The Northshore enjoys festivals and family fun year-round, but things kick into high gear when the air is crisp and clear. 

It's October in St. Tammany Parish, and Halloween is just around the corner. It's time for hayrides, trick-or-treating (and trunk-or-treating), and bountiful fall harvests of colorful pumpkins, gourds and wildflowers perfect for decorating. Craft your costume and break out the S'mores, it's time to check out the Halloween happenings this month on The Northshore!
 

Pumpkin Patches

Pumpkin patches abound this month, at churches, nurseries and farms, and at fun family festivals throughout the month.

• First United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch in Slidell, Oct. 1-31, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Choose your pumpkins and gourds, snap a fall picture in one of their photo booths and snack on a homemade sweet treat.
• Pearl River Pumpkin Patch & Spooky Trail Hayride, Harrison Stables, Pearl River: Oct. 7, 14, 21 & 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day. $13 admission includes one pumpkin per person, unlimited spooky trail hayrides, barnyard games, and trick-or-treating at your favorite horse's stall. 
• The Garden Spot in Mandeville, Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m-6 p.m. Brightly colorful fall foliage, loads of pumpkins, food trucks and fall blooms. Food trucks Oct. 7, 13, 14, 20, 27 and 29. Selfies free; professional photographers on site Oct. 12 and 29 ($25 for 3 digital pics).
• Banting’s Nursery Plant Bash in Lacombe, Oct. 14-15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Pick out pumpkins, check out the arts and crafts and enjoy food and treats by local food vendors.
• Zoo 2 U Fall Fest Pumpkin Patch, Oct. 14, 15, 21 and 22, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Folsom's favorite petting zoo hosts the annual  The kids can meet the animals up close, take pony rides, play on inflatables, and enjoy face painting and games. $25 per person aged 1 and up, free for kids under 12 months. Admission includes one pumpkin to take home.
• Pumpkins in the Park & Autumn Marketplace at TerraBella Village, Covington: Oct. 22, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., has loads of family fun. $5 per child includes choice of pumpkin in the patch, pumpkin painting, hayride, costume contest, face painting, mini-horses and games; plus, autumn marketplace and concessions. Bring non-perishable goods for the Northshore Food Bank.
• Jim's Trees & Pumpkins, 2123 Florida St., Mandeville: Pumpkins and cute setups for fall family photo ops. Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

Can't Miss Halloween Events

Field of Screams
Saturday, Oct. 14, Sunset to 10 p.m., Covington Recreation Complex
The beautiful Blue Swamp Creek Nature Trail is transformed into a "haunted" Halloween trail for spooky fun. Food and beverages available for purchase. The Scream Trail is suggested for older children, teens and adults. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (parent or guardian). No sandals or flip-flops. Free. Note: Trick-or-treating for the littles at 5:30; scroll down for more. 

Monster Mash Fun Fall Family Festival
Saturday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Bogue Falaya Park, Covington
Trick-or-Treat Village admission and keepsake bag, maze, Monster Mash Parade, rides, custom crafts, Cookie Booth, music and live entertainers and many more new surprises and activities. Adults $5, Children $15 in advance or $20 at the gate. Benefits St. Tammany Parish Hospital’s Parenting Center.

Olde Towne Slidell Zombie Crawl
Friday, Oct. 28, 5-10 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell
The Halloween-themed event takes place on four streets in the heart of Slidell—the 2200 Block of Carey St. between Robert and Cousin Streets. Spend an evening in Olde Towne for family-friendly fun with live music, local artists, craft vendors, after-hours shopping, kids' activities, pet adoptions and more. This is a pet-friendly event. Free.

Olde Towne Slidell Street Fair
Saturday, Oct. 29 and Sunday Oct. 30, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell
Shop for all kinds of antiques, arts and crafts, and gifts, and enjoy live music and food booths ranging over five blocks of Olde Towne, including Griffith Park, at this annual fall favorite. Free.

Boo Bash on the Lawn
Sunday, Oct. 29, 1-3:30 p.m. at the Children’s Museum of St. Tammany in Mandeville
Get ready for trick-or-treating, Halloween-themed games and crafts, and more. Don’t forget your costume! Activities are included with the $15 admission for any guest over 12 months old ($10 for museum members).
 

Trick-or-Treating around St. Tammany

Trunk-or-Treating at Louisiana State Parks

Louisiana's state parks will have a variety of fun activities this October, all over the state. In St. Tammany, our two waterfront state parks offer trunk-or-treating. Only foot traffic will be permitted for all the treats your little campers can get! Free with park admission.

• Fairview-Riverside State Park Trick-or-Treating, Madisonville: Saturday, Oct. 28, 4-6:30 p.m.; live music 6:30-9 p.m.
• Fontainebleau State Park Trunk-or Treat, Mandeville: Saturdays, Oct. 21 and 28, 6-8 p.m.

Slidell & Pearl River

• Trunk-or-Treat at American Legion Post 185, Slidell: Sunday, Oct. 22, 3-5 p.m.
• Trunk-or-Treat at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Slidell: Monday, Oct. 23, 5-7 p.m. Trunks full of treats, hot dogs and hamburgers for sale, a cakewalk, and fun and games around campus.
• Ha-BOO-tat Drive-thru Trick-or-Treating at East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity, Slidell: Friday, Oct. 27, 5:30-6:30 p.m. 
• Pearl River Trunk-or-Treat and Night Out Against Crime at Pearl River Town Hall: Saturday, Oct. 28, 6-9 p.m. Pumpkin patch, costume contest, scavenger hunt, McGruff the Crime Dog, helicopter rides and more. Free. 
• Trunk-or-Treat at First United Methodist Church, Slidell: Monday, Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. Games, free food and fellowship.

Covington

• Trick-or-Treating at Covington Recreation Complex, Covington: Saturday, Oct. 14, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Face painting, music, crafts & candy. Free.
• Trick-or-Treat at Rev. Peter Atkins Park, Covington: Tuesday, Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m. Costume contest, Halloween crafts, candy, face painting and games. Free.

Mandeville

• Sip-or-Treat & Trick-or-Treat at Acquistapace’s Wine & Cheese in Mandeville: Oct. 28, 12-4 p.m. For parents: Halloween treats paired with wine, spirits, and beer. For kids: “trick or treat” for Halloween candy around the store (bags provided). Costumes encouraged for all.

Lacombe

• Bayou Stuf’s 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat at Bayou Stuf General Store in Lacombe: Saturday, Oct. 28, 5-8 p.m.

More Spooktacular Halloween Events

October 1-26

• Spooktacular Spectacle: Halloween Costume Party at St. Ann Wine Bar in Mandeville: Oct. 21, 9 p.m. to midnight. Live music, costume contest, more. $10.
• Catastrophe & Co Hallo-Queen Drag Show at The Hideaway Den & Arcade in Mandeville: Oct. 13, 8-11 p.m. $10-$20.

Friday, October 27th

• Krewe of Dionysus Halloween Blowout at Slidell Auditorium: 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.; entry is open to all. Admission is $45 for members of the Krewe of Dionysus, $55 for non-members. Advance sales only.
• Columbia Street Halloween Block Party, 200-500 blocks of Columbia St, Covington: 6-9 p.m.; costuming is encouraged for all ages. Some shops and classic car owners have candy for trick-or-treaters. Free.
• Spooktacular Homeschool Day at Bayou Lacombe Visitor Center, Big Branch Marsh NWR, Lacombe: Starts 10 a.m. Educational program open to all but geared toward home-schoolers in grades K-8. Free.

Saturday, October 28^th

• ACCESS Louisiana Boo Fest 2023 at Lakeview Regional Medical Center in Covington, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $2.
• Camellia City Spooktacular Car Show at Northshore Square Mall, Slidell: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free.
• BARKtober Fest at Pelican Park Bark Park, Mandeville, 1-4 p.m. Free.
• Hops & Horror Halloween at Chafunkta Brewing Co. in Mandeville, 2-9 p.m. Free.

Sunday, October 29^th

• Pearl River Trunk-or-Treat and Night Out Against Crime, 6-9 p.m. Free.

Tuesday, October 31^st

• Abita Springs Trick-or-Treat Block Party at Abita Springs Town Hall: 6-8 p.m. Free.

Find more fun fall events on our event calendar. Happy Halloween!