photo by: Chris Conde/Special to the Journal-World

A Zombie Walk participant sports an elaborate costume with skulls in downtown Lawrence on Oct. 17, 2024.

As Halloween approaches, there are plenty of long-running local traditions and new events to get in the fall spirit this year, from haunted trails and theatrical ghost tours to fall festivals and pumpkin patches. Here’s a look at some of the Halloween and fall-themed events happening across the area this month:

• Schaake’s Pumpkin Patch, 1791 North 1500 Road in Lawrence, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and food truck vendors are expected to come out on Oct. 11, 12, 18 and 19, as the Journal-World reported. The pumpkin patch is open daily and offers a hay maze, playground, a number of farm animals and other games in addition to having the chance to pick out your next pumpkin. The pumpkin patch is open from now until Oct. 30.

• Nightmare on Mass Street is returning to Lucia, 1016 Massachusetts Street in Lawrence, offering a Halloween pop-up bar with decor and photo opportunities, live music and events, themed drinks, spooky food and other activities happening now until Nov. 2. To see the full schedule of events, visit lucialawrence.com/nightmare-on-mass-street.

• Garrett’s Haunted Farm and Pumpkin Patch, 1387 East 1650 Road in Lawrence, offers activities like a pumpkin patch, a train ride, car smash and a gel blaster zombie hunt on a haunted trail. The trail is full of hidden zombies participants will try to blast with staff-issued gel blasters. Safety gear will be provided. The farm and pumpkin patch is open from now until Nov. 1.

• Booktoberfest at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. in Lawrence, a monthlong event catered to adult readers aiming to bring the community together through a love of reading and bookish events like author talks and trivia. It will close out on Oct. 25 with the Haunted Stacks event, an after-hours event that will feature alcohol, books and a scavenger hunt with a Halloween party theme.

• Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence, is offering numerous Halloween-themed events throughout October, such as movie screenings, live performances and more. To see the full list of upcoming events, visit liberty-hall.com/upcoming-events.

• The Haunted Forest Night Walk at Vinland Valley Nursey, 1606 North 600 Road in Baldwin City, is open on Saturdays in October from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Visitors will walk through the forest with creatures and other spooky features. The nursery will offer hot chocolate and cider for purchase, and all ages are welcome, but it may be a little scary for younger children.

• “Ghosting Lawrence: A Theatrical Tour of Downtown Haunts” by the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St. Attendees will join Ric Averill on the Boys & Girls Club bus for a thrilling ghost tour of Lawrence, featuring live reenactments of the city’s most iconic spirits. The event is on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 25, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. To get tickets, visit the Lawrence Arts Center’s website.

• The Maple Leaf Festival in Baldwin City. The event will be returning on Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, this year. It will include craft exhibits, quilt shows, performing arts, food and live music.

• The 18th Annual Zombie Walk will begin at South Park, 1141 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence. Participants will gather near the gazebo at 3 p.m. on Oct. 16 and walk down Massachusetts Street. People are invited to dress up with costumes and props, and makeup artists will assist at South Park.

• Pine’s 2nd Annual Fall Festival, 1320 N. Third St. in Lawrence, will be happening Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. There will be food from chef Michael Beard, live music in the garden, free pumpkin painting, complimentary apple cider, photo opportunities and more.

• The 52nd Annual Halloween Paint-In on Massachusetts Street in Lawrence. Artists will have the chance to paint their sketches on the windows of some businesses downtown. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 8 a.m. to noon. Lawrence Parks, Recreation and Culture encourages people to submit their drawings ahead of the event. People can register on the city’s website.

• The Eudora Community Halloween Party is hosted by Central Bank of the Midwest on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the City of Eudora Community Room, 1630 Elm St. in Eudora. The event will feature music, games, a costume contest and a raffle with $50 gift card prizes.

• Watkins Museum of History’s Boo-Seum Bash, 1047 Massachusetts St. in Lawrence, will be on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Families will be able to trick or treat in the galleries, make spooky arts and crafts and complete a scavenger hunt to win a prize.

• Watkins Museum After Dark will be at the museum on Saturday, Nov. 1, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Attendees can travel back in time to the mysterious, Prohibition-era “Spookeasy” with drinks, card games, live jazz and dancing.