Maybe it's having the chance to play dress-up, maybe it's the candy, but whatever the reason, Halloween seems to bring out the fun-loving kid in all of us. Get in touch with your inner child at these great Salt Lake City Halloween events. The list keeps evolving as Halloween gets closer, so check back frequently for the latest information.
Note: We do our best to make sure all event lists are accurate, but it's best to call or check event websites to verify details.
Witch Fest at Gardner Village
By Victoria Snowber
Historic Gardner Village in West Jordan gets bewitched for Halloween with dozens of creative life-size witches and fun activities including Breakfast With a Witch, Witches Night Out and Witchapalooza, a dinner show. There's also a petting zoo and pony rides. Check the Gardner Village event calendar for details and prices. Most activities take place on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, although some are held all week.
Creep Factor: Mild, though the life-size witches are scary for sensitive children.
Gardner Village
1100 E. 7800 S., West Jordan
801-566-8903
Displays and events Sept. 6, 2011 through Halloween
Special October hours 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Thur., 10 a.m.- 9 p.m. Fri.-Sat.
Closed Sundays
Closes 4 p.m. Oct. 31
Castle of Chaos
Courtesy Castle of Chaos
Castle of Chaos, featured on The Travel Channel's "America's Scariest Halloween Attractions," presents three haunted houses in three locations.
Creep Factor: Moderate to Extreme, depending on which scariness level you choose.
Castle of Chaos
120 W. 3300 S.
Sept. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30; Oct. 1-31 except Mondays
Tickets $18
Castle of Chaos Redwood Road
5600 S. Redwood Rd.
Sept. 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30; Oct. 1-31 except Sundays
Tickets $12-$18
Castle of Chaos Riverdale Road
1100 W. Riverdale Rd. in Riverdale, UT (Weber County)
Sept. 23, 24 and 30; Oct. 1-31 except Sundays
Tickets $10-$15
Open 7:30-10 p.m. weekdays, 7 p.m.-midnight weekends
All three attractions $25
Free VIP pass with online ticket purchase
Nightmare on 13th
Courtesy Nightmare on 13th
Nightmare on 13th, Utah's largest and most technical haunted house, was rated the number one haunted house in Salt Lake City by The Salt Lake Tribune and featured on The Travel Channel.
Creep Factor: Extreme! Not for young children or anyone who is sensitive.
300 W. 1300 S.
801-467-8100
Sept. 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30, Oct. 1-31 except Sundays; Nov. 4-5
M-Th 7:30-10 p.m. F-Sat. 7:30 p.m.-midnight
Tickets $20
Free VIP pass ($10 value) with online ticket purchase. Click here for $5 off weeknights or $2 off weekends.
The Haunted Forest
Courtesy The Haunted Forest
The Haunted Forest in American Fork, about 20 miles south of Salt Lake City, has been one of Utah's favorite haunted attractions for 22 years. Visitors walk through a real forest with scary surprises. There are also two indoor attractions, "The Haunted Mansion Show "and "Psycho Manor."
Creep Factor: Moderate
Sept. 16, 17, 23, 24 and 30, Oct. 1-31 except Sundays
Weekdays 7:30 p.m.-10 p.m., Weekends 7:30 p.m.-midnight
1100 S. 500 E. American Fork
Take 1-15 to American Fork Exit 276, then 1/4 mile toward Utah Lake
801-623-1824
Tickets $20
$1 extra for credit card purchases
Children 6 years and under free
Crazy Corn Maze
Photo by Chris Daines
The Crazy Corn Maze includes a haunted section and a four-acre pumpkin patch.
Creep Factor: Mild. Sensitive children should avoid the haunted section.
8800 S. 4000 W., West Jordan
801-569-2356
Monday-Saturday Sept. 22-Oct. 31, 2011
M-Th 6-10 p.m.
Fridays 6-11:30 p.m.
Saturdays noon-11:30 p.m.
Haunted section begins Sept. 30; haunting starts at dusk. No haunted section on Mondays.
$7 ages 11 and over
$4 ages 5-10
Under 5 free
Haunted section $4 extra
Frightmares at Lagoon
Courtesy Lagoon
Frightmares at Lagoon amusement park in Farmington offers fun Halloween decorations, activities and entertainment in addition to the usual thrill rides. Water rides and the water park are closed. Costumes not allowed. Many supermarkets, banks and credit unions offer discounted Lagoon tickets.
Creep Factor: Suitable for anyone, although sensitive children will want to avoid some shows and attractions.
Frightmares at Lagoon
Lagoon Drive in Farmington, I-15 Exit #322, 17 miles north of Salt Lake City
801-451-8000
Sept. 23-Oct. 29, 2011
Fridays 5-10 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sundays 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Open at 11 a.m.-10 p.m. during UEA break Oct. 20-23
Tickets $27.95-$43.95
Cornbelly's Corn Maze and Pumpkin Fest
Courtesy Thanksgiving Point
Not just a corn maze, Cornbelly's includes a pumpkin patch, playground, farm-themed kiddie rides, Pumpkin Princess Playland, Cornophobia Haunted Maze, The Creature spook alley, and a Jack-o-Lantern Tree with hundreds of elaborately carved Jack-o-Lanterns.
Creep Factor: Mild, or Moderate with the haunted sections.
Sept. 30-Oct. 29, 2011 except Sundays
3003 North Thanksgiving Way, Lehi
Exit 284 from I-15
Mon.-Thur. 4-10 p.m., $8.95
Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-11 p.m., $10.95
Haunted maze $15.95 (includes all areas)
Use promo code "belly" for $1 off when buying tickets online.
'Dracula vs. Jekyll & Hyde' at Off-Broadway Theatre
Courtesy Off-Broadway Theatre
Dracula helps track down the despicable murderer Mr. Hyde in this zany OBT parody.
Creep Factor: Mild
Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays, Sept. 30-Oct. 29, 2011, 7:30 p.m.
272 S. Main St.
801-355-4628
Tickets $8-$16
OBT will also present Forever Dead, a parody of Forever Plaid, Thursday nights throughout October.
Salt Lake and Ogden Ghost Tours
Archive Holdings, Inc.
Guided by a professional storyteller, guests travel by bus to the great "haunts" of Salt Lake City or Ogden and learn about the ghosts who dwell in historic buildings and cemeteries.
Creep Factor: Moderate
Thur.-Sat. Oct. 1-29, Mon. Oct. 31
Starting times vary; tours last 1 1/2-2 hours.
Salt Lake City tours begin behind the Rio Grande Building at 300 S. 500 W.
Ogden tours meet at Union Station parking lot
Tickets $12-$18. Bring a can of food for the Utah Food Bank and save $1.
Advance reservations recommended - buy tickets online or call 801-529-4497.
Heber Valley Railroad: Haunted Canyon and Pumpkin Patch
Courtesy Heber Valley Railroad
Heber Valley Railroad's Haunted Canyon excursion takes visitors on a spooky 35-minute train ride with lots of fun and scary surprises.
Friday and Saturday evenings throughout October; 7:30, 8:30 and 9:30 departure times
Adults and Seniors $16, Children $8
Creep Factor: Mild
Heber Valley Railroad also offers a Pumpkin Patch excursion, where visitors take a scenic autumn train ride and pick their own Halloween pumpkin.
Creep Factor: None
Fridays and Saturdays throughout October, 3 p.m.
Adults $29, Seniors $24, Children $21
450 S. 600 W. Heber City, UT
435-654-5601
