October means shorter days and spookier nights, and across Utah, it means haunted houses, corn mazes and more.
Here’s a roundup of haunted attractions across the state, including events that Utah arts groups are staging for Halloween.
Halloween and fall events at year-round spots
(Utah's Hogle Zoo) One of the figures from a previous edition of Boolights, the family-friendly light show Utah’s Hogle Zoo.
Gardner Village • The historic shopping and event space, at 1100 W. 7800 South in South Jordan, is in the midst of its annual WitchFest, now through Oct. 31. Events include “Breakfast with a Witch,” the “Witchapalooza” dinner theater, an escape room, magic shows and more. Go to GardnerVillage.com for details.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium • The aquarium, at 12033 S. Lone Peak Parkway, Draper, is hosting its “Trick or Treasure” event on Monday, Oct. 27, 4-8 p.m., with trick-or-treat candy available through the aquarium. There’s also a “Halloween at the Aquarium” day on Friday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For admission details, go to livingplanetaquarium.org.
Outlets at Traverse Mountain • “Big Jack’s World,” a display of hundreds of pumpkins, including interactive displays and immersive events, runs now through Oct. 31 at the shopping center, 3700 N. Cabelas Blvd., Lehi. Free to attend during shopping center hours; go to outletsattraversemountain.com for details.
Red Butte Garden • The garden at 300 Wakara Way in Salt Lake City stages “Garden After Dark: Trouble in Oz,” a walk-through event from 6 to 9 p.m. Admission: $15 on Sundays through Thursdays, $20 on Fridays and Saturdays ($2 off for garden members). For information, go to redbuttegarden.org.
Spooky Light Show • A drive-thru experience, with millions of lights synchronized to holiday music (heard through your car radio), at the Utah State University Bastian Agricultural Center, 11161 S. 2200 West, South Jordan. Open 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., starting Oct. 9 and running through Oct. 31. (Closed Oct. 14.) For tickets and information, go to spookylightshow.com.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo • BooLights, the zoo’s annual after-hours light display, features the Witch’s House program in the Oasis Plaza, Dr. Frankenstein’s Lab Show in the Wildlife Theatre and nighttime rides on the Eccles Express (for an additional $3 charge). Dates are Oct. 3, 4, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26 and 30. BrewLights, a 21-and-older event, happens Oct. 15. Neurodiversity Night is Oct. 23. For ticket information and details, go to hoglezoo.org/boolights.
Music, theater and movies
Candlelight Concerts • The concert series in October will feature “The Best of Hans Zimmer” and “Coldplay & Imagine Dragons” on Oct. 18; “Tribute to The Beatles” and “Queen vs. ABBA” on Oct. 23; and “A Haunting Evening of Halloween Classics” on Oct. 30. Showtimes at 6:15 and 8:30 p.m.; all shows at Grand America Hotel, 555 S. Main, Salt Lake City. Go to CandlelightExperience.com for details.
HalloQueen Ball • Utah Pride Center brings back its Halloween fundraiser, the HalloQueen Ball, Friday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., at the Masonic Temple, 650 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City. Events include a costume contest (with a $2,500 grand prize), DJs, food trucks and celebrity guest judges. Admission is $30, with a cash bar inside. (Must be 21 or older to attend.) Tickets and information at UtahPride.org.
‘Halloween Spooktacular’ • Utah Symphony’s annual program of scary music, with a costume contest. Jessica Rivero Altarriba conducts. Abravanel Hall, 123 W. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Oct. 21, 7 p.m. Tickets at utahsymphony.org.
‘An October Evening’ • The annual immersive Halloween experience features film, fashion, music and live performances by local artists. Salt Lake Masonic Temple, 650 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.; doors open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $30, plus fees, at eventbrite.com.
‘The Rocky Horror Show’ • A live stage production of composer Richard O’Brien’s fond satire of classic monster movies is scheduled to be mounted at two locations: The Ziegfield Theatre, 3934 S. Washington Blvd., Ogden, on Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 20, 24 and 25; and at The Egyptian Theatre, 328 Main, Park City, Oct. 29-Nov. 2. Tickets for the Ogden show are available at zigarts.com; tickets for the Park City performances are at parkcityshows.com.
‘Sherlock Holmes and the Monster Mash Mystery’ • Salty Dinner Theatre presents this comedic take on Sherlock Holmes, as the great detective encounters classic monsters. Plays at 7:30 p.m. at these locations: Oct. 13, 22 and 29 at Leatherby’s, 304 E. University Parkway, Orem; Oct. 20 at Red Lobster, 979 N. 400 West, Layton; and Oct. 23 and 27 at Mimi’s Cafe, 5223 S. State St., Murray. For tickets and information, go to saltydinnertheater.com.
‘The Shining’ • Utah Opera stages “The Shining,” an opera created by Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell, based on Stephen King’s novel, at the Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City. Performances are set for Oct. 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19. For showtimes and tickets, go to utahopera.org.
‘Thriller’ • Odyssey Dance Theatre returns with its Halloween spectacle, “Thriller,” for shows at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 13-18 and 20-25, plus 2 p.m. Saturday matinees on Oct. 18 and 25, at The Grand Theatre, 1575 S. State, Salt Lake City. Information at odysseydance.com/thriller. ODT’s run of “Thriller” at Park City’s Egyptian Theatre, which concludes Oct. 12, is sold out.
Tower of Terror • The Salt Lake Film Society’s annual Tower of Terror movie series continues with weekend screenings of classic horror: “The Cabin in the Woods” and “The Evil Dead” on Oct. 10-11; “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre” and “Mandy” on Oct. 17-18; and “The Exorcist” and “Halloween” on Oct. 24-25. The series ends Oct. 30-Nov. 1, with annual screenings of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” — with your choice of three presentations: A live cast with emcee Susan Steffee (tickets are $27.50); a live cast with emcee Amanda Dusoe (tickets are $27.50); and an open-caption sing-along (tickets are $22.50). Go to slfs.org for details and to buy tickets.
Haunted houses and more
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) A menacing figure at Fear Factory, a Salt Lake City haunted house, in 2022.
Castle of Chaos • 7900 S. State St., Midvale. • A haunted house (with five levels of fear) and escape rooms. Open through Nov. 8 (closed on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 15 and 22; and Nov. 3-6). Opens at 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturdays and Sundays, and during the week before Halloween, it opens at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. castleofchaos.com.
Fear Factory • 666 W. 800 South, Salt Lake City. • A haunted attraction that takes on six buildings, six stories high, and is impressive even from Interstate 15. Open Oct. 8-12, Oct. 15-19 and Oct. 22-Nov. 1. Hours: 7 p.m.-midnight on Fridays and Saturdays; 7 to 10 p.m. other nights. For information, go to fearfactoryslc.com.
Frightmares • Lagoon, 375 Lagoon Drive, Farmington. • The Lagoon amusement park goes to the dark side for Halloween, with some attractions for kids and some “absolutely too scary for most kids.” Open through Nov. 9. LagoonPark.com.
Haunted Forest • 6400 N. 6000 West, American Fork. • The Haunted Forest returns with demons, monsters and zombies. Open through Nov. 1, and again Nov. 7-8. Hours: Monday-Saturday, starting at 7:30 p.m. hauntedforestutah.com.
Haunted Halloween Haven • 1641 Oak View Lane, Spanish Fork • A free, family-friendly haunt, originally organized by neighbors for fun. Open through Oct. 31. Hours: 7:30 to 10 p.m. hauntedhalloweenhaven.com.
Hidden Lake Haunts • 277 Hidden Lake Dr., Bountiful. • A haunted house in what looks like a crumbling old mansion. Open Oct. 24-25, from 7 to 10 p.m. each night. Admission is one nonperishable food item per guest, benefiting the Bountiful Community Food Pantry. hiddenlakehaunts.com.
Night Stalkers Haunted Trail • 8800 S. 4000 West, West Jordan. • Three attractions: The haunted trail, the Fright Lights pumpkin patch, and the Crazy Corn Maze. Open through Nov. 1. Hours: Mondays-Saturdays, starting at 7:30 p.m. nightstalkershaunt.com.
Nightmare on 13th • 320 W. 1300 South, Salt Lake City. • The acclaimed attraction has two draws: The Nightmare haunted house and the Institute of Terror. Open through Nov. 1, and again Nov. 7. Hours are Mondays-Saturdays, opening at 7 p.m. nightmareon13th.com.
Corn mazes
(Cornbelly's) An aerial view of what the Lainey Wilson tribute maze at Cornbelly's in Spanish Fork, Utah, looks like.
Black Island Farms • 2075 S. 4000 West, Syracuse. • An 8-acre corn maze, this year celebrating the farm’s 20th anniversary. Open through Oct. 31. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 4-10 p.m.; Fridays, 4-11 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sundays, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Nightmare Acres, the haunted maze, is open Thursdays, 7-10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays, 7-11 p.m. For tickets, go to blackislandfarms.com.
Corn Maze on the Farm • American West Heritage Center, 4025 S. Highway 89-91, Wellsville. • The maze, plus a pumpkin patch, giant lawn games, a straw fort and other family-friendly attractions. Open through Oct. 30. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 5 to 10 p.m.; Fridays, 4 to 11 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. awhc.org/corn-maze.
Cornbelly’s Lehi • Thanksgiving Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way, Lehi. • This year’s maze is a portrait of country singer Lainey Wilson. Open through Nov. 1. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 4 to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Oct. 16 and 20, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Oct. 31, noon to 11 p.m.; Nov. 1, 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; closed Sundays. Cornbellys.com.
Cornbelly’s Spanish Fork • 3687 W. 5600 South, Spanish Fork. • Like its sister maze in Lehi, the Spanish Fork maze also features a portrait of country singer Lainey Wilson. Open through Nov. 1; Mondays through Thursdays, 4 to 9 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Oct. 16 and 20, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Oct. 31, noon-9 p.m.; Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Closed Sundays. Cornbellys.com.
Crazy Corn Maze • 8800 S. 4000 West, West Jordan. • Attached to Night Stalkers Haunted Trail. Open through Nov. 1. Hours: Mondays-Thursdays, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Fridays, 6:30 to 11:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 5 to 11:30 p.m.; closed Sundays. thecrazycornmaze.com.
Cross E Ranch • 3500 N. 2200 West, Salt Lake City. • Fall festival, open through Nov. 1. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 4-9 p.m.; Fridays, 4-10 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m.; closed Sundays. crosseranch.com.
Glen Rays Corn Maze • 1750 W. 8000 South, Spanish Fork. • Open through Oct. 30. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 4 to 9 p.m.; Fridays, 4 to 11 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; closed Sundays. glenrayscornmaze.com.
Green Acres Dairy • 449 S. 4700 West, Ogden. • A corn maze and an activities courtyard. Now open through Oct. 30. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 4-9 p.m.; Fridays, 4-11 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; closed Sundays. For tickets and information, go to greenacresdairy.com.
Happy Pumpkin Corn Maze • 3462 W. 2900 South, West Haven (Weber County). • A giant corn maze, plus other amenities. Open through Oct. 30. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 4-9 p.m.; Fridays, 4-11 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; closed Sundays. For information and tickets, go to happypumpkinmaze.com.
Lapoint Corn Maze • 6400 N. 10000 East, Lapoint (Uintah County). • This year’s maze theme is “first responders.” Open through Oct. 26. Hours: Fridays, 4-9 p.m.; Saturdays, noon-9 p.m.; Sundays, noon-5 p.m.; Tuesdays through Thursdays, open to groups with reservations; closed Mondays and Wednesdays (except Oct. 16). Special days: Wednesday and Thursday, Oct. 16-17; noon-9 p.m. lapointcornmaze.com.
Little Bear Bottoms • 5100 S. U.S. Highway 89-91, Wellsville. • Corn maze, a pumpkin patch, and the Haunted River Trail (at scary and non-scary levels) on the weekends. Open through Nov. 1. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 4-10 p.m.; Fridays, 2-11 p.m.; Saturdays (and Oct. 8-9), 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; closed Sundays. littlebearbottoms.com.
Rowley’s Red Barn • 901 S. 300 West, Santaquin. • Three corn mazes, plus a barn yard, apple cannons, zip lines, a corn-kernel pit and more. Open through Oct. 30. Hours: Mondays-Fridays, 3:30-9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Oct. 16, 17 and 20, 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.; closed Sundays. rowleysredbarn.com.
Staheli Family Farm • 3400 S. Washington Fields Road, Washington. • Farmland includes a “corn maize” and a wide assortment of activities. Open through Nov. 1. Hours: Mondays through Thursdays, 5 to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 10 p.m.; closed Sundays. stahelifamilyfarm.com.
Water Hollow Ranch • 4660 N. 12000 West, Bluebell (Duchesne County). • This year’s maze depicts owners Mark and Lori Monsen in the roles of the couple from the painting “American Gothic.” Open through Oct. 25. Hours: Thursdays and Fridays, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; closed Sundays and Mondays; open Tuesdays and Wednesdays to group reservations only. bluebellcornmaze.com.