FREE Family-Friendly Events in Metro Detroit in October
We know…kids are expensive, so we’ve put together the top FREE events to enjoy as a family this month!
Tuesday, October 2 / 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
@ Heritage Park, Farmington
Hay! Check out these unbe-leaf-able activities: hayrides, pumpkin painting, hiking, bouncing on the bounce house, touring the Fire Department’s fire tuck, roasting marshmallows and hot dogs over Farmington Hills largest campfire, and watching the trees change color. Food, hayrides, and other items will be available for purchase.
Thursday, October 4 / 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
@ Franklin Athletic Center, Southfield
Please join us at the Franklin Biergarten for Octoberfest! Featuring:, Cash Bar featuring Oktoberfest Beer, Pretzel Bar, Sausage, & Sauerkraut (available for purchase), Open Gym with Bounce Houses from 6-8pm (Ages 3-12), and Prizes and Giveaways!
SKELETONS ARE ALIVE LAUNCH PARTY
Friday, October 5 / 5:30 pm – 9:00 pm
@ Downtown Northville
More than 100 life-sized themed Skeletons – created by Begonia Brothers of Northville – will once again come alive and inhabit Downtown Northville for the month of October. The Skeletons are Alive Launch Party takes place Friday, October 5 from 6-9 p.m. in Town Square as part of Downtown Northville’s spooktacular October in the ’Ville events for the whole family to enjoy.
Saturday, October 6 – Sunday, October 7
@ MSU Tollgate Farm Children’s Garden, Novi
Come, take a wagon ride to the pumpkin patch to pick your perfect pumpkin. Food, music, farm animals, educational exhibits, and children’s activities all make for a fun fall outing for all ages.
Saturday, October 6 / 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
@ Warren Civic Center Library
The Warren Civic Center Library will host the free program, “Halloween Gingerbread Houses.” Let’s get into the Halloween spirit and make some tasty yet spooky gingerbread houses.
Sunday, October 7 / 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Hess-Hathaway Park, Waterford
An exciting annual event for the entire family! Hayrides, bake sale, craft vendors, entertainment, historical house tours, food concessions, Children’s area and much more.
MAYBURY FARM GREAT PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
Friday, October 12 / 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Maybury Farm, Northville
Pumpkin themed activities for kids, face painting, corn maze, pumpkin painting, storytime and more! Fun for the whole family!
Saturday, October 13 / 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
@ Tecumseh
The leaves are falling from the trees, the morning air has a certain crispness to it, this can only mean one thing in Lenawee County; it’s time for Tecumseh’s Appleumpkin Festival.
Saturday, October 13 / 10:30 am – 11:30 am
@ Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham
Join us as we celebrate our favorite rescue dogs with stories, games, and crafts. For families with children of all ages. Registration required for the children.
BEGINNERS NIGHT OF STAR VIEWING
Saturday, October 13 / 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm
@ Maybury State Park, Northville
The Friends of Maybury are sponsoring a Beginner’s Night of Star Viewing at Maybury State Park. Come join us for an evening of wonder! The Ford Amateur Astronomy Club* will be setting up telescopes and will be on hand to assist members of the public who wish to bring their own telescopes.
PIPPIN’S PUPPETS: CRITTER CAPERS
Tuesday, October 16 / 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
@ Royal Oak Public Library
Come frolic with furry forest friends in this lively puppet extravaganza! One sneaky fox, one fussy bunny, one chattery chipmunk, one mistake, one big chase, and one big SURPRISE will make for an uproarious adventure!
Wednesday, October 17 / 4:30 pm – 5:15 pm
@ Northville District Library
Scream in delight at the antics of Griselda the silly witch as she goofs up every trick she sets out to learn. All ages welcome. 100 FREE TICKETS available today at the Information Desk five minutes prior to the event. All ages welcome.
Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 11:15 am
@ Pleasant Ridge Community Center
Join us for a morning of Halloween FUN! Dress up in your most “Boo-tiful” Costumes and celebrate with music. Enjoy spooky snacks with friends, dance and make a Halloween Craft.
EASTPOINTE LIONS CLUB ANNUAL HARVEST FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
@ East Brooke Commons, Eastpointe
The event includes free vision screenings for kids, child identification kits, pumpkin painting, pony rides, petting farm, refreshments, face painting, raffles, a fire truck/safety house (schedule permitting) and free goodie bags for the first 300 children.
Saturday, October 20 / 10:00 am – 12:30 pm
@ Dodge Park, Sterling Heights
Join us in Dodge Park on October 20th from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. for our annual “Sterling Frights” Halloween event for Sterling Heights children 12 years of age and younger. We will have live music, a straw maze, hay rides, cider & donuts, goodie bags for all participants, inflatable activities for the young participants and a free pumpkin for the first 400 participants. Dress for the weather as this is an outdoor event and don’t forget your camera!
Saturday, October 20 / 10:30 am – 11:30 am
@ Waterford Township Public Library
Come dressed in your costumes for stories and crafts. Then visit the librarian at the desk for a sweet surprise! Photo ops with legendary monsters on site. No registration required.
Saturday, October 20 / 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
@ Crosswinds Marsh Wetland Interpretive Preserve, New Boston
Enjoy a beautiful hayride along a forested trail and gather around the bonfire for kid-friendly stories while enjoying cider, hot chocolate and donuts. You can also demonstrate your pumpkin carving skills, try out our fall crafts and games and even participate in a scavenger hunt.
TRICK OR TREAT DOWNTOWN AND HALLOWEEN MOVIES
Saturday, October 20 / 3:30 pm – 9:30 pm
@ Downtown Rochester
Join us for a fun filled day in Downtown Rochester with Trick-or-Treat, a Costume Parade, Firehouse Fun and a Halloween edition of Movies in the Moonlight!
Sunday, October 21 / 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
@ Downtown Plymouth
Come and enjoy a safe and haunted Halloween experience. Pumpkin Palooza is a family fun Halloween extravaganza with games, costume contests, dancing, entertainment, petting zoo, and candy.
PLEASANT RIDGE HALLOWEEN HAYRIDE
Sunday, October 21 / 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Gainsboro Park, Pleasant Ridge
All residents are welcome-no reservations needed! Join in on the family fun with hayrides thru town, “wax hands”, pony rides & petting farm and yummy fall treats! Hayride will stop at Ameriprise for more fun activities. This event is sure to get your family in the Fall mood!
Monday, October 22 / 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
@ Southfield Public Library
Have a monsterously good time dancing to Halloween inspired hits and munching creepy treats. Family friendly costumes are encouraged, and prizes will be awarded.
Tuesday, October 23 / 10:30 am – 11:30 am
@ Sterling Heights Library
Stop in for our annual Halloween parades! Children in 6th grade and younger are encouraged to dress up in their Halloween costumes and join us for some Halloween stories, a trick-or-treat parade, and a short Halloween movie.
Wednesday, October 24 / 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
@ Clinton – Macomb Main Library
Join us for a (not so) scary good time! Monsters and mayhem will take over the library for some creepy crafts, ghostly games, and spooky stories. Costumes are encouraged! No registration is required.
Friday, October 26 / 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
@ Boll Family YMCA, Detroit
This October the Y is hosting our annual Halloween at the Y event, where families are invited to celebrate Halloween in a safe and fun environment. We offer a craft room, haunted house, obstacle course, and other fun games made for kids under 12. Join us for a spook-tacular event, and don’t forget your costume!
Friday, October 26 / 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
@ Waterford Recreation Center
Happy Halloween!! Families and local businesses will be passing out candy in our parking lot to trick-or-treaters! Please let us know if you plan on attending and/or willing to pass out candy. This will help us have a count for candy.
LCSO’S PUBLIC SAFETY TRUNK OR TREAT
Friday, October 26 / 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
@ Livingston County MI Sheriff’s Office, Howell
The Livingston County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting its second Public Safety Trunk or Treat. Join us for a night of Free and Safe Halloween Fun.
TWEEN & TEEN HALLOWEEN LOCK-IN
Friday, October 26 / 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm
@ Baldwin Public Library
The library is turning into a haunted house and it needs spooky actors. Please wear dark clothes or a creepy costume. The library has some masks available to borrow. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Ages 13-18, registration and signed permission slip are required.
Saturday, October 27 / 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
@ Downtown Auburn Hills
Downtown merchants will be handing out candy and goodies! Bring the kids in costume for a frightfully good time! ALL children must be accompanied by an adult. This event is FREE and will be held rain or shine.
Saturday, October 27 / 9:30 am – 11:30 am
@ Downtown Northville
Please join Northville in this Halloween Tradition. Free Event, Open to the Public. Kids’ Costume Parade begins at the Northville Community Center, 303 West Main Street, at 9:30am and walks into downtown, with a special parade escort by Preservation Dental’s Tooth Fairy.
Saturday, October 27 / 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
@ Belle Isle Nature Center
This annual event invites children to wear costumes and bring treat bags – Halloween goodies are provided to all who attend. Guests are asked to join the Detroit Zoological Society on its green journey by bringing their own treat bags; bags are not handed out at the event.
HALLOWEEN STORY TIME AND DOWNTOWN TRICK OR TREATING
Saturday, October 27 / 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
@ Farmington Community Library
Join us for some fun, not so scary stories, crafts and activities. Trick or Treating begins in Downtown Farmington at 2 p.m. Library Staff will be in front of the Sunflour Bakehaus.
Saturday, October 27 / 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
@ Dequindre Cut Greenway, Detroit
Celebrate fall along the beautiful Dequindre Cut at the 4th Annual HarvestFest Detroit, a FREE day of family fun, hosted by the Detroit RiverFront Conservancy.
RIVER RAISIN HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL
Saturday, October 27 / 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
@ Downtown Monroe
Join us for Trick or treating from 12noon – 2:00 p.m. LIVE Music, Costume Contest, Headless Horseman Carriage Rides and much more!
Saturday, October 27 / 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Beacon Park, Detroit
Bring the little ones in costume to Beacon Park’s free Halloween Family Fun Day for a howling good time complete with trick and treating, face painting, inflatables, make and take activities, cider and donuts, music and more.
Saturday, October 27 / 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
@ Auburn Hills Public Library
Wear your costume and join us for a Halloween Party! Crafts, activities and trick-or-treating are all part of the fun. Bring a friend! This program is for ages 3-10. Registration is recommended for this event.
Saturday, October 27 / 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
@ Livonia Family YMCA
Join the Livonia Y for a spooktacular time! This event is free and open to everyone. We have arts n crafts, scary storytime, fun activities, a costume contest and a Haunted Locker room! This year’s theme is Monster Mash. Join us and tell your friends!
Saturday, October 27 / 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
@ Downtown Howell
Come to downtown Howell dressed in your Halloween best and experience the 16th Annual Legend of Sleepy Howell on Saturday, October 27th from 6:00pm-8:00pm.
Sunday, October 28 / 10:00 am – 8:00 pm
@ Beverly Park
All children living in Beverly Hills are welcome to join in the festivities where they’ll enjoy TOPPING & GUTTING, PUMPKIN CARVING and TRICK OR TREATING!
Sunday, October 28 / 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
@ Downtown Royal Oak
“Spooky Passes” will be available for purchase. This pass will give kids “Spooktacular” time with a trick or treat bag, cider, donuts, a professional photo, access to the bounce houses and pie pumpkin decorating.
Sunday, October 28 / 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
@ Detroit Historical Museum
Don’t miss one of our favorite days of the year! On Sunday, October 28, children aged 12 and younger can follow clues to explore the museum while searching out treats and games throughout the museum, enjoy free refreshments and make a Halloween craft to take home. We encourage everyone to come in costume! Also bring your own bag, pail or pillow case to collect your goodies.
BIRMINGHAM PUMPKIN PATCH & HALLOWEEN PARADE
Sunday, October 28 / 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
@ Shain Park, Birmingham
Dress your children in their Halloween costumes and let the fun begin! The Pumpkin Patch event is hosted by the Junior League of Birmingham. Stick around to march in the annual Birmingham Halloween Parade hosted by the Birmingham Bloomfield Chamber at 4 p.m. at the corner of Bates and Martin near Shain Park.
Sunday, October 28 / 2:00 pm – 4:30 pm
@ Novi Civic Center
Free community event with dance performances, fun crafts and activities, traditional costume dress-up opportunities and more! Procession to begin the event at the atrium!
Sunday, October 28 / 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
@ Clawson City Park
Children in costume, accompanied by an adult, are invited to trick or treat on the wood chip trail in the park. Trick or treat stations are provided by local businesses and groups. Bring a flashlight and bag for candy! Donuts and cider provided in the pavilion, following the trail.
Tuesday, October 30 / 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
@ Clawson City Park
Head out to Clawson for an afternoon celebrating Fall – with hay rides, taste of Clawson, games and more. Fun for the whole family! Bonfire begins at 6 pm.
THE SPOOKTACULAR COMEDY SHOW WITH JOEL TACEY
Tuesday, October 30 / 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
@ Royal Oak Public Library
Bring the whole family for a merry, not scary, time of Halloween games, crafts, parades, dancing, stories, and trick-or-treating around the library. Wear your Halloween costume (or come as you are)! There are two floors of fun, so drop in anytime, but make sure to allow enough time to circulate to all of the activities.
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About Chrissy Hartig
Chrissy Hartig is a recent graduate of Wayne State University and contributing writer for Little Guide Detroit. Born in the Metro Detroit suburbs, she moved to Midtown to be closer to the excitement of the city. She loves spending her time outdoors and enjoying nature in places like Belle Isle and the Riverwalk.
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