JANESVILLE — Get ready to embrace Halloween. Events are planned in the Janesville area between now and Oct. 31 for every age group and scare tolerance. From citywide trick-or-treating to a spooky downtown walking tour to campfire ghost stories at Palmer Park, here’s your ghoulish guide to local holiday fun.
Dawn Suiter hands out candy to trick-or-treaters at her decorated home along Eisenhower Avenue in Janesville in 2023.
69 file photo
Once Upon a Midnight Dreary
Roam Around Tours is offering a "Once Upon a Midnight Dreary," walking tour featuring gothic tales, local ghost stories and Victorian traditions on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 7-8 p.m. in downtown Janesville. The tour begins at the Marvin Roth Pavilion, 99 S. Main St. Tickets are $30. More information is at .
Halloweekend
Janesville’s traditional downtown trick-or-treat, presented by Black Bridge Family Dental, is Saturday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. followed by the Monster Mash Bash from 1-4 p.m. at The Venue, 37 S. Water St., and the Zombie Run presented by Nowlan Personal Injury Team at 5:30pm on Festival Street. Families should look for the black and orange balloons outside of downtown businesses and throughout the Janesville Farmers Market during downtown trick-or-treat, where there will be free candy.
A trolley will be available for rides. The Monster Mash Bash is a family-friendly Halloween party with a DJ dance party, face painting, fall crafts, slime making, and raffle prizes. Tickets are $10 per person, with children age 2 and under free.
The Zombie Run is a 5K and kid-friendly 1-mile walk or run. Check-in will start at 4:30 p.m. on Festival Street and the race will begin at 5:30 p.m. Dress up as a zombie for a chance to win prizes. There will also be a beer tent, DJ and photo-ops with zombies, the Wisconsin Ghostbusters, and a 20-foot replica of the moon. The adult ticket price of $45 includes finisher medal, commemorative t-shirt, and professional race timing. The cost for those 18 and younger is $25.
Tickets are at . All proceeds benefit Downtown Janesville Inc.
Skelly's Farm Market
Skelly's Farm Market, 2713 S. Hayner Road., in Janesville, offers family-friendly fall activities through Oct. 31, including two corn mazes, pumpkin picking, wagon rides an apple cannon. Free activities include a playground, corn box, giant rocking animals and life-size pumpkin checkers. There is no admission fee to enter the farm. Corn maze wristbands cost $10 per person; wagon rides are $7 per person. Children 3 and under are free. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with maze entrances closing at 5 p.m. For more information, call (608) 757-1200 or visit .
Rotary Botanical Gardens Halloween Walk
Rotary Botanical Gardens and the Janesville Performing Arts Center are partnering for a family-friendly Halloween Walk featuring seasonal lighting and live storytelling. The hour-long guided walk will take guests through themed areas of the gardens, where JPAC actors and community performers will present Halloween tales ranging from spooky to fun.
The event includes candy stations, seasonal treats and concessions from local vendors. Walks are Oct. 23-24 from 4-7:30 p.m. and Oct. 25-26 from 1-4:30 p.m. at Rotary Gardens, 1455 Palmer Drive, in Janesville. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for children under 12. Free parking is available. Guests are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. The event will proceed rain or shine. For more information, call (608) 315-5641.
Citywide trick-or-treating
Janesville’s citywide trick-or-treating is Friday, Oct. 31, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Residents who wish to welcome trick-or-treaters should leave their porch lights on. Children and families should only visit well-lit homes with lights on; if a light is off, it means the residence is not participating in the event.
Lick-or-Treat
The Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin will host Lick-or-Treat, a kid- and dog-friendly Halloween event on Sunday, Oct. 26, from noon to 3 p.m. The free event will feature trick-or-trunk-style trick-or-treating around the shelter's parking lot at 4700 S. County Road G. Staff, volunteers and community members will have decorated trunks with treats available for children and dogs. Costumes are welcome and encouraged. Attendees can also visit the Spooky Snacks and Raffle Basket table. A $5 donation is suggested but not required.
Campfire Ghost Stories
Storytellers from Hedberg Public Library will share ghastly tales appropriate for school-age children and adults on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Hilltop Pavilion Bonfire Pit in Palmer Park, 2501 Palmer Drive. Tales will get scarier as the evening progresses. All listeners are welcome, and no registration is required. For more information, visit or call (608) 785-6585.
Forsaken Souls
This new Halloween attraction at 354 Lake Drive Road in Edgerton is a haunted 1920s speakeasy filled with victims of a deranged madman. The haunted house opens at 7 p.m., with the ticket booth open from 6:30-11 p.m. Oct. 24-25 and 31. General admission is $24. The attraction is located at 354 Lake Drive Road in Edgerton. More information is at .
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