This October, we’ve found tons of family-friendly fun, including fall festivals for you to check out with your kids. We also have plenty of other autumn activities, including cider mills and apple orchards, haunted houses and the best fall color tours in Michigan.
I can’t wait to take my son, Jordan, to Halloween events this month. We’re looking forward to Hallowe’en at Greenfield Village, Halloween Stroll at Canterbury Village and Thrills at the Mills at Hudson Mills Metropark.
Keep on scrolling to see our top picks of October family events in metro Detroit. You can also find more family events listed in our calendar. Be sure to tag us on Instagram @metroparentmag if you check any of them out!
This article was recently updated on Sept. 19, 2024 by Metro Parent’s audience development coordinator, Kari Zaffarano. The update included her adding new events to MetroParent.com‘s calendar and featuring the best family events in metro Detroit this month. Questions? Please reach out to kari@metroparent.
Best October family events Macomb County
Get your tickets in advance to Westview Orchard’s Fall Festival and to Halloween Hoopla in Macomb. Also, be sure to check out the spooky Halloween decorations on Tillson Street all month long. Find even more Macomb County events in October on our calendar.
Halloween on Tillson Street
Oct. 1-31, 2024
- Address: Tillson St., between Sisson and South Main streets, Romeo
- Cost: Free
Each year, the residents of Tillson St. go all-out with their Halloween decorations. Drive through to check out the decor throughout the month and swing by on Halloween for a bit of trick-or-treating.
Fall Festival at Westview Orchards & Winery
Oct 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26, 2024
- Address: 65075 Van Dyke Ave., Washington
- Cost: $10.95
This annual fall fest features photo opportunities, farm attractions, barnyard animals, a wagon ride, a pumpkin patch, specialty food and drinks, an apple cannon and more.
Nightmare on Auburn – A Utica Fall Festival
Oct 5, 2024
- Address: 7550 Auburn Road, Utica
- Cost: Free
This fall festival offers trick-or-treating downtown on Auburn Road, Also, live music, cider and donuts, a costume contest, family fun zone and more.
Halloween Hoopla at the Macomb Township Recreation Center
Oct 18, 2024
- Address: 20699 Macomb St., Macomb
- Cost: $5/resident, $10/non-resident
Enjoy this annual costume carnival that offers trick-or-treating and other Halloween fun. Get tickets in advance because this event tends to sell out.
HarvestFest at Freedom Hill County Park
Oct 19-20, 2024
- Address: 14900 Metro Parkway, Sterling Heights
- Cost: Free
There will be a pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, games, music, inflatables, movies, music and food trucks. Make sure to wear your costume.
Trick or Treat & Trunk or Treat at New Baltimore Trade Center
Oct 27, 2024
- Address: 35248 23 Mile Road, New Baltimore
- Cost: Free
Kids can go trick-or-treating inside New Baltimore Trade Center or outside trick-or-treating.
Best October family events Oakland County
This month, I recommend going to the Harvest Festival at Upland Hills Farm and The Great Fall Festival at Maybury Farm. Also, grab tickets to Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo for their annual Halloween celebration. Find even more Oakland County events in October on our calendar.
Halloween Stroll at Canterbury Village
Oct. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, 2024
- Address: 2359 Joslyn Court, Lake Orion
- Cost: $14.99-plus/person, free/parking
Stroll through Canterbury Village in costume for encounters with spooky fun characters, haunted cemeteries, jack-o-lanterns, giant skeletons, witches and more. There’s plenty of photo opportunities along the way.
Harvest Festival at Upland Hills Farm
Oct. 5-6, 12-13, 19-20, 26-27, 2024
- Address: 481 Lake George Road, Oxford
- Cost: $12/person, free/2 and under, group rate: $10/person for 10 or more people
Enjoy farm show demonstrations, magic shows, hay rides, a walk through the storybook trail and more at this annual fall festival.
The Great Fall Festival at the Maybury Farm
Oct. 5-6, 2024
- Address: 50165 Eight Mile Road, Northville
- Cost: $14-$20/person, free/2 and under and must be seated on lap on wagon ride
This fest offers tractor-drawn wagon rides, live music, activities, games, pumpkin decorating, a corn maze, face painting and more.
Zoo Boo at the Detroit Zoo
Oct. 11-13, 18-20, 2024
- Address: 8450 W. Ten Mile Road, Royal Oak
- Cost: $19-$23/general admission, free/under 2, $8/parking (including for members)
Take part in this annual “merry-not-scary” Halloween celebration at the Detroit Zoo. It features trick-or-treating stations, photo opportunities, Halloween face painting and more.
Meadow Brook Hall-oween at Meadow Brook Hall
Oct. 20, 2024
- Address: 350 Estate Drive, Rochester
- Cost: $18/member, $20/non-member, free/under 3
Kids can enjoy trick-or-treating throughout the historic mansion and outdoors on the grounds of the estate. Cider and donuts will be provided. Advanced registration required.
Trick-or-Treat: Superheroes at Troy Historic Village
Oct. 25-26, 2024
- Address: 60 W. Wattles Road, Troy
- Cost: Advanced: $5/members, $9/non-members; At the door: $7/members, $10/non-members
This year’s theme is Superheroes. Families can expect superhero decorations, games, crafts and trick-or-treating. It’s friendly, not scary.
Trick-or-Treat Trail at Marshbank Park
Oct. 27, 2024
- Address: 2805 Hiller Road, West Bloomfield Township
- Cost: $7/child for residents, $9/child for non-residents
Families can enjoy this safe and friendly half-mile paved trail at Marshbank Park during the Trick-or-Treat Trail event. Put on your costume and head out to collect goodies from costumed characters, local businesses and organizations. Registration includes a treat bag and cider and donuts. Advanced registration is required.
Enchanted Glenlore Trails
Through Nov. 3, 2024
- Address: 3860 Newtown Road, Commerce Township
- Cost: $25/general admission, $15/ages 4-12, free/3 and under
Enchanted is an immersive night walk perfect for all ages, which features a circus flair and interactive games throughout the trail. There will also be special event programming nights that will include bourbon and wine tasting events, kid craft nights, trick-or-treating, live music on certain nights and more.
Best October family events Wayne County
Head to The Henry Ford to see their new exhibit, HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever, which opens on Oct. 13 to the public (Oct. 11-12 for members). Also, DeBuck’s Fall Festival will be at DeBuck’s Family Farm until Oct. 27. Find even more October events in Wayne County on our calendar.
Ofrendas: Celebrating el Día de Muertos 2024 at the Detroit Institute of Arts
Sept. 28-Nov. 3, 2024
- Address: 5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free w/general admission
The DIA, in collaboration with Detroit’s Mexican Consulate, displays ofrenda altars, or offerings, created by community members in celebration of the holiday Día de Muertos.
DeBuck’s Fall Festival
Oct. 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, 2024
- Address: 50240 Martz Road, Belleville
- Cost: $16.95/Thursdays-Fridays, $21.95/Saturdays-Sundays
This annual fall festival features a massive corn maze, a PumpkinTown, fall-inspired treats and drinks, wagon rides, a giant slide and more.
Hallowe’en at Greenfield Village
Oct. 3-6, 10-13, 17-20, 24-27, 2024
- Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Cost: $23/member ages 12-plus, $27/non-member ages 12-plus, $17.25/member ages 2-11, $20.75/non-member ages 2-11, free/2 and under; $3/train tickets
Walk the illuminated jack-o’-lantern paths through Wonderland, Sleepy Hollow and other spooky worlds. There is a Halloween train adventure on the Hallowe’en Express, fall treats and costumed characters throughout the village.
Campus Kids Day at Campus Martius Park
Oct. 6, 2024
- Address: 800 Woodward Ave., Detroit
- Cost: Free
This month’s Campus Kids Day is a “Halloween Spooktacular with Costume Contest.” It features a costume contest, face painting, pumpkin bounce house, lawn games, make and take crafts, Thriller dance lessons and more.
HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever at The Henry Ford
Opens Oct. 13, 2024
- Address: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn
- Cost: Free w/museum admission and for members
This exhibit, HOCKEY: Faster Than Ever, shows the evolution of ice hockey, including scientific breakthroughs and technical advances.
Dog Man: The Musical at Fisher Theatre
Oct. 18-19, 2024
- Address: 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit
- Cost: $49-plus
See a hilarious and heartwarming production following the chronicles of Dog Man, based on the bestselling book series. Recommended for ages 5-plus.
Little Goblins at Ford House
Oct. 19, 2024
- Address: 1100 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
- Cost: $5/adult for members, $8/adult for non-members, $15/child for members, $20/child for non-members
Bring your little goblins to Ford House for this annual day of Halloween entertainment filled with spooky yet kid-friendly fun. There will be trick-or-treating, photo ops and a haunt-free hayride. Advanced registration required.
Pumpkin Palooza in Downtown Plymouth
Oct. 20, 2024
- Address: Downtown Plymouth area
- Cost: Free
Find costume contests, games, live entertainment and more for families at this annual event in downtown Plymouth.
Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest Presented by Strategic Staffing Solutions at Grand Circus Park
Oct. 26, 2024
- Address: 101-157 Witherell St., Detroit
- Cost: Free
At the 11th Annual Grand Circus Dog Park Howl-O-Ween Costume Party, owners are encouraged to dress their pup up for a chance to win a prize. There will also be Halloween-themed games and gifts for dogs, as well as Pup’kin Spiced Lattes for the pups and cider for the parents.
Best October family events Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County has plenty for kids to do this month: A2 Artoberfest in Downtown Ann Arbor and Thrills at the Mills at Hudson Mills Metropark in Dexter. Find even more October events in Washtenaw County on our calendar.
Game Watch Tailgate Street Party
Oct. 5, 2024
- Address: Corner of State and Liberty Streets, Ann Arbor
- Cost: Free
Come watch the U-M football game on 17-foot viewing screens. There will also be giveaways and a DJ.
A2 Artoberfest in Downtown Ann Arbor
Oct. 12-13, 2024
- Address: 4th Ave. & Ann St., Ann Arbor
- Cost: Free
Explore the work of more than 100 jury-selected fine artists. There will also be live entertainment, food, drinks and shopping.
Fiber Expo at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds
Oct. 12-13, 2024
- Address: 5055 Ann Arbor Saline Road, Ann Arbor
- Cost: $4/admission for one day, $6/admission for two days, free/ages 12 and under (cash only)
This annual event brings in people interested in plant- and animal-based fibers, including wool, cotton, linen and more.
Spooktacular Ekk-Stravaganza at Hack House
Oct. 12-13, 2024
- Address: 775 County St., Milan
- Cost: Free
This annual event offers museum tours, pumpkin painting, games, pizza, donuts, train rides, a pumpkin patch, a silent auction and more. Wear your costume.
Thrills at the Mills at Hudson Mills Metropark
Oct. 26, 2024
- Address: 8801 N. Territorial Road, Dexter
- Cost: Free; parking pass required
At this annual event, there will be trunk-or-treating, Halloween treats and a huge dance party. Pre-registration is required for treaters and trunks.
Halloween Concert at Hill Auditorium
Oct. 27, 2024
- Address: 825 N. University Ave., Ann Arbor
- Cost: $20-plus
This Halloween costume brings together University Symphony and University Philharmonia Orchestras.
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