The ghouls, ghosts and monsters are dusting off their Halloween best and emerging for another spooky season around Indianapolis. Throughout October, these creepy characters will populate horror stories on screens and stages, pop out at museum parties, dance at balls and haunt tours.
But the otherworldly won't be the only ones providing scares. As visitors solve murder mysteries in eerie locations, they'll uncover the dark recesses of the human heart. Those less inclined to endure frights can enjoy the season with art-making, science experiments and corn mazes.
Here are some of the best arts and entertainment Halloween events in and around Indianapolis this year.
Scary movies
"Drive-In Massacre": The horror marathon returns with "Friday the 13th III," "My Bloody Valentine" and "Evil Toons" along with vendors and special guests. Oct. 4-5. 3986 E. Michigan Road in Shelbyville. $17.50 adults and $8.75 children per night presale, $20 adults and $10 children day-of tickets. $30 adults and $15 children for two-day passes.theskylinedrivein.com
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"Horror Shorts": Seven new shorts from around the world, presented by Heartland Film, Irvington Halloween and the Good Ghouls. Oct. 22. Kan-Kan Cinema and Brasserie, 1258 Windsor St. $30.kankanindy.com
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
Tickets and details: irvingtonhalloween.com
The neighborhood that's known for its spooky celebrations will again offer plenty of events. Check the website for tickets and times. The festivities will include:
- Oct. 19: The Masquerade Ball, also known as an adult prom, promises dancing to the music of Roughouse. Our Lady of Lourdes, 5333 E Washington St. Ages 21 and up.
- Oct. 21: Art Auction, with poster designs by local artists. Benton House, 312 S. Downey Ave.
- Oct. 24: "A Night Out in Sleepy Hollow" includes a reading of the famous "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" and tales from local authors. Irving Circle Park, 236 S. AudubonRoad.
- Oct. 25: Zombie Bike Ride through Irvington.
- Oct. 26: The Vampire Run, Street Fair and parade. The after-party — with the theme of "abducted homecoming" — is at Playground Productions Studio, 5529 Bonna Ave. #10.
Ghost stories, tours and mysteries
"Spine-Tingling Tales": Eight storytellers will tell haunted tales across two nights in the long-running event by Storytelling Arts of Indiana. Oct. 28-29. Phoenix Theatre Culture Centre, 705 N. Illinois St.$20.storytellingarts.organdphoenixtheatre.org
"Mobsters, Molls and Murder": Solve the murder of boss Mickey Scapone while dressed in your flapper best. Oct. 11-12, 18-19, 26-27. Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, 1230 N. Delaware St. $27 adults,$23 members and students.bhpsite.org
"Whodunit?": Solve puzzles and question witnesses and the police to unravel the mystery, all while dressed in early 1900s costumes. Oct. 18. Indiana Historical Society, 450 W. Ohio St. $30 in advance, $25 members. $35 door. indianahistory.org
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On-stage frights
"Boo-La-La! 3": Scary stories, monsters and lessons on different cultures' superstitions will populate these shows. Oct. 11-27. Fonseca Theatre Co., 2508 W. Michigan St. Starting at $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and those under age 21. $10 neighborhood.fonsecatheatre.org
"Ray Bradbury's The Halloween Tree: A Dramatic Reading": Ben Asaykwee will perform the author's classic novel as part of Festival 451indy. Oct. 18-20. The District Theatre, 627 Massachusetts Ave. $20 adults. $10 students.indydistricttheatre.org
"Halloween Live! Magic vs. Science": Educators Rick Crosslin and Keith Ramsey unleash awe-inspiring experiments and phenomena that encourage audiences to question what they're witnessing. Oct. 20. Hendricks Live! 200 W. Main St. in Plainfield. $10. hendrickslive.org
'The Rocky Horror Picture Show' on screen and stage
Rocky Horror Picture Drag Show: Watch the film in the Tobias Theater at Newfields with a shadow cast of Indianapolis drag performers. Tickets to the 7 p.m. screening include 9:30 p.m. admission to the arts campus' popular Harvest Nights. Oct. 4. Newfields, 4000 N. Michigan Rd. Balcony seats $50 for members, $60 nonmembers; house seats $55 members, $65 nonmembers. Advance purchase required at discovernewfields.org/rocky-horror-picture-drag-show
"Rocky Horror Picture Show": The 49th Anniversary Spectacular Tour: Watch a screening with a shadow cast and Patricia Quinn, who played "Magenta" in the cult classic. There'll be audience participation, a costume contest and more. Oct. 19. Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave. Tickets start at $25. bit.ly/471kQX4
Rocky Horror Indy: Once again, Zach & Zack and the Athenaeum Foundationbring you the live stage musical that inspired the film. Guided audience participation will be welcomed, but props and direct interaction with the cast are discouraged. Oct. 18-Nov. 2. Anthenaeum, 401 E. Michigan St. bit.ly/3XgSdSt
"Rocky Horror: with Transylvanian Lip Treatment: Join shadow cast Transylvanian Lip Treatment for a live, rated-R performance with lots of opportunities for audience participation. Oct. 26. Irving Theater, 5505 E. Washington St. bit.ly/3z146Cq
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More haunted fun
"Night at the Boo Bash": Make bath bombs in Dr. Rose's Mad Science Lab, launch plastic insects onto webs, measure the sounds of your shrieks, dance in Halloween costumes and more. Oct. 11. Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. $12. indianamuseum.org
"Witch Way Road Trip": Friendly hosts and not-so-scary, lights-on experiences like fun facts, seek-and-find and passing out treats during daytime hours. Nighttime experiences are spookier, with darker lighting and characters in scary masks jumping out to startle visitors. Oct. 10-31.The Children's Museum, 3000 N. Meridian St.$9 nonmembers. Free ages 2 and under. Members can log in for discounts. childrensmuseum.org
"Headless Horseman Festival": Fire art performances, dry tubing hill, corn mazes, art-making and more. Oct. 3-27. Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Road in Fishers. $26 nonmembers. Free for members. Ages 2 and under free. connerprairie.org
ZooBoo: A Mirror Maze, DJ dance parties, trick-or-treat trail, carousel that turns in reverse and more.Through Oct. 31. Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St. Included with regular admission and free for members.indianapoliszoo.com
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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter: @domenicareports.
