Halloween in Las Vegas brings so much more than the usual hayrides and candy corn. The city goes all out in October with special dinners, doughnuts decorated with spooky creatures, a themed parties, and more.
And yes, it’s possible to fully enjoy it with social distancing in mind. Has there ever been a better time to say, “Wear a mask”? Not really. Especially here in Las Vegas, where there’s plenty of stuff going on around town, and here are 16 ways to celebrate Halloween in Las Vegas. (Review Journal, 2020)
Hop on board the Fright Ride
Industrial Corridor – Not feeling well? It’s time for a diagnosis by the evil Dr. Craven. The team behind Fright Dome is now presenting Fright Ride—a socially distanced attraction in which participants travel on electric carts (or “transport vehicles”) through a 75,000-square-foot research lab. This could get super scarey! Reservations required.
Sip on spooky cocktails at Sand Dollar Lounge
Chinatown – One of our favorite bars in Las Vegas is doing something special for Halloween. The Sand Dollar Lounge is transforming into Nightmare on Spring Mountain, a pop-up concept with spooky cocktails, costumes, and elaborate decorations. Special themes each night so call ahead for details. Guests will be seated at tables and appropriately distanced. (Vegas Advisor, 2020)
Get “Trapped” Inside Your Car at Hallowheels
Drive-thru experiences are all the rage this Halloween season. Another great example is “Trapped” in the parking lot of The Industrial event space. Guests pull their car into one of four docking bays, built from old shipping containers, where lights, projections, and costumed performers help “decontaminate” the vehicle in a post-apocalyptic zombie world. (Not to be confused with Trapped! The Escape Room , which has its own Halloween-themed experience west of the Strip.)
Take a Walking Ghost Tour of the Strip
The Strip – Make the most of the mild October weather with a walking tour by Las Vegas Ghosts—available throughout the year, not just Halloween weekend. Your guide will show off haunted locations on the Strip while providing a generous overview of Las Vegas history.
Pay a Visit to Horrorwood Video
Downtown Arts District – The Majestic Repertory Theatre is turning its annual “Horrorwood Video” stage production into an outdoor drive-in experience—something the troupe has been pretty good at this year —with a “Highway to Hell” theme. Guests will stay in their cars while entering a retro 1980s-style video store and being introduced to the most terrifying VHS horror movies never made.
Spend the night with witches and warlocks
Summerlin – The annual Night of the Witch’s benefit for HELP of Southern Nevada is happening from 6-8:30pm at Grape Street Cafe in Downtown Summerlin. The price of admission includes a Witches Brew sangria with souvenir cup, raffle ticket, happy hour food pricing, and a gift bag for the first 100 guests. Dress up as a witch or warlock, compete in a costume contest, and ask Mystic Mona for a psychic reading.
Feel the Fright Twice in One Night
Meadows Mall – Some long-running haunted attractions are taking 2020 off—but not this one. Las Vegas Haunts continues to scare the city after 22 years, but with limited admission and advance reservations in place. You’ve got your choice of two different experiences—”Asylum” (inspired by an old mental health institution) or “Hotel Fear” (modeled after a spooky hotel). In a switch this year, all tickets include admission to both.
Feel the Fright at Fashion Show Mall
The Strip – Fashion Show Mall is bringing a sense of style to the Halloween season. Shoppers can take a detour through Trick or Chic—a hall of skeletons dressed their best with guides sharing spooky stories. There’s also a mummy and spiderweb exhibit in the Great Hall that makes for a great selfie station.
Check out AREA15’s Scary Halloween Makeover
Off the Strip – The AREA15 art and entertainment complex transforms into ScAREA15 on Friday night with family-friendly activities from 4–7 pm and adults encouraged to come by 8 pm-midnight with costume contests and performances.
Board the Doomed Titanic Ocean Liner
The Luxor – Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition is hosting 90-minute guided ghost tours at 11:30 am, 2 pm, and 4:30 pm throughout Halloween weekend. The place is already a pretty cool museum to check out artifacts recovered from the famous sunken cruise ship—not to mention the “big piece” of the hull. (Vegas Eater, 2020)
Party Like Hugh Heffner at Marquee
The Cosmopolitan – For two straight nights, Playboy’s Haunted Mansion sets up shop at Marquee with a late-night party in the main room and on the pool deck at 10 pm. The nightclub is still operating as a lounge, so table, cabana, or bungalow reservations are required. Have fun with your costume, but unlike the pages of Playboy, no nudity allowed.
Have Fun, Be Safe!
You may not be able to go house to house in the way that you remember, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy Halloween for everything else! You can still maintain some of the traditions you’re used to and enjoy the festivities – and you can do it with your protective social bubble in Las Vegas!
Works Cited
Bracelin, Jason. What Will Halloween Look like amid COVID Pandemic? 16 Oct. 2020, www.reviewjournal.com/entertainment/what-will-halloween-look-like-amid-covid-pandemic-2148952/
Stapleton, Susan. “16 Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Las Vegas.” Eater Vegas, Eater Vegas, 22 Oct. 2020, vegas.eater.com/maps/best-halloween-events-dinners-drinks-las-vegas-2020
“Halloween 2020.” Vegas with an Edge, 22 Oct. 2020, www.lasvegasadvisor.com/vegas-with-an-edge/halloween-2020/
