Are you dying to have a fang-tastic Halloween in Albuquerque? Well, you’re in luck! We’ve dug up some of the Duke City’s spookiest events to make this year’s celebration absolutely hex-traordinary. Halloween night may still be a couple of weeks away, but the spooky festivities have been haunting Albuquerque all month long, and there’s plenty more frightful fun to come. Whether you’re looking to scream your lungs out, dance like nobody’s haunting, or collect enough candy to concern your dentist, there’s something for every ghost, ghoul and goblin. So grab your costume, gather your favorite witches and prepare for a wicked good time!
Haunted Houses: Screams, Frights and Terrors… Oh My!
If your idea of fun involves paying someone to chase you through a dark hallway, these haunted attractions are calling your name.
Haunted Scarecrow’s Depths of Despair: Something sinister is lurking beneath Downtown Albuquerque. Located at 505 Central Food Hall (505 Central Ave. NW), this terrifying attraction features twisted corridors, unexpected scares and Dizzle the Clown, who apparently hasn’t learned the importance of personal space. Open nightly from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday nights and 6 to 10 p.m. on Thursday to Saturday night through Oct. 31, tickets cost $21.60 including fees and are available at hauntedhousenewmexico.com.
McCall’s Haunted Farm: A trip to the farm usually means pumpkins and wholesome memories. At McCall’s in Moriarty, it means running for your life through a cornfield. Brave the Slaughter House haunted barn and Field of Screams, where restless spirits lurk among the corn. Open Fridays and Saturdays through Halloween, 7 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $40.99 at mccallpumpkinpatch.com.
This is a Haunted House:* Part haunted house, part theater and part escape room, this immersive horror-comedy puts you right in the middle of the nightmare. Created by Albuquerque’s ShortTerror Productions, the experience recruits visitors to work inside a haunted house, only to discover things aren’t quite what they seem. Expect plenty of laughs, scares and audience participation, with a special “splash the audience night” on Thursdays. The show runs select evenings through Oct. 31 at North Fourth Theatre (4904 Fourth St. NW). Recommended for ages 13 and older, tickets range from $26.78 to $31.98 at shortterror.com.
Music: Calling All Monsters, It’s Time to Mash!
Dust off your dancing shoes and summon your inner Michael Jackson. These spooky celebrations will have you dancing like nobody’s haunting!
Hiland Halloween Masquerade: Teens ages 13–17 can enjoy a Battle of the Bands, DJ, dancing, treats and a photo booth at the Hiland Theater (4800 Central Ave. SE) on Oct. 24, from 7 to 10 p.m. Costumes or semi-formal attire are encouraged. Admission is free with advance registration or $5 at the door.
Womxn’s Halloween Costume Contest Dance Party: Grab your best costume and prepare to haunt the dance floor! Backstage at Revel (4720 Alexander Blvd. NE) is hosting a 21-and-over Halloween bash Oct. 24, beginning at 7 p.m., with dancing and prizes for the best costumes. Admission is $20 cash or Venmo at the door. More information is available at revelabq.com.
Night of the Living Cover Bands: The legends are rising from the dead, musically speaking! Launchpad’s October concert series features local musicians resurrecting the sounds of Nirvana, Green Day, Fleetwood Mac and more. Catch performances every Friday and Saturday throughout October (with a special “best of” performance on Nov. 1). Schedules and tickets are available at launchpadrocks.com.
Halloween Organ Recital: Looking for something hauntingly beautiful? British organist Richard Gowers will fill the Cathedral of St. John (318 Silver Ave. SW) with eerie classical melodies on Oct. 31 at 3 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, with tickets starting at $12.51 for students. More information is available at fcmabq.org.
The Deal at Lobo Theater: Deadheads, this one’s for you! Albuquerque’s Grateful Dead tribute band, The Deal, is bringing psychedelic jams, beloved classics and plenty of tie-dye to the historic Lobo Theater (3013 Central Ave. NE) on Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. Costumes are encouraged, and ticket prices are still to be announced at loboabq.com.
Trunk or Treat: Less Walking, More Candy!
Why spend Halloween trekking through an entire neighborhood when you can let the candy come to you? These community celebrations offer all the sweet rewards without the door-to-door marathon.
North Valley Little League: Halloween is stepping up to the plate! North Valley Little League and the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office are teaming up for candy, music, food trucks and prizes Oct. 23, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at 4007 Edith Blvd. NE.
Parnall Law’s Trunk or Treat: Candy isn’t the only thing up for grabs! Families can enjoy music from DJ Simpleman, decorated vehicles and costume contests Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. at 2155 Louisiana Blvd. NE. The children’s costume contest begins at 6:30 p.m.
El Mercadito del Valle: Why settle for candy when you can have an entire Halloween block party? Enjoy trunk-or-treating, live entertainment, local vendors, food and prizes Oct. 24, from 4 to 9 p.m., at 3915 Central Ave. NW.
Albuquerque Community Safety: ACS is pulling out all the stops with candy, games, food, music and even a haunted house! This free celebration takes place Oct. 30, from 3 to 7 p.m., at 1210 San Mateo Blvd. SE. Details are available at cabq.gov.
Indian Motorcycle of Albuquerque: Even motorcycles are getting into the Halloween spirit! Stop by 4509 Alameda Blvd. NE on Oct. 31, from noon to 2 p.m., for candy and a costume contest honoring the scariest, cutest and most creative outfits.
Way of Light Alleyway Fright Night: An ordinary alleyway is getting a spooky makeover! Families can enjoy free trick-or-treating and carnival-style fun Oct. 31, from 5 to 8 p.m., in the South San Pedro neighborhood near Trumbull and Valencia.
More Spooktacular Fun
Not every Halloween adventure requires a haunted house or dance floor. Sometimes the best celebrations involve mysterious creatures, underwater pumpkins or a suspicious amount of cheese.
Spooky Island Carnival: Zoinks! Tractor Brewing is bringing a Scooby-Doo-inspired mystery to Wells Park on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. Expect live music, fire performances, tarot readings, vendors and costume contests for humans and dogs. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door, available at getplowed.com.
The Rocky Horror Show: Let’s do the Time Warp again! Albuquerque Little Theatre (224 San Pasquale Ave SW) brings Dr. Frank-N-Furter’s wonderfully bizarre world to life Oct. 28 to 31, with an additional 11:59 p.m. Halloween performance. Tickets are available through albuquerquelittletheatre.org.
Underwater Pumpkin Carving: Who says pumpkins can’t swim? Watch ABQ BioPark divers carve jack-o’-lanterns underwater while curious fish inspect their handiwork Oct. 31, from 1:30 to 3 p.m., at the ABQ BioPark Aquarium (2601 Central Ave NW). The family-friendly spectacle is included with regular admission. Details are available at cabq.gov.
Ghosts in the Parlor: Step into a Victorian Halloween at Heritage House in Corrales on Oct. 31, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Enjoy ghost stories, tarot readings, a guided ghost hunt and more. Costumes are encouraged for guests ages 12 and older. Tickets are $75 per person, plus fees, through heritagehousenm.com.
New Mexico Bigfoot Bash: Forget ghosts. Albuquerque has a bigger mystery on its hands! The second annual Bigfoot Bash brings paranormal investigators, Sasquatch researchers, speakers and vendors to Craft Republic on Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Admission options range from free to $28.52. More information is available at nmbigfootbash.com.
Spooky Charcuterie Building Class: Who needs candy when you’ve got cheese? Noisy Water Winery (301 Romero St. NW) is hosting a hands-on class where guests create festive charcuterie boards to enjoy or take home. The Oct. 22 class runs from 6 to 8 p.m.. Tickets are $50, including a glass of wine, at noisywaterwinery.com.
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