Trunk-or-treat and community trick-or-treating events are a wonderful and safe alternatives for young kids during the 2022 Halloween season.
These family-friendly events are often held during the day and are contained within community centers, downtown areas with road closures, or blocked off parking lots.
Trunk-or-treat events are especially fun as cars are decorated with themes and fun displays and they require minimal walking between stops.
There are many events offering special trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat fun in Columbus this year. Your kids will enjoy a safe and fun Halloween experience no matter which you choose – you may want to pick a couple to attend!
There's so much to do in Columbus in the Fall, whether you’re looking for something spooky or kid-friendly! Check out our HUGE list of fall events, Haunted Houses and Haunted Woods and Spooky Ghost Tours, community Trunk or Treat events and Halloween Parties, and our list of pumpkin patches, farm activities and corn mazes! Plus, find out when your community is having Trick or Treat or Beggar's Night this year!
Don’t forget – there are plenty of places to eat free or cheap on Halloween. Some of these options won’t be updated until mid/late October, so check back
Halloween Food and Drink Deals on Halloween in Columbus (2023)
Safe Trick-or-Treat and Trunk-or-Treat for 2023
Olentangy Fall Festival and Treatfest
Saturday, September 30, 2023 from 11 am – 2 pm at Olentangy Orange Middle School, 2680 East Orange Road Lewis Center. FREE – but some activities and perks require pre-registration. Details here.
Boo at the Zoo at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
October 6-8, October 13-15, October 20-22, October 27-29, 2023
Meet characters throughout the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Visit Cali’s Pirate Dance Party and Frogwortz Academy, ride the Zoo Boo Choo Choo, and stop at treat stations located throughout the Zoo. There will be all sorts of fall fun at the Zoo!
Delaware Fall Festival and Treatfest KidsFest
Sunday, October 8, 2023 from 11 am – 2 pm at Delaware Community Center YMCA. Admission is free, but register to qualify for VIP entry, bags, and other fun activities. Details.
Dublin Halloween Spooktacular
October 19-20, 2023 in Coffman Park.
Merry, not scary family fun! Guests of all ages can come in costume and enjoy this ghoulish celebration. Goblins and ghouls will enjoy returning favorites like the Trunk or Treat Trail, eerie exhibits and dance performances on the Coffman Park Tennis Courts. Details.
Boo ‘N Brew Birthday Party at Polaris Fashion Place
Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 12 pm – 4 pm. Fall festival with beer garden and lots of family-friendly activities throughout the lifestyle center. Live music, trick-or-treating, costume contest, parades and more! Details.
Treat Street: Halloween at The Shops on Lane Avenue
Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 12pm – 2pm. Come dressed in your favorite costume for an afternoon of spooktacular fun! While supplies last, children 12 and under will enjoy Trick-or-Treating, festive music, refreshments and more. This is a FREE community event. Details.
New Albany Parks and Recreation Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 14, 2023 from 3-6 pm at Bevelhymer Park. Wear your best costume and trick or treat through the parking lot to play games and get candy from various local organizations. Lots of fun activities are happening too! Details.
Autism Society Trunk or Treat Fairfield County
October 15, 2023 from 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm. Costume up for a friendly afternoon of Halloween fun! The event is free, but you must register. 6355 Winchester Blvd, Canal Winchester, OH 43110
Trunk or Treat at Hebron New Life United Methodist Church
Thursday, October 19, 2023 from 6-7 pm
925 W. Main St., Hebron, Ohio. There will be a prize for the best trunk. Details.
Trunk or Treat Car Show with Empty Pockets Cruisers
Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 11 am to 4 pm (rain 10-22-22)
Hilliard Presbyterian Church 3600 Leap Rd Hilliard, OH 43026. Registration $10, bring candy to hand out to trick or treaters from 1 -3 pm. Spectators and Trick or Treaters Free. Details.
Prairie Township Trick or Treat Trail
Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 4-6 pm at Westland High School Parking Lot. Expect a night full of candy, games, food, & more! Jolly Pirate food truck will be there, plus Facepainting and games, and a Bounce House. Details.
Candy by the Carload in Powell
Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 4-6:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building Parking Lot at 47 Hall Street. The parking lot will be transformed into a trick-or-treater’s treasure chest as local businesses and organizations set up booths and car trunks filled with candy, toys and other Halloween goodies. Registration details.
Newark Treatfest
Sunday, October 22, 2023 from 1 pm – 3 pm at Canal Market District
The Newark Fall Festival & Treatfest is the ultimate destination for fun from trick or treating, pumpkins, bounce park, costume contest, stage entertainment, characters, fun prize wheel, VIP bag, food & treat trucks, shopping, find things for the fall, education, classes, things for family, home & more!
Trick or Treat Trail at Gallant Woods Park
Sunday, October 22, 2023, 1 pm – 4 pm
Bring the kids in costume to gather treats from characters along the enchanted nature trail. Decorate pumpkins, enjoy a hayride, meet some creepy critters, vote for your favorite scarecrow, and visit Gallant Farm across the road. It’s all free; details here.
The Maize at Little Darby Creek Trick or Treat
Sunday, October 22, 2023 From 2pm – 3pm, kids wear your costumes and trick or treat for candy. The costume contest will follow at 3pm. Details here.
Trick or Treat at The Five
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 6-8 pm
Free trick or treat event with games, food, prizes, and more. Details here.
Boo & Brew at Bridge Park
Wednesday, October 25, 2023 from 5-8 pm
Boo & Brew is a family-friendly event held at Bridge Park. Local businesses will be lining the streets to pass out Halloween candy and goodies to those of all ages. Details.
Pickerington Haunted Village
Thursday, October 26, 2023, 6-8 pm.
Enjoy the ghost tours, story-telling, hayrides, food vendors, and trick or treating through the Olde Pickerington Village businesses. The brave ones can experience the haunted museum, haunted house, and more.
KidX Club™ Candy Crawl at Polaris
Tuesday, October 26, 2023 from 5 pm – 7 pm.
Kids can grab a trick-or-treat bag (while supplies last) and go store to store for trick-or-treating. Dress to impress for the family costume contest. There will be games, prizes, and more. Details here.
Howl-O-Ween at Ohio Wildlife Center
Thursday, October 26, 2023 Walk through the White Tail Trail, visits from “spooky” Animal Ambassadors like owls Bella, Alex and Woodsy, snakes Checkers, and Percy and Lenore, our American Crows. $25 per family of 4, $5 each additional child. Details here.
Blacklick Woods Metro Park Trick or Treat Trail
October 26, 2023 from 5 pm – 7 pm
Families will take a half-mile walk along the Buttonbush Trail and learn about tricks while collecting treats! Trick-or-treaters and their families are encouraged to wear costumes. Details here.
Costume & Candy Crawl at Kingsdale Shopping Center
October 26, 2023 from 4 pm – 7 pm
Dress in your Halloween best and Trick-or-Treat at Kingsdale Shopping Center! There’s a costume contest, face painters, and balloon artists. Please meet at the green for registration and a trick-or-treat bag to take along the route. This is a FREE event. Open to kids 12 and under, with adult supervision.
Brightside Academy Spooktacular Trunk or Treat
Friday, October 27, 2023, 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm. Children and parents can enjoy this free community event at Brightside Academy. There will be live music, haunted bus, vendors, candy, costume contest, and more. 1977 Cleveland Avenue, Columbus.
Great Gahanna Goblin Trail
October 27, 2023 from 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm.
Trick or treat trail, light shows, live entertainment, and lots of fun surprises at Academy Park, 1201 Cherry Bottom Road in Gahanna. Details here.
Worthington Halloween Party and Halloween on the Village Green
Friday, October 27, 2023 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Kids can Trick or Treat on the Green from vendors passing out treats. There will be entertainers on all four quadrants, as well as arts and craft stations, and more! Details.
Community Halloween Spooktacular at Church of Scientology Central Ohio
Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 1 pm – 5 pm.
Enjoy a safe, indoor trick or treating experience. The venue will be transformed into a haunted wonderland, with decorations that will transport you to a world of Halloween magic. Lots of fun activities! More details.
Trunk or Treat Delaware County at New Beginnings Church
Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 3-4:30 pm.
Hosted by New Beginnings Church and ASCO Autism Society Central Ohio. Enjoy a fun and safe Trunk or Treat for all ages and all abilities. There will be decorated trunks in various themes, all passing out goodies. Registration is REQUIRED but free
Historic Happy Halloween Candy Trail in Dublin
Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 2-4 pm in Historic Dublin.
Dress Up your little Ghouls for a Frighteningly Good Time! Businesses in the District will be handing out candy between 2:00- 4:00pm (or while supplies last). More details at the link!
Scarysville in Uptown Marysville
Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 10 am – noon.
The streets of Uptown “Scarysville” come alive with Halloween FUN. Children can wear costumes and visit Uptown merchants for candy and other Halloween goodies. All the fun of Trick or Treat, in the light of day.
This event is sponsored by the Historic Marysville Business District Association. Details here.
Trunk or Treat at Pataskala Grace Church
Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 11 am – 2 pm.
Family-friendly activities include trunk or treating, hayrides, games, food trucks, and more. Details on Facebook.
Boo off Broadway in Grove City
Saturday, October 28, 2023 from noon-4 pm
Family-friendly alternative to the traditional door-to-door Beggars’ Night allows children to dress in costume and safely collect candy and other goodies from area businesses and civic organizations in the Grove City’s Town Center Promenade. Details.
Special Needs “Trick or Suites” at Embassy Suites
Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 2-3:30 pm. Trick or “Suites” Pandemic Style! The ASCO is partnering with Embassy Suites to provide a fun and safe environment for special needs individuals of all ages and their families to enjoy trunk-or-treat! Register here.
Rockin’ Tots Halloween Party at Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park
Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 5 pm – 8 pm. $15 admission. Includes Arts and Crafts Games Costume Contest and much more!
Inniswood Halloween Party
Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 2-4 pm
Head to the Inniswood Gardens for activities and crafts to celebrate this traditional holiday.
Trunk or Treat at Grace Polaris Church
Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 4 pm – 6 pm. 8225 Worthington Galena Road. Free community event with live DJ, games, candy, firetruck, bounce house, food, and more.
Hilliard Trunk or Treat at Hilliard/Ray Patch YMCA
Sunday, October 29, 2023 from 5-7 pm
We will have a food truck, music from 104.9 The River, the Hilliard Police, a DIY photobooth, food trucks and more! Details here.
Tots Trick or Treat at Pickerington City Hall
Tuesday, October 31, 2023 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm.
Children 2-5 years old accompanied by an adult may wear their favorite costumes as they walk through the decorated City Hall to see staff dressed in costumes while receiving a few goodies. Details here.
Groveport Halloween Block Party
Tuesday, October 31, 2023, 5:30pm – 7pm
Come to the Halloween Block Party located at Main & Front on Monday, October 31, from 5:30pm to 7pm. Trick-or-treaters will receive FREE pizza slices, popcorn, cookies, and other goodies! Details here.
There's so much to do in Columbus in the Fall, whether you’re looking for something spooky or kid-friendly! Check out our HUGE list of fall events, Haunted Houses and Haunted Woods and Spooky Ghost Tours, community Trunk or Treat events and Halloween Parties, and our list of pumpkin patches, farm activities and corn mazes! Plus, find out when your community is having Trick or Treat or Beggar's Night this year!
Double-Check Before You Head Out!
We love finding and sharing about deals on Columbus on the Cheap.
However, sometimes things change without notice, and we are not always notified. It's also possible that we can make a mistake.
Please verify all deals and events with the venue or organizer before you go.
More options for Trick or Treat:
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[…] communities around Central Ohio; check out the Trick or Treat schedule here. There are also over 30 community events with trick or treating or trunk or treating for a safer alternative to Beggar’s Night. If you don’t know what to dress up as for […]