We don’t know about you, but Halloween is our favorite holiday! Dressing up in costumes, eating way too much candy, carving jack-o-lanterns, decorating the yard with witches, spiders, ghosts, goblins, and ghouls, and binge-watching scary movies all night—it’s the one time of year when adults can act like kids and get away with it. If you’re celebrating Halloween in Bend, we have plenty of creepy fun for you.
Ghosts and Haunted Houses!
The annual Deschutes Historical Museum’s Historical Haunts of Downtown Bend Walking Tour is hosting one-hour tours through historic, haunted, downtown Bend. Reserve your tickets early because this popular event sells out fast! Bend Ghost Tours has a Ghosts and Legends of Downtown Bend tour with a slightly different perspective. Learn about Top Hat Man as you hurry past the Tin Pan Alley Theater, and keep a wary eye out for the Lady in Green on Bond Street. There’s a lot going on in this haunted, historic mining town.
Pumpkins!
Enjoy pumpkin carving at O’Kanes (at the Old St. Francis School downtown) right at your table! Order your pumpkin and carving kit, some refreshing apple cider for the kids and a Black Widow Porter for yourself. The kids can carve the pumpkin (already prepped) while you enjoy your drink and wait for dinner.
If you want the fun of selecting and picking your own pumpkin to celebrate Halloween in Bend, take the short drive north to Terrebonne and Smith Rock Ranch or the DD Ranch. You can select your very own pumpkin to take home to carve, and the kids can enjoy all the other activities at each, including face painting, pony and wagon rides, live music, a corn maize, and pumpkin cannons!
For Kids (of All Ages)
It’s movie time! Hocus Pocus will be shown as part of the Drive-in-Movies series at the Deschutes County Expo Center. Admission is the donation of one new or nearly new coat to help the area homeless.
Speaking of movies, Disney’s Cruella will be playing at The Village at Sunriver’s Park-it Cinemas, starting at dusk. Stay safe in your own car, and while reservations are required, this event is free. Who doesn’t want to watch “the queen of mean” on the big screen? Plus, all those puppies!
Halloween at the Old Mill District will be slightly different this year. There won’t be any candy, but there will be six 3-D photo backdrops. Get everyone decked out in their best costumes and pose in front of themed stations including Indiana Jones, Black Panther, Harry Potter and Frozen. Get your photos, then stay and enjoy a delicious dinner in one of the Mill’s restaurants.
While the Old Mill District won’t be handing out candy, historic downtown Bend will. Come on downtown for trick-or-treating (kids 12 and under) at Dudley’s Bookshop Café, Deschutes Brewery, Leapin’ Lizards Toy Company, Bonta Gelato, and many more local shops and restaurants. Stock up on candy while you’re trick-or-treating at Cravin’s Candy Emporium, and The Tower Theatre is hosting a family-friendly Mardi Gras-style Halloween party after their main event, the Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience.
The High Desert Museum (always worth a visit any time of year) is celebrating their own wildlife centered Halloween. The kids can enjoy the wild animal exhibits in the Desertarium and Bird of Prey Center, while wearing their favorite costumes and listening to wildlife tales.
For something a little different, but so very enjoyable, The Bend Paddle Witches will once again be celebrating Halloween with their river paddle. This event is kid and dog friendly, and paddleboards, kayaks and canoes are all welcome. Witches costumes are a must to participate! No costume? Watching this event is just as much fun as participating in it!
For the Adults
While kids of all ages will enjoy having their picture taken against a Black Panther or Frozen backdrop, there are a few more adult oriented parties happening. Here are a few of your options: Dance til your DEADAZZ – Halloween Party at the Capitol and the Halloween Party at the High Desert Music Hall both feature a costume contest and live music. Boneyard Brew will be hosting their annual Halloween Bash with a DJ, spooky food & drink specials, and an adult costume contest, and the This is Halloween with Bend Burlesque at Worthy Brewing is just what you’d imagine. And there’s everyone’s favorite Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Cascades Theatrical Company—time for the time warp again!
Halloween in Bend
Now that you’ve got your jack-o-lantern, set it out on by the front door of your vacation rental, or maybe out on the deck to enjoy as you watch the sun set over the mountains with your pumpkin spice latte or pumpkin-flavored ale in hand. Don’t forget to pick up plenty of pumpkin-flavored donuts, cupcakes, fritters, and other treats from downtown to enjoy Halloween in Bend. Just give us a call to get your Bend vacation for Halloween started!
