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Jack-o'-lanterns illuminate the lawn of Plaza Park in St. Helens.

The Spirit of Halloweentown

The historic town of St. Helens, 45 minutes from Portland, celebrates Halloween all October long with haunted tours, costume contests and more.

Editor's Pick

Updated Oct. 20, 2019 2 min read

John Patrick Pullen

Editor's Pick

When

Sept. 28–Oct. 27, 2019

Days vary, Times vary

Cost Varies

Where

Courthouse Plaza

275 Strand St.
St. Helens, Oregon

It’s no Legend of Sleepy Hollow or Night of the Living Dead, but one time back in the 1990s, the lovely Oregon town of St. Helens was overrun by something worse than zombies or vampires — a Hollywood movie crew! The peaceful waterfront city just 30 miles (48 km) northwest of Portland has never been the same since.

Each year, St. Helens, the filming site of the otherwise forgettable Halloweentown, remembers its brush with the dollar DVD bin with The Spirit of Halloweentown, a fun, family-friendly celebration of the spookiest holiday around. Complete with costume contests, trick-or-treating through St. Helens’ Old Town District, haunted town tours and scarecrows galore, 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.

Local merchants are dying to get you in the spirit, with costume shops stocking everything from frisky vampire getups to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle shells. And with an array of events from ghost talks, tarot card readings and face painting increasing 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.

Spirit of Halloweentown 2019

In 2019, the Halloweentown festivities kick off the weekend of Sept. 28–29 and continue every weekend through Oct. 27.

Free activities include photo ops at Courthouse Plaza, self-guided haunted tours (maps available at Courthouse Plaza or at City Hall) and the Scarecrow Trail throughout the business district.

Ticketed events include haunted houses for kids and adults, Hallotween nights with activities for kids ages 9-14, Witches’ Brew Tea Parties and the Haunted Hearse & Car Show on Oct. 19.

Check out the full agenda of events for 2019 .