Halloween In Baltimore: A MapQuest Guide

From zombie parades and costume contests to haunted houses and hayrides (to haunted anything!), the Halloween season casts its spell and awakens our inner ghouls and goblins. As part of FrightQuest -- a MapQuest series on spooky destinations and activities -- here are three options to celebrate Halloween in Baltimore that are sure to be a scream.
— Holly Quinn

Harbor Harvest

Baltimore's Inner Harbor offers kid-friendly autumn fun during Harbor Harvest, a two-day festival on the waterfront. The annual event, held over a mid-October weekend, includes lots of entertaining attractions, such as a hay maze, a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch and a live music stage. Kids can select their own pumpkins from the patch and decorate them for Halloween. Plus, parents have easy access to all the shopping and restaurants the inner Harbor has to offer. Admission and activities are free.

West Shore Park, Light St., Baltimore, MD 21202 | Get Directions

The Great Halloween Lantern Parade

The annual Great Halloween Lantern Parade in Baltimore is not a typical costume parade -- it's a true community art project. The after-dark parade held in late October features handmade lanterns, stilt walkers, puppets and a gourd orchestra. Volunteers who don't want to watch from the sidelines can sign up for one of the workshops in advance and make lanterns or participate in the parade as a puppeteer or even a stilt walker. Before the parade, visitors can stop by the Lantern Festival for live music, hay rides and refreshments. Workshops range from free (with a suggested $5 donation) to $35 for stilt walking, and it costs nothing to watch the parade.

Patterson Park, 498 S. Linwood Ave., Baltimore, MD 21224 | Get Directions

The Mount Vernon Ghost Walk

Baltimore Ghost Tours offers spooky historical adventures from March through November, but the Mount Vernon Ghost Walk through Baltimore's cultural center is available only in the fall. During the one-hour tour, participants will be led through the historic neighborhood, and will learn about the ghosts alleged to haunt Mount Vernon's old mansions and hotels. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for 12 and under. The tours start from the Owl Bar in the Belvedere Hotel.

1 E. Chase St., Baltimore, MD 21202 | Get Directions

Artist Molly Ross presents an overview of the Great Halloween Lantern Parade.

Did we miss a Halloween event in Baltimore? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

Want other great Halloween-season ideas? Check out FrightQuest and our coverage in Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia.