WEEKENDER BLOG

Spooktacular events and haunts are taking place in October 2025! 

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

To find a list of fall events, visit Fall Fun 2025.

September 1-October 31, 2025

Spooktober in Cedar Falls
The City of Cedar Falls is celebrating Halloween the whole month of October!
September 1 through September 28 you'll want to submit your house at forms.cedarfalls.com/Forms/Halloween2025 for the Mayor's Halloween House Decorating Contest. Starting October 1, click here for a downloadable map or pick up a printed copy of the map at City Hall (220 Clay Street) and the Cedar Falls Visitor Center (6510 Hudson Road).

Hearst Center for the Arts will host events October 7, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 23, and 29. In addition, all October, Mae Latta Hall will display a curated exhibition of the darkest selections from the Hearst's Permanent Collection.

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 youth/family Halloween activities at the library are on October 11, 14, 16, 18, 25, 29, and 31. For the adults (18+), the library is hosting October Eve on September 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 30 from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Snacks, games, and free admission for anyone in a costume!

Saturday, October TBA, 2025 
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 TBA, 2025
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.

Saturday, October 25, 2025
Witch Float
5:00 p.m.
Join Hartman Reserve as they celebrate the season with their very first Witch Float!  Costumes encouraged. This adult only (18+) event will be held at Big Woods Lake. Pre-registration is required.  
 

Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Spooky Stories
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
The Cedar Falls Public Library. Join the fun for Spooky Storytime where you’ll sing creepy songs and read scary fun books. Costumes are encouraged. Ages 3-8. Free.
 

Friday, October 31, 2025
Cedar Falls Citywide Trick or Treating
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Cedar Falls will celebrate Trick-or-Treat Night on the evening of Friday, October 31, 2025.
 

Friday, October 31, 2025
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 3-4, 10-11, 17-19, 23-26, 30-November 1, 2025
Harris Haven Funeral Home
Enter if you dare! Bravely enter Harris Haven Funeral Home and explore its many rooms.   
 

October TBA, 2025
Heartland Farms
Spook house, Kiddie Cornfield, hayrides, Punkin Playland, The Punkinator, bounce house, farm animals and the Giant Jumping Pillow!
 

October 3-4, 10-11, 16-18, 23-25, 29-31, November 1, 2025
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, 2025
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 TBA, 2025
Waterhawks Haunted Hayride
Waterhawks Ski Team presents its annual Haunted Hayride fundraiser beginning October TBA! 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 25, 2025 
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, activities, games, and candy!

October 30, 2025
Jack-o-Lantern Night
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Downtown Waverly
Kids can trick-or-treat at participating downtown merchants.

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 - 8:00 pm

Evansdale   October 31 ~  6:00 - 8:00 pm.

Hudson   October 31 ~ 5:30 - 7:30 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!