Salt Lake is ready to embrace the Halloween spirit, and this year promises plenty of thrills and chills. From spine-tingling ghost tours and heart-racing haunted houses to family-friendly pumpkin patches and festive events, Salt Lake has something for every type of Halloween enthusiast. This guide spotlights the top events for 2025, helping you plan a season that’s equal parts spooky and fun. Just don’t say we didn’t warn you if things get a little too eerie...
Salt Lake Haunted Houses
Salt Lake's haunted houses bring the scares to life with elaborate sets, terrifying actors, and heart-pounding experiences that rank among the best in the West.
Nightmare on 13th
Starting with a Utah classic, Nightmare on 13th is Utah’s longest-running indoor haunted attraction and consistently ranked among the nation’s finest. Each season brings new thrills blending state-of-the-art animatronics, and professional actors to deliver fresh frights. Housed in a 36,000 sq ft castle structure, it features the Institute of Terror asylum and over 40 haunted rooms. Prepare for a newly terrifying visit every time, a guaranteed evening full of new ways to get scared and scream your lungs out!
Salt Lake City Ghost Tour
Begin your Halloween journey with Salt Lake City Ghost Tour. Join Salt Lake Ghosts for a spine-tingling journey into the city’s haunted past. This iconic experience takes you to some of the most haunted locations in the city. The tour guides offer an artistic blend of insight and eerie storytelling, making it an experience that is as educational as it is spine-chilling. Tours are available throughout October but be sure to reserve your spot early to ensure you don’t miss out.
Haunted Houses: Encounters with the Unseen
For those seeking a more intense Halloween experience, Fear Factory is a must-visit. This expansive haunted house, located in an abandoned cement factory, has been recognized as one of the world’s top Halloween attractions. Featuring underground tunnels, 11 ghostly documented deaths and a massive 6 building attraction that sours 6 stories high, Fear Factory offers an unforgettable experience that will leave even the bravest visitors trembling. The attraction opens as early as September 12th and continues through November 1st, offering special events like "Blackout" nights that add an extra layer of terror.
Family-Friendly Halloween Events
Halloween is one of the best holidays for kids, and Salt Lake has plenty of safe events for the little witches and goblins to experience all of its magic.
Pumpkin Patches: Autumnal Delights
For a more serene yet equally festive Halloween experience perfect for families and the fear adverse, Salt Lake’s pumpkin patches offer the perfect escape. Wheeler Historic Farm provides a charming pumpkin patch experience ideal for families. Bring the whole family for a day of fun at Pumpkin Days to enjoy hayrides, family-friendly mazes, duck races, picking your own pumpkins, and more! Soak in the ambiance of the historic farm setting and partake in additional activities like a petting zoo and playground. It’s a full day of enjoyment in the crisp autumn air.
Fall Festival Fun: Cross E Ranch
For a quintessential autumn experience, Cross E Ranch offers a comprehensive fall festival that is perfect for families and fall enthusiasts alike. This festival features a delightful combination of activities, including a sprawling pumpkin patch, an intricate corn maze, and various seasonal games. The highlight of the festival is the exciting pumpkin drop event, where visitors can witness pumpkins plummeting from great heights! A crowd-pleaser that adds an extra layer of fun to the traditional pumpkin patch visit.
Creative Halloween Experiences
For a fun change of pace, check out something a little outside of the box that isn't the same-old-same-old.
Grimm Ghost Tours
Step back into the rich history of Utah and the Old West with a guided stroll through the largest municipal cemetery in the country with Grimm Ghost Tours. Visit the resting places of figures like “The Destroying Angel” Porter Rockwell, outlaws Jack Slade and the Sundance Kid, and uncover the chilling tale of grave robber Jean Baptiste. Along the way, hear the eerie legend of EMO’s Grave and more during this 1.5-hour adventure fit for the whole family.
Giant Pumpkin Palooza and Zombie Walk
Join the Halloween festivities at The Gateway on October 11th from 12 PM to 6 PM for a day of spooky fun featuring the Giant Pumpkinpalooza, SLC Zombie Walk, and more. Witness massive pumpkins in competition, join the eerie zombie parade, and explore a Halloween craft market filled with unique handmade goods. Enjoy pumpkin carving, face painting, live music, food trucks, and a costume contest. The event is free and packed with activities for everyone!
Halloween Bar Crawl
Don’t miss the biggest Halloween crawl of the year. This two-day bar crawl adventure includes exclusive drink and food specials, waived cover charges, professional photography, and even includes an after-party (if you can keep up)!
Looking for more ways to celebrate Halloween in Salt Lake this spooky season? Check out the fun-runs, movie-marathons and festive concerts happening around town.
Costume Runs
2025 SLC Haunted Half - Race in costume down scenic Emigration Canyon at Utah’s “Haunted Half,” with a Half Marathon, 5K, and kid’s run through Spook Alley.
SoJo Halloween Fun Run 2025 - Lace up for the SoJo Halloween Fun Run on October 18th at Bingham Creek Park, featuring a 5K, ruck, and kids run.
2025 Witch Run at Gardner Village - Join the Witches Run at Gardner Village, now featuring a Half Marathon, 10K, and 5K with a daylight start and festive finish.
Monstrous Movies
Family-friendly big screen Halloween Movies series at the Viridian Event Center - Make Mondays a treat with family-friendly Halloween films on the big screen.
2025 Halloween Films at Broadway - The Salt Lake Film Society’s Tower of Terror Film Series returns bringing horror classics, cult favorites, and a Halloween weekend Rocky Horror celebration for the ultimate scream-season experience.
Peery's Egyptian Theatre Presents: The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Kick off the night with food and drinks at the pre-party (ticket required, ages 18+), then stick around for the annual costume contest and a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Live at the Eccles presents My Favorite Murder Live - Since launching in 2016, hosts Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark have captivated audiences with true crime tales on their globally known podcast. Don't miss the chance to see them live!
Even more truly unique Halloween events:
Golden Braid Books Annual Spookytown Party - Head to Golden Braid's Annual Spookytown Party to celebrate Halloween and Dia de los Muertos.
Heber Valley Railroad's family-friendly Halloween Express Train Ride - Climb aboard the Halloween Express for a 90-minute, family-friendly ride to Grim Hollow Station, complete with lively characters, music, and treats.
Hogle Zoo's Annual Boolights at Hogle Zoo - Experience the magic of BooLights at Hogle Zoo, where glowing displays, pumpkins, and Halloween fun light up the night. Once the animals turn in, the zoo transforms into a festive wonderland filled with lights, entertainment, and attractions for all ages.
