Halloween Guide for Milwaukee Families 2025

Your family's ultimate resource for Halloween fun in Milwaukee and especially the north shore suburbs - featuring trick-or-treating schedules, pumpkin patches, family attractions, indoor alternatives, and community events.

Trick-or-Treating 2025

Sunday, October 26, 2025:

• Most North Shore Suburbs: 1:00-4:00 PM (Bayside, Brown Deer, Fox Point, Glendale, Shorewood, Whitefish Bay)

• Mequon: 4:00-7:00 PM

• Safety tip: Look for porch lights to identify participating homes

🎃 Halloween Events & Festivals

Whitefish Bay's Great Pumpkin Festival

October 22-25, 2025 | 6:00-9:00 PM nightly 📍 Old School House Park, 5445 N. Marlborough Drive, Whitefish Bay 💰 FREE | 👪 All ages

• Pick up pumpkins for carving, return for illuminated display

• Live music each night with local food vendors

• 18-year community tradition featuring hundreds of carved pumpkins

Halloween Village & Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee

October 12-31 (Village) | October 26, 11 AM-2 PM (Jubilee) 📍 Baird Community Commons, 400 W. Wisconsin Avenue 💰 FREE | 👪 Perfect for toddlers through school-age

• Village: 12-foot illuminated pumpkin walkthrough, interactive displays

• Jubilee: Free pumpkins (first 400), decorating, face painting, balloon art

Bayshore BOOgie Bash & Costume Contest

Late October 2025 (date TBD) 📍 The Yard at Bayshore, 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale 💰 FREE | 👪 All ages, especially toddlers

• Costume contests with fairytale princesses

• Giant robots, laser shows, food trucks

• Specifically designed as "not-so-scary" family event

Pumpkin Patches & Fall Festivals

Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Farm

September 26 - October 27 | Friday-Sunday, 10 AM-5 PM 📍 9612 West Oakwood Road, Franklin (15 miles south) 💰 $10 per person (children 2 & under free) 🎪 20+ activities included: Giant jump pad, corn maze, pedal cars, pumpkin bowling, farm animals 🎭 NEW 2025: Pet Costume Contest daily at 1 PM, Tug of War, Giant Connect Four

Lindner's Pumpkin Farm

Opens September 13 | Daily 10 AM-6 PM 📍 New Berlin (10 miles west, 15-20 minutes) 🎪 Pumpkin picking, corn maze, petting zoo, seasonal crafts

Honey Creek Orchard

September 6 through mid-November 📍 8210 Pioneer Road, Cedarburg (25 miles north) 💰 $10 admission | 🍎 Separate fee for apple picking 🎪 75+ apple varieties, Western Town, farm animals, corn maze 🍯 On-site bakery with fresh apple cider donuts

Basse's Farms

September 20 - October 31 📍 190 County Line Q, Colgate (25 miles northwest) 💰 Varies by day | 💳 CASHLESS ONLY 🎪 8-acre corn maze, jumping pillows, ropes course, arcade games, animal shows

Elegant Farmer Autumn Harvest Festival

September 6 - October 26 (weekends only) 📍 1545 Main Street, Mukwonago (30 miles southwest) 💰 FREE admission | Individual activities $5-25 🎪 5-acre corn maze, apple picking, hayrides, famous "Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag" ⚠️ Note: Outhouses only, no indoor restrooms

Related: Our full pumpkin picking guide to Milwaukee

Museums & Attractions

Milwaukee County Zoo - Boo at the Zoo

October 17-19 AND October 24-26 | 5:30-9:00 PM 📍 10001 W. Bluemound Road 💰 Adults $17, Children 3-12 $15, Under 2 free (parking included) 👪 All ages - "merry not scary" design 🎪 Trick-or-Treat Trail, live pumpkin carving, light shows, animal encounters 📝 BOOK EARLY: Pre-purchase required online - often sells out

Milwaukee Public Museum - Halloween Hauntings

October 24-25, 2025 📍 800 West Wells Street 💰 FREE - Members only event 👪 All ages welcome, costumes encouraged 🎪 Trick-or-treat through exhibits, animal encounters, ghost stories, crafts 📞 Reservations required: (414) 278-2728

Betty Brinn Children's Museum - Betty BOO's Spooktacular

Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 9:00 AM-4:30 PM 📍 929 E Wisconsin Avenue 👪 Ages 2-8 (museum's target demographic) 🎪 Live reptiles/insects, glow-in-the-dark slime making, costume parade, scavenger hunt 📝 Special event ticket required - advance online purchase recommended

Discovery World Halloween Programming

📍 500 N Harbor Drive 🎪 Members' Night with trick-or-treating, costume contest, all exhibits open 📞 (414) 765-9966 for current programming details

Family-Friendly Haunted Attractions

The Hill Has Eyes - Not So Scary Halloween Party

Sundays in October | 2:30-4:45 PM 📍 7005 S. Ballpark Drive, Franklin 💰 $45 bundle with Milky Way Drive-In 👪 Ages 8+ recommended, all ages welcome 🎪 Guided actor tours through toned-down attractions, trick-or-treating

Nine Below Haunted Mini Golf

October 3 - November 1 📍 1905 E. North Avenue 👪 Family-Friendly: Sundays 12-7 PM (no live actors) 💰 Walk-in: $20-30, VIP Skip-the-Line: $45-55 🎪 13 creepy-themed holes, themed cocktails available for adults

Old World Wisconsin - Halloween Legends & Lore

October 10-11, 17-18, 24-25 | 5:30-9:30 PM 📍 W372 S9727 Highway 67, Eagle (1 hour west) 👪 Family-friendly, all ages 🎪 Victorian séances in historic homes, Hodag creature hunts, sorghum maze, bonfire storytelling

Residential Haunted Houses

Oakland Avenue haunted house in Whitefish Bay

Local homeowners are transforming their properties into mini haunted attractions. Many of these displays feature elaborate lights, animatronics, and creative themes – and most are free to enjoy from the sidewalk or car. In this guide, we highlight some of the must-see private Halloween house displays in the Milwaukee area for 2025, including addresses, when to visit, what to expect, and tips for respectful viewing.

Events by North Shore Suburb

WHITEFISH BAY

• Great Pumpkin Festival: October 22-25, FREE

• Trick-or-Treating: October 26, 1:00-4:00 PM

SHOREWOOD

• Library Halloween Happening: October 25, 2:30-4:00 PM, FREE

• Trick-or-Treating: October 26, 1:00-4:00 PM

FOX POINT

• Trick-or-Treating: October 26, 1:00-4:00 PM (confirmed for 2025)

• Farmers Market continues through October 11

BAYSIDE

• Schlitz Audubon Halloween Events: Various October dates

• Trick-or-Treating: October 26, 1:00-4:00 PM

MEQUON

• Trick-or-Treating: October 26, 4:00-7:00 PM (later than other suburbs)

GLENDALE

• North Shore Library programming

• Bayshore BOOgie Bash (see major events)

• Trick-or-Treating: October 26, 1:00-4:00 PM

Indoor Halloween Activities

LIBRARIES & COMMUNITY CENTERS

• Milwaukee Public Library System: Multiple locations, FREE Halloween storytimes and crafts

• Shorewood Library Halloween Happening: October 25, 2:30-4:00 PM

• Kosciuszko Community Center: FREE Halloween celebration, typically October 31, 5:00-7:30 PM

PLAY CENTERS

• Kidcadia Play Café (Shorewood): Halloween-themed play structures

• Little Sprouts Play Café (Shorewood): Pumpkin decorating events

• Sky Zone Trampoline Parks: Multiple locations, costume-friendly jumping

CRAFT WORKSHOPS

• Cloud9 Workshop: 5205 W. North Ave, drop-in maker studio with seasonal projects

• Betty Brinn Be A Maker Space: Glow-in-the-dark slime, Halloween crafts

BOWLING ALLEYS WITH HALLOWEEN THEMES

• Landmark Lanes: Historic Milwaukee alley with arcade

• AMF West Lanes: 35 lanes with Night Strike specials

• Falcon Bowl (Riverwest): 1915 historic alley with themed nights

ESCAPE ROOMS

• Escape the Room Milwaukee: 60-minute family adventures

• 60 To Escape (Southridge Mall): Unique themed challenges

• Breakout Games: 5-star immersive entertainment

Halloween-Themed Restaurants & Entertainment

RESTAURANTS WITH HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS

• Lost Whale (Bay View): "The Last of Us" theme, October 26-29

• Safe House Halloween Bash: October 26, spy-themed atmosphere (21+ only)

• Milwaukee Brewing & Distilling: October 26 Louie's Resurrection party, family-friendly day hours

GHOST TOURS FOR FAMILIES

• Brew City Ghosts Milwaukee: 1-hour walking tours, professional guides with lanterns

• Forest Home Cemetery - Spirits of the Silent City: 70-minute tours with historical actors, $40

• Hangman Tours: Family-friendly historical versions available

Movies & Entertainment

FAMILY HALLOWEEN MOVIES

• Milky Way Drive-In: October Fright Nights, family films at 6:30 PM

• Milwaukee Film Oriental Theatre: Bite Club series, family classics

• AMC Mayfair Mall 18: Special Halloween screenings

ICE SKATING WITH HALLOWEEN THEMES

• Wilson Ice Arena: Evening Glow Skates with decorative lights

• Pettit National Ice Center: Seasonal themed skating sessions

Budget-Friendly Options

FREE ACTIVITIES

• Great Pumpkin Festival (Whitefish Bay)

• Halloween Village (Baird Community Commons)

• Bayshore BOOgie Bash

• Elegant Farmer admission (activities separate)

• All library programming

• Community center events

UNDER $15 PER PERSON

• Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Farm ($10)

• Honey Creek Orchard ($10)

• Milwaukee County Zoo Boo at the Zoo (Children $15, Adults $17)

Age Recommendations

TODDLERS & PRESCHOOLERS (Ages 2-5)

✅ Best Choices:

• Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee (free pumpkins, crafts)

• Bayshore BOOgie Bash (princess characters, not scary)

• Betty Brinn Children's Museum

• Library storytimes and craft programs

• Milwaukee County Zoo Boo at the Zoo

SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN (Ages 6-11)

✅ Best Choices:

• Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin Farm (20+ activities)

• Old World Wisconsin Legends & Lore

• Milwaukee Public Museum Halloween activities

• Nine Below Mini Golf (Sunday family-friendly days)

• Forest Home Cemetery historical tours

TWEENS & TEENS (Ages 12+)

✅ Best Choices:

• Nine Below Haunted Mini Golf (with scare actors)

• The Hill Has Eyes Not So Scary Party

• Escape rooms with Halloween themes

• Ghost tours with Milwaukee history

• Larger corn mazes and adventure activities

Planning Timeline

BOOK EARLY (Sells Out Quickly)

• Milwaukee County Zoo Boo at the Zoo

• Milwaukee Public Museum Halloween Hauntings (members only)

• Old World Wisconsin events

• Escape room experiences

ADVANCE REGISTRATION RECOMMENDED

• Betty Brinn Children's Museum events

• Ghost tours (24-hour cancellation policies)

• Craft workshops and art studios

• Popular pumpkin farms on weekends

WALK-IN FRIENDLY

• Most mall and shopping center events

• Community center activities

• Library programming

• Free community festivals

Key Contact Information

Major Attractions:

• Milwaukee County Zoo: (414) 256-5466 | milwaukeezoo.org

• Milwaukee Public Museum: (414) 278-2728

• Betty Brinn Children's Museum: (414) 390-5437

• Discovery World: (414) 765-9966

North Shore Libraries:

• Shorewood Public Library: shorewoodlibrary.org

• North Shore Library: northshorelibrary.org

Community Updates:

• Whitefish Bay events: wfbcivicfoundation.org

• Schlitz Audubon: schlitzaudubon.org | (414) 352-2880

Important Planning Notes

Weather Considerations: October in Wisconsin can be unpredictable. This guide includes extensive indoor alternatives for every type of activity.

Parking: Most venues offer free parking, though popular weekend events may require arriving early.

Food & Amenities: Most family attractions have restrooms and food options. Elegant Farmer has outhouses only - plan accordingly.

Safety: All recommended activities are family-appropriate with age guidelines clearly marked. Follow individual venue guidelines for costumes and safety requirements.

2025 Updates: Some specific dates and pricing are still being finalized. Check venue websites closer to Halloween for the most current information.

Accessibility: Most major venues are wheelchair accessible. Historic sites like Old World Wisconsin have some limitations - call ahead to confirm accessibility needs.

This comprehensive guide ensures Milwaukee north shore families have multiple options for every type of Halloween celebration, weather condition, age group, and budget level throughout the entire Halloween season.