Spooktacular Salem: A haunting lineup of October events is coming to the Mid-Valley

The spooky season is here, and Salem is getting ready for an October slate full of events for thrill-seekers and families alike.

If you're looking for traditional scares like haunted houses or not-so-scary activities for kids, this list has something for everyone. Here's your guide to the top Halloween happenings, organized in chronological order.

Haunted Houses in Salem area

Mill Creek Haunted Prison

The Mill Creek Haunted Prison reopens for the fall to bring scares to Salem. From now through Nov. 2, the prison-themed haunted house is open Thursday through Sunday and offers multiple eerie experiences, including a prison route, the unknown, a kid-friendly scare (Oct. 19, 1-3 p.m.) and ghost tours.

While most of the scares are aimed at those 13 and older, there's something for everyone. Guided tours are available on Oct. 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

There are various opening hours each weekend, so to find time slots and get tickets, check out the website, tormentedillusion.com .

Address: 5465 Turner Road SE

Nightmare Factory

Salem’s Nightmare Factory is back for another haunting season starting Oct. 4. Weekends through Nov. 2, this popular haunted house at the Oregon School for the Deaf will feature a new 3D Funhouse.

The haunted house offers standard tickets, speed tickets (faster entry), monster experience (pick a creature to go with you and bypass the line), birthday treat and "Pitch Black" (a separate event). General admission is $20, a speed ticket is $30 and a monster experience add-on is $40.

For more info and tickets, check out nightmarefactorysalem.my.canva.site .

Family-friendly October events around Salem

Halloween Costume Kayak

The Oregon Kayak Tours company kicks off October with its annual Halloween costume kayaking event. The event is scheduled for Oct. 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. There will be a costume contest, volleyball game, music and prizes.

To partake or get more info, you can buy tickets on the company's website . If you have a kayak, tickets are $5. If you need to rent a kayak, it costs $30. For more info, check out the website, salemkayakrentals.com/event-details/halloween-kayak-contest-first-wknd-of-oct .

Address: 297 Musgrave Ave. NW

45th Parallel trick-or-treat

Swing by the 45th Parallel building for children to trick-or-treat at the various businesses. The event is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 26. If you come in costume, you can get a free mini-cupcake at Michelle Ashley Custom Cakes while supplies last.

Address: 2195 Hyacinth St. NE Suite 101

Keizer Trunk or Treat

This Keizer-based trunk or treat will take place on Oct. 26 from noon to 5 p.m. The free event features a costume contest, a best-decorated trunk contest, over 500 pounds of candy to be passed out, a raffle and a kid-friendly spooky carnival. The event will also have a food drive. Space is limited, so it is recommended to reserve your or your children's spot at the website, funnels.keizersmartialarts.com/trunk-or-treat .

Address: 2846 River Road N, Keizer

Community Harvest Party

Our Savior's Lutheran Church is hosting a free community harvest party on Oct. 26 from 3 to 5 p.m. Costumes are highly encouraged. There will be games and prizes, activities and candy at the event. Hot dogs and chips will be available for purchase. For more details, check out the website, oursaviorssalem.org/children-youth-and-families , and Facebook page .

Address: 1770 Baxter Road SE

Willamette Heritage Center's annual drive-thru trick-or-treat

The Willamette Heritage Center's annual drive-thru trick-or-treat returns on Oct. 27 from noon to 4 p.m.

The parking lot will be decorated to create a drive-thru route where volunteers will be lined up ready to give kids candy. The event is first come, first serve so it is recommended to arrive early. The route is for drive-thru cars and bikes only. For folks interested in volunteering, check out the website, willametteheritage.org , and Facebook page .

Address: 1313 Mill St. SE Suite 200

Morning Star Community Church

The Morning Star Community Church is hosting a trunk or treat on Oct. 27. The event will run from 3 to 5 p.m. Volunteers will have decorated cars/trucks of various themes in the parking lot, giving out candy to kids. There will also be allergen-friendly candy treats.

Address: 4775 27th Ave. SE

Adults-only events in Mid-Valley

Boo Boogie Nights at the Grand Theater

Dance the night away at Boo Boogie Nights, hosted every Friday and Saturday in October at the Grand Theater. From 11 p.m. to 2 a.m., DJs will keep the party going with spooky beats and drinks.

Mackie and Gitdown will be DJs on Oct. 5, Oct. 11 and Oct. 18, while Cody Nash and King Prime will be there on Oct. 12. Tickets are $15 for the haunted house party.

This event is separate from the Ghosts of the Grand haunted house and will not include access to it. To purchase tickets or get more info, check out the website, ghostsofthegrand.com , and Facebook page .

Address: 187 High St. NE

The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Grand Theatre

The Denton Delinquents will be the live shadow cast of The Rocky Horror Picture show on Oct. 12. The Grand Theatre doors will open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $8. The film is rated R, but all ages are allowed, parental discretion is advised. More info and tickets can be purchased on the Grand Theatre website, salemshg.com/event/rockyhorror2 .

Address: 187 High St. NE

Carnival of Wonders

The Grand Theatre will be transformed into a Carnival of Wonders dance party on Oct. 19 from 7 p.m. to midnight. This event is 21+ and a costumed occasion. This event is separate from the Ghosts of the Grand haunted house and will not include access to it. Tickets are $35 each and nonrefundable. To purchase tickets or get more info, check out the website, ghostsofthegrand.com , and Facebook page .

Address: 187 High St. NE

Wicked Spirits Costume Party

Show off your costume at the Wicked Spirits Costume Party hosted at the Grand Theatre on Oct. 26 from 7 p.m. to midnight. The party will be "celebrating witches," but costumes are open to anything. There will be prizes awarded for best overall costume, most terrifying costume, funniest costume and best couple's costume. Tickets are $35 each for the event. For more info or to purchase tickets, check out the Ghosts of the Grand website, ghostsofthegrand.com .

Address: 187 High St. NE

South Liberty Bar & Grill

South Liberty Bar & Grill is hosting a Halloween Bash with a costume contest and live music with Finding Dani. The winner of the costume contest will receive $100, second place with $50 and third place with bar merchandise. There will be no cover for the event.

Address: 4682 Liberty Road S

The Silver Inn

Celebrate Silver Inn's 30th annual Halloween party with a costume contest, drink specials and giveaways on Oct. 26 and Oct. 31. Costume contest prizes are $150 for first place and $75 for second place, happening on both nights. There will be no cover and the party will begin at 9 p.m. on Halloween.

Address: 3788 Silverton Road

Em Chan covers food and dining at the Statesman Journal. You can reach her at echan@gannett.com and follow her on X @ catchuptoemily.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Spooktacular Salem: A haunting lineup of October events is coming to the Mid-Valley