15 Madison-area costume parties, haunted attractions and more

Halloween is creeping up on us. Celebrate spooky season with haunted forests, ghost tours, family fun and costume parties. Your four-legged friends even have an opportunity to get in on the fun.

Adult Halloween! Wine Tasting with Candy Pairings

Leopold’s Book Bar Caffè invites you to stop by for special wine tastings paired with trick-or-treat candy. Costumes are encouraged. 1301 Regent St., Monday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m.

Adult Swim: Halloweird

Madison Children’s Museum turns the space over to the adults for this party. This 21-and-older event encourages you to wear a costume (there’s a contest!) and enjoy a vintage horror film screening, art, crafts and more. 100 N. Hamilton St., Friday, Oct. 21, 5:30 to 9 p.m., purchase tickets here

Howl-O-Ween Party & Costume Contest

Enter your dog in a costume contest to benefit the Dane County Humane Society. Central Bark is throwing a party for you and your four-legged friends. The even will feature local vendors, food trucks, photos and adoptable pets from Underdog Pet Rescue of Wisconsin. 2530 Advance Road, Saturday, Oct. 22, noon, find more details here

Halloween at the Farm

Find Halloween activities for the whole family at Schumacher Farm Park in Waunakee. There will be fortune telling, live music, face painting, concessions, interactive characters and more.

5682 Highway 19, Waunakee, Saturday, Oct. 22, 4 p.m., find more details here

Madison Ghost Walks: Haunted UW

There are plenty of legends, ghost stories and paranormal experiences on the UW-Madison campus. Learn about the haunted histories of many campus buildings, including Science Hall, the Memorial Union, the Abe Lincoln statue and more. Meet on the steps of the Wisconsin Historical Society, Oct. 23, 7:30 to 9 p.m., purchase tickets here

Garver Pumpkin Party

Head to Garver Feed Mill for its first annual family-friendly Halloween party. Carve pumpkins from Luck Produce and pay what you can, enjoy games, craft-making and movies. Garver vendors will offer Halloween food specials. Show up in costume and enter in a contest to win some great prizes. 3241 Garver Green, Sunday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m., find tickets and more information here

Boo at the Zoo

This free Halloween event at the Henry Vilas Zoo is back. Trick-or-treat while saying hi to the animals and look out for skeleton sightings. Costumes are encouraged for the whole family. 702 S. Randall Ave., Saturday, Oct. 29, 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Terror on the Turf

Breese Stevens Field is celebrating Halloween with live local music from Jean Le Duke, Little Earthquakes and The Beat Chefs. There will be a costume contest and a candy hunt with golden tickets redeemable for prizes. Each ticket comes with a complimentary beverage. The event is open to those 18 years and older, minors must be accompanied by an adult. 917 E. Mifflin St., Saturday, Oct. 29, 5 to 10 p.m., purchase tickets here

Willy Wonka Halloween Party

State Line Distillery will transport you to Willy Wonka’s factory by transforming its cocktail lounge into a world of pure imagination. Celebrate Halloween with one-time cocktail specials. 1413 Northern Court, Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m. to midnight

Hall-I/O-Ween: Dead by Dawn

Costume up for a night of games at I/O Arcade Bar. There will be great deals on drinks and a live DJ. Enter in the costume contest to win hundreds in prizes. No cover! 924 Williamson St., Saturday, Oct. 29, 7 p.m. to close

Madison Ghost Walks: The Lost Souls of State Street

Discover State Street’s haunted stories at iconic stops, including The Orpheum Theater, Overture Center, the Wisconsin State Capitol and more. Meet in front of the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Oct. 15, 20, 28, 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., purchase tickets here

Terror at Tyrol

In October, Mount Horeb’s ski hill transforms into a gauntlet of terrifying experiences. Look forward to an eerie path through the woods, a haunted maze, oblivion of the senses and a human scrap yard looking for more limbs. 3487 Bohn Road, Mount Horeb, dates throughout October, find more details here

Glitz: Hocus Pocus – A Halloween Drag & Dance Party at The Sylvee

Get dressed up in your scariest costume for a night of drag and dancing at The Sylvee. Victoria Lynn will host an outstanding cast of performers with DJ Femme Noir. The event is open to people 18 and older. 25 S. Livingston St., Friday, Oct. 28, doors at 7 p.m., find tickets here

Schuster’s Haunted Forest

The forest at Schuster’s Farm becomes haunted with all sorts of terrifying things in October. Experience the haunted trail or the haunted hayride and be ready for all sorts of jump scares. Leave the kids at home for this one. 1326 Highway 12 and 18, every Friday and Saturday evening Sept. 30 through Oct. 29, find more information and tickets here

Wisconsin Dells Haunted History Trolley Tour

Let the Wisconsin Dells Trolley take you to the Dells’ most haunted sights. Be prepared to learn about hidden histories, death and tragedy aboard the Haunted History Trolley with several stops around town. Departs from Bobbers Island Grille, 750 Wisconsin Dells Parkway S., Wisconsin Dells, Oct. 1 to 31, find ticket information here

The Dark Side at The House on the Rock

The House on the Rock in Spring Green becomes unsettling after dark. Take a self-guided tour of the exhibits with all sorts of special effects. 5754 Highway 23, Spring Green, Fridays and Saturdays in October, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., find ticket information here