WEEKENDER BLOG

Spooktacular events and haunts are taking place in October 2024! 

Below is a list of Haunts, Happenings and Trick-or-Treating.

To find a list of fall events, visit Fall Fun 2024.

September 16-October 31, 2024

Spooktober in Cedar Falls
The City of Cedar Falls is celebrating Halloween the whole month of October!
September 16-October 6 you'll want to submit your house at bit.ly/CFSpookSub for the Mayor's Halloween House Decorating Contest. October 11, a downloadable map will be available or a copy of the map can be picked up at City Hall (220 Clay Street) and the Cedar Falls Visitor Center (6510 Hudson Road).

Hearst Center for the Arts will host events October 8, 22, 24, and 31.

Cedar Falls Public Library, students k-12 are invited to submit their scariest original story to the Scary Story Contest by 11:59 p.m. October 24. Additional Halloween activities at the library are on October 1, 2, 5, 11, 14, 16, 27 & 29. For the adults (18+), the library is hosting a Midweek Nightmares Movie Series October 9, 16, 23, & 30. 

Cedar Falls Recreation Division: Parents and children preschool through Pre-k are invited to visit the CF Rec Center's Indoor Park on October 31 from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. for games and free popcorn. Free admission for all guests who attend in costume!

Spooktober Challenge: Panthers on Parade Edition! Now through October 31, 2024. Dress up as your favorite TC Mascot for a chance to WIN a $25 gift card to your choice of Downtown or College Hill!
Need some costume inspiration? 

• Purple glitter galore
• Panther Athletics spirit gear
• Classic sweater & khakis
• Or even your favorite superhero

See all 27 TC Mascots for more inspiration here.
How to enter: Choose one of the following:

1. GooseChase App: Download GooseChase, search "Panthers on Parade" and complete the Spooktober mission by uploading your photo.
2. Social Media: Post your pic on Instagram or Facebook and tag @CedarFallsIA (Facebook) or @cedarfallsiowa (Instagram). Tip: make sure your post is set to public view.
3. Email your photo to visit@cedarfallstourims.org

October is the final month to enjoy the Panthers on Parade tour before it ends!

Photos will be featured on social media and on the Spooktober Gallery. One winner will be chosen by random drawing on or around November 2nd.
 

Saturday, October 19, 2024 
The Core’s Halloween Comic Fest
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The Core’s Halloween Comic Fest is suitable for all ages. Receive one free comic book, get your photo taken with The Core's cast of characters between 10am-1pm, meet guest artists and join the costume contest that begins at 1pm.  
 

Friday, October 25, 2024
UNI Chemistry & Biochemistry Halloween House
4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Visit the second floor of McCollum Science Hall for science so fun it's scary. The event is free and open to the public. The activities are intended for elementary age children, but can be enjoyed by children of all ages. Come in Costume! You'll have lots of fun.
 

Tuesday, October 29, 2024
Spooky Stories
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Cedar Falls Public Library, location TBD. Join the fun for Spooky Storytime where you’ll sing creepy songs and read scary fun books. Costumes are encouraged. Ages 3-8. Free.
 

Thursday, October 31, 2024
Cedar Falls Citywide Trick or Treating
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Cedar Falls will celebrate Trick-or-Treat Night on the evening of Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
 

Thursday, October 31, 2024
Trick-or-Treat in the District
3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Cedar Falls Downtown District
Merchants will be outside their shops for young trick or treaters!

AREA HAUNTS

October 4-5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-27, 30-31 & November 1-2, 2024
Harris Haven Funeral Home
Enter if you dare! Bravely enter Harris Haven Funeral Home and explore its many rooms.   
 

September 27 – October 31, 2024
Heartland Farms
Spook house, Kiddie Cornfield, hayrides, Punkin Playland, The Punkinator, bounce house, farm animals and the Giant Jumping Pillow!
 

October 4-5, 11-13, 18-19, 25-27, 31, November 1-2, 2024
The Heart of Darkness Haunted Complex
Dying for a good time? Face your fears at The Heart of Darkness! They have thirteen themed areas, zombie and pumpkin photo ops, fog maze, live DJ, Monster Merch Shop, Karaoke and Pumpkin Patch Concessions!
 

October TBA, 2024
KW Paintball Halloween Zombie Shoot
This is where the undead reside and the humans try to survive! Visitors take a ride on the custom trailers through the paintball park taking out zombies that lurk throughout with 100 zombie killing rounds.
 

October 5, 11-12, 18-19, 25-26, 2024
Waterhawks Haunted Hayride
Waterhawks Ski Team presents its annual Haunted Hayride fundraiser beginning October 5! Come out to Eagle Lake to experience the thrill of a Haunted Hayride with family and friends. Check their Facebook page, Waterhawks, for updates.

photo courtesy of the Waterhawks Haunted Hayride

CEDAR VALLEY TRICK-OR-TREATING

October 23, 2024
Trick or Treat
5:30 - 8:00 pm
Phelps Youth Pavilion
Grab your costume and take a tour through the Phelps Youth Pavilion and experience the mystery of Grant Wood's haunted farm. Participants can design and assemble an edible Halloween craft. Reservations are required by October 22 and costumes are encouraged. Members: $2 | Non-members: $5. 

October 24, 2024
Jack-o-Lantern Night
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Downtown Waverly
Kids can trick-or-treat at participating downtown merchants.

October 26, 2024 
Trick or Treat Downtown Waterloo
10:00 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Children can enjoy trick-or-treating at shops in downtown Waterloo. This is a family-friendly event which includes vendors in Lincoln Park, the Waterloo Urban Farmers Market, and a costume photo booth.

October 31, 2023
Trick-or-Treat in the District
3:30 – 5:00 pm
Cedar Falls Downtown District
Merchants will be outside their shops for young trick or treaters!

CITYWIDE TRICK-OR-TREATING

Cedar Falls   October 31 ~ 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Waterloo   October 31 ~ 6:00 - 8:00 pm

Waverly   October 31 ~ 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Dike   October 31 ~ 5:30 - 7:30 pm

Evansdale   October 31 ~  5:00 - 8:00 pm.

Hudson   October 31 ~ 5:00 - 7 p.m.

Looking for more information about things to do this fall? Give us a call at the Cedar Falls Tourism Bureau and Visitor Center at 319-268-4266. 

We'd be happy to help!