From pub crawls to pumpkin patches, Portland has a lot to offer during the Halloween season. You can enjoy the traditional fall festival activities, like hayrides and mazes, or opt for a thrilling visit to one of Oregon's scariest haunted houses.
Fearlandia offers several haunted attractions, like The Swamp and Clown Retirement. Clackamas Scare Fair Haunted House, located in the Willamette River Valley, lets visitors pick their own experience with Creature Candle. Meet the ghost of Mary or Ole Clem, a Willamette Riverboat captain, and learn all the dark secrets of the valley.
The most popular kid-friendly attractions near Portland during October include Halloweentown, the hilarious pumpkin regatta, and family fun at Portland Zoo.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta (October 21–22, 2023)
Every year, on the third Saturday of October, dozens of people race each other in the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta on the Tualatin Lake of the Commons. Viewers are amazed by their speed, rowing skills, and costumes. The city of Tualatin, located 12 mi (19 km) south of Portland, offers various activities before the race, like a costume contest, a variety show, stilt walkers, and plenty of food and souvenir stalls. Entertainment includes pumpkin carving and traditional games. Some of the fantastic pumpkins weigh up to 1800 lbs (816 kg)!
Howloween (October 28, 2023)
Portland Zoo is especially festive in late October, during the annual Howloween. At the zoo, costumed trick-or-treaters may not just get their well-deserved candy, but also learn about habitats for wildlife in an exciting scavenger hunt. For example, they can learn about palm oil and how people can help orangutans and elephants preserve their environment. Prizes can be won at various stations throughout the zoo.
Spirit of Halloweentown (September 16–October 31, 2023)
The town of St. Helens is known as the filming site of the Halloweentown and Twilight movies. Every October, St. Helens celebrates its haunted history with a fun fall festival. The epicenter of Halloween-themed events is the Courthouse Plaza with a giant pumpkin in the middle. The pumpkin is lit up on the first Saturday of October to mark the Halloween season. Visitors can enjoy delicious food and fun activities, like Sand Island Pumpkin Art Walk and Hunt, costume contests, and trick-or-treating at St. Helens’ Old Town District shops.
