Night at the Boo Bash Returns to Indiana State Museum

Spooky season features Halloween-themed events across the state for visitors of all ages and scare levels.

An evening of ghoulish good times awaits this October as Night at the Boo Bash returns to the Indiana State Museum!

Indiana State Museum

Boo Bash at Indiana State Museum

Happening from 6-8 p.m. on Oct. 11, Night at the Boo Bash is a fall favorite for families as well as the museum’s signature Halloween-themed event. It is also just one of the many spooky season programs visitors of all ages and scare levels can enjoy at Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites locations in central Indiana and beyond.

Indiana State Museum

What to Expect This Year

As the sun sets, the museum will come alive with engaging activities across all three floors, led by a cast of quirky characters inspired by iconic museum artifacts.

Starting on the first floor, families can stop by Dr. Rose’s Mad Science Lab to watch cool chemical reactions and make their own ghostly shaped fizzy bath bombs to take home. With a spin of Dunky’s candy wheel, visitors can win Halloween treats. Children will love using Cricket’s critter catapults to launch plastic insects and see how many they can land on the webs. At Ross the Sloth’s Giggle Graveyard, guests can use a UV flashlight to illuminate whimsical epitaphs that are sure to tickle a funny bone. And visitors can step inside the scream booth to measure the sound of their shrieks, all as Fred the Mastodon looks on.

Elsewhere in the museum, visitors can get as close as they dare to live, crawling critters at the bug barn. Everyone is encouraged to come in their favorite Halloween outfits and compete for prizes in the costume contest before hitting the dance floor to twist and shout to the sounds of monster music.

Indiana State Museum

Other Exhibits to Explore

Good Night Forest, the museum’s popular seasonal experience, will also be open late during Night at the Boo Bash, inviting families to explore the darkness and discover what animals emerge after the sun goes down. Featuring colorful critters hand-drawn by local artist Penelope Dullaghan along with fascinating specimens from the museum’s biological collection, Good Night Forest is perfect for adventures during spooky season.

Indiana State Museum & Historic Sites

Spooky Events at the Historic Sites

There are more spooky stories to share at T.C. Steele State Historic Site in Nashville. At Ghost Stories Under the October Sky, from 7-9 p.m. on Oct. 18, visitors can pack a flashlight, blankets and a picnic to enjoy as they sit by the site’s cemetery and hear haunted tales from the Bloomington Storytellers Guild. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for youth.

These locations as well as the museum system’s other nearby historic sites — Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site in Fountain City and Whitewater Canal State Historic Site in Metamora — would make an easy day trip from anywhere in central Indiana, offering visitors the opportunity to take in the incredible colors of the autumn foliage as they travel.

For most spooky season programs at the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, members will receive a 25% discount and advance registration is required. Guests can visit IndianaMuseum.org to purchase tickets and find more information about all the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites events and locations.

Indiana State Museum

More Info

Tickets for Night at the Boo Bash are $12 per person. Members will receive a 25% discount and advance registration is required.

The museum’s haunted happenings continue Wednesdays and Fridays from Oct 16-25 with Twilight Tales. Each evening will feature two tour opportunities: the Strange Encounters tour at 7 p.m. is designed especially for families, while the Beyond the Grave tour at 8:30 p.m. will be ideal for adults. These after-hours experiences invite visitors to explore the museum’s galleries by flashlight to find out what’s hiding in the shadows. Tickets are $20 per person.

For more information and to purchase tickets to these events at the Indiana State Museum, visit www.indianamuseum.org.

Indy's Child
Indy's Child
For over 40 years, Indy's Child has been the go-to resource for Indianapolis families seeking fun, educational, and enriching experiences. Our award-winning magazine and website are devoted to offering expert advice, insider tips, and the latest information on everything from the top local attractions and events to invaluable parenting resources and support. As deeply rooted members of the central Indiana community, our passionate team at Indy's Child is committed to uncovering the best family-friendly experiences and resources that our city has to offer. Whether you're a new parent or a seasoned pro looking for fresh ideas, Indy's Child is here to guide you in the adventure of raising a family in central Indiana.

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