There are so many fun things to do for Halloween in Athens, Georgia! The creative energy Athens is known for is on full display for Halloween. Exhibit one is the only-in-Athens Wild Rumpus Spectacle, a costumed parade through downtown that YOU can join! There are also plenty of other Halloween events and happenings, like Zombie Farms, a haunted outdoor trail, haunted tours of Athens, and family-friendly Halloween fun, too. Check out these Halloween ideas and plan a getaway to Athens this October!
Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade & Spectacle
Known as Athens' own Mardi Gras, the highly anticipated Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle on Saturday, October 29 is anything but ordinary. The Wild Rumpus is a large-scale crowd-participation Halloween holiday, music and arts celebration in downtown Athens. It is one of the Southeast’s premier Halloween celebrations and one of Athens’ most-loved festivals. 2022 is the Wild Rumpus' 14th year. The Wild Rumpus is FREE to attend, and All Are Invited. The public is invited to dress in Halloween costumes and march through the streets of “The Classic City”. Crowds swell to nearly 10,000+ and the dazzling display of hand-crafted, wildly imaginative costuming is out of this world, and a highly unique experience. The event looks to be even bigger and more fabulous than ever.
This massive display of creativity, promoting self-expression in a safe and inviting environment, is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween!
Creature Comforts Brewing Co. will be hosting a "Rumpus Rally" parade pre-party with an Athens hip-hop music stage. At 8 PM, the Wild Rumpus Parade will start on West Hancock Ave. in downtown Athens adjacent to Creature Comforts Brewing Co. The parade winds through downtown Athens, with parade artists (TBA) providing music and entertainment along the route (supported by the Rotary Club of the Classic City of Athens), ending on W. Washington St. at Pulaski St. for a massive DJ dance party in the street featuring DJ Mahogany and TBA, with sound and lights, aerialists on a trapeze, and more. The dance Party goes on until 11 PM. But, the fun's just beginning! Paloma Park will also be hosting a "Royal Rumpus Ball" after-party with a DJ and a video wall show as well as hosting a fashion show on October 28.
Open containers of beer or wine will be allowed inside the barricaded "Festival Zone" which spans four street blocks of downtown, from Creature Comforts on Hancock to Hull St, Hull St. between Hancock and Clayton St., and Washington St. from Hull to Pulaski where the dance party happens. Wristbands are necessary for outdoor drinking and may be purchased at Creature Comforts, Paloma Park, Ted’s Most Best, Rook & Pawn, and Trappeze Pub inside the festival zone. (21+ only. Drinking alcohol in the street or outdoors while outside the festival zone is illegal.)
So, what are you waiting for? Get your costume ready, grab some friends, and join in the Wild Rumpus Parade & Spectacle!
Zombie Farms
Zombie Farms, North Georgia's number 1 haunted trail, is anything but your ordinary kiddie corn maze and predictable haunted house. Zombie Farms is an immersive Hollywood-style story theme that progresses throughout the 3/4 mile haunted trail. You'll walk through dark and spooky woods filled with scary monsters and creepy characters who will scare you, entertain you, and sometimes even make you laugh. You'll view many elaborate sets and scenes on your journey. For its 10th anniversary, Zombie Farms is celebrating its newest addition: the Halloween Forest. This is a separate trail from the main trail full of new scenery and different paths. Can you find your way out? Oh, and I hope you're not scared of clowns.
The Halloween Forest opens at 7:30 p.m. and the main trail opens at 8:00 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October. Admission is $22-$28 depending on the night and group size.
Athens Haunted History Walking Tour
Hear the tales of love and loss that haunt Athens on the Athens Haunted History Walking Tour with local historian, Jeff Clarke. Clarke has appeared on several programs for The Travel Channel, GPB, PBS and the Discovery Network, including the Emmy-nominated series "The American Revolution." The walking tour is about 2 hours long on a 1.8-mile route and gives an exclusive look inside some of Athens' most haunted buildings. Participants will learn about the history of the town, see historical sites and some ghost stories along the way. Reserve your spot today!
Boo-le-Bark on Boulevard
Even pets can get in on the Halloween fun in Athens! Come out to Boo-le-Bark, a canine costume contest and parade benefitting Athenspets, an all-volunteer group dedicated to helping animals at the Athens-Clarke County Animal Control. This year's parade will be on Sunday, October 2. The costume contest begins at 3:15 and the parade will start at 4:00 at 425 Barber Street. This dog parade typically draws up to 1,000 participants and spectators to the Boulevard neighborhood. This year's theme: Georgia on My Mind!
Cruise Down Spooky Street
Boulevard, or should we say Boolevard, is our favorite Halloween neighborhood, hands down. Pack up your family and drive through Boolevard for some of Athens' scariest, spookiest, and most creative Halloween decorations! Flagpole Magazine and the uber-cool Boolevard residents present Cruise Down Spooky Street annually. Check out Flagpole for a handy map, and you'll be able to vote for your favorite displays in multiple categories such as Scariest, Spoopiest (Scary/Funny), Best DIY Display, Most Original, and Most Traditional Halloween.
Death & Mourning: Candlelight Tour
For the month of October, the parlor and dining room inside the Church-Waddel-Brumby House will be adorned in Regency Era mourning decor to show how families mourned the loss of their loved ones during that time period. Visitors will be able to learn more about Regency death and mourning customs through a specially offered guided Candlelight Tour -- and may experience a fright or two along the way!
Tours are offered on Oct 7, Oct 14, Oct 21, and Oct 28. Tickets are $15 per person
Space is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
Boobutante
Partying for a cause since 1989! Boybutante, and this October 22 BooButante edition is a fundraiser for Boybutante AIDS Foundation, Inc., which raises funds for HIV/AIDS support, education, and prevention efforts throughout the greater Northeast Georgia Community. This is the opening event for the 32nd Boybutanta season!
All of Athens is excited for the return of Detox and her friends on the 40 Watt Stage! General Admission is $25 and VIP Meet and Greet is $50.
Jack-O-Lantern Jog 5K with One Mile Goblin Fun Run
Looking for a more active way to celebrate Halloween? Come out to Sandy Creek Nature Center to run in the 5k or one-mile run along the Greenway. This event benefits the non-profit founded by the Nature Center, the Sandy Creek Nature Center Inc., which helps the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services support the environmental education and natural resources preservation efforts of the Nature Center.
The event will be on October 16 and will be $22 per person starting at 2:00 p.m.
Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services
The ACC Leisure Services have many different Halloween adventures coming up for the month of October. Visit this link here to stay up to date on all their events.
The Pumpkin Prance will have a pumpkin hunt and a fall dance for adults and kids on October 14. Rocksprings Community Center will have its Trunk or Treat on October 31. Walk Thru Boo at Lay Park will be on October 21. Can you make it through a journey of monsters and zombies? Finally, the Nature Center's Scary Oozy Slimy Day will be a family-friendly night of learning about night critters.
Fall Festival
Athens Clarke County Government Services are throwing a fall festival full of games, hay rides, and a haunted house. The festival will be at the Clarke County Sheriff's Office's Training Center on October 28 and is free for all who attend.
Check out our Fall Festivals and Events page for a complete list of all upcoming Halloween and fall festivities and start planning your October Athens getaway today!
