Reviewed by: Lacey Muenstermann
Halloweekend in Decatur: Costume parties, sweet treats, pumpkin painting + big fine arts fest
Reading time: 6 minutes
The River City’s calendar is full of fun things to do this weekend to harvest the Halloween spirit. Decatur’s long-running fine arts festival, River Clay, paints the backdrop for plenty of opportunities to get creative around downtown—whether crafting confections or competing for the top prize in costume contests.
All of these events are located within an easy walk or short drive of the weekend-long fest, so it’s easy to customize your itinerary with more than one event each day.
Your guide to fall fun in Decatur Oct. 25-27
1. River Clay Fine Arts Festival
Embrace the ways fall color inspires creativity at the River Clay Fine Arts Festival in downtown Decatur, featuring a juried selection of 60 artists primarily from throughout the Southeast.
The event kicks off Friday evening with the River Clay Rendezvous, a ticketed event that offers the first opportunity to browse and buy in the artist market, a reception at the Alabama Center for the Arts, entertainment, drinks and food.
The festival grounds expand across the lawn by City Hall and are open Saturday and Sunday. Besides the artist market, the festival prominently features local student art, interactive kids’ activities, live glassblowing demonstrations, food trucks and refreshment vendors.
- When: October 25-27
- Hours: Friday (Patron Preview Only) 5 PM-9PM; Artist Market & Festival on Saturday 9AM-5PM; Sunday 10AM-4PM
- Where: 402 Lee St. NE, Decatur, AL 35601
- Tickets: A $5 ticket good for Saturday and Sunday is required for people age 13 and older; everyone age 12 and younger is admitted free. Buy tickets at the admission tent or skip the line by buying them online. Limited tickets to Friday night’s River Clay Rendezvous Patron Preview are $60 and also available online.
- More info
2. Ghouls & Grisham Group
Peep clever costumes, surprise event entertainment and dance to live music from a nationally touring band at Ghouls & Grisham Group presented by Victorian Finance this Friday night at Ingalls Harbor Pavilion in Decatur.
This will be the fourth year for this event, which gets bigger and more creative every year. Expect to see some incredibly ghoulish gear and get-ups as guests vie for top prizes in a $1,500 costume contest.
And you never know who else you will see mingling amongst the crowd—previous years have included belly dancers, stiltwalkers and contortionists.
- When: Friday, October 25
- Hours: 7:30PM-11:30PM
- Where: Ingalls Harbor Pavilion & Event Center, 802-A Wilson St. NW, Decatur, AL, 35601
- Tickets: General admission is free, although costumes are mandatory. Cash bars are available, and this event is for ages 21 and up only. VIP tickets are available online and include a dedicated entrance and private lounge with catered food and an open beer/wine bar.
- More info
3. Mel’s Sweet Treats Halloween Party
A few friendly ghosts have joined the crew at Mel’s Sweet Treats to help prepare for the party this Friday. (Lisa Battles/Hville Blast)
Try your hand at making caramel apples, stacking tasty candy kabobs and assembling s’mores at Decatur confectioner and bakery shop Mel’s Sweet Treats in the historic Albany neighborhood near downtown this Friday evening.
The store is chock-full of special Halloween goodies from fork-skewered peanut butter eyeballs and sparkly chocolate bark to intricately decorated sugar cookies, plus a vast selection of creative flavors filling the cookie cases.
Costumes are encouraged!
- When: Friday, Oct. 25
- Where: 1051 Grant St. SE, Decatur, AL 35601
- Hours: 5PM-7PM
- Cost: RSVP on the event page and participate in one of the paid events, which includes candy kabob making ($7), caramel apple making ($15) and s’more-making kits ($4). Games, giveaways and prizes are free.
- More info
4. Josie’s Annual Pumpkin Painting Party
Add a little flair to your fall porch décor and enjoy a spooktacular Sunday Funday at Josie’s annual pumpkin painting party.
The long-running annual event is held over four hours in the late afternoon and typically has two seatings to allow everyone ample time to make their masterpieces.
The dining room tabletops will be covered with butcher paper and filled with paints, brushes and other supplies—just bring your own pumpkin, gourd, canvas, or whatever item you want to decorate.
- When: Sunday, Oct. 27
- Where: 109 2nd Ave. NE Decatur, AL 35601
- Hours: 3PM-7PM
- Cost: Free. Just bring your own pumpkin or other item to paint.
- More info
5. Kids’ Halloween Hoot at The Brick
Scoot to the Hoot with your kiddos on Saturday morning at The Brick Deli and Tavern in downtown Decatur. Costumes are encouraged, and you’ll all enjoy the cool balloon creations from The Balloon Masterz, face painting, candy, music, games and lots of fun.
- When: Saturday, Oct. 26
- Where: 112 Moulton St. E., Decatur, AL 35601
- Hours: 11AM-2PM
- Cost: Free
- More info
Coming up next weekend in downtown Decatur …
All of these events set the mood for a festive fall week to be bookended on Saturday, Nov. 2, with Decatur’s third annual Downtown Decatur’s Día De Los Muertos Celebration. The festival runs from 10AM to 9PM on Second Avenue, primarily around the Alabama Center for the Arts. Stay tuned for more info to come on this ancient tradition that’s become a new favorite in North Alabama.
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