Hagerstown Unveils Spooky October and November Event Lineup, Featuring Ghost Tours, Block Parties, and Community Celebrations

Hagerstown residents can look forward to a packed schedule of festive and community-oriented events throughout October and into November, as announced by the City of Hagerstown and its various departments. The upcoming calendar includes a variety of Halloween-themed activities, from haunted tours and trick-or-treating to a dog costume parade, alongside events celebrating local history and environmental initiatives.

The month of October will kick off with a series of “City Park Ghost Tours,” hosted by Hagerstown Parks & Recreation. These tours will offer a glimpse into the spectral side of Hagerstown, with the Hager House Ghost Tour available on select dates in October, including Friday, October 17th, and Friday, October 24th, with times at 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM. This one-hour indoor tour is priced at $15 per person. Additionally, a “Haunted Train Hub” outdoor tour will be offered at the same times and dates, costing $10 per person. On Friday, October 24th, an additional “Beginner Paranormal Investigation” experience will be held outdoors from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with tickets at $25 per person. Due to limited space, early registration is encouraged for all ghost tours.

Adding to the Halloween festivities, a “Drive-Thru Trick-or-Treat” event is scheduled for Thursday, October 23rd, at Fairgrounds Park, beginning at 4:00 PM. Participants are advised to arrive within their ticketed hour to collect treats from various vendors. The following day, Friday, October 24th, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, the “Downtown Halloween Block Party” will take place on South Potomac Street. This event will feature trick-or-treating opportunities at over 20 local businesses and organizations, as well as a costume contest for both children and adults with various prize categories.

The weekend of October 25th promises a full slate of activities. Saturday morning will see the “13th Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Parade” at the Hagerstown Dog Park, starting at 11:00 AM. Dog owners are encouraged to dress up their pets for a parade around Fairgrounds Park Dog Park, with multiple judging categories for prizes. Later that afternoon, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, downtown businesses will host a “Downtown Businesses Trick-or-Treat” event, offering a chance for families to collect candy before the evening’s main event. This activity precedes the “98th Annual Alsatia Mummers Parade,” sponsored by the City of Hagerstown, which is set to begin at 6:00 PM in Downtown Hagerstown, celebrating a long-standing local tradition.

The “City Park Ghost Tours” will continue on Halloween night, Friday, October 31st. The Hager House Ghost Tour will be offered at 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM, with tickets priced at $20 per person for the one-hour indoor experience. The Haunted Train Hub outdoor tour will also be available at the same times for $10 per person.

As October concludes, November ushers in a focus on community and history. Saturday, November 1st, will feature two events at Fairgrounds Park and Hager House, respectively. From 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, the “Hagerstown ECYCLES Day” will offer free electronics recycling and document shredding for City of Hagerstown residents. A phone number for inquiries is provided as 301-739-8577 x106. On the same day, at 10:00 AM, Hager House will host the “Jonathan Hager Week Kick-off,” commemorating the founder of Hagerstown with live music, activities, and a self-guided walking tour.

A “Celebration of Life” honoring Jonathan Hager is scheduled for Thursday, November 6th, at 6:00 PM at Zion Reformed United Church of Christ, located at 201 N Potomac St. Attendees are encouraged to sign up in advance for this ceremony.

The month will conclude with the “2nd Saturday: ART WALK” on November 8th, spanning from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Downtown Hagerstown. This event will feature artists setting up on South Potomac Street for “Plein Air on Potomac Street,” buskers stationed throughout downtown, a traditional German puppet show in Potomac Walk, and live music at Hub City Brewery, which will also feature a specialty brew in honor of Jonathan Hager. An art show will be held at Wertman Photography.

Residents looking to get involved with Downtown Hagerstown or seeking further information on these events can contact events@downtownhagerstown.org.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from City of Hagerstown

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