5 Budget-Friendly Halloween Activities in Metro Detroit

Get into the spooky spirit without giving your wallet a fright!

Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, and this year, I’m leaning into all the spooky fun! My house is decorated with pumpkins and cute Halloween decor; my costume has been planned for months in advance (I’m going to be the Big Bad Werewolf); and I have a bucket list of fall activities, from visiting new attractions like Jack O’ Lantern Journey to drinking apple cider at a one of the best pumpkin patches near Detroit

All this Halloween fun can add up fast — costumes aren’t cheap, admission prices to fall attractions continue to rise, and if you’re anything like me, picking up a few small things to decorate the house somehow ends up with me leaving the store loaded with seasonal decor. 

Get into the spooky spirit without giving your wallet a fright with these free and low-budget ideas and Halloween activities in Chicago. Happy Halloween! 

Cheap Halloween activities in Metro Detroit

Tour neighborhood Halloween displays

Halloween neighborhood decorations detroit
Photo credit: Terror on Tillson Street

Get into the spooky spirit by touring local Halloween displays. Our map of some of the best DIY haunts in metro Detroit is an awesome resource for finding free, kid-friendly Halloween displays near you. Dress up in a costume or Halloween attire, load the kids in the car, and pick a few spots to visit for spooks, surprises and more Halloween fun. 

Some homes are collecting donations for local nonprofit organizations, but otherwise, these attractions are totally free. Grab a to-go hot chocolate or apple cider to sweeten the experience! 

Enjoy free trick-or-treating 

Satisfy your sweet tooth (and get some extra use out of your child’s costume) by trick-or-treating all month long! There are plenty of free and budget-friendly trunk-or-treat and trick-or-treat events happening in metro Detroit this year. If you get some extra Reese’s, I’ll gladly take them off your hands! 

Host a scary movie night 

Put on your coziest pajamas, pop some popcorn, make hot cocoa or cider, and grab your favorite Halloween treats (mine are the orange Halloween Oreos) because it’s time for a spooky, stay-in movie night!

Streaming services are loaded with scary (but still kid-friendly) movies and shows this month. Chances are you already subscribe to at least one of these services, which makes movie night totally free, minus your fav movie snacks. My family can’t wait to watch the animated The Bad Guys: Haunted Heist on Netflix, but there are plenty of other spooky options for kids, too. 

See Día de Muertos ofrendas at Detroit Institute of Arts 

  • Detroit Institute of Arts, 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit

Join the DIA for a spooky cultural celebration. Beautiful ofrenda altars created by community members will be on display through Sunday, Nov. 3. This seasonal exhibit is included in general admission, which is free to residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. 

The Nightmare Before Christmas at Riverside Park

  • Riverside Park, 3311 Squirrel Court, Auburn Hills

Have some tweens or teens that are “too old” to get into the Halloween spirit? This free movie night at Knight Amphitheater is a great alternative! Bring chairs, blankets and your favorite Halloween candies and snacks to enjoy during a screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas


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Nikki Roberts
Nikki Roberts
Nikki Roberts is the assistant editor on the Metro Parent team. She is always on the lookout for the coolest and trendiest new attractions, restaurants and events for metro Detroit families. Her newsletters, online family guides and exciting digital content keep families informed on all the latest happenings around town.

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