Halloween in Frederick: Events, Haunted Spots & Activities
In a city with nearly 300 years of history, Halloween comes with a few extra stories. From Visitation Hotel’s own setting in a restored 19th-century convent and school, those stories continue just beyond our doors.
Every October, Frederick leans into its spirited side with ghost tours, costumed pups parading along Carroll Creek and trick-or-treating throughout downtown. Whether you’re here for the hauntings, the history or simply a weekend away, here’s how to spend Halloween in Frederick.
Start Your Evening at Wye Oak Tavern
Before heading out for a ghost tour or Halloween night downtown, settle in for dinner at Wye Oak Tavern. Frederick natives and acclaimed chefs Bryan and Michael Voltaggio bring a fresh perspective to classic American tavern dining, with a menu rooted in the flavors and ingredients of the Mid-Atlantic.
Gather around the table for dinner, toast the evening with a cocktail, then head out to see what the city has waiting for after dark. When the night is over, your room is only steps away.
Celebrate Halloween in Downtown
On October 31, Downtown Frederick welcomes costumed visitors for a morning of trick-or-treating. From 10 a.m. to noon, families can make their way between participating businesses for candy, with face painting at 30 N. Market Street.
Come in costume and make a morning of it, stopping into local shops and exploring downtown between treats.
Spend a Spirited Afternoon on Carroll Creek
Halloween isn’t just for humans. On October 24, Canines on the Creek brings some of the city’s best-dressed four-legged residents to Carroll Creek for an afternoon of festivities. From noon to 5 p.m., catch the dog costume contest and parade, along with exhibitors, demonstrations and prizes.
Once the last pup has made its way down the parade route, stick around. Movie on the Big Screen begins at the Carroll Creek Amphitheater at sundown, making it easy to spend the day along the creek.
Psst… Traveling with your own four-legged sidekick? Visitation Hotel is pet-friendly, so your pup can join you for the weekend, too.
Discover the Ghosts of Historic Frederick
Some of the best stories come out after dark. Ghost Tours of Historic Frederick takes visitors on a 90-minute walking tour through nearly three centuries of local lore, including documented stories of paranormal encounters.
Along the way, you’ll hear tales of former residents, Civil War-era Frederick and unexplained happenings while walking the same streets where many of the stories unfolded. In October, it’s an especially fitting way to see a different side of the city.
Step Into the Past at Spirits of the Furnace
On October 17, venture beyond downtown for Spirits of the Furnace, a guided nighttime experience at Catoctin Furnace and Village.
As you move through the site’s buildings and landscape after dark, interpreters share the stories of the workers, owners, worshipers and enslaved people whose lives were connected to the iron furnace and surrounding village. Seasonal refreshments round out the evening.
Reservations are required, and you’ll want to bring a flashlight and shoes suitable for walking on uneven terrain.
Make a Hallo-Weekend of it in Frederick
A morning spent downtown, an afternoon along Carroll Creek, dinner at Wye Oak Tavern and a ghost tour after dark: there’s plenty to turn Halloween into an entire weekend.
At Visitation Hotel Frederick, you can stay close to the festivities while making the getaway an experience of its own. Settle into your room, linger over dinner and drinks, then step outside and see where the evening takes you.
Planning your stay? Explore our latest offers and packages to make a little more of your Halloween weekend in Frederick.
After all, in a city with this many stories, you never know who — or what — you might meet along the way.
