Temperatures are dropping, leaves are beginning to show off fall colors and it’s time for all things spooky, haunted and Halloween. The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites has spooktacular events all over the state of Indiana for every taste and scare level — all socially distanced, of course.
FAMILY FRIGHT NIGHT
Indiana State Museum
650 W Washington St., Indianapolis
Oct. 8, 6 – 8 p.m.
Dress in your Halloween best for a night of spooky fun! Conduct eerie experiments and visit the mad scientist’s lab for a frightful scientific show. Discover the creepy monsters of Indiana’s past as you wind your way through ISM’s chilling galleries by flashlight. Hear spine-tingling tales during story time, and don’t forget to show off your cool costume on the haunted dance floor! Tickets here.
TWILIGHT TALES
Indiana State Museum
Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28, 7 – 8 p.m. and 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.
Venture through our museum in the dark on this flashlight tour to visit some of the creepiest artifacts in our collection as staff share how these items are connected to supernatural rumors and Indiana folklore. The museum will have flashlights for you to use. Be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes for this walking tour. Be aware that the museum can be chilly at night when all the lights are out. Registration required by noon the day of the program. Tickets here.
TODDLER TIME: A NOT-SO-SPOOKY EXPLORATION
Indiana State Museum
Oct. 28, 10 – 11 a.m.
Let’s explore all things Halloween through spooky sensory play, pumpkin art and a not-so-spooky story time! Through play, children will learn skills like problem-solving and social-emotional communication and develop their fine and gross motor skills. This program is for children ages 18 – 36 months. Tickets here.
HIGH SPIRITS
T.C. Steele State Historic Site
4220 T C Steele Rd., Nashville
Oct. 8, Family Show: 4 – 5 p.m., Adult Show: 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Enjoy an evening of mystery and magic as Richard Darshwood presents a show that must be seen to be believed! The family show is appropriate for ages 5 and older, while the adults-only show features an after-hours tour of the House of the Singing Winds, plus cocktails and hors d’oeuvres during the show. Both shows take place in the visitor center. Family Show tickets here. Adult Show tickets here.
GHOST STORIES UNDER THE OCTOBER SKY
T.C. Steele State Historic Site
Oct. 15, 7 – 9 p.m.
Join us near the cemetery at T.C. Steele for an evening under the stars as you experience thrills and chills from spooky storytelling by the Bloomington Storytellers Guild. Pack a flashlight, a blanket and a picnic and hear famous and local ghost stories. This program is recommended for ages 8+. Tickets here.
OWL-OWEEN
Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site
1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City
Oct. 16, 5 – 8 p.m.
Learn about owls, bats, raccoons, snakes and other creatures of the night, plus natural remedies – and even radioactivity – during this annual event. Children are encouraged to attend this Halloween event in costume and enjoy treats at various stops along the way. Dress for the weather and bring a flashlight to guide your way. This is a rain-or-shine event. Tickets here.
LITERALLY, A HAUNTED HOUSE
Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site
914 E Main St., New Albany
Oct. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30; 7 – 8 p.m.
Scaring visitors since 1985, the Culbertson Mansion’s annual haunted house is full of thrills and chills taking place in the mansion’s Carriage House. After the mansion was auctioned off, the Carriage House fell into disuse, but dark legends abound concerning fires, spiritual activity and even demonic possession. Are you brave enough to enter? Come if you dare! Masks are strongly encouraged during this event. Call Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site at (812) 944-9600 to reserve your tickets.
HAUNTED STORYTIME
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site
202 E Walnut St., Corydon
Oct. 29, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Celebrate the spooktacular Halloween season with some age-appropriate spooky stories and ghoulish tales in the candlelit parlor of the Governor’s Headquarters. Registration required by Oct. 28. Tickets here.
REAL HAUNTED HAPPENINGS: DARK CORNERS OF CORYDON
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site
Oct. 30, tours at 8 and 9:30 p.m.
Explore spooky and sometimes grim history during a lantern-lit guided tour of historic downtown Corydon. Visit a variety of locations, including the Capitol and the Governor’s Headquarters where guides will share stories of unexplained happenings in the 200-year-old buildings. Registration required by Oct. 29. 8 p.m. tickets here; 9:30 p.m. tickets here.
REAL HAUNTED HAPPENINGS: OVERNIGHT PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION
Corydon Capitol State Historic Site
Oct. 30-31, 11 p.m. – 6 a.m.
Beware! This overnight paranormal investigation isn’t for the faint of heart! Join Friday Night Paranormal as they lead a public investigation through the Capitol, Governor’s Headquarters and the First State Office Building. Get up-close and learn about the specialized equipment they use during their tours. Registration required by Oct. 27. Tickets here.
HALLOWEEN HULLABALLOO
Angel Mounds State Historic Site
8215 Pollack Ave., Evansville
Oct. 16 and 23, 6 – 9 p.m.
Test your bravery while traveling along our haunted trails or attempting to escape the mummy’s curse in The Tomb. For those a little less brave, check out spooky games, create a creepy craft and take a tour of the property on a haunted hayride. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Don’t forget your trick-or-treat bags for some Halloween goodies! Tickets here.
DOWNTOWN VINCENNES GHOST WALK
Vincennes State Historic Site
Oct. 15, 7 – 10 p.m.
Explore downtown Vincennes during a guided evening walk and hear local ghost stories and other scary tales at various locations – just in time for Halloween. Registration required by noon on Oct. 15. This program begins at the Old State Bank, 114 N. Second St., Vincennes, and is recommended for ages 15+. Tickets here.
GHOST HUNT AT FORT KNOX II
Vincennes State Historic Site
Oct. 16, 7 – 10 p.m.
Explore the unexplained during a ghost investigation at Fort Knox II. Join Friday Night Paranormal – a paranormal investigation team – to see what mysterious happenings can be discovered while also learning about the history of the historic fort. This program is recommended for ages 15+. Registration required by Oct. 15. This program takes place at Fort Knox II, 3090 N. Old Fort Knox Road, Vincennes. Tickets here.
A SPOOK-A-LICIOUS EXTRAVAGANZA
Vincennes State Historic Site
October 23, 6 – 8 p.m.
It’s a Halloween party just for kids! Play some spooktacular games, listen to a few not-so-spooky stories, take a haunted walk around the grounds and bring along your trick-or-treat bags for some sweet treats! This program is recommended for ages 4-11. Registration required by noon on Oct. 23. This event takes place near the Visitor Center, 1 W. Harrison St., Vincennes. Tickets here.
