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Have a hauntingly good time this spooky season when you partake in Halloween and Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) events. Some are new this year, others are fan favorites, and many are free of charge. Note, the Tama hayrack ride and zombie run that had been scheduled for October 23 and 24 will be canceled and postponed until next year.
Friday, Oct. 16
The second annual Trunk or Treat at Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, 9 N. Fourth Ave., will go from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Bring the kids, dress up in your favorite costumes, and enjoy a safe and festive trunk or treat experience for all ages. Joined by: Iowa River Wellness, Wild Spirit Counseling, Grace C. Mae, AA/NA, Together We Can and The Triumph Center.
The Rhodes Fall Festival will span Oct. 15-17. On Oct. 16 the Main Street Market will go from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The movie at Memorial Park will start at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting. The Lantern Lit Trail will continue from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at a cost of $8 for kids and $12 for adults. On Oct. 17, a kids' zone will run from noon to 4 p.m. in Memorial Park. A highlight of the day will be the pie baking competition. The scarecrow relays are back this year at Memorial Park, starting at 2:30 p.m. Sack races follow at 3:30 p.m. The Main Street Market will continue, going from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The pumpkin carving contest is a returning favorite. Drop off your completed pumpkins at Memorial Park at 4 p.m. Judging and voting will go from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The festival concludes with the Lantern Lit Trail, which will go from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. with a cost of $8 for kids and $12 for adults.
Saturday, Oct. 17
Witching Hour at Fletcher House is a tarot and oracle reading pop-up event from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 202 E. Church St. Step into the magic, embrace the mystery, and let the universe whisper what your soul needs to hear. Welcome back Taylor Bear of Soul Magick by Taylor Bear; joined by Amber Devick of October Embers for an enchanting evening of tarot and oracle readings at the beautiful Fletcher House bar. Three-card readings are available for $15 and it is first come first serve.
Wednesday, Oct. 21
Wednesday Crafternoon at Gutekunst Public Library, starting at 2 p.m. Make a wood biscuit pumpkin. Free event, for all ages.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Pumpkin Jamboree at the Student Activity Center/Babe Harder Gym at Marshalltown Community College from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Come out for trick-or-treating, Halloween carnival games, pumpkin decorating, photo scenes, inflatables, bingo, haunted hall, glow tunnel and a spooky storyteller. Free and open to the public.
Movie in the Park in West End Park. Grab your friends, your cozy blankets, and settle in for a fun, family-friendly night full of laughs, nostalgia, and maybe a little Halloween magic. Lillie Mae's Chocolates will be providing free gourmet popcorn and Legacy Real Estate will bring the beverages.
Movie begins at dusk, approximately 6:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The film is "Hocus Pocus."
Haunt the Block
The downtown historic district will be filled with goblins and ghouls as local businesses and community organizations greet them with candy for the annual Haunt the Block event. Runs 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., sponsored by the Marshalltown Central Business District.
Friday, Oct. 23
Trunk or treat at Primary Health Care in Marshalltown, 101 Iowa Ave. W, Suite 102, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come for a fun-filled evening of candy, exciting activities and great memories with the community.
Succulent Dried Floral Pumpkin Workshop by My Dinosaur Dreams from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., 108 W. Main St, State Center. Come in and put together a fun succulent pumpkin. Choose from live succulent cuttings, pick your favorite pumpkin from our "patch" and add moss and other floral touches. Succulents will remain alive and may grow roots with minimal care, just spray with a spray bottle once a week. Pumpkins will generally last for weeks. We'll each do one big pumpkin and one little pumpkin. For ages 10 and up or younger with lots of help and supervision. Cost is $35.
Purk Haunted Walkthrough, 310 E. Fourth Street, Tama. Free-will donations accepted but not required. All donations go to Tama County Public Health. Dates are: October 23, 24 and 30, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.; October 31 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. October 31 only: free hotdogs and cider, while supplies last.
Saturday, Oct. 24
The Marshalltown Speedway's 2026 racing season is coming to a close. But the Kids' Trailer or Treating event returns this year from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Young race fans can enjoy a Halloween-themed afternoon in the pit area, collecting treats and interacting with race teams before the evening's racing program. Race teams are encouraged to join the fun.
Kids' trick or treat event at South Tama High School from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 28
The fan favorite Trick or Treat Storytime Costume Parade at the Marshalltown Public Library, 105 W. Boone St., will kick off at 10:30 a.m. Kids of all ages are welcome to come to the annual event where they can wear their costumes (optional), enjoy a couple of "Halloween-y" songs or stories, and then parade around inside the building, collecting a few treats (including a free book to keep.) This is free, and requires no pre-registration for families and other groups of fewer than eight kids. Daycares or other organizations that plan to bring 8 or more kids, please call 754-5738, ext. 3 to check for options.
Haunted Hallway at Glenwood Place, 2907 S. Sixth St., trick or treating will go from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Come see the residents and get some candy.
The Melbourne Public Library will host a Halloween Party for kids (ages 6-11) from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the library.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Accura HealthCare of Marshalltown, 2401 S. Second St., will host trick or treating from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Bring your little ghouls and goblins for a night of candy, costumes and community fun.
Soul Magick's Witch Circle from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Come gather with Soul Magick by Taylor Bear, witches, as we create a sacred space for magick, self-discovery, connection and a little bit of witchy whimsy. Soul Magick Home Studio, $20 per guest. Details on social media.
Friday, Oct. 30
Halloween Carnival at the Y (YMCA-YWCA). Runs 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy games, inflatables, candy and more. Free and open to the public.
MHS Student Council Trunk or Treat from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the MHS staff parking lot. Enjoy an evening of candy, snacks, games and activities for all ages. This event is open to the entire community. Interested in participating as a trunk host? Email Student Council Advisor Charlotte Santana (csantana@marshalltown.k12.ia.us) for additional information.
Trunk or Treat at the Animal Rescue League of Marshalltown returns this year, hosted at its shelter at 1921 Taylor Ave. Runs 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy candy, games (including the return of last year's Mystery Box of Horrors), family pictures and vendor truck. Costumes encouraged. Local businesses, families, organizations, clubs and community members decorate a trunk. Attendees will have the chance to vote for their favorite trunk, with a cash prize awarded to the Fan Favorite. To participate in the trunk competition, you must make a minimum $10 donation to the ARL of Marshalltown. Holy Grounds Coffee will also be on hand.
Halloween party in La Cueva at Lucy's Dive Bar, 207 E. Main St. DJ Tejeda is bringing the music from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Show up in character to impress.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Halloween Costume Party at TC's Pub, 921 N. 3rd Ave., starting at 7 p.m. Enjoy drink specials and DJ Scoob will be spinning some great tunes. The costume contest is set for midnight.
Sunday, Nov. 1
Riverside Cemetery will observe Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a beautiful cultural tradition dedicated to remembering and honoring loved ones who have passed.
While this tradition may be unfamiliar to some, it is a celebration of remembrance, family and the enduring connection between generations. We invite the community to join us in learning about and appreciating this meaningful observance.
The cemetery gates will remain open later than usual (7 a.m. to 10 p.m.) to allow families and visitors additional time for reflection and remembrance. Visitors will be welcomed by displays of marigold wreaths and colorful sugar skulls, symbols traditionally associated with Día de los Muertos.
Inside the Riverside Cemetery office, an altar of remembrance (ofrenda) will be available for those wishing to honor a loved one. Guests are welcome to bring a photograph or written remembrance to place on the altar during the observance.
We are also hoping to feature a Mariachi band as part of the celebration and will provide hot chocolate and traditional Pan de Muerto (Bread of the Dead) for visitors.
The second annual Día de los Muertos Celebration at Midnight Garden, 1501 S. 17th Ave., will go from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. At 4 p.m. there will be a special presentation of Day of the Dead: Inspired by Hanal Pixan with Food of the Souls: A Yucatan Tradition, presented by the Hispanic Art Center Dance Company of Omaha. Midnight Garden, Guadalupe Gomez, Remax Realtor, and Yessy's Creations, are teaming up as the main sponsors. Enjoy food, music and cultural traditions. Check social media for additional details.
Monday, Nov. 2
Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) continues at Riverside Cemetery.