5 Free October Events For Kids Around Milwaukee (2023)

October in Milwaukee bursts with autumn colors, festive spirits, and free family events!

From hiking amidst uniquely decorated scarecrows at Retzer Nature Center to dancing away at the BAYSHORE BOOgie Bash, this month promises endless entertainment for kids and families.

Dive into our curated list of “5 Free October Events for Kids Around Milwaukee” and make the most of the spooky season.

Whether you’re carving pumpkins, attending jubilees, or joining trick-or-treat strolls, these activities guarantee fun-filled memories. 🎃🍂👻

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1. Scarecrow Lane (Friends of Retzer Nature Center)

Open daily September 22 -Oct. 31, 2023, Sunrise to 10 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Website

Say hello to the unique scarecrows along the Blue Trail at Retzer Nature Center! Scarecrow Lane is a self-guided hike on the west end of the Learning Center building. The scarecrows, decorated by local families and businesses, will be on display through October 31.

On your half-mile hike, you’ll also see Retzer Pond and the Children’s Garden, filled with pumpkins, flowers, and other fall plants. Expect woodchipped and mowed grass trails with some sloped terrain. Some heavy-duty strollers may be able to handle the terrain, but it might be better to plan on walking.

While you’re there, you can also check out the newly renovated, accessible Discovery Trail, get a good view of Waukesha on the “Vista Trail”, and hike along boardwalks and babbling brooks on the the “Nature Trail.”

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2. Haunted Halloween on Downer

Saturday, October 21, 2023
Website

This family-friendly Halloween event is geared towards participants of all ages! Stroll Historic Downer Avenue, where businesses from Park to Webster will be hand out trick-or-treats for both children and adults.

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3. BAYSHORE BOOgie Bash & Costume Contest

Friday, October 27, 2023, 5-8 p.m.
Admission: FREE

Come celebrate Fall at the 4th annual BAYSHORE BOOgie Bash & Costume Contest presented by Spirit Halloween!

Bring your princesses, monsters, goblins, and little characters for a free and fun family-friendly event in The Yard at Bayshore.

Get ready to do the costume boogie with Kid Boogie Down who will also host costume contests and award prizes at 6:00 pm!

Dance with the Halloween-themed Fairytale Princesses presented by Fairytale Birthday Company, enjoy laser light shows and bring your phone/camera to capture yourself in the not-so-spooky Halloween displays throughout The Yard.

Trick-or-Treat at Kilwins! Bring your costumed characters to Kilwins and receive a free chocolate treat from 5:00 – 8:00pm.

BOOgie Bash Partners: Fresh Fin, Goldfish Swim School, Tiffany’s Dessert Bar, El Sazon Dominicano, Rose Mob Grill, Tots on the Street, Sprecher Taproom, Spirit Halloween

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4. Pumpkin Pavilion in Bay View

October 18-22nd, 2023
Website

Pumpkin Pavilion is a four-day, family-friendly event bringing over 2,000 Bay View residents and Milwaukee neighbors to Humboldt Park Pavilion.

Guests come to carve pumpkins, admire the display of 1,000 lit pumpkins, enjoy live music, eat local food, and embrace the fun that is Halloween.

This event is entirely volunteer-powered. Since its inception, the Pumpkin Pavilion has added attractions, displays and new events each year.

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5. Jack-O’-Lantern Jubilee (Red Arrow Park)

Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Admission: FREE

Usher in Halloween at the 2nd annual “Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee” on Saturday, Oct. 28 in Red Arrow Park, presented by WaterStone Bank.

Ideal for kids ages 2 – 10 and their parents, this pumpkin palooza offers a safe environment to celebrate Halloween, complete with free pumpkins, handfuls of free goodies, and oodles of activities for everyone! 

New this year, the event will feature fall-themed produce and sweet treats, including Weston’s Antique Apple Orchard, Doughnuttery Mayfair, Pop’s MarketPlace, and Cottonmouth MKE. 

There will be a free pumpkin patch (first-come, first serve), pumpkin decorating with A.W.E., performances by Frogwater, Mariachi Monarcas de Milwaukee, and the Extra Crispy Brass Band, free face painting, character meet & greets, Jolly Giants stilt walkers, bubble playtime, Storytime with the Pocket Lady and Wes Tank, and more.

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More Free Halloween Events:

Oak Creek Fall Festival

Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023
oakcreekwi.gov

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Great Pumpkin Festival

Oct. 25-28, 2023
wfbcivicfoundation.org

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Fall Fest in West Bend, WI

October 17, 2023

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Black Cat Alley Halloween

TBD
Admission: FREE
Website

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Cedarburg Pumpkin Walk

October 31, 2023
Website

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Train in Shorewood (CURRENTLY CLOSED)

Corner Bakery Shorewood Cafe – 1305 E. Capitol Drive
Admission: FREE
Website

NOTE: The Ghost Train is currently not operating due to a lighting and audio issue. 

If you’ve never seen the Ghost Train make its nightly run through Shorewood, you’re going to want to take a pajama ice cream ride and check it out.

The Ghost Train is an artistic sensory experience which enables visitors to travel back in history, imagining the round-trip journey of the ‘Twin Cities 400’ which was operated by the Chicago and North Western Railway from 1935-1963 and crossed Capitol Drive at the Oak Leaf Trail Bridge. The Ghost Train was brought to Shorewood by Public Art Shorewood and designed by Marty Peck, CLD-E.

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For more Halloween events and trick-or-treat times, check out our Events Calendar >>

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