy crafts and activities. Enjoy the afternoon of free mushroom fun or add a $10 guided hike through our nature trails to discover mushrooms growing at the park. The guided hike begins at 2 p.m. and requires registration by Oct. 3.
Register for Fungus Festival Guided Hike
Phantom Photoshoot at Spooky Mansion
Oct. 10 | Vaile Mansion
The Vaile Victorian Society in partnership with This Mortal Coil Photography, will offer Kansas City's Most Haunted Mansion Halloween Event, in memory of Caitlyn Freeman, on Saturday, Oct. 10 from 4-8 p.m. Your $75 session includes a 30-minute private photography appointment inside the Vaile Mansion to capture dramatic, hauntingly beautiful photos.
Englewood 3rd Friday Artwalk + Mystic Fair
Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. | Englewood Arts District
Stroll through galleries and shops, enjoy live performances, meet makers and artists, stop into the mini Mystic pop-up Fair at the WiNc Inclusion Center for readings, and purchase your own handmade glass pumpkin from local artists. Want to make your own glass pumpkin? Visit the Englewood Arts Center.
See the Englewood Business Association
Enchanted Forest
Oct. 16 & 17, 23 & 24 | George Owens Nature Park
Step into the Enchanted Forest for a mystical adventure. This family-friendly event brings fairy tales to life as you walk through our pumpkin-lit trails. Kids of all ages will enjoy this non-scary Halloween celebration, thanks to entertaining performances. Plus, a hayride at the end. Tickets required.
Macabre Tours
Oct. 16 & 17, 23 & 24 | Vaile Mansion
Step into the shadows of history this October at the Vaile Mansion, where elegance meets the eerie. The Macabre Victorian Tour invites visitors to explore the strange and unusual world of 19th-century dark tales. Tickets are $35.
Seniors Day Trip to Louisburg Cider Mill & Museum at Prairiefire
Oct. 21 at 8:45 a.m. | Palmer Center
Seniors enjoy a full day of fall fun. Tour the Louisburg Cider Mill, savor fresh cider and donuts, dine at Miss B's Cafe, and explore the wonders of the Museum at Prairiefire. Registration is due by Sept. 21. Tickets: $79
Palmer Center Day Trips
Spooky Skate
Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena
Free indoor trick-or-treating, haunted house, fun fair, bounce houses, bubble party and unlimited ice skating for $10.
Paranormal Investigations
Oct. 23 & 24, 30 & 31 | 1859 Jail Museum
Spend an evening in the 1859 Jail for a lights-out investigation. Jail staff will provide a quick history, then Paranormal Activity Investigators (P.A.I.) will share some guidelines for the night, and off you go. You may bring your own equipment. Tours are for ages 13 and up.
Halloween Toddler Town
Oct. 29 at 9:30 a.m. | Sermon Center
Toddlers and adults can dress up in costume for a Halloween-themed Toddler Town at the Sermon Center featuring candy, a costume contest, and coloring fun. Toddler Town is an indoor play program designed for families with children ages 5 and under. It costs just $3 per child and runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Seniors’ Trick-or-Treat & Candy BINGO
Oct 29 at 10:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. | Palmer Center
Halloween fun isn't just for the kids. Seniors are welcome to join in on some Halloween Trick-or-Treat Fun in the morning and Candy BINGO in the afternoon at the Palmer Center.
IPD Trunk-or-Treat
Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. | Uptown Market
Thousands of trick-or-treaters join the Independence Police Department for a night of trick-or-treating and a spooky, fun time at the Uptown Market. Beware - Families line up early, and the line can snake for blocks.
Seniors Costume Contest
Oct. 30 | Palmer Center
A festive day of Halloween fun at the Palmer Center featuring a Costume Contest just for Seniors.
Mahjong & Monsters (Sold Out)
Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. | Bingham-Waggoner Carriage House
Bring your friends for a spooky night of Mahjong, monsters, and Halloween fun at the Bingham-Waggoner Estate. Costumes are encouraged and rewarded with prizes for the best ones. The event starts at 6 p.m and registration is required.
The 78th Annual Independence Halloween Parade
Oct. 31 | Independence Square
Get ready for floats, music, costumes, candy and all the community spirit in the Independence Chamber of Commerce's 78th Annual Independence Halloween Parade. For this fall favorite tradition, you're invited to bring your chairs, crew, and your best costume and enjoy floats from school marching bands, community organizations, businesses, dance studios, fire trucks and other emergency vehicles, tractors, classic cars, and clever costumes.
Halloween Party & Monster Bash
Oct. 31 at 12 p.m. | Independence Center
Take the pressure off of nighttime trick-or-treating in the elements and bring your little goblins to a Dance Party & Monster Bash at the Independence Center. The Mall promises music, costumes, games, characters, and trick-or-treating.
These 2026 Halloween events in Independence, Missouri, offer something for everyone, from historic home tours to outdoor adventures, family activities, and local shopping. Bookmark this guide as you plan your October, and be sure to check event websites for updates, tickets, and weather-related changes.