Header Image Photo Credit: Tim Larsen
There are plenty of family-friendly Halloween events in Wichita, but the Heart of the Country also has an entire set of haunted houses, shows and events for the older crowd looking for a little more of an adrenaline rush.
Haunted Hops at Botanica Wichita
EVENTS
Paranormal Cirque at Towne East Square
Sept. 13-16
Presented by Cirque Italia at Towne East Square, Paranormal Cirque will be a night of theater, circus and cabaret for mature audiences. You will feel like you’re surrounded by monstrous creatures with hidden, wonderous talents. A few of the circus arts you can expect to see in this new production include the jaw-dropping Wheel of Death, mystifying MAGIC and more.
“Halloween the 13th MICHAEL VS JASON”
Sept. 13-14, 20-21 & 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 11-13, 18-20 and 25-26
Mosley Street Melodrama’s fall comedic performance, “Halloween the 13th,” will kick off on Sept. 13 and will take place Fridays, Saturdays and some Sundays through Oct. 26. Following intermission, there is a musical revue celebrating monster movie madness.
Homicide on Halloween
Sept. 20 and Oct. 5 & 23'
Hosted by Wichita Mystery Company, Homicide on Halloween is a haunted house combined with a murder mystery and will take place three nights only at 13 Sinister Souls. Enjoy cocktails and mocktails along with food from Station 8 BBQ.
“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors”
Sept. 25-28, Oct. 2-5 and 9-12
“Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors” is a side-splitting, spooky spectacle. Roxy’s Downtown turns this classic tale on its head with a dash of dark humor and a whole lot of laughter. It will kick off on Sept. 25 and will run through Oct. 12, from Wednesday through Saturday nights with an additional Saturday matinee.
Cold Case Live
Oct. 5
A can’t-miss for true crime enthusiasts, Cold Case Live’s host Joe Kennedy (Starz TV’s “Wrong Man”) walks you through the process of solving a cold case. Inspect clues from chilling cases like The Zodiac Killer, The Golden State Killer and The JonBenét Ramsey case among others and take part in Q&A, reenactments and more.
Haunted Hops
Oct. 18
Take a spooky stroll through the haunted gardens of Botanica Wichita for their Haunted Hops event. Listen to live music as you make your way through the gardens while sipping spooky-themed craft cocktails and hard ciders by local and regional breweries as well as enjoying small bites. Must be 21+ to attend and all tickets must be purchased in advance.
“Rocky Horror Picture Show” film screening at Orpheum Theatre
Oct. 18
Costumes encouraged for this screening of the cult classic film “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at Orpheum Theatre. Choose from two screenings – one at 8 p.m. and the second at midnight. No one under 21 is permitted for the midnight screening and anyone under 17 must be accompanied by an adult for the 8 p.m. show.
Spooky Night of Treasures
Oct. 25
Take a walk through haunted history during Spooky Night of Treasures, a fundraising event for the Museum of World Treasures. Go on a live haunted tour of the transformed museum and enjoy a Halloween-themed party. Your ticket also includes refreshing cocktails, thrilling entertainment, delicious food and more.
Monster Dash 5k
Oct. 26
If you are up for the challenge of running (or walking) for your life 650 feet underground, sign up to participate in this year’s Monster Dash 5k at Strataca. Wear your costume for a chance to win the costume contest. Runners will select a heat to participate in and will need to bring a light and wear a helmet. Participants must be 8 years old to participate, and anyone aged 8 to 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Monster Mash
Oct. 26
Also at Strataca, get in the spooky spirit at the attraction’s first-ever Monster Mash, a Halloween dance party that will take place 650 underground. There will be a live DJ, a costume contest, tricks and treats, drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
7th Annual Halloween Bar Crawl
Oct. 26
Head to The Dive – Beach Bar and join other spooky crawlers for a costume contest and Halloween Party. You’ll check out a variety of Wichita nightlife spots and enjoy spirits and good times at this year’s Halloween Bar Crawl.
Grace Hill Haunted Wine Run 5K
Oct. 27
Take in the beautiful scenery while running in Grace Hill Winery’s Haunted Wine Run 5K. This Halloween-themed race is timed and scored and includes a pour of wine afterward. Costumes are encouraged.
13 Sinister Souls | Photo Credit: Tim Larsen
Haunted Attractions
13 Sinister Souls
Experience a book of horrors at Wichita’s newest indoor haunted house. When you enter into the home at 13 Sinister Souls, you will feel the vengeance and evil intentions of the souls as you make your way through the 20 rooms covering 10,000 square feet. The 10-plus live actors will leave you trembling with fear, screaming in terror and running for an exit! The experience is intended for only the bravest of thrill seekers. The haunt opens Oct. 11 and runs Friday and Saturday nights through Nov. 2. Tickets go on sale Sept. 20.
Wicked Island at O.J. Watson Park
The Campbells have been haunting Wichita and its surrounding areas since 2012. They offer an ever-changing treacherous walk through a wooded island where your nightmares may become reality. This perennial favorite among Wichita haunted attractions is Wicked Island at O.J. Watson Park, presented by Plant Kingdom and the City of Wichita. It is recommended for children ages 6 and older and begins Sept. 27 and runs Friday and Saturday nights in October. All visitors under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Timed tickets are available online and general admission tickets are available on-site from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Field of Screams and Clown Town
When most people think Wichita haunted house, they think of Field of Screams, celebrating its 21st year of giving visitors a good scare. It has been the top haunted attraction in Kansas by The Haunt Rater. The creepiness starts where the “fields are sick” for this mostly outdoor haunted attraction in west Wichita. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes and is not recommended for children younger than 8. All tickets are sold online, and you can select a specific time slot when purchasing your tickets. They open Sept. 20 and run through Nov. 2 on some Thursday nights and Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Zombie Paintball
Klausmeyer Dairy Farm & Pumpkin Patch has plenty of activities for the younger set throughout October, but of interest to those looking for a thrill: They offer a haunted package on Saturday nights that includes a ride on the trailer for Zombie Paintball featuring live zombies and a drive through the haunted pasture, which can be creepy in the dark. Zombie Paintball will take place Oct. 12, 19 and 26. Tickets must be purchased online.
Haunted Cannery Spook House and Lunatic Asylum
A short drive from Wichita, The Haunted Cannery at Walter’s Pumpkin Patch near El Dorado is open Fridays and Saturdays in October and through Nov. 2. Activities during their 21st haunting season include a hayride that takes you to the Haunted Cannery haunted house, the Lunatic Asylum maze and, of course, the Haunted Cannery itself. They have some add-ons to the experience, including taking a “RIP Mortuary Fast Pass,” a closed lid rolling casket ride to the front of the line. Don’t worry, there is also a scaredy pants ticket for those who want to go through but don’t want a big scare. Tickets are available at the door or online.
Looking for more haunts while enjoying Halloween in Wichita? Find more things to do and haunted places in Wichita.
