Mary Cait McManamon
11 fun and festive Halloween activities in Madison (2025)
October 4, 2023
Article originally published October 2023 | Updated September 2025
Fall in Madison means crisp air, apple cider donuts and plenty of opportunities to celebrate the season. From Gilmore Girls gatherings and festive fall markets to family-friendly Halloween fun, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this October. We’ve rounded up a few highlights happening around the community, including right here at Overture Center, to help you make the most of autumn. Gather your friends and family and get ready for a month of fall festivities!
Saturday, October 4, 3-7pm: Stars Hollow Days
Put on your best backwards cap and flannel shirt, grab a coffee and some junk food and come down to Stone Horse Green in Middleton for this fun Gilmore Girls-themed event. The evening will include a bonfire, s’mores, live music and more!
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free!
Saturday, October 4, 10am-5pm & Sunday, October 5, 10am-3pm - Mount Horeb Fall Village Market
Head to Mount Horeb's historic downtown for a weekend vendor market and discover unique vintage, upcycled and hand-made goods! Enjoy live music and tasty fare from local restaurants and food trucks. Stop in at a local restaurant and pick up a cocktail-to-go as you stroll along Mount Horeb's Main Street and shop at local boutiques.
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free!
Saturday, October 11, 11am-2pm - Family Fall Festival
Celebrate the harvest season with The Bruce Company in Middleton. At this family-friendly event, kids can pet adorable animals, paint mini pumpkins and get their photo taken in front of the garden center’s festive autumn cabin. A balloon artist will be on site creating fantastic balloon art—along with a face painter!
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free!
Saturday, October 18 - Haunted Hustle
Get ready for an action-packed event with races and activities for the whole family. The fun day starts with the scenic Haunted Hustle Half Marathon, followed by a 10K run, 5K run, 5K dog jog, 5K walk and a kid’s run. There will be live music at the Finish Line Festival and treats to enjoy. The race start and finish are located at KEVA Sports Center in Middleton.
Ages: All ages
Cost: $18-$80
Thursday, October 23 - Fall 2025 Exhibitions Reception
Join Overture Galleries for a reception and artist talks celebrating the Fall 2025 Gallery Exhibitions. This season’s exhibitions consider the quiet forces that shape our landscapes. Through diverse media, artists reflect on the unseen and visible aspects of the natural world. Drawing on symbolic and spiritual associations, the works evoke wonder, harmony and connection.
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free!
Sunday, October 26, 10am-6pm - Trick or Treating at Schuster’s Farm
Grab your best Halloween costume and come out to Schuster’s Farm for some trick or treating fun. Farmhands around the farm will have lots of candy to hand out. Join in for some end of season fun!
Ages: All ages
Cost: $16.50-$29.50 Free for children under 2
Tuesday, October 28, 9am-12pm - Baby’s First Halloween at Madison Children’s Museum
Join Madison Children’s Museum for the cutest fall event in town: Baby’s First Halloween! The museum will be open special hours on Tuesday, October 28 just for this boppin’ baby party. Featured activities are slated to include Magical Creature Bath Time, Monster Block Stack, “Spooky” Crawler Exploration Box, music with Junebug and much more!
Ages: Best for children under 3
Cost: $5
Wednesday, October 29, 3-6pm - Downtown Madison Family Halloween
Enjoy hayrides around the Capitol Square, crafts, art projects, stories and songs, trick or treat at participating businesses (including Overture Center) and more at Downtown Madison’s Family Halloween event. Stick around after trick-or-treating for a downtown movie night with Madison Parks.
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free!
Wednesday, October 29, 4 & 5pm - Wayne the Wizard at Kids in the Rotunda
Get ready for spooky fun and silly surprises! Wayne the Wizard brings Halloween to life with colorful magic, comedy ventriloquism and lots of audience participation. Perfect for little ghosts and goblins, this not-too-scary show is packed with laughter, wonder and wizardly fun. Bring your magic hats and wands—it’s going to be a spellbinding time!
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free!
Thursday, October 30, 7pm - Mariachi Rock Revolution
Brainchild of Grammy-nominated Austin Latino rocker and electric violinist Haydin Vitera, the show is a rock-fueled, Mariachi-infused spectacle of sight and sound celebrating the tradition of Mariachi through an unprecedented fusion with modern rock and electronica. Mariachi Rock Revolution 's high-energy performance provides a variety of styles that speak to the lover of arena rock to the abuela who grew up with Vicente Fernández and everyone in between.
Ages: 6 and up
Cost: $31.49 - $63.08
Friday, October 31, 5:30-9pm: Adult Swim: Wicked Fun at Madison Children’s Museum
Start your Halloween night off with some wicked good fun! Enjoy a bewitching night of ghoulish glamor, uncanny crafts and magical mischief as the adults take over the children’s museum. Whether you’re giving full Glinda or just wearing your resting witch face, all levels of costume commitment are welcome!
Ages: 21+
Cost: $20
There are many more events happening throughout the community this month, but we hope this gives you some ideas of fun activities to check out with friends and family. As always, we hope a trip to Overture Center is on your fall bucket list. We’ll see you soon!