There's something about October in Indiana. The air turns crisp, the maples go gold and crimson, and porch lights glow a little warmer as neighbors swap candy-corn opinions over the fence. Halloween isn't just one night here — it's a whole season of hayrides, pumpkin patches, costume parades and downtown trick-or-treats.

Whether you call Northwest Indiana or the Indianapolis area home, there's no shortage of ways to make spooky-season memories close to your Olthof Homes community. We rounded up some of our favorite family-friendly Halloween events for 2026, from Lake and Porter County to the Indy suburbs. Grab your costumes — these are the moments that make it home.

Lake County: Crown Point, Schererville, St. John, Dyer & Lowell

Pumpkin Walk & Coffin Cup — Crown Point

Saturday, Oct. 24 · Downtown square · Coffin Cup at 1 p.m.
Crown Point's historic square goes full spooky-season for the Pumpkin Walk. The can't-miss moment is the Coffin Cup, where teams push homemade coffin racers down a 100-yard course while the crowd cheers them on. Make a day of it with lunch at one of the square's local restaurants and learn why Greenview and The Willows are two of Crown Point's hottest communities! 

Trick-or-Treating in Crown Point

Saturday, Oct. 31 · 5–7 p.m. · Rain or shine
Crown Point's official trick-or-treat night lands on Halloween itself this year. Handing out candy? Leave your porch light on so little ghosts and goblins know to stop by.

Halloween Stories & Campfire — Schererville

Wednesday, Oct. 21
Gather around the fire for Halloween tales — a cozy, mid-week way to kick off the countdown to the 31st.

Bingoween & a "Less Than Scary" Haunt — St. John

Bingoween: Friday, Oct. 23
Halloween-themed bingo makes for an easy family night out. For kids who want thrills without the screams, Zig-E's Funland in St. John hosts its Funland Frights: Less Than Scary Haunt from 6–7 p.m. — a milder walk-through with no scare actors. These family activities point to some of the reasons for you to call The Grove home. 

Halloween Week in Dyer

Kids Night Out: Saturday, Oct. 24 · Open Skate: Sunday, Oct. 25 · BOO's on the Block: Thursday, Oct. 29
Dyer packs Halloween week with options: a Halloween Bash Kids Night Out, a costume-friendly open skate, and BOO's on the Block, a neighborhood celebration that's all about community.

Pumpkin Glow Trail & Fall Festival at Harvest Tyme — Lowell

Weekends through Oct. 25 · Glow Trail 6:30–9 p.m.
Just minutes from our brand-new Ironwood community, Harvest Tyme Family Farm lights a half-mile trail with glowing pumpkins and Halloween lights — perfect for younger kids. By day, wander the big corn maze, the kiddie maze and hop on a hayride.

Trunk or Treat — Cedar Lake

Saturday, Oct. 24 · Noon–2 p.m. · Sensory-friendly hour 10:30–11:30 a.m. · Cedar Lake Town Grounds
Our two brand-new communities in Cedar Lake, Monastery Woods & Northpark remind us why we love the small-town, family friendly events hosted here. Cedar Lake brings Halloween fun back to the Town Grounds with creatively decorated trunks, plenty of treats and hayrides for all ages starting at noon. Local vendors compete for the Most Creative Trunk title, so expect some serious decorating. Families who prefer a calmer experience can come early for the sensory-friendly trunk or treat. 

Porter County: Valparaiso & Portage

Downtown Trick-or-Treat — Valparaiso

Friday, Oct. 23 · 4–6 p.m. · Downtown Valpo, Central Park Plaza & Courthouse Lawn
One of the Region's most-loved Halloween traditions. Costumed kids trick-or-treat at more than 100 downtown businesses and organizations, followed by a new gathering at Central Park. It's rain or shine, so tuck an umbrella in the stroller. Looking for a new home in Valparaiso? We chose the perfect location for Midwood Terrace, so you can be close to the action. 

Woodland Park Haunted Hayrides — Portage

Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 22–24 · Starts 6:30 p.m., runs until capacity
Tractor-pulled hayrides wind through Woodland Park after dark for a classic dose of autumn chills. Rides fill up, so plan to arrive early. 

VU Symphony Orchestra Halloween Spooktacular — Valparaiso

Tuesday, Oct. 27 · Valparaiso University Center for the Arts
A free, all-ages concert of spooky favorites. Costumes are encouraged — for musicians and audience alike. Our residents of Westwind love the family friendly events hosted in Valparaiso.

Indianapolis Area: Westfield, Brownsburg, Plainfield, Greenfield & Cumberland

Trick-or-Treating in the Plaza — Westfield

Friday, Oct. 23 · 4:30–8 p.m. · Grand Junction Plaza, 225 S. Union St.
More than 60 local businesses and organizations hand out candy at this free downtown celebration. Expect live dance performances, magic shows in the amphitheater, a silent disco, free face painting and a ghost tour of historic downtown. Stick around at 6 p.m. for Goosebumps on the Great Lawn. A $10 Ghoulish Game Card unlocks carnival games, with proceeds benefiting Family Promise of Hamilton County. Atwater & Lindley Run offer you a sense of belonging in Westfield, keeping you close to activities like this. 

Trail & Treat — Brownsburg

Saturday, Oct. 24 · Williams Park walking trail
Living in Fairview West or Talon Woods helps you stay active in a town that has so much to offer. Year round-events like this family friendly event where local businesses and organizations line the trail with candy, goodies and prizes. Families vote for the best-decorated booth, and the winner takes home a trophy.

Sat-Terror Day — Plainfield

Saturday, Oct. 24 · 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. · Talon Stream Park, Pike Lane
No wonder Bomar Estates is one of Plainfield's' hottest communities, residents are looking to stay local to events like Plainfield's free fall festival brings trunk-or-treat, bounce houses, hayrides, horseback rides, face painting and aerialists from Cincinnati Circus Company. The first 800 kids through the gates get a free trick-or-treat bag, so arrive early.

Rag Shag Parade — Greenfield

Friday, Oct. 30 · Trick-or-treating 4–5:30 p.m. · Parade 5:30 p.m. · Downtown Greenfield
A beloved Greenfield tradition. Kids trick-or-treat at downtown businesses (grab a free reflective treat bag on the City Common), then march from Mohawk Mall to Energy Park for a costume contest with categories from Cutest to Scariest to Best Howl-O-Ween pet costume. Come early for a free 3:30 p.m. showing of It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown at Garden Cinema, just a few reasons keeping Evergreen Estates homeowner's close to home. 

Irvington Halloween Festival — Near Cumberland

Halloween Street Fair: Saturday, Oct. 31 · 10 a.m.–4 p.m. · Parade 3:30 p.m.
Don't miss your LAST CHANCE to own a home in Grant's Corner, just west of Cumberland, Irvington's festival is one of Indy's biggest Halloween celebrations. The grand finale on East Washington Street brings 120+ vendors, live music, costume contests and a parade of costumed families and pets. Earlier in the week, catch free spooky storytelling at Irving Circle Park (Oct. 29) or the all-ages Zombie Bike Ride (Oct. 30).

A Few Tips for a Happy Halloween at Home

• Light the way. A glowing porch light is the universal "come on up" signal.
• Be seen. Add reflective tape or glow sticks to costumes, and carry a flashlight.
• Walk with your neighbors. Olthof communities are designed with sidewalks and connected streets — perfect for a group trick-or-treat route.
• Dress for Indiana. Late-October evenings can turn chilly fast, so plan costumes that fit over a jacket.

Find Your Place to Celebrate

The best Halloween memories happen close to home, on a street lined with jack-o'-lanterns, with neighbors who know your kids by name. From Lake and Porter County to the Indianapolis suburbs, Olthof Homes communities put you minutes from the festivals, parades and traditions that make each season special.

Ready to find the neighborhood where your family's next Halloween happens? Explore our communities and available homes at olthofhomes.com and discover The Moments that Make it Home.