There’s only one week left until Halloween, and because the holiday falls on a Friday this year, many folks are celebrating this weekend instead.
From the annual lantern parade in Patterson Park, to Rocky Horror Picture Show performances, to a zombie run through Middle Branch Park, Baltimore has something to fill every ghost and ghoul with fright and delight.
Plus, for those who aren’t as inclined to the spooky season, there are some non-Halloween events to enjoy like the Doors Open Baltimore architectural festival or concerts with a rock band and gospel singers.
Check it all out in this weekend’s events roundup:
Witches’ Brew: Mixology at the Zoo, Thursday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Maryland Zoo. Concoct speciality cocktails with witchy ingredients. Attendees can also get a tarot reading, meet zoo animals, make a spell jar, and more. The event is for ages 21 and older. Costumes are encouraged.
Halloween Paddle, Friday, Oct. 24, sessions at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Middle Branch Park. Take in the sunset views as you paddle along the water near Middle Branch Park. Participants can register for $10, which includes the paddling experience, paddling equipment, s’mores, snacks, a bonfire, and photo opportunities. These will be the final sunset paddles of the season, with sessions from 6-7 p.m. and 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Trunk or Treat at the Zoo, Friday, Oct. 24, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Maryland Zoo. Bring your little critters to the zoo for an evening of trick-or-treating. There will be candy stations throughout the Zoo’s Bog Turtle Lot, plus food trucks, visits from zoo animals, and more.
Pumpkins on the Green, Friday, Oct. 24, 7 p.m., Irvine Nature Center. Featuring live music, spectacular food and spirits, and a fabulous silent auction, Irvine Nature Center’s 17th annual signature fundraiser supports the nonprofit’s mission to make nature more accessible to all.
Little Feat, Friday, Oct. 24, doors open at 7 p.m., event starts at 8 p.m., Lyric Baltimore. The rock band Little Feat has racked up 18 studio albums since the group formed in 1969. Among those is their most recent album, “Strike Up the Band,” which released in 2025. To promote the new album, Little Feat is going on tour, including to Baltimore. They will be joined by special guests Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show 50th Spectacular Anniversary, Friday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 26, M&T Bank Exchange. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” turns 50 years old this year. To celebrate, M&T Bank Exchange will show the cult classic while a local shadow cast from Satin Draped Frames will perform scenes from the movie on stage. Ticket purchases include a prop bag for interacting with the show.
5K Zombie Zoom, Saturday, Oct. 25, 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Middle Branch Park. Run for your lives! The zombies are coming! This Halloween-themed 5K is sure to get your heart racing. Participants are strongly advised to register in advance. Costumes are optional but encouraged.
Doors Open Baltimore, Saturday, Oct. 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Launched in 2014, Doors Open Baltimore, hosted by Baltimore Architecture Foundation, is an annual city-wide festival honoring Baltimore’s diverse cultural tapestry by highlighting its vibrant neighborhoods, captivating architecture, and distinctive spaces that contribute to the city’s exceptional charm.
Great Baltimore Lantern Parade & Dia de Los Muertos Festival 2025, Saturday, Oct. 25, 4 p.m., Patterson Park. Presented by Creative Alliance and The Friends of Patterson Park, this free, family-friendly event includes a kids’ costume contest, lantern making, pop-up performances, an arts & crafts market, and, finally, The Great Lantern Parade, featuring neighbors, artists, musicians, and performers.
Twilight Stroll: Spooky Edition, Saturday, Oct. 25, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Maryland Zoo. Bring a flashlight to explore the zoo’s nighttime sights, sounds and smells under the guidance of a naturalist and educator. Costumes are encouraged (but not required).
Halloween Baltimore, Saturday, Oct. 25, 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Maryland Science Center. Monster mash along to entertaining music performances across five stages, including an immersive experience with DJ sets in the IMAX theater, a rooftop dance party, and more. This event is for ages 21 and older. The event is expected to sell out, so get your tickets now.
“House of Melo” Exhibit, Saturday, Oct. 25, Enoch Pratt Free Library. Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony has chosen Baltimore to host his autobiographical exhibit, “House of Melo”, where library visitors can see artifacts showing Anthony’s impact on everything from culture to sports, business, and social justice. They can also see things that impacted him along his personal journey to sports stardom and so much more. Read about the exhibit in this Baltimore Fishbowl article.
Symphonie Fantastique (Tales of Poe), Sunday, Oct. 26, 3 p.m., Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Listen to a performance of Prokofiev’s Violin Concerto No. 2 with violinist Francesca Dego, Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique conducted by BSO Music Director Jonathon Heyward, and Mark Simpson’s Israfel tribute to Edgar Allan Poe.
Tasha and Naomi Live in Concert, Sunday, Oct. 26, doors open at 6 p.m., event starts at 7 p.m., Lyric Baltimore. Gospel singers Tasha Cobbs Leonard and Naomi Raine will perform in Baltimore with special guests Dr. Jackie Greene and Kobe Campbell.
