Everyone loves Halloween. But not everyone loves jump-scares and chainsaw massacres. For those who like to keep it low-key this holiday or for anyone bored of standard haunted houses, this one’s for you.
by Brittany Rees
Evil Dead the Musical at Playhouse Square | 1501 Euclid Ave
Campy, gory and monster-filled, Evil Dead, the Musical is a horror fan’s dream. Based on the cult classic monster flick Evil Dead, this parody is far from scary, though it still brings on the Halloween vibes. (Photo courtesy of Instagram user @thehutchabides)Halloween Silent Disco at the MOCA | 11400 Euclid Ave
What’s better than an amped-up booze-fueled costume party? A silent amped-up, booze-fueled costume party. As awkward as it sounds, Cleveland’s Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting a Halloween bash in silence. With your tickets comes a pair of wireless headphones through which two dueling DJs will be pushing dancey tunes all night long. The October 24 shindig won’t be scary, unless you’re scared of someone judging your sick dance moves. (Photo by Emanuel Wallace)Murder Mystery Dinner at Pickwick and Frolic | 2035 East 4th St
Pickwick and Frolic is known for murder mystery dinners, hosting them all year long. For this especially appropriate month of mayhem, the comedy bar is rolling out a prison-themed dinner party. Clevelanders who come will sit down to a four-course meal, show and puzzle. (Photo courtesy of Instagram user @jaykossman)Greater Cleveland Hauntaquarium |2000 Sycamore St
Though Boo at the Zoo is mostly for kids, the Greater Cleveland Aquarium is hosting its own Halloween-themed night out suited for tykes and kids-at-heart alike. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 23 and 30, the aquarium will transform into a former trick-or-treater’s paradise. Costumed divers will be doing demonstrations in tanks all night, while grounded employees walk ghostly guests through special exhibits and hands-on animal encounters. (Photo courtesy of Instagram user @martincesepedes)Torso Murder Masks at the Cleveland Police Museum | 1300 Ontario St
Not exactly on the tip of locals tongue when it comes to high-octane Halloween adventures, the Cleveland Police Museum offers an alternative to the typical zombie chases and vampire bites with its own creepy displays. Though there won’t be anyone chasing guests around with chainsaws, the Torso Murder masks at the museum are still terrifying. The death masks, molded by Cleveland police in the 1930s, shows what the five victims of the Torso Killer looked like when their bodies were found. The educational, albeit creepy, display is perfect anyone interested in stepping into the Halloween spirit without the gore. (Photo courtesy of the Cleveland Police Museum Facebook page)Trapped! Escape Room | 1796 Coventry Rd
With all of the intrigue of a haunted house with none of the actors or fake blood, Trapped! Cleveland offers locals the chance to escape one of their riddle-filled rooms. Anyone clever enough to attempt can choose from the not-so-creepy pirate room, the dingy prison cell or the gore-infested chainsaw room to escape from. Once inside, groups are locked in and have 60 minutes to solve the room’s puzzles in order to beat the timer and win their freedom. Be careful though. Once the timers run out, groups will face certain peril. Or they’ll just be let out by the guard on staff. Either way, Trapped! brings the Halloween fun without being overly cheesy or gory this season. (Photo by Brandon Koziol)Halloween Campout at Mohican State Park | 4700 Goon Rd, Perrysville
For all the adventurers, this one’s for you. Mohican State Park is hosting a Halloween-themed camp-out October 25 through the 26. All night, the park and lodge will be screening in-season films while serving up some fall favorite snacks. All the usual park activities are open, just with a Halloween twist. Escape from all the ghouls and ghosts and experience the horror holiday from under the stars. (Photo courtesy of Instagram user @streaxinthesky24)Halloween Show at Ward Beecher Planetarium | Ward Beecher Planetarium, Youngstown
For wannabe astronauts and fall fans, the Ward Beecher Planetarium has prepared a show dedicated to the season. On Halloween, stop by at 2 p.m. for a literal star-studded look at the spookiest parts of the night sky. (Photo courtesy of NASA Flicker Commons)Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Cedar Lee | 2163 Lee Rd
So the Capitol’s “12 Hours of Terror” is just a tad to… terrifying? Fear not, the Cedar Lee Theatre has prepared the perfect Halloween fest, free of spooks. Instead of jump-scares and ominous scores, join cult fans for an interactive live show of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Halloween night, come in costume and play by the house rules for a thrilling, chilling evening out, sans any undead creatures. (Photo courtesy of the Cedar Lee Facebook page)
