So how many Ken Bone costumes are we going to see this year? With Halloween falling on a Monday this year, Madison will have a couple more days to party, including:
Wednesday, Oct. 26
- Downtown Madison Family Halloween (free): Trick-or-treat from 80 downtown locations and enjoy activities at places including the Overture Center, from 3-6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 27
- Buccaneer’s Ball 2016 (free): Hoofers and 100state are joining forces to throw a party that begins at 7 p.m. in the basement of the Argus bar.
Friday, Oct. 28
- Downtown Trick or Treat (free): If the kiddos didn’t get enough trick-or-treating at State Street businesses on Wednesday, they can head to Middleton and do it all over again from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at dozens of locations.
- Halloween Spooktacular (free): Yes, this is an egg hunt in October, and it starts at 5:45 p.m. at Winnequah Dream Park in Monona. Afterward, enjoying an outdoor movie with free popcorn.
- A Freakin’ Halloweekend ($10): The High Noon Saloon hosts this two-day event in which local bands dress up as their favorite “mega-bands.” Examples include the Right Stripes as the White Stripes on Friday and the Scars as the Cars Maneater as Hall & Oates on Saturday. Shows start at 8 p.m.
- Halloween Party (free): This generically named party commences at 8:30 p.m. at Nau-ti-Gal. Includes a costume contest and performance by Riled Up.
Saturday, Oct. 29
- Hilldale-o-Ween (free): This is a three-day long celebration. Activities include cookie decorating on Saturday and trick-or-treating on Monday.
- Spook-tacular Halloween Bash (free): Design your own candy bag from 9:30 a.m. – noon at the DreamBank.
- Halloween Costume Parade ($10): Starting at 2 p.m. at Library Mall, follow the parade to the Capitol for an event that supports Primates Incorporated.
- Halloween Karaoke (free): Sing and purchase specific drinks to earn tickets for raffle prizes at Come Back In. Starts at 9:30 p.m.
- Halloween Bash ($8): Badger Bowl’s final night before it closes for good will feature a performance by Cherry Pie and a costume contest.
- Freakfest ($10 advance/$15 at the gates): Madison’s official Halloween party takes place from 7 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. on State Street. This year’s headliners include Diane Coffee and Sweet Spirit. If you want to save a few bucks, head to the bars early, before the gates on State Street are erected.
- Night of the Dead ($15): This annual event at the Barrymore pays homage to the Grateful Dead through Terrapin Flyer and Evergreen Grass Band, starting at 8 p.m.
- 80s vs. 90s Halloween Costume Ball ($10): The almost-monthly 80s vs. 90s party is always popular, but the Halloween version is always really popular. Dress up as a TV/movie character or music icon to participate in the costume contest. Doors open at 8, and I recommend arriving soon after.
Sunday, Oct. 30
- Halloween at the Zoo (free): Activities include face painting and a pumpkin decorating contest from 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the zoo.
Monday, Oct. 31
- Baby’s First Halloween (free with admission): Take the little ones to this costume contest and dance from 9:30-11 a.m. at the Madison Children’s Museum.
- Reel Big Halloween ($22.50/$25): How about some ska on Halloween? Reel Big Fish is performing at 8 p.m. at the Majestic.
Tags: Halloween
