The Land of Enchantment doesn’t disappoint when it comes to Halloween. There’s frightening fun for families, kid-centric candy events, and plenty of opportunities to scream.
McCalls Pumpkin Patch
McCall’s Pumpkin Patch is a must-visit Halloween destination, and it has become a beloved tradition for my family. Every year, I take my grandchildren, and they have an incredible time exploring everything the patch has to offer. From the excitement of the corn maze to picking out pumpkins, there’s always something new to enjoy. One of their favorite activities is racing down the slides and watching the adorable pig races, which always draw huge cheers. The energy and fun are endless, and the Beeline attraction adds an extra dose of adventure as the kids zip around with big smiles.
What makes McCall’s Pumpkin Patch stand out are the unique activities you don’t find just anywhere. In addition to the slides and pig races, my grandchildren love the mechanical bull riding, which gives them a fun challenge to see how long they can hold on. It’s a day packed with thrills and laughter, where every corner brings another adventure. Whether trying their hand at mechanical bull riding, navigating the Beelines, or simply enjoying the festive fall atmosphere, McCall’s provides a perfect mix of excitement and charm that keeps us coming back every Halloween.
McCalls is located at 2 McCall Lane in Moriarty, NM, a 30-minute drive east of Albuquerque. Check out their schedule here. Take the kids; it will be worth the trip. Click here to get tickets.
The New Mexico Chinese Lantern Festival
New Mexico’s Chinese Lantern Festival displays over 30 stunning lantern displays during the festival. These displays range from 100-foot-long illuminated lanterns to a three-story tall Chinese palace. You won’t find an exhibit like this anywhere else.
That’s not all you’ll see at the festival. Every night, artists present traditional Chinese crafts like inner bottle painting, Chinese knot weaving, and dough modeling.
Be sure to catch one of the nightly performances. The performances showcase Chinese acts like contortion, face changing, plate spinning, Mongolian, Uygur, and Tibetan dance.
Where: Expo New Mexico
Tickets: Click here
Haunted Houses in Albuquerque: Face your fears
What’s more fun than binging on Halloween’s best horror movies? Experiencing the fright for yourself. Albuquerque has some of the best-haunted houses in the southwest. There are no haunts off-limits from corn mazes to haunted houses, hay rides, and trails. Check out one of these phobia-filled houses.
Dragons House of Horror
- Complete with zombies and other beasts that will send chills up your spine.
- Open Tuesday – Saturday, doors open at 6:00PM
- Located at the New Mexico State Fair Grounds
- $25-$35
- Click here to grab your tickets.
McCall’s Haunted Farm
- This is a one-stop shop for Halloween horrors, playing on traditional scares like clowns. See if you can handle the legacy of farmer McCall!
- Click here for tickets.
Quarantine: Origins
- This year is the 70th anniversary of the Roswell UFO Incident. Get immersed with this interactive haunted house where you’re a part of the story.
- Click here for tickets.
Realm of Darkness
- There’s something about abandoned asylums that will forever give you the creeps. The story behind this haunted house will, too. Realm of Darkness began as an asylum for the insane in 1990. With strange experiments and hokey doctors, Realm of Darkness crumbled during an explosion caused by one of the experiments. Get lost in this story, where you’re looking for shelter and find only evil.
- Realm of Darkness is located near the International Balloon Park
- Click here for your tickets.
Slaughter House
- The Slaughter House happens to be the first haunted attraction of its kind in New Mexico. Even the producers of Paranormal Activity and Insidious have tried it out!
- Click here to find tickets.
Take a Ghost Tour in Old Town
Old Town has over 300 years of haunted history, which you can experience on a 90-minute tour. What’s more? You’ll learn the basics of ghost hunting while you learn about actual events that took place there. Not so surprisingly, Old Town is one of the most actively haunted locations in the country.
If you want a darker thrill, head to Old Town at 10:00 PM for a Moonlight Ghost Tour. Learn about the darker side of Old Town, where you’ll mingle with the ghosts of the Wild West. Check them out on Fridays and Saturdays during October or on Halloween itself.
Where: Plaza Don Luis
Tickets: Find them here.
Watch Day of the Tread
There are t-shirts for all participants, costume contests, entertainment, and food for all. Even if you’re not a big cyclist, don’t forget to check out the Expo on Saturday, October 28th. Vendors and sponsors include Edible Arrangements, Hyatt Regency, El Pinto, and more.
Alternatively, grab your bike and go to Day of the Tread, where you can choose from 9, 26, 50, 64, 80, or 100-mile routes. All proceeds from the event will go to Pegasus Legal Services for Children.
Where: Albuquerque Convention Center
Tickets: Register here.
Collect Candy at the ABQ Bio Park Zoo Boo
Trick-or-treat, play games, see haunted habitats, watch the costume parade, and taste treats from vendors and sponsors based in the area at the 29th Annual Zoo Boo.
Where: ABQ Bio Park Zoo
Tickets: Up to four kids can get in for free while in costume. See more details here.
Try Underwater Pumpkin Carving
This novel idea is a great choice for the whole family on Halloween. Divers in the Shark Tank carve pumpkins while fish swim by and through the jack-o-lanterns.
Where: ABQ BioPark Aquarium
Tickets: Click here.
Don’t Miss the Dia del Dulce Festival
Candy giveaways, pet parades, costume contests, and family activities run all day. Old Town celebrates Dia del Dulce by opening the doors of local restaurants and shops. The shops are great stops for trick or treating, too!
Where: Old Town, Albuquerque
Tickets: Event is free!
Celebrate Halloween in Old Town
See live entertainment from Merican Slang, a local funk band. Of course, they’ll be in costume, and they’ll be playing Halloween songs! Join the Monster Mash.
Where: Old Town Gazebo
Tickets: The event is free!
Myers & Myers Real Estate
A local real estate professional is one of the best sources of information about events and attractions in their area. With their local expertise, you’ll quickly get the hang of your new city!
If you’re interested in learning more about Albuquerque real estate or the neighborhoods around Albuquerque, like Rio Rancho, don’t hesitate to reach out! Myers & Myers Real Estate is here to help. You can email us at myersandmyersrealestate@gmail.com, call us at (505) 401-7500, or visit us online.
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