Spooky LEGO Trains, Haunted Hayride, Floating Pumpkin Patch: Halloween 2026 In Howard Co.

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Families will love the packed lineup of Halloween events being held this October, which range from spooky hayrides and floating pumpkins to a new LEGO train garden and a teen Halloween party.

Families should register early for Howard County Recreation & Parks events requiring reservations because spaces can fill quickly. Here’s a quick guide to what’s happening across Howard County for the spooky season:

The Haunted Experience

A nighttime hayride through dark wooded trails with ghosts, goblins and a “ghostly dwelling” in the woods.

When: Oct. 16 and 23 from 7 to 10 p.m.; Oct. 17 and 24 from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
Ages: 7 and older
Cost: $10, cash only
Where: Rockburn Branch Park West, 6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road, Elkridge

Happy Haunted Hayride

A kid-friendly Halloween hayride designed to be fun without being too scary.

When: Oct. 18 and Oct. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m.
Ages: 2 to 7
Cost: $5, cash only
Where: Rockburn Branch Park West, 6105 Rockburn Branch Park Road, Elkridge

Floating Pumpkin Patch

Children can jump into a heated pool to pick a floating pumpkin before enjoying games, crafts and refreshments.

When: Oct. 24
Ages 3-5: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
Ages 5-8: 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
Ages 8-11: 2 to 3 p.m.
Cost: $17 per child
Where: Roger Carter Community Center, 3000 Milltowne Drive, Ellicott City
Registration: Required

Halloween Tricks, Treats And Trees

Families can explore nature-themed Halloween stations, make a potion with a witch, watch puppet shows and enjoy crafts and sensory activities.

When: Oct. 24 and 25
Ages 0-4: 9 a.m. to noon
Ages 5 and older: 1:15 to 2:15 p.m.
Cost: $10 per child, $5 per adult; children younger than 1 are free
Where: Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia
Registration: Call 410-313-0400

Autumn LEGO Train Garden

New this year, the B&O Ellicott City Station Museum is hosting a seasonal LEGO train display filled with ghosts, ghouls, witches and wizards.

When: Through Nov. 1 during regular museum hours
Cost: Free
Where: Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, 3711 Maryland Ave., Ellicott City

Haunted Hallways

Another new event this year, Haunted Hallways gives teens their own Halloween celebration with games, music, pizza, snacks and drinks.

When: Oct. 30 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Ages: 14 to 17
Cost: $5
Where: Harriet Tubman Cultural Center, 8045 Harriet Tubman Lane, Columbia
Registration: Recommended; limited walk-in registration available

Truck Or Treat

Children can trick-or-treat among trucks, tractors, emergency vehicles and other large vehicles while wearing their Halloween costumes.

When: Oct. 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: $5 per child, $2 per adult; children younger than 1 are free
Where: Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2400 Route 97, Cooksville

Spook-tacular At Color Burst Park

The Merriweather District’s sixth annual Halloween celebration includes center-wide trick-or-treating, a live DJ, pumpkin decorating, photo opportunities, glitter tattoos and a costume catwalk contest. Admission is free.

When: Oct. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Where: Color Burst Park, 6221 Mango Tree Road, Columbia

Trick Or Treat On Main Street

Families can dress in costume and trick-or-treat at businesses along Main Street in Historic Ellicott City. The official Old Ellicott City calendar lists the event beginning at 4 p.m.

When: Oct. 31 at 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Where: Main Street, Historic Ellicott City

Trunk Or Treat At The Dancel Y

The Dancel Y is hosting a free community Trunk or Treat with candy, games, face painting, a moon bounce, crafts and other Halloween activities.

When: Oct. 22 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Where: The Dancel Y, 4331 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City

Family Support Center Trunk Or Treat

Howard County’s Office of Children and Families and the Family Support Center will host a morning Trunk or Treat geared toward families with young children. Activities include decorated trunks and tables, face painting, games, candy, giveaways and themed snacks. A sensory-friendly space will be available inside. Registration is required.

When: Oct. 22 from 10:30 a.m. to noon
Rain date: Oct. 29
Where: Family Support Center, 9790 Patuxent Woods Drive, Columbia
Registration: Required

7th Annual Trunk Or Treat

Columbia Presbyterian Church will host decorated car trunks for children to trick-or-treat from along with fall crafts, games, cider, doughnuts and apples. Trunk-or-treating is geared toward children in fifth grade and younger, although the event is open to the wider community.

When: Oct. 24 from 3 to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Columbia Presbyterian Church, 10001 Route 108, Columbia

11th Annual Trunk Or Treat

Bethany United Methodist Church will host its annual community Trunk or Treat with decorated vehicles, candy and a s’mores station. The event is geared toward children 12 and younger and does not require registration.

When: Oct. 25 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Where: Bethany United Methodist Church, 2875 Bethany Lane, Ellicott City

Halloween Costume Parade At Clark's Elioak Farm

Children and families can wear their costumes and join Halloween parades through Clark’s Elioak Farm while enjoying the farm’s fall attractions. Parades are scheduled twice each day.

When: Oct. 24 and 25 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Where: Clark's Elioak Farm, Ellicott City

Cryptid Crawl & Halloween Week Hike

This one is a little different and would add variety to your list. Howard County Conservancy naturalists will lead a nighttime hike exploring Maryland legends such as the Goatman, Chessie and the Snallygaster. The event is free, but it is currently full with a waitlist.

When: Oct. 26 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Where: Howard County Conservancy, Mt. Pleasant, 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock
Registration: Full; waitlist available

Halloween Fitness Dance Party

Howard County’s Ellicott City 50+ Center is hosting an afternoon Halloween dance party with music, costumes, tricks and treats.

When: Oct. 30 from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $5
Where: Ellicott City 50+ Center, 9401 Frederick Road, Ellicott City