Thanksgiving Point is offering an extensive Spooktober program throughout October that features family-friendly activities across its network of venues, the American Fork Citizen reported. The celebration includes a Scarecrow Festival at Ashton Gardens running from Oct. 13 to 18, Dinos After Dark at the Museum of Ancient Life on select Thursday nights, and Creature-of-the-Night events at the Butterfly Biosphere on Fridays. Mornings at Curiosity Farms will host Barnyard Boo on Oct. 13, 20 and 27 while Saturdays bring Monster Mash sessions that blend STEM education with Halloween themes. The initiative has drawn families seeking engaging seasonal experiences in a controlled environment.
The Outlets at Traverse Mountain has created Big Jack’s World as a complimentary fall and Halloween attraction featuring oversized pumpkin installations, themed photo zones and a scavenger hunt, according to the publication. This free event runs daily through Oct. 31 and provides an open-air option for residents and visitors to enjoy the season’s festivities. Attendance at such displays has contributed to the area’s growing reputation for accessible holiday programming.
Lehi Legacy Center will present its Halloween Extravaganza on Friday, Oct. 24 from 5 to 8 p.m. with tickets priced at $5 in advance or $6 at the door for youths and free entry for adults, the American Fork Citizen stated. Attendees can participate in games, trick-or-treating, crafts, a live reptile demonstration, receive glow necklaces and watch a screening of “Toy Story of Terror.” The event aims to deliver a safe community gathering for local families ahead of the holiday.
Trick or Treat on Main will transform Lehi Historic Main Street on Oct. 31 from 4 to 6 p.m. with booths and candy from businesses and city departments, the newspaper noted in its roundup. Downtown American Fork is staging a similar Halloween on Main during the same timeframe along its central corridor. These sidewalk celebrations enable children to collect treats while exploring local commercial districts in a supervised setting.
The Haunted Forest in American Fork stands as one of Utah County’s enduring Halloween traditions with its elaborate outdoor trail, detailed sets and live actors, the American Fork Citizen said. The attraction operates every night through Oct. 31 and requires tickets available via its dedicated website. Such perennial events supplement the newer additions to the county’s October calendar.
A Deseret News survey published in late October revealed that 81 percent of respondents intend to celebrate Halloween this year with common activities including distributing candy to trick-or-treaters, viewing holiday films, carving pumpkins and attending haunted attractions. The National Retail Federation forecast national consumer spending on Halloween to hit a record $13.1 billion in 2025, an increase from the prior year. Utah spending patterns tracked closely with the national average of approximately $114 per person.
Additional family-oriented options across Utah County include visits to pumpkin patches, corn mazes and local fall festivals as catalogued by Utah Valley tourism guides. These activities expand the choices available to residents beyond the specific events listed in the American Fork Citizen article. Organizers across the board have focused on creating inclusive environments that prioritize safety for participants of all ages.
