

The Spirit of Halloweentown
The historic town of St. Helens, 45 minutes from Portland, celebrates Halloween all October long with haunted tours, costume contests, celebrity appearances and more.
John Patrick Pullen
It’s no “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” or “Night of the Living Dead,” but once in the 1990s, the peaceful waterfront city of St. Helens was overrun by something worse than zombies or headless horsemen — a Hollywood movie crew! The result? A 1998 romp titled “Halloweentown,” still beloved by nostalgic movie fans of all stripes. Now, every October the lovely Oregon town just 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Portland transforms into a Halloween haven.
Learn More About Spirit of Halloweentown and St. Helens
When do the festivities begin?
How much does Halloweentown cost?
General admission tickets for a day of Halloween events start at $40. (Individual tickets to some events are also available, starting at $15.) The admission pass includes entry to the haunted house, a filming location tour train ride, signature attractions, the games zone, costume competitions and more.
Tickets are available online and may sell out; get them in advance. Parking is limited on weekends; check the official site for more details on costs, lots and shuttle availability. Details are subject to change; please check Spirit of Halloweentown’s website for current information.
Is the town of St. Helens where the volcano is?
How many “Halloweentown” movies are there?
Has anything else been filmed in town?
Each year, St. Helens remembers its entry into lighthearted Halloween canon with Spirit of Halloweentown, a fun, family-friendly celebration of the spookiest holiday around. The celebration of the creepiest day of the year extends into every weekend in October, starting with the lighting of the Great Pumpkin in the city plaza.
Almost everyone was in a costume, the vendor village was popping with food and beer, there was a costume contest happening on the steps of the courthouse and tons of themed cars lining the plaza around the Halloweentown pumpkin.
Kara Harms, Whimsy Soul
And what started as an event fully focused on the “Halloweentown” movies has grown in scope over the years — it’s now a full-fledged celebration of all things Halloween, featuring celebrity appearances by stars from other spooky movies, roaming performers, and tons of other activities and attractions (including plenty of delicious food and drink).
Events include costume contests, tarot card readings, story times, trick-or-treating through St. Helens’ Old Town District, haunted tours and scarecrows galore. Visitors will find a fun, kid-friendly atmosphere, decorations and opportunities for photos at every turn, including carved pumpkin displays and a replica of the vintage taxi driven by the skeleton cab driver Benny in the “Halloweentown” movies.
During Spirit of Halloweentown, local merchants are dying to get you in the spooky spirit, with costume shops stocking everything from frisky vampire getups to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shells. And with such a fun environment and so many events leading up to the big day, you’ll want to be dressed and ready for action. So be sure not to miss it, or you’ll be haunted with regret — at least until next year.
Family-Friendly Halloween Events
Explore pumpkin patches, corn mazes and more.
Pumpkin Patches in and Near Portland
Get swept up in that autumnal feeling at these friendly farms just outside of Portland with U-pick pumpkin patches and fun family activities like hayrides, corn mazes, petting zoos and festive autumn food and drink.
West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta
This annual race series consists of paddlers piloting a gaggle of gigantic gourds through a watercourse.
The Corn Maize on Sauvie Island
The Corn Maize, located on Sauvie Island north of Portland, offers visitors eight acres of physical and mental challenges in a cornfield.
More Haunted and Halloween Events
Get into the spooky spirit with these seasonal activities.
Upcoming Dates & Times
- Friday, Oct. 17
- 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 18
- 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 19
- 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 24
- 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 25
- 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 26
- 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Friday, Oct. 31
- 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
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