Have you got your pumpkin yet? Halloween is approaching quickly, and we’ve got a nice list of pumpkin patches all around the city! What’s your favorite spot?

This post is written by Anthony Cordo, Visitor Services Manager for Experience Columbus.

Four years ago, it was a struggle for me to figure out where I could best celebrate Halloween – that changed the second I stepped onto High Street in the Short North Arts District for Highball Halloween. The event features tens of thousands of superbly-costumed revelers, fashion shows, a Dogtober animal costume contest, dance music, street performers… the list of attractions goes on!

When, Where and Parking
Highball Halloween is on Friday, Oct. 28 from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. The event gets progressively larger as the night goes on, starting with the closure of 5th Avenue and eventually taking over all of High Street in the area. The closest and easiest parking is at the Gateway Parking Garage – it’s only a ten minute walk away. Refer to this map for directions. Avoid parking on the street in this area as many of the neighborhoods require a city parking pass.

How to Dress
This is a big one. While any old costume will suffice, to truly shine at a Short North Arts District event you’ve got to take it to the next level. The theme this year is “transformations” so figure something out that’s extravagantly transformative, and then take it up a notch. If you come up with something good you can enter the fashion show to win $1,000. For inspiration check out the galleries from Highball last year.

What to Do While You’re There
Check out the full event schedule
Dogtober
OK, this is just awesome. The costumes people come up with for their puppies are outrageous! Show off Rex’s couture side and prove your dog is the cutest in town.

Street Performers and Artists
Giant stilt walkers will be roaming the street with amazing costumes; several dancers from BalletMet will be undergoing transformations by professional makeup artists; and artist Coreroc will be creating a huge UV paint mural.

Costume Couture Fashion Showdown
Truly the highlight of the show, the Showdown features professional models in amazing costumes competing for a $1,000 prize. Judges include Dominique Reighard from America’s Next Top Model and Mayor Coleman.

General Public Costume Contest
This contest also includes a $1,000 prize for best costume. Anyone can enter, and some of the Short North Art District’s most knowledgeable beauticians will be on hand to judge the contest.

Click here for more information - and post your pics from Highball to us on Facebook!

We’ve got even more good news: we have 5 pairs of tickets to Highball to give away! Tell us what you’re dressing as below for a chance to win! We’ll pick five winners at random at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

HighBall Halloween

Who says kids get to have all the fun this Halloween? With plenty of adult-friendly Halloween activities this month, ranging from nighttime canoe rides to haunted tours of Ohio State’s campus, it’s time for some good old-fashioned holiday fun!

Shadowbox Live: Nightmare at Shadowbox
Original sketch comedy and live rock ‘n’ roll with a Halloween twist.

Where: Easton Town Center
When: Sept. 2-Nov. 13; Thur., 7:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
How much: $30; $20 for students, seniors (55+) and active military

More information is available here

Scare-A-Torium (more…)

Haunted Statehouse Tour

This month there is no shortage of activities for the entire family to enjoy together in Columbus. Whether you’re looking for trick-or-treat trails, pumpkin-flavored treats or to experience a local attraction with a Halloween twist, it’s all here. Pick your favorites and take your family, friends or neighbors along for the ride.

Harvest the Arts Festival
Enjoy live entertainment, a Crafter’s Marketplace, face painting, candle dipping and more.

Where: Doran’s Farm Market, New Albany
When: Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
How much: FREE

More information is available here
(more…)

Pigeon Roost Corn Maze

While a trip to the pumpkin patch is a long-standing fall tradition, one experience tops many people’s to-do lists this year: corn mazes.

If you’re one of these people, check out the options below.These pumpkin farms offer one-of-a-kind mazes, featuring everything from unique designs (like Woody Hayes and Jim Tressel) to observations platforms and haunted nighttime adventures. (more…)

Photo: the_girl on Flickr

You know fall has officially arrived when the leaves begin to change color, the weather starts to grow crisp and the smell of bonfires fill the air. And nothing symbolizes the season better than pumpkins. From pumpkin pie and pumpkin-flavored lattes to jack-o-lanterns and Halloween decorations, pumpkins are everywhere by the time October rolls around.

Since it’s never too early to start your search for that perfect pumpkin, I have compiled a list of Central Ohio pumpkin farms. Most offer a combination of pick-your-own and pre-harvested pumpkins, as well as holiday-themed activities ranging from hayrides to petting zoos. (more…)

I haven’t yet settled on what to do for Halloween this year; there are plenty of options for families and night-lifers alike in the days leading up to October 31st. Read on for a few suggestions on how to celebrate the year’s spookiest holiday in Columbus.

HighBall Halloween
Photo: Short North Arts District

HighBall Halloween
High Street, Short North Arts District
Saturday, Oct. 31
4 p.m. - midnight
$2

Last year I attended Highball Halloween; being the first year the event had ever been held I was amazed by how well attended and orchestrated it was. This is a party on a grand scale - think of it as a massive masquerade ball, complete with costume contests, a Costume Couture Fashion Showdown and the Dogtober Howloween Procession for costumed pets. And how often do you get to enjoy beverages and dance to awesome house music with thousands of friends in the middle of High Street? The area will be very busy that night; if you’re not walking, consider calling a taxi or riding a COTA bus to the Short North to avoid the parking congestion.

The Haunted Hotel
Hyatt Regency Downtown Columbus
Saturday, Oct. 31
10:00 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.
$29.99

For a 21 and over crowd, the Hyatt Regency Columbus will transform itself into an oasis of decoration, entertainment and music including a large ballroom, swanky lounge and breathtaking reception balcony.  Check out three rooms of sound with live bands and DJ’s playing the best hip-hop, mash up, techno and house music.

Scarey-oke
Sequoia Pro Bowl
Saturday, Oct. 31
9:00 p.m. – 2:30 a.m.

For a 21 and over crowd, the party will feature karaoke, food and drink specials, costume contests and other events in bowling shoes..

The Haunted Ship
Santa Maria
Thursday, Oct. 29 – Saturday, Oct. 31
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
$5

A family event promising a little "boo" for children of all ages. Take a 15-20 minute walk through the Haunted ship and hear a tale from the high seas about a Captain Boney and his pirate ship. Meet a talking head, a large spider, one of the captain’s original crew and a sea monster.

Spooky Science Weekend
COSI
Friday, Oct. 30 – Saturday, Oct. 31
5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
$5.50 - $7.50

Bring the whole family in costume and explore the spooky science of Halloween with COSI’s Pumpkin Patch Science Show, Pumpkin Patch You Try It Family Workshops, trick-or-treat stations, and cart activities like exploding pumpkins and more.

Gables, Gargoyles and Ghosts – oh my!
Columbus Landmarks Foundation
Monday, Oct. 19 – Friday, Oct. 29
7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
$25

A great event for the whole family, this bus tour explores the most haunted locations in the downtown Columbus. Hear ghost stories about museums, antique malls, restaurants, and other spooky attractions on the tour.

Looking for more ideas?
Browse a comprehensive list of Halloween events here . You can also download this PDF for trick-or-treat times in each Columbus community.