Parents across metro Detroit are heading to Greenfield Village in Dearborn this October to experience Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village, a nighttime celebration now in its 45th year. Families can explore costumed characters, pumpkin-lit paths and classic story vignettes.
This annual event blends historic harvest traditions with modern Halloween fun, offering entertainment for kids of all ages, accessible paths for strollers and wheelchairs and seasonal food and drinks to round out the night.
The event is best for families who want a mix of playful and spooky activities in a safe, stroller-friendly environment.
A historic village takes on a spooky glow
If your kids are itching to dress up and see Halloween magic beyond the front porch, Greenfield Village in Dearborn has turned itself into a storybook after dark. Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village is back for its 45th year, running Thursday through Sunday nights from Oct. 2-26. The event goes from 6-10 p.m., with early entry at 5:30 p.m. for those holding the first train tickets of the night.
Characters and stories come to life
Once the sun sets, the village fills with familiar faces and a few spooky ones, too. More than 50 costumed characters wander the lantern-lit streets, from the Headless Horseman and the Grim Reaper to Alice in Wonderland and Peter Pan. Families will spot scenes pulled from favorite tales like “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “The Wizard of Oz.”
Kids can follow pumpkin-lit paths, hear live music in the Detroit Central Market and see historic homes glowing with changing lights. The playground is open until dark, and the carousel spins all evening at no cost, giving younger children a break from walking.
Parents should note that the walk from main parking lots off Oakwood Boulevard to Smiths Creek Station takes about 30 minutes, and the event takes place rain or shine. Wheelchairs are available for rent, restrooms are open throughout the village and families with strollers can navigate the paved village streets. The village is located west of I-94 and can also be reached by SMART bus routes that stop near The Henry Ford Museum.
Food and activities at Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village
Parents can expect fall standbys like hot drinks and seasonal snacks, along with sit-down spots such as A Taste of History and Stand 44. Pop-up concessions are spread throughout the village for quick bites. The food service team notes there are vegan, gluten-free and allergen-friendly choices, though families with allergies should be aware that kitchens are not completely free of cross-contact.
There are surprises tucked into the evening, including story vignettes, live performers and a film screening of the 1910 “Frankenstein” with character interactions. In Town Hall, the 1950s/60s-style Hallowe’en Hop returns this year with a werewolf DJ and dancing “zombie teenagers.”
Why families love Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village
Part of the event’s draw is how it blends the old with the new. The program pulls from harvest traditions that go back centuries while weaving in characters, music and lighting effects that speak to today’s families. Organizers say it is designed for all ages, and after 45 years it has become a seasonal stop for many Detroit-area families.
Plan It:
- Hours: 6-10 p.m. (early 5:30 p.m. entry for select train ticket holders)
- Dates: October 2-5, 9-12, 16-19 and 23-26, 2025
- Location: 20900 Oakwood Blvd., Dearborn, MI (west of I-94, near the Henry Ford Museum)
- Cost: $23-$32.50 members, $27-$38 public; kids 2-11 receive 25% off, seniors 62+ 10% off, under 2 free. A family of four with two children ages 5 and 9 would pay about $86 for members or $104 for nonmembers, plus $9 for parking.
- Parking: Free for members, $9 for nonmembers
- Accessibility: Wheelchair rentals available, stroller-friendly paved streets, restrooms open, sensory elements include lights and sounds that intensify after dark
- Age fit: All ages, with free carousel rides and playground until dark for younger children, evening storytelling and live music for older kids and teens
Updated October 2025. Source: The Henry Ford
