Best Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Milwaukee 2021

Milwaukee is one of the best places around to celebrate Halloween.  Everywhere you go there are festive decorations (don’t they get bigger and better each year?) and markets with fall treats like pumpkin pie, caramel apples, and jack-o-lantern frosted cookies.  Pumpkin spice lattes waft from take-away coffee cups and parents dig through trick-or-treat bags to “make sure everything is safe,” (but really pulling out their personal favorites!).  And don’t forget about locally well-known haunted locations like The Pfister Hotel and Pabst Mansion.   

But another thing that makes Milwaukee such a great place to celebrate Halloween is the plethora of events leading up to and including the big day.  We’ve gathered a few of our favorites to share and hope to see you there! 

4TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN BAR CRAWL 

The 4th annual Halloween Bar Crawl will take place on Saturday, October 30th from 4 pm until midnight.  The Milwaukee bar crawl is part of a larger, national bar crawl in cities all over the country.  Check-in between 4 and 6 pm at Brothers Bar and Grill at 1213 N Water Street in Milwaukee.  Your $15 ticket includes 2 free drinks, waived entrance fees, and lots of food and drink specials (tix on sale through 10/16).  Be sure to put some effort into your costume to be a contender for the $1,000 national costume contest prize.  Have fun and don’t forget to plan a safe and sober way home.  

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-4th-annual-halloween-bar-crawl-milwaukee-tickets-165489121417 

BOO AT THE ZOO 

Boo at the Zoo Drive-Thru event is a “merry, not scary” event at the Milwaukee County Zoo.  This creative event is a 30-minute drive-thru experience featuring a 1.5-mile ride on Zoo pathways through festive themed areas.  Visitors remain in their cars to enjoy the decorations, light shows, carved pumpkins and a trick-or-treat trail.  The fun only lasts for 8 days over two weekends so get your tickets early: October 14-17 and October 21-24 from 5:30 – 9 pm.  Tickets are $55 per carload or $50 for Zoo Pass members and are exclusively available ahead of time. 

https://shop.milwaukeezoo.org/#/SpecialEvents 

LEGENDS AND LORE AT OLD WORLD WISCONSIN 

Have you been to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle?  It’s a great outing on a regular day, but it’s amazing during “Legends & Lore,” a celebration of all things spooky in the “spirit” of the season.  Enjoy seeing supernatural tales brought to Wisconsin over the generations come to life in the park’s Crossroads Village.  This family-friendly Halloween event includes traveling performers telling eerie tales, a haunted maze, and much more.  Legends & Lore runs two weekends: Friday and Saturday, October 15-16 and 22-23 from 5:30 – 9:30 pm.  Tickets are $20 for adults and $14 for children.   

GHOULS & SPIRITS ADULT TRICK-OR-TREAT 

Another great way to celebrate Halloween is with the Ghouls & Spirits adult trick-or-treat bus tour.  Hop on board for the 3+ hour tour through popular neighborhoods hearing ghost stories and stopping for treats and “spirits.”  The evening begins with pizza and beer followed by additional stops for drinks and treats.  Tours are on two weekends only - October 22/23 and 29/30, so book early.  All food, drinks and transportation are included. 

https://www.milwaukeefoodtours.com/tour/ghouls-spirit-adult-trick-or-treat/# 

MILKY WAY DRIVE-IN FRIGHT NIGHTS AND HAUNTS 

The definitive way to celebrate the season is by watching a scary movie, and the Milky Way drive-in theater in Franklin is the perfect place to do just that.  The Milky Way hosts “Fright Nights” every Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in October.  With a great variety of movies, from G-rated family favorites to R-rated nail-biting classics, there is something for everyone.  What better way to watch a frightening movie than to be outside in the dark with the ghosts and goblins just on the other side of your car window?!  YIKES!   

If you want to extend the fun, take a walk through the outdoor “haunt” (which is like a haunted house, but outdoors) before or after the movie.  The event is called “The Hill Has Eyes” and it’s comprised of 4 separate attractions that you walk through in order.  It’s open Friday and Saturday and is recommended for ages 13 and over.  For children approximately 8-12, the Sunday night “Not So Scary Halloween Party” is a better choice.  Buy tickets ahead of time or take your chances at the door. 

Milky Way Drive-In Fright Nights:  https://www.milkywaydrivein.com/schedule

The Hill Has Eyes Haunts: https://www.hillhaseyes.com/home