Spooky Season in the Bluegrass: Halloween Happenings Across Kentucky

There’s just something about bluegrass, bourbon, ad boo! that fits with spooky season. Kentucky has plenty on offer in the coming weeks, check out our quick guide.

Halloween in Kentucky goes beyond costumes and candy. From eerie history and glowing pumpkin displays to lively community festivals, the season comes alive with experiences for every type of traveler. Whether seeking a ghost walk on a Civil War battlefield or a family-friendly pumpkin wonderland, Kentucky offers a lineup of happenings that combine thrills, tradition, and Fall fun.

Affordable and LGBTQ-friendly (it has a relatively high proportion of LGBTQ adults compared to other Southern states, boasting a population percentage of around 14%, according to prri.org), there is a variety of activities to enjoy this season!

Halloween Happenings in Kentucky

Louisville — Pumpkins at Kentucky Kingdom (September 26 – October 26)

This fall, Kentucky Kingdom transforms into a glowing pumpkin wonderland. With more than 1,000 bright orange pumpkins across the park and larger-than-life illuminated sculptures, visitors can ride world-class coasters by day and explore a mesmerizing “Glow Nights” display by night. The event also features pumpkin-themed games, a hay maze, trick-or-treating around the park, live entertainment, and street performances, all alongside favorite rides. It’s a perfect blend of thrills, chills, and fall fun for families.

Cynthiana — Witches Day Out (September 27, 2025)

Downtown Cynthiana comes alive with magic during Witches Day Out, where shoppers, families, and guests don their best witchy attire for themed sales, live entertainment, photo ops, and special brews from local cafés and pubs. The celebration kicks off the night before with The Crystal Ball at Maiden City Brewery, a ticketed event featuring this year’s theme, Creepy Carnival.

Mayfield — Haunted Graves County Festival (September 27–November 1)

Haunted Graves, presented by the Mayfield-Graves County Tourism Commission, is a month-long celebration of all things spooky in Mayfield-Graves County. Visitors can check out the Wooldridge Monuments in Maplewood Cemetery, wander Kentucky’s largest corn maze at A-Maize-ing Farms, brave haunted attractions like Talon Falls Adventure Park and the Industrial Slaughterhouse, and catch the FNB Glowing Graves Parade lighting up downtown Mayfield. Families will love exploring Cartwright Grove’s Wild West town decked out for Halloween, strolling Pumpkin Dan’s Jack O’ Lantern Trail, trick-or-treating throughout the community, and spotting over 100 themed hay bales on the River Valley AgCredit Hay Bale Trail.

Scottsville — Skeleton’s Lair Scream Park

Skeleton’s Lair Scream Park is a unique outdoor Halloween attraction near Bowling Green, KY – located… believe it or not…. on Cemetery Road (Hwy 234) between Bowling Green and the town of Scottsville. This event features four attractions: their trademark haunted woods, a haunted hayride, a two-story haunted house and a 3D maze. This year’s theme is Scary Tales of the DoomsDay Doll Factory. For complete Tour Dates/Times, tickets, directions, more information, or in the event of severe weather, please call (270) 622-8171.

Special Event Weekends: October 10th & 11th: Terrifier Weekend, Featuring Mike Giannelli – The Original “Art the Clown” and October 17th & 18th: Friday the 13th Anniversary Weekend, Featuring C.J. Graham – “Jason” in Friday the 13th VI!

Danville — Ghost Stories and Ghost Walk at Perryville Battlefield (October 18 and 25)

Step into history and the paranormal at Perryville Battlefield, site of one of Kentucky’s deadliest Civil War battles. More than 160 years after the 1862 clash that left over 2,000 dead, visitors still report ghostly soldiers, generals on horseback, and phantom cannon fire echoing across the fields. Join park manager Bryan Bush at 7:30 p.m. on October 18 and 25 as he shares chilling tales that bring the battlefield’s haunted past to life.

Paducah — River City Ghost Tours (October 3–26)

Market House Theatre’s River City Ghost Tours return this October, guiding guests through the shadowy streets of downtown and Oak Grove Cemetery. Led by lantern light, each tour weaves real history with eerie local lore drawn from old newspapers, letters, and first-hand accounts. With small group sizes and limited dates from October 3 to 26, this is a one-of-a-kind way to experience the spooky side of this historic river town.

Beattyville — Firefly Hills After Dark (October 24 & 25)

Firefly Hills Kentucky invites guests to a unique experience during the Firefly Hills After Dark event. On October 23 and 24, 2025, participants can secure a time slot to explore the “haunted” farmhouse using real paranormal equipment to seek out any spirits or unexplained activity. Firefly Hills is part of the Kentucky After Dark Trail (KAD), which stamps the KAD passports for any participant who is exploring the full trail of spooky destinations.

Tours last approximately 90 minutes and include a paranormal investigation of the farmhouse along with an exploration of the property’s stories and history. There are multiple tour start times to choose from between 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, with the last tour starting at 9:00 pm on both evenings. Space is limited, so reservations are required to participate. Tickets are available for under $25 per person. For those who wish to delve deeper into the paranormal, RV sites are available to book during the paranormal tour dates for an unforgettable overnight experience. Call (606) 208-0993 to make a reservation.

Lexington — The Official Halloween Bar Crawl (Fri & Sat) + Spirits at The Mansion Pop-Up Bar

Get Spooky With Us This Halloween!  Round up your boo crew, show off your costumes, and prepare for a night of creepy cocktails, chills, and unforgettable bar-hopping fun! Check Facebook for updates and info. While in Lexington, stop by the Spirits at The Mansion Halloween Pop-Up Bar on October 24 & 25. Step inside The Mansion for a hauntingly good time at this two-night Halloween pop-up bar experience. Sip on spooky cocktails, enjoy festive bites, and dance the night away with sounds curated by JOHNNY ROCK. Costume contest with prizes for Best Single and Best Duo—so bring your most creative, chilling, or outrageous looks.