There is a chill in the air. The sun sets earlier each day. Your kid has changed her mind six times about what to wear. She is coming up with the best way to maximize her candy haul. Yep — it’s spooky season. Frederick County is absolutely packed with great activities to keep your whole family busy all October long. Let Frederick’s Child help you find the not-so-spooky places to show off your costume this Halloween.
Some of the best activities are places you already go to all the time. Many local libraries host Halloween events in the weeks leading up to the big day. Some elementary schools have parades for your little ones to show off their costumes. Consider bringing younger siblings to march alongside in their Halloween finery as well.
Halloween Farm Fun
Start the season off with a trip to the pumpkin patch to get in the holiday spirit. Frederick County is home to some of the best orchards and pumpkin patches in the entire state.
Green Meadows Farm in Frederick is running its annual Trail of Jack-O-Lanterns every weekend in the month of October from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Come wander the trail of lights and see jack-o’-lanterns big and small. Trick-or-treating is available for children 13 years and younger from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Enjoy the comedy show and the animal barn. The last entry is 8:30 p.m., but guests are welcome to stay cozy and warm by the fire pits until 10 p.m. This is a separate event from the farm’s daytime petting farm and requires its own ticket for admission. A pumpkin is included with the purchase of each paid admission. Purchase add-ons such as nighttime hayrides, s’mores kits, trick-or-treat bags and more. Rent a wagon with a $5 deposit. Green Meadows Farm recommends picking your pumpkin toward the end of your visit, as pumpkins are not welcome in other parts of the farm. Remember to bring your credit card, as the farm does not accept cash.
Up in Thurmont, Magnolia Meadow Farms offers the longest corn maze in the state of Maryland. With more than 5 miles of trail total, you could spend a whole afternoon in just the maze (but with three levels of difficulty, you don’t have to). Magnolia Meadow Farms also offers classic Halloween activities such as hayrides and pumpkin picking. The farm also has apple cannons, mini ziplines, duck races, a tricycle track, a toddler train and much more. While enjoying your day out, try and snap a few good pictures for your holiday cards. Along with a large menu of food options, there is a farm stand with plenty of fresh produce available for purchase. Tickets are for timed entry, and staff recommend you plan to stay between four and five hours. Buy online ahead of time and save $5.
Head over to Rose Hill Manor Park in Frederick and see history in your Halloween finest for the park’s annual History Trick or Treat. Walk throughout the 43-acre property to meet and visit historically costumed characters. Be sure to bring a treat bag, as the walk through includes trick-or-treating. This year’s festivities are being held on Oct. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and on Oct. 25 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. All visitors ages 2 and older must register to participate.
Other great places to pick pumpkins and eat apple cider doughnuts locally are Catoctin Mountain Orchard, Gaver Farms, Summers Farm, Jumbo’s Pumpkin Patch, Farmer Chuckbone’s Pumpkin Patch and Brookfield Farms. With so many options, check out more than one this season!
Haunted Trails and Celebrations
Frederick County’s Parks and Recreation department is holding its annual trick-or-treat trail at Clearbrook Park Shelters Oct. 24 and Oct. 25. Leisurely stroll along the half-mile trail in your costumes, receive Halloween handouts and play games with friendly ghosts and goblins at the different shelters along the path. All those younger than 18 must be with a guardian at all times. Registration is required in advance because of limited supplies. Adults who are accompanying a child do not need to register.
See why they call Mount Airy “Mount Scary” when you attend the DHG Fall Festival at the Mount Airy Carnival Grounds from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 25. There will be a bounce house, music, face painting and more activities to keep your crew busy all afternoon. Register in advance to be entered to win one of three prizes. Pre-registration closes on Oct. 17; however, anyone may attend free of charge without registering.
Kindred Hills in Frederick is known for an intense and scary haunted hayride onto a walking trail of things that go bump in the night. For little ones, there is a trick-or-treat trail where kids can experience the trail during the day, with characters handing out treats. The spooky fun runs every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the month of October with a bonus day Nov. 1. The trick-or-treat trail is open in the afternoon hours before sunset. Concessions are available at Kindred Hills for purchase. Tickets are available online.
Head to Downtown Brunswick from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Oct. 25 for the town’s annual Halloween party, haunted house and trick-or-treat extravaganza. There is also a haunted house and a live DJ. The trunk-or-treat, which is sponsored by New Hope UHC, begins at 6 p.m. at the Martins Creek parking lot. Put some care into what you wear and enter one of the costume contests at 7 p.m. in front of the main stage in Square Corner Park. No registration is required for this free event.
Check websites for ticketing information, pricing and other details. Make sure to double check the day of your spooky adventure to make sure there are no cancellations or changes to the day’s events.
Katie Schubert went to a very scary haunted house while trying to impress her now-husband early on in their relationship. She hasn’t been in one since.
