Halloween & Spooky Things to Do in Cedar Falls

Halloween here isn’t limited to one night. Throughout the month, you’ll find decorated houses, ghost stories, haunted attractions, costume events and plenty of opportunities for kids to fill their buckets with candy. Some are sweet, some are spooky and a few are probably best experienced with a friend who isn’t afraid of the dark.

If you’re looking for Halloween things to do in Cedar Falls, here are a few ways to get into the spirit.

Start with Spooktober

Cedar Falls stretches Halloween fun throughout October with Spooktober.

One of the traditions is the Mayor’s Halloween House Decorating Contest, when Cedar Falls residents turn otherwise innocent-looking homes into displays filled with ghosts, skeletons, lights and more than a few creatures lurking in the yard. A map of participating houses makes it easy to pile into the car and take your own Halloween tour.

Around town, local organizations get in on the fun, too. The Hearst Center for the Arts, Cedar Falls Public Library and Cedar Falls Recreation Division have all hosted seasonal activities ranging from spooky stories and art to family Halloween events.

Because activities and dates change from year to year, check the Spooktober schedule before heading out.

Brave a Haunted Attraction

If your preferred version of Halloween involves considerably more screaming, there are usually a few options around the Cedar Valley.

Over the years, October has brought haunted houses, haunted hayrides, cornfields and even paintball encounters with the undead. Heart of Darkness Haunted Complex has offered multiple themed areas and plenty of opportunities to test your nerves, while the Waterhawks Haunted Hayride has taken visitors into the darkness around Eagle Lake.

And then there's the KW Paintball Halloween Zombie Shoot, where sitting quietly and hoping the zombies don't notice you apparently isn't an option.

These attractions operate independently and schedules can change from year to year, so check with each attraction before making the trip.

Prefer Pumpkins to Zombies?

That's allowed.

October can be just as much about pumpkins, crisp afternoons and getting outside before winter makes its grand entrance.

Spend part of the day at a pumpkin patch, take a walk beneath the changing leaves or stop for something warm at a local coffee shop. Families can watch the calendar for storytimes, costume events and other kid-friendly Halloween activities throughout the month.

And if you're visiting from out of town, this is where Halloween and a Cedar Falls fall getaway fit together particularly well. You don't have to choose between spooky season and peak fall. Do both.

Save Some Candy for Halloween

As Halloween gets closer, the costumes come out.

Downtown Cedar Falls traditionally gets into the action with Trick-or-Treat in the District, when participating merchants welcome young trick-or-treaters through the Downtown District. Cedar Falls also holds citywide trick-or-treating.

Make a Night of It

There is one advantage to being the person who doesn't have to drive home after all this.

Catch a show or ghost tour, have dinner downtown and spend the night in Cedar Falls. The next morning, Halloween looks considerably less threatening over coffee and breakfast.

Or stick around and trade ghosts for fall color. With more than 130 miles of trails, shops, restaurants and plenty happening around town, there's an entire fall weekend hiding behind your Halloween plans.

Still looking for ideas? Explore more fall things to do in Cedar Falls and check the events calendar for what's happening during your visit.