Halloween Events for Families

By Mary Casey-Sturk

Many sources cite the roots of Halloween are linked to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “SAH-win”). It was a Pagan religious celebration to welcome the harvest at the end of summer. People would light bonfires and wear costumes to keep the ghosts at bay. Celts (many from Ireland) that found their way to America brought their traditions with them, including carving out turnips (now using pumpkins) and placing candles in them to ward off evil.  Trick-or-treating grew from medieval England traditions, when people would go door to door offering a song or prayer in exchange for food. Known as Souling, it took place on All Saint’s Day, when Christians would pray for their loved ones.

History aside, here are some family-friendly upcoming events.

HallZOOween continues at the Cincinnati Zoo. Free with Zoo Admission. Guests will be treated to a day of fun at the Cincinnati Zoo! Help the Zoo go green, please bring your own treat bag!  October 24-25 and 31- Nov 1 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Costume Parade and Playdate. Fun activities for kids and their pets! Madeira’s Sellman Park. October 25, 3:00-6:00 p.m. Costume parade at 4:00 p.m.

Indian Hill and Madeira Trick-or-Treat will be held on Halloween,  October 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Trick or Treat at Findlay Market! Merchants dress up and pass out candy to any kiddo in costume.  All families, school groups, and neighbors are welcome to join in on the Halloween fun and trick-or-treat from our Market Merchants and partners. October 31, 4:00-6:00 p.m.

Halloween at the CMC. It’s all treats and no tricks during a family-friendly day of spooky fun at the Cincinnati Museum Center. Go mad in the lab with their scientists and dance the Monster Mash. And what’s a little Halloween fun without skeletons? They’re going big with some of the biggest skeletons around: dinosaurs! Costumes encouraged! October 31, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free for members or included with Museum admission. For a full schedule of events, visit cincymuseumcenter.org

Pictured: Many of our Halloween traditions come from Ireland. Pictured is Monasterboice in Ireland’s Boyne Valley. Photo by Mary Casey-Sturk