Who cares what the calendar says. You don’t have to limit your Halloween celebrations to just one day a year. Prepare for the influx of trick-or-treaters and hunt for the perfect costume, but consider making the most out of your Spooky Season with these ideas.
Say “bloody mary” at Tick Tock Lounge
📍 Tick Tock Lounge, 2602 E. 10th St.
At this east side bar, Bloody Marys come without a mirror or a demon, which could really put a damper on your day. They do, however, come with a plate — because this drink can substitute for lunch. At Tick Tock Lounge, the bar’s famous $12 bloody mary comes with two house-infused vodkas, one with bacon and the other with jalapeños, as well as tater tots, green olives and a slice of bacon served on a skewer. The only thing scary about this drink is what could happen if you forget to take your antacids.
Hear “The True Story of Belle Gunness” from musician Chris Wolf
In the early 1900s, La Porte, Indiana, was the scene of several murders and scams committed by the Norwegian-born farmer Belle Gunness. I could go on, but I’ll let Indianapolis-based singer-songwriter Chris Wolf tell the story.
Gather around for some spine-tingling stories
📍 Phoenix Theatre, 705 N. Illinois St.
🗓️ 7-9 p.m. Oct. 28-29
On Oct. 28-29, you can hear 10 Hoosier artists share spooky stories, appropriate for children in middle school and older at “Spine-Tingling Tales and Tunes” at Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center. If these ghost stories don’t get you in the Halloween spirit, I don’t know what will. A livestream option is also available. Tickets start at $10.
Explore a bone-chilling art exhibit at Herron School of Art and Design
📍Herron School of Art and Design, 735 W. New York St.
Self-taught artist Butch Anthony incorporates bones, insects, shells and other artifacts into his work, which explores rural ways of life in America. Through Dec. 21, you can find his assemblages inside the galleries at Herron School of Art and Design at no cost.
Go trick-or-treating with Indy Reads
📍 Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave.
🗓️ 4:30-7 p.m. Oct. 31
Grab the kiddos and celebrate Halloween and literacy at Indy Reads. There will be free candy but also free children’s books, crafts and a story time. Afterward, you can trick-or-treat and buy yourself something scary from the local businesses participating in Scare on the Square outside Indy Reads.
Visit New Crown Cemetery
📍 New Crown Cemetery, 2101 Churchman Ave.
Crown Hill Cemetery gets a lot of the graveyard press, but New Crown Cemetery is the final resting place of jazz icon Wes Montgomery and Indianapolis ABCs pitcher Herman Lee Watts. Take advantage of the cooler weather and pay your respects to these greats with a walk around the historic cemetery’s 99 acres.
Listen to Mirror Indy’s Halloween playlist
I made this playlist to help you set the mood for pumpkin carving, prepping your Halloween party or for listening while bobbing for apples. It includes a Vincent Price rendition of the holiday classic “Monster Mash” and Duran Duran’s reimagining of “Evil Woman,” and I’ll have it on repeat until it’s time to break out the Christmas albums.
Mirror Indy reporter Breanna Cooper covers arts and culture. Email her at breanna.cooper@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X @BreannaNCooper.
This article first appeared on Mirror Indy and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.