2023 Spirit of Halloweentown in St. Helens

Photo courtesy of Spirit of Halloweentown

Celebrate the haunting holiday all month long during Spirit of Halloweentown in St. Helens.

Visiting St. Helens during the fall may feel like a trip back to your childhood. In 1998, Disney Channel’s Halloween classic “Halloweentown” was filmed in the small city of St. Helens, Oregon. Since then, the community has transformed the Riverfront District into the Spirit of Halloweentown celebrating all things spooky for the season. The city was also a filming site for Twilight and has embraced vampire and werewolf lovers alike.

In 2023, the Spirit of Halloweentown is September 16 through October 31. The main plaza is open every day with special events taking place on select days.

Plan your trip to this family-friendly fall celebration located a short drive from Portland.

2023 Spirit of Halloweentown

Most events take place on Saturdays and Sundays, unless other dates are listed below. This year, the majority of attractions are included in bundled ticket options instead of individual prices for each event. If an event does have individual pricing, I’ve included it in the attraction information. 

The Pumpkin Plaza

The Pumpkin Plaza is where the haunting begins with the event’s big pumpkin taking center stage. The square hosts games, activities, performances and photo ops. 

There will be strolling performers filling the plaza with entertainment, including witches, pirates, Mermaid Una, alpacas and magical unicorns during the weekend. There’s also costume contests.

At the plaza, you’ll find the vendor village with goods and food options for sale.

The plaza is free to visit. You can stop by the big pumpkin any day of the week with activities and vendors open on the weekends.

Free Events at the Plaza

In addition to the attractions are free special events hosted on the weekend. Here’s the schedule:

• September 16-17 is Twilight Weekend with Matt Baker Comedy Show on Saturday at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. On Sunday, IZohnny dazzles audiences at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.
• September 23-24 is Hocus Pocus weekend with costume contests and special performances. 
• On September 30, attend the pumpkin lighting and mayor of Spirit of Halloweentown election at 7 p.m.
• September 30-October 1, IZohnny performs at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.
• On October 7, the Big Halloween Parade kicks off at 6:30 p.m. with another pumpkin lighting at 7:30 p.m.
• October 7-8 hosts Circus Luminescence Performance Team at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m.
• On October 14, see the Haunted Hot Rods from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and the King and Queen of Halloween Children & Family Parade at 2 p.m. 
• October 21 and 22 is the 25th anniversary celebration of Halloweentown the movie. 
• October 28 and 29 the Witches Celebration includes witches on the water, little trick and treaters parade, ghouls gamble rally and more. On Saturday, Terra Zerra – Strong Woman performs at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Leaping Louie performs at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. 

Attractions

Haunted House

This family-friendly haunted house invites you, if you dare, into the depths of a hotel that has become home to the demented, diabolic undead freshly risen from their crypts. Walk through highly detailed, realistic rooms, including scary spider tunnel, evil fairy courtyard, gruesome graveyard and zombie boiler room, morbid kitchen, musty old luggage-storage room, spirit-saturated hotel bar, and bloodcurdling bathroom. Try not to lose your head in the chainsaw bridal suite.

The haunted house is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is also included in special after dark activity ticket on Thursdays and Fridays.

The haunted house appears to have individual pricing, but it is not yet available on the ticketing page. I’ll update this section as soon as I have more information.

Sand Island Adventure Boat Ride and Big Foot Hunt

Take a water shuttle from the city docks to Sand Island and explore a map of curated carved pumpkins by wood artist Wade Lapp. Some carvings are spooky silly and others are lifelike. Along the trail you’ll find Sasquatch hiding. There’s a scavenger hunt, ladder challenges, bonfires and marshmallow roasting.

The attraction is open on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10 a.m. The last boat leaves at 4:30 p.m. 

Nightmare on 4th Street and Decorated House Train Tour

Hop aboard the new Spirit of Halloweentown train. Enjoy a special treat while seeing some homes that are decorated around the city. 

This attraction is open on Thursday-Sunday evenings.

Family Fun, Spooky Shuttle Ride and Pizza

Climb aboard the spooky shuttle and travel uptown while collecting candy from select locations. You’ll then grab a slice of Pizza and consult the fortune ball. 

The shuttle ride is available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. 

This attraction has individual tickets for $15 per person. 

The Alien Interview and Museum of Peculiarities & Oddities

The Spirit of Halloweentown organizers have connected with an alien who has agreed to answer your questions. Coming from a distant galaxy, the alien will appear in a holodeck. Audience members will ask questions in real time and get the answers that they’ve been looking for. You’ll start by viewing alien displays and listening to the various stories with your headset.

This attraction is running Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

The Great Big Halloween Exhibit

Inside the big tent, find a mix of traditional halloween style decorations and also the big symbols of Halloween that have lasted for generations. All ages can enjoy a stroll through this new exhibit and feel nostalgic about this special holiday.

The exhibit is open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is also included in the after hours activities on Thursdays and Fridays. 

Whispers on the Water Train Ride

Get a treat then take the train for a ride along the river. You’ll see fun jokes posted along the way. At the end, you’ll find the city’s mermaid sculpture.

The train runs on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 10 a.m. The last train leaves at 4:30 p.m. 

Witches Brewfest

This new event is a special sipping and tasting experience right in Halloweentown plaza. Savor locally sourced beers and ciders. 

The event is on Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28 from 4-10 p.m. 

Tickets are $25 per person. 

Meet Actors from Halloween-Themed Movies and TV Shows

With the purchase a meet and greet ticket, you can take photos with or get autographs from actors:

• September 16-17: Meet Twilight actors Maggie Grace, Peter Facinelli and Jackson Rathbone.
• October 21-22: Photo op with Halloweentown’s Kimberly J. Brown.
• October 21-22: Have a pizza part with Sophie, Dylan and Luke from Halloweentown.

Tickets range from $50 to $250. Multiple times are available for each event. 

Tickets

Here are the various ticket bundles available for this year’s Spirit of Halloweentown:

General Admission

On Saturdays and Sundays, this ticket option includes:

• Haunted House
• Big Halloween Exhibit
• Nightmare on 4th Street and Decorated House Train Tour
• Whispers on the Water Train Ride
• Meet Una the Mermaid, alpacas and unicorns.

Tickets are $45 per person. Kids under 4 attend for free. Families can save with four tickets for $145.

One Big Ticket

On Saturdays and Sundays, this option includes:

• Haunted House
• Big Halloween Exhibit
• Nightmare on 4th Street and Decorated House Train Tour
• Whispers on the Water Train Ride
• Meet Una the Mermaid, alpacas and unicorns.
• The Alien Interview and Museum of Peculiarities & Oddities
• Sand Island Adventure Boat Ride and Big Foot Hunt

Tickets are $99 for adults 18+ and $65 for kids 4-18 years old. Kids under 4 attend for free. 

Adventurers Admission

On Saturdays and Sundays, this option includes:

• Haunted House
• Big Halloween Exhibit
• Whispers on the Water Train Ride
• Meet Una the Mermaid, alpacas and unicorns.
• Sand Island Adventure Boat Ride and Big Foot Hunt

Tickets are $65 per person. 

After Dark Admission

On Thursdays through Sundays from 6-9 p.m., this option includes: 

• Haunted House
• Big Halloween Exhibit
• Nightmare on 4th Street and Decorated House Train Tour

Tickets are $25 per person. Kids under 4 attend for free. Buy a family pass with six tickets for $100. 

Tickets are on sale now. All online tickets include additional processing fees. Visit the Spirit of Halloweentown website.

Parking

During the weekdays, parking is free at 231 S First Street.

On weekends, parking is available at the main parking lot, 451 Plymouth Street in St. Helens. Parking is $15 in advance online and $20 onsite.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit the Spirit of Halloweentown’s website. 

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