9 Fun & Frightful Festivities Near MCTS Stops
Celebrate Halloween in Milwaukee County with spooky surprises, frightening festivities, spine-tingling soirees and more! Whether it’s carving a pumpkin, trying to spot some ghosts or taking the costumed kiddos for some fall fun, let MCTS take you there. This is your town and you know the best way to get around.
Just download the Umo app, add your fare, pass the candy and get ready for a Milwaukee County-style Halloween with our guide below.
1. Public Market Fall Festival
Where: Riverwalk Commons (across from the Milwaukee Public Market, under the 794 freeway, where Downtown Milwaukee meets the Historic Third Ward)
When: October 12
Routes: 15, 18 & GreenLine
Help the Milwaukee Public Market celebrate their 19th anniversary with a day full of food, fun, music, and games in Riverwalk Commons Park (Right across the street from the Market) from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is FREE and guests will enjoy autumn-inspired activities throughout the afternoon. Attendees 21 years of age or older can take part in a fan-favorite tradition of sampling Lakefront Brewery pumpkin ale tapped from the market’s giant pumpkin.
More Info: milwaukeepublicmarket.org
2. Shakers Original Ghost Tour
Where: Shakers Cigar Bar, 422 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
When: Daily
Route: 15, 18 & GreenLine
Voted one of the FIVE most haunted bars in the entire nation, Shakers Original Ghost Tour lets you take an uneasy glimpse into the establishment's sordid past. Once a Capone-owned building and home to a cemetery, speakeasy, and brothel, Shaker's walls DO talk - and the tales they tell aren't always pretty.
More Info: Hangman Tours
3. Pumpkin Pavilion at Humboldt Park
Where: Humboldt Park, 3000 S Howell Ave, Milwaukee
When: October 16-20
Routes: 51 & GreenLine
This four-day, family-friendly event brings over 2,000 Bay View residents and Milwaukee neighbors to Humboldt Park Pavilion. Guests can carve pumpkins, admire the display of 1,000 lit pumpkins, enjoy live music, eat local food, and embrace the fun that is Halloween.
More Info: bayviewneighborhood.org
4. Halloween on Brady
Where: Brady Street, Milwaukee
When: October 26
Routes: 14, 30 & GreenLine
Tricks and treats galore! Join Brady Street Milwaukee for a day of fun and frights. They’re hosting the city’s largest costume contest, complete with cash prizes! Put on your best costume and visit your favorite participating Brady Street bar on Saturday, October 26, to enter.
More Info: bradystreet.org
5. Spooktacular Day
Where: Arlington Heights Park, 3429 W Pierce St, Milwaukee
When: October 19
Routes: 18 & 35
Visit Arlington Heights Park for this event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy a safe place for trick or treating, pumpkin decorating, family friendly activities, and participate in a costume contest!
More Info: viacdc.org
6. Haunted Mini Golf by Bars & Recreation and Nine Below
Where: Nine Below, 1905 E North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
When: Thursdays – Sundays through November 2
Routes: 21
Typically, Nine Below offers its signature Build-Your-Own Mini Golf, a wild twist on a standard game of putt putt. But when the leaves start to turn and the air grows crisp, Nine Below's vibe shifts to "spooky." During Nine Below's Haunted Mini Golf, the Bars & Recreation team transforms the space into 13 horrifying Halloween holes.
More Info: ninebelowmke.com
7. West Allis Halloween Hunt
Where: Downtown West Allis, Greenfield Ave from 70th – 76th Streets
When: October 26
Routes: 18 & 76
Join the shops of West Allis Downtown for a morning of safe, friendly trick or treating! Children 12 and under are welcome to visit 20+ businesses for candy and goodies to celebrate Halloween.
More Info: westallisdowntown.com
8. Betty Brinn Spooktacular
Where: Betty Brinn Children’s Museum, 929 E Wisconsin Ave, Milwaukee, WI
When: October 24
Routes: 14, 30, 33, CONNECT 1 BRT
Get ready for a not-so-scary Halloween celebration that's packed with family fun! Meet the animals from Tatiana’s Tiny Zoo, enjoy a performance by Kohl’s Wild Theater, watch a guest artist take on a pumpkin carving challenge, and craft glow-in-the-dark slime in our Be A Maker space.
This is a ticketed event and advance online reservations are required. The Museum will close at 3 p.m. for general admission. Only 50 Museums for All tickets will be available for walk-ups on a first-come, first-served basis.
More Info: bbcmkids.org
9. Bayshore BOOgie Bash & Costume Contest
Where: The Yard at Bayshore, 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale
When: October 25
Routes: 14, 63, 68, GreenLine & PurpleLine
Have a spooktacular start to the Fall season with the fifth annual BAYSHORE BOOgie Bash & Costume Contest presented by Spirit Halloween and St. Francis Children's Center! The free, family-friendly celebration will kick off with The Great Pumpkin Giveaway in The Yard, where the first 500 children ages 2-12 will receive a free pumpkin to decorate in Discover the North Shore's kid zone during the event. Festivities include a costumed dance party at 5 p.m. and costume contest by Kid Boogie Down at 6 p.m. Dance with Fairytale Birthday Company princesses, enjoy face painting, balloon twisters, candy and goodie bag giveaways while supplies last.
More Info: thebayshorelife.com
It's easy to plan your bus rides across Milwaukee County this fall using RideMCTS.com or the Umo app. Use the Trip Planner feature to enter your starting point and destination. Then use our Real-Time Bus Tracker to find out when your bus will arrive!