From haunted scream parks and after-hours zoo adventures to world-class music and early holiday markets, Central Iowa is stacked with ways to spend the weekend.

Kick off Friday with Spirits of the Wild at Blank Park Zoo, Sleepy Hollow’s Haunted Scream Park, a pup-friendly Howl-O-Ween at the Surety Hotel, Boo-tanical Halloween at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, and Urbandale’s free Light the Night.

Saturday brings Game Store Day at the Rook Room, the community-driven Reggie’s Sleepout at Drake Stadium, and “An Evening with Yo‑Yo Ma” at the Des Moines Civic Center.

Close out Sunday with Blue October at Hoyt Sherman Place, nightly Des Moines Ghost Tours, and a round of holiday craft fairs in West Des Moines, Ankeny, and on Des Moines’ south side.

Find our guide to trick-or-treati

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