Welcome to the final full week of October, and it is the one the whole season builds toward. The weekend headliner is the Michigan Makers Wicked Holiday Show, Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 3 PM at Frankenmuth's Harvey Kern Pavilion, with more than 100 vendors, trick-or-treating at every table, hot cider, doughnuts, a food truck, and kids' Halloween activities, all free to browse. The town's Scarecrow Fest also keeps its handcrafted scarecrow displays up along Main Street through Sunday, November 1, so a stroll through Michigan's little Bavaria doubles as the season's last scarecrow hunt. If you would rather stay closer to the Saginaw Bay, the Historic Masonic Temple in Bay City hosts the weekend's wildest double bill: the Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Spooktacular Saturday night and an Emo Night Halloween party Friday, with the 2026 Masquerade Ball raising funds for the Great Lakes Dream Center Friday evening.
Saturday, October 31 is the region's trick-or-treat night, and the hours are worth knowing before you head out. Flint goes first at 4 to 8 PM, Flint Township runs 5 to 8 PM, Clio and Burton follow at 5 to 7 PM and 5 to 8 PM, and Grand Blanc, Fenton, Davison, Flushing, Swartz Creek, and Goodrich all run 6 to 8 PM. In Oakland County, Clarkston keeps a tight 6 to 7 PM, with Lake Orion and Orion Township at 6 to 8 PM and Oxford Township 6 to 7:30 PM. Livingston County's Howell and Brighton hold 6 to 8 PM, Owosso and Laingsburg in Shiawassee County run 6 to 8 PM, Saginaw goes 6 to 8 PM, and across Lapeer County, Lapeer, Imlay City, Almont, and North Branch all hold 6 to 8 PM. For the full week's planning help, our orchard and cider mill guide and our Bay City day trip guide are both handy companions for Halloween-weekend outings.
Festivals & Fairs
Michigan Makers Wicked Holiday Show
The Michigan Makers Wicked Holiday Show takes over Harvey Kern Pavilion (599 Weiss St) in Frankenmuth Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1 from 10 AM to 3 PM, and it is one of the most fun family stops of the weekend. More than 100 vendors fill the pavilion with handmade gifts, seasonal decor, art, and local goods, kids trick-or-treat at every table, and the food truck, cider, and doughnuts keep everyone fueled. Admission is free, so it pairs perfectly with a costume-Street stroll and a famous Frankenmuth chicken dinner.
Harvey Kern Pavilion, 599 Weiss St, Frankenmuth, MI · frankenmuth.org
Frankenmuth Scarecrow Fest: Final Days
The handcrafted scarecrows of Frankenmuth's Scarecrow Fest stay up along Main Street and around downtown through the festival's close on Sunday, November 1. The activity weekends at River Place Shops have wrapped, but the festive displays remain for one final photo-worthy stroll: mums, gourds, and dozens of creative scarecrows line Michigan's little Bavaria, and the shops, bakeries, and legendary chicken houses are all open for the last days of the season. It is free, it is charming, and it is the perfect way to ease out of October and into November.
Downtown Frankenmuth, 635 S Main St, Frankenmuth, MI · frankenmuthriverplace.com
Also Around Frankenmuth
- Zehnder's Splash Village Halloween Bash · 1365 S Main St, Frankenmuth · Saturday, October 31 · a family-friendly costume night at the indoor waterpark with treats, crafts, and poolside Halloween fun, included with Splash Village admission.
- Frankenmuth Corn Maze · 5450 Weiss Rd, Frankenmuth · final weekend: Friday 7-10 PM, Saturday noon-10 PM, Sunday noon-7 PM · eight-plus acres of corn maze with a farm animal area, closing for the season after Halloween.
- Bronner's Christmas Wonderland · 25 Christmas Ln, Frankenmuth · open daily through the holiday season · the world's largest Christmas store kicks off its busiest stretch right after Halloween, a cheerful stop on the way home.
Halloween Weekend Headliners
Trick-or-Treat: Halloween Night Hours
Almost every community in our coverage area celebrates on Halloween itself this year. Flint starts earliest at 4-8 PM, followed by Flint Township, Genesee Township, and Argentine Township at 5-8 PM, Burton at 5-7 PM, and Clio at 5-8 PM. Grand Blanc, Fenton, Davison, Flushing, Swartz Creek, and Goodrich all run 6-8 PM. In Oakland County, Clarkston runs 6-7 PM, Lake Orion and Orion Township 6-8 PM, and Oxford Township 6-7:30 PM. Livingston County's Howell and Brighton hold 6-8 PM, Owosso and Laingsburg in Shiawassee County run 6-8 PM, Saginaw goes 6-8 PM, and across Lapeer County, Lapeer, Imlay City, Almont, and North Branch all hold 6-8 PM. Dress warm, bring a flashlight, and enjoy the biggest community night of the fall.
Halloween Ghosts & Goodies: Final Nights
Genesee County Parks' signature Halloween event closes its season with final nights Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30 at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad in Flint, running 5 to 9 PM both evenings. It is your last chance for trick-or-treating at 20 village stops, the straw maze, the magic show at the Colwell Opera House, vintage rides, cider and doughnuts, and the Huckleberry Ghost Train Express, the 40-minute ride with friendly ghosts that routinely sells out. Village-only admission is $17, or $27 for the combination ticket with the train; ages 12 months and under are free. Tickets are sold online in advance, and with only two nights left, it is worth booking ahead.
Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad, 6140 N Bray Rd, Flint, MI · geneseecountyparks.org
Ooky Spooky Light Show & Laser Halloween
The Longway Planetarium at the Flint Cultural Center (1310 E Kearsley St) wraps its Halloween run Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31. The family-friendly Ooky Spooky Light Show fills the dome with gentle Halloween music and imagery at 4 PM both days, plus a 6 PM show Saturday, and Laser Halloween lights up the dome at 7 and 8 PM both nights for a rock-and-roll space ride. The dome show is $8 for adults and $6 for youth ages 2-11, with laser shows ticketed separately. It is a warm, dry, spectacular way to celebrate Halloween night, especially when the candy runs out.
Longway Planetarium, 1310 E Kearsley St, Flint, MI · sloanlongway.org/halloween
TreeRunner HallowGlow
TreeRunner Rochester keeps its HallowGlow going Friday and Saturday, October 30-31 from 4 to 10 PM at the adventure park in Rochester Hills: the treetop challenge courses and zip lines light up for Halloween with glowing decor, spooky (but kid-friendly) styling, and candy stops along the routes. It is a great choice for families who want to be active on Halloween weekend, with age-appropriate courses for younger climbers. Book your session window ahead of time, because Halloween slots fill fast.
TreeRunner Rochester Adventure Park, Rochester Hills, MI · 2026 Halloween events roundup
Hockey on the Weekend
Saginaw Spirit: Two Home Games
The Saginaw Spirit give hockey fans a Halloween weekend doubleheader at the Dow Event Center (303 Johnson St): Friday, October 30 at 7:05 PM against the Barrie Colts, then Saturday, October 31 at 4:00 PM against the Guelph Storm. That Saturday 4 PM puck drop makes an ideal Halloween afternoon outing, with plenty of time for the costume rounds afterward. Saginaw Township and the city of Saginaw both hold trick-or-treat at 5-7 PM and 6-8 PM respectively, so the evening plan comes together easily.
Dow Event Center, 303 Johnson St, Saginaw, MI · chl.ca/ohl-spirit
Flint Firebirds vs. Barrie Colts
The Flint Firebirds host the Barrie Colts at the Dort Financial Center (3501 Lapeer Rd) Saturday, October 31 at 2:00 PM, the only home game of the week for the Firebirds. A 2 PM Halloween matinee is tailor-made for families: catch the game, then head home in time for Flint's 4-8 PM trick-or-treat window. Fans in costume are part of the fun, and it is a lively way to open the big night.
Dort Financial Center, 3501 Lapeer Rd, Flint, MI · chl.ca/ohl-firebirds
Haunts, Music & After Dark
Terrorfied Forest
For the brave, Terrorfied Forest runs its final two nights of the season Friday and Saturday, October 30-31 from 7:30 to 11 PM at the Livingston County attraction. The haunted trail delivers serious scares, so check the age guidance before you bring the little ones. It is the region's big-ticket haunted walk of the Halloween weekend, and Saturday night in particular draws a strong crowd, so arriving early is wise.
Livingston County, MI · CBS Detroit Halloween roundup
Past Tense After Dark
Lapeer's own haunted walk-through, Past Tense After Dark at 1965 Farnsworth Rd, is open Friday and Saturday nights through Halloween, October 30-31 from dusk to midnight. The outdoor haunted attraction builds its scares around vintage and historical themes, making it a distinctive scare among the region's haunts. With Lapeer's trick-or-treat running 6-8 PM Saturday, brave parents can do the family rounds first and the scare after.
Past Tense After Dark, 1965 Farnsworth Rd, Lapeer, MI · pasttenseafterdark.com
IRONSNAKE Halloween Bash
After the kids are tucked in, the grown-ups head to The Machine Shop (3539 S Dort Hwy, Flint) for the IRONSNAKE Halloween Bash Saturday, October 31 at 10 PM. The night pairs a heavy rock lineup with costumes, themed drinks, and the venue's reliably full-tilt Halloween energy. It is 18-and-over with tickets required, so plan ahead if a loud, costumed night out is on your list.
The Machine Shop, 3539 S Dort Hwy, Flint, MI · themachineshop.info
Halloween Weekend Saginaw Psychic Fair
Lean into the season's mystique at the Halloween Weekend Saginaw Psychic Fair and Convention, running Friday, October 30 through Sunday, November 1 at the Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw (4960 Towne Centre Rd). Readers, vendors, and mediums set up across the weekend for a family-friendly alternative to the scare houses, with readings and goods priced a la carte on top of the $5 admission. It is a curiosity-friendly way to spend a few hours that is nothing like the usual costume circuit.
Four Points by Sheraton Saginaw, 4960 Towne Centre Rd, Saginaw, MI · Saginaw event listings
Also After Dark
- Halloween at the Symphony · Temple Theatre, 201 N Washington Ave, Saginaw · Thursday, October 29, 7:30 PM · the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra opens Halloween weekend with costumes and movie-music favorites, ticketed through the Temple.
- Slay Nights Haunted House · 1800 N Burkhart Rd, Howell Township · October 30-31, 7:30 PM-midnight · ticketed · a big-budget haunted house in Livingston County running its final two nights of the season.
- Canterbury Village Halloween Stroll: Adults-Only Night · 2359 Joslyn Ct, Lake Orion · Friday, October 30, sessions 5-9 PM · $25 at the door ($18 advance) · the historic village's festive stroll turns 18-and-over for one night with sips and a social Halloween atmosphere.
- 517 Halloween Card Show · Kensington Valley Outlets, Howell · Saturday, October 31, 10 AM-5 PM · free to browse · hundreds of tables of trading cards, collectibles, and pop-culture finds for Halloween-day treasure hunters.
On the Bay: Bay County
About an hour north of Flint on I-75, Bay City and the Saginaw Bay area are known for festivals, fireworks, riverfront events, art fairs, and outdoor recreation that draw visitors from across the region, and Halloween weekend is no exception. This week the Historic Masonic Temple hosts the Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Spooktacular Saturday night and an Emo Night Halloween party Friday, the State Theatre screens free family movies Wednesday and Saturday, and the 2026 Masquerade Ball at Liberty Harbor Event Center raises funds for the Great Lakes Dream Center Friday evening.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Spooktacular
Bay City's Rocky Horror tradition returns for the big night: the Historic Masonic Temple (700 N Madison Ave) screens The Rocky Horror Picture Show Halloween Spooktacular Saturday, October 31 from 8 to 10 PM, followed by the traditional 18-and-over midnight show at 11:59 PM. Audience participation, costumes, and a grand old theater setting make this one of the most memorable Halloween shows in the Great Lakes Bay region.
Historic Masonic Temple, 700 N Madison Ave, Bay City, MI · hmtbc.org
Emo Night Halloween Party
Kick the Bay City Halloween weekend off Friday, October 30 with Emo Night at the Historic Masonic Temple, a costume-friendly dance party built around the emo and pop-punk anthems of the 2000s, starting at 8 PM. It is an easy, energetic warm-up for the weekend: dinner along the riverfront, a costume that doubles for any party, and a dance floor in one of Bay City's most beautiful historic rooms.
Historic Masonic Temple, 700 N Madison Ave, Bay City, MI · hmtbc.org
2026 Masquerade Ball for the Great Lakes Dream Center
The 2026 Masquerade Ball at Liberty Harbor Event Center in Bay City, Friday, October 30 beginning at 5:30 PM, raises funds for the Great Lakes Dream Center with dinner, dancing, and a full masquerade theme. Tickets are $109, with proceeds supporting the center's work across the region. If you want a glammed-up, grown-up Halloween evening with a cause attached, this is the marquee option on the bay this weekend.
Liberty Harbor Event Center, Bay City, MI · Bay City event listings
Free Halloween Movies at the State Theatre
The restored State Theatre (913 Washington Ave) in downtown Bay City screens two free Halloween movies this week, sponsored by Skorupski Family Funeral Home: Monster House Wednesday, October 28 from 6 to 8 PM (doors at 5 PM) and Hocus Pocus Saturday, October 31 from 1 to 3 PM (doors at noon). The Saturday matinee is the perfect pre-trick-or-treat warm-up, and both are free under the old marquee in one of the region's most beautiful theaters.
State Theatre, 913 Washington Ave, Bay City, MI · statetheatrebaycity.com
Also on the Bay This Week
- Downtown Bay City Halloween Weekend · Washington Ave · through Saturday, October 31 · family trick-or-treating, free movies, and an adults-only block party keep downtown Bay City lively all Halloween weekend, with shops decorating up and down the riverfront blocks.
- Bay City State Park · 3582 State Park Dr, Bay City · weekend hours through fall · the Saginaw Bay shoreline, the Tobico Marsh boardwalk, and the visitor center stay open for a colorful, quiet walk along the bay before winter sets in.
- Essexville and Pinconning treat nights · Bay County · Saturday, October 31 · family trick-or-treat circles in the neighboring river towns make a full Bay County costume evening easy to put together.
Markets & Everyday Notes
The Flint Farmers' Market (300 E First St) runs Saturdays from 9 AM to 5 PM year-round, so the Halloween market on October 31 is a great daytime stop for late apples, cider, bakery treats, and hot food before the evening festivities begin. Most other outdoor market seasons around Mid-Michigan have wrapped for the year, so the year-round Flint market is the reliable Saturday pick until the holiday markets open in a few weeks.
Whatever your pace, this is the biggest weekend of the season in Mid-Michigan. Crossroads Village closes Halloween Ghosts & Goodies with final nights Thursday and Friday, trick-or-treat runs Saturday evening across every county in our coverage area, Frankenmuth hosts the Michigan Makers Wicked Holiday Show and the Scarecrow Fest's final days, and the Saginaw Spirit and Flint Firebirds both play home games over the weekend. On the ice and off, the haunts at Terrorfied Forest, Slay Nights, and Past Tense After Dark run their final nights, the Longway Planetarium lights up with Halloween dome shows, and Bay City keeps the Saginaw Bay riverfront busy with Rocky Horror, an Emo Night party, a masquerade ball, and free family movies at the State Theatre.
Published by Joyce England, REALTOR with Keller Williams First.