Salt Lake City is gearing up for the Halloween season, and it promises to deliver tricks and treats. Whether you’re drawn to the eerie allure of ghost tours, the adrenaline-pumping scares of haunted houses, or the festive charm of pumpkin patches, Salt Lake County offers a rich tapestry of experiences to satisfy all your Halloween cravings. This guide highlights the must-visit events for 2024, ensuring your Halloween in Salt Lake is nothing short of unforgettable, just don’t blame us if things get a little too spooky...
Nightmare on 13th
Starting with a Utah classic, Nightmare on 13th, Utah’s longest-running haunted attraction, has been consistently voted one of the best haunted houses in the nation. Featuring new areas each year, the venue uses advanced animatronics, special effects, and professional actors to bring visitors a new scare.Nightmare On 13th features 36,000 square feet of room for haunting and scaring our customers; professionally trained actors; expertly crafted Hollywood-quality costumes, masks, and makeup; cutting-edge animatronics and audio/lighting effects. It’s all in the name of frightful fun. Because of this, there will always be a new reason to visit the Nightmare On 13th, a guaranteed evening full of new ways to get scared and scream your lungs out!
Institute of Terror
Utah’s original haunted attraction, the Institute of Terror, is back as part of the Nightmare on 13th Halloween season. Thirty-four years ago, Utahns got to experience their first nightmares in person at the Institute of Terror. This new experience brings the scare inside, where the patients roam free in the dark corridors of the asylum, waiting for strangers to arrive. Darker and scarier than their main attraction, we recommend bringing a friend to clutch onto.
Ghost Tours: Echoes of the Past
Begin your Halloween journey with Grimm Ghost Tours. This iconic experience takes you to some of the most haunted locations in Salt Lake City, including the historically significant Salt Lake City Cemetery. The tour guides offer a 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 multiple stories, underground tunnels, and a variety of themed rooms, Fear Factory offers an unforgettable experience that will leave even the bravest visitors trembling. The attraction opens as early as September 6th and continues through October, 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. Visitors can enjoy hayrides, select their own pumpkins, and soak in the ambiance of the historic farm setting. With 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
People do love ghost stories. If you're one of the people that can't get enough of the spine-tingling, keep you up at night tales, you need to take one of the Grimm Ghost Tours. Open all year, they are especially fun during spooky season. The bus tours have several destinations throughout Salt Lake, and they all include real history from real locations about creepy or unexplained deaths and people's experiences with the supernatural in those places.
Giant Pumpkin Palooza and Zombie Walk
Join the Halloween festivities at The Gateway on October 5th 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, so RSVP and get ready for a Halloween experience you won't forget!
Halloween Bar Crawl
Don’t miss the biggest Halloween crawl of the year. The event has grown each year, with 2,000+ people expected in 2023. Highlights include a $1,000 costume contest, two days of bar crawl adventures, exclusive drink and food specials, waived cover charges, professional photography, an awesome after-party, and more. The first 400 check-ins receive a stadium cup and bottle opener lanyard. Join the event and make this Halloween unforgettable!
