Halloween in Portland: Festivals, Competitions & Haunted Events 2024

From pub crawls to pumpkin patches, Portland has a lot to offer during the Halloween season. Visitors can enjoy traditional fall festival activities such as hayrides and mazes or opt for a thrilling visit to one of Oregon's scariest haunted houses. 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 20, 2024)

Every year, on the third Saturday of October, dozens of people race each other in the West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta on Tualatin Lake of the Commons. Viewers are amazed by their speed, rowing skills, and costumes. The city of Tualatin, located 12 miles (19 km) south of Portland, offers various activities before the race, such as 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 1,800 lbs (816 kg)! From 10 am to 4 pm, enjoy free admission to an event featuring pumpkin races at noon and 2 pm, along with food, entertainment, pumpkin bowling, pumpkin golf, and much more!

Howloween at Portland Zoo (October 19-27, 2024)

The Portland Zoo becomes especially festive in late October during its annual Howloween event. Costumed trick-or-treaters can collect candy and participate in an exciting scavenger hunt that educates them about wildlife habitats. For example, they can learn about the impact of palm oil on orangutans and elephants and discover ways to help preserve their environments. Various stations throughout the zoo offer opportunities to win prizes. Live entertainment, including magic shows and puppet performances, will take place on both weekends. The event runs from 9 am to 5:30 pm and is included with general admission. Tickets are $24 for adults, $19 for children (ages 2–11), and free for infants (ages 0–1).

Spirit of Halloweentown (September 28–October 31, 2024)

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. The Spirit of Halloweentown offers tickets priced at $40 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $20 for kids (ages 6 to 12).

Run Like Hell Marathon (October 26, 2024)

Join the fun at this family-friendly Halloween-themed event in Milwaukie, OR. Dress in costume and participate in Terrapin Events' half marathon, 10k, or 5k run or walk. Portland’s Run Like Hell Half Marathon starts and finishes at McMenamins Edgefield, a 74-acre destination resort about 12 miles northeast of downtown Portland, near the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Area. Enjoy live music, beer, food, and more at the finish line. Don't miss out on this super fun and spooky event! The race starts at 8:00 AM, with fees ranging from $41 to $109.