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! 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 $45. (Individual tickets to some events are also available, starting at $12.) The day pass includes stage performances, the haunted house, shuttle rides, 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, the filming site of the nostalgic favorite “Halloweentown,” 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.
Events include parades, costume contests, trick-or-treating through St. Helens’ Old Town District, haunted tours and scarecrows galore. Visitors will find a fun atmosphere, decorations and photo opportunities at every turn, including carved pumpkin displays and a replica of the vintage taxi driven by the skeleton cab driver Benny in the “Halloweentown” movie.
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 an array of events from ghost talks, tarot card readings and face painting 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 Halloween Events
Get into the spooky spirit with these seasonal activites.
Haunted Shanghai Tunnel Tour
Old Town Pizza & Brewing is built directly above Portland's infamous Shanghai tunnels. The same tunnels that were used to house kidnapped sailors during the early 1900s. Book a tour and explore the rich history of Portland, and the legacy of Old Town.
Portland Oddities and Curiosities Expo
For lovers of the strange, unusual and bizarre… The Oddities and Curiosities Expo showcases hand-selected vendors, dealers, artists and small businesses from all over the country with all things weird. You’ll find items such as taxidermy, preserved specimens, original artwork, horror/Halloween-inspired pieces, antiques, handcrafted oddities, quack medical devices, creepy clothing, odd jewelry, animal skulls/bones, funeral…
Portland Erotic Ball
In 1999, a group of sex-positive friends started the Portland Erotic Ball. Twenty-three years later, the Ball returns as Rose City's biggest adult Halloween experience. Guests can experience the sexy side of the scare as the Ball does a complete venue takeover with 3-floors of non-stop entertainment. Hosted by Emmy-nominee Sasha Scarlett, the 23rd annual…
Was this page helpful?