Celebrate Halloween early with these fun things around Ann Arbor this weekend

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI -- Halloween may still be a week away, but many people are gearing up to celebrate a little early.

There are all kinds of events happening across Washtenaw County this weekend to celebrate the spooky holiday, including trunk or treats, Halloween parties and downtown trick-or-treating.

Here are just some of those events happening, starting Thursday, Oct. 24, until Sunday, Oct. 27.

Ann Arbor

Briarwood Mall’s annual Boo Bash

Boo Bash is an annual event where kids can put on costumes and trick-or-treat with Briarwood Mall’s retailers.

Attendees at this year’s event on Friday, Oct. 25, can trick-or treat from 5 to 6:30 p.m. or check out craft stations, photobooths or entertainment from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the mall. Magician Anthony Grupido will perform magic shows at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Learn more online.

Halloween party with the Ann Arbor Eagles

The Ann Arbor Eagles are hosting a Halloween party starting at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7881 Jackson Road.

The event is open to the public and will feature live music until 10 p.m., as well as raffles, games, door prizes, scary movies and three costume contests where participants can win $100. Learn more online.

Halloween Bash at Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center

The Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center, 2960 Washtenaw Ave., is transforming its gym into a “Halloween Haven” with a DJ, bounce houses, family fun and prizes from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26

It will cost $10 per person while kids 3 years and younger are free. Everyone must register online or in-person to attend, but registration closes at 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24. Learn more online.

Spooky Free Comic Book Day

Vault of Midnight in downtown Ann Arbor is hosting a spooky event for comic book lovers from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.

The business is giving away free comic books and candy on a first-come, first-served basis at all of its locations, including the one at 219 S. Main St. Each person will get five comic books and two pieces of candy. Customers in costume will also get 20% off any one item.

Ann Arbor District Library’s Costume Contest

Get decked out in your Halloween costume for the Ann Arbor District Library’s upcoming costume contest from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at 343 S. Fifth Ave.

Costume categories include Best Overall Kids Costume, Best Overall Teen Costume, Best Overall Adult Costume and Best Overall Family Costume. Halloween medals will also be given out to other categories that day.

In order to enter, contestants must be seen by judges between noon and 2 p.m., and the award ceremony is 2:30 p.m. Winners will receive $50 Target gift cards.

There will also be a photo booth from noon to 3 p.m. Learn more online.

St. Paul Lutheran School’s Trunk or Treat

St. Paul Lutheran School, 495 Earhart Road, is hosting Trunk or Treat starting at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27. The event will be filled with candy and community fun in the school’s main campus parking lot. Learn more online.

Trunk or Treat at West Side United Methodist Church

Trunk or Treat is happening from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, at West Side United Methodist Church, 900 S. Seventh St. There will be treats, bounce houses, lawn games and a food truck. Learn more online.

Witchy Woo Fest at Bløm Meadworks

Bløm Meadworks, 100 S. 4th Ave. Suite 110, is celebrating Halloween with its Witchy Woo Fest from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

Hot mulled mead and baked goods are available for purchase throughout the day, along with events like pumpkin painting, a permanent jewelry bar, tarot readings and live music. Learn more online.

Storytime with Schuler Books

Parents looking for a kid-friendly event can check out story time at Schuler Books, 2513 Jackson Ave. on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Event organizers suggest toddler and preschool aged children come at 1 p.m. for the “Not So Spooky,” story time while kids age 8 through 12 come at 1:30 p.m. for “Campfire Stories.” Both age groups will have a Halloween-themed craft and treats.

The event is free, but organizers ask parents to RSVP beforehand online.

Halloween with the Kelsey Museum

Get a history lesson of some spooky objects at the University of Michigan’s Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, 434 S. State St.

The free tour is 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, and includes objects throughout the museum including animals, mummies, funerary inscriptions, headless sculptures and other items from the ancient Middle East, Greece, Egypt and Rome. Learn more online.

Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan’s Spook-a-Thon

Dance Marathon at the University of Michigan is hosting its annual Spook-a-Thon from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27, on the Diag, 913 S. University Ave.

Students part of the group will be passing out candy to children of all ages, including current and past patients at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. The student-run nonprofit is known for raising funds and awareness for pediatric therapies for children with disabilities and illnesses at the hospital.

The day will also be filled with pumpkin carving, costumes and other fall activities. Learn more online.

Ypsilanti

Trick or Treat Downtown Ypsilanti

Some Ypsilanti businesses are bringing trick-or-treating to the city’s downtown from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27.

Kids can go trick-or-treating at participating downtown businesses and also enjoy snacks, a costume contest and a dance party that costs $5 for children.

The contest, dance party and a map of participating businesses will be available at Yours Truly Event Venue at 114 Michigan Ave. Learn more online.

Halloween in Downtown Ypsilanti

The Ypsilanti District Library’s downtown branch, 229 West Michigan Ave., is hosting a Halloween event from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.

You can come to the library’s plaza to enjoy sweets, win books, play putt-putt and participate in a costume contest. The contest starts at 6:15 p.m. and a pet Halloween costume contest begins at 6:30 p.m. Learn more online.

Boylesque Drag Spooktacular

Boylesque Drag is putting on a Halloween show for people 18 years old and older at the Tap Room, 201 W. Michigan Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Doors open at 9 p.m. and the first show starts at 10 p.m. Tickets cost $14 each online.

Other areas around Washtenaw County

Trunk or Treat in Chelsea

A Trunk or Treat, hosted by Chelsea ATA Martial Arts, is happening from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, in the shopping center at 1170 South Main St. Learn more online.

Candlelight Labyrinth Walk

The Commons at Sauk Trail Shopping Center near Saline will transform from 3 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, for the second-annual Fright Night.

The event features a treasure hunt, and participating businesses will hand out candy and clues. There will also be costume competitions at 5 p.m. for children 11 years old and younger and at 7 p.m. for those 12 years old or older. There will also be a pre-painted gourd contest at 6 p.m. Learn more online.

Dixboro Trunk or Treat

The 12th-annual Dixboro Trunk or Treat and Fall Festival is 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25, at Dixboro United Methodist Church, 5221 Church St.

The festival begins at 5 p.m. and trunk or treating happens at 5:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes and bring a bag for candy. Learn more online.

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