It’s October and that means it’s time to get your spook on! Mount Horeb and its neighboring communities have a ton of startlingly fun events throughout the month that are sure to scare and delight! Here are some that we wanted to share with you while you make your fall travel plans.

Witches’ Night Out – Downtown Mount Horeb, October 7

Witches’ Night Out is an annual event that takes place in Mount Horeb’s historic downtown. It was founded years ago by a local store owner, Mary Jane Ellis, who loved Halloween and wanted to create an event that would bring people into the downtown shops and restaurants. So she invited locals to dress up like witches and come down to her store (Moonhill Mercantile) for some fun treats and giveaways.

What began a tiny event, featuring a dozen or so witches, has grown over the years to a massive event with a cult-like following. This October 7, we have over 500 people registered to descend upon Main Street dressed to the hilt and ready to shop and have fun. This year, we have two tarot and oracle card readers, as well as an intuitive reader (think: psychic)! Shops hand out treats, adult-witches’ brew (for those 21+), and gifts. Restaurants roll out special menus for this event, and some feature special activities and live music.

There are two ticket options: The Good Witch Tickets are free and gain you access to the event, a passport where you see participating businesses, entrance into the Best-Dressed Witch Costume Contest, and devilishly good time. Upgrade to the Wicked Witch Ticket for $10 and you also get to take a logo’d swag bag and signature glass. Wicked Witch Tickets are sold out for 2021, but it’s not too late to register as a Good Witch and join in the fun!

Visit Website: https://www.mounthorebchamber.com/witches-night-out

HOLLOW-een – Cave of the Mounds, October 1 – 31

Don’t be afraid of the dark! When you buy a ticket for a cave tour at Cave of the Mounds during the month of October, you can upgrade your ticket for $3 more to enjoy a trick-or-treating, spelunker-style! You get a resuable cloth bag and then you can walk through the cave and pick up crystals and fossils as you dodge stalactites and take in the beauty of the cave.

Visit Website: https://www.caveofthemounds.com/

Terror at Tyrol – Tyrol Basin, Fridays + Saturdays in October

Open every Friday and Saturday in October (plus Halloween, Sunday, October 31), Tyrol at Tyrol will really put you in the spooky frame of mind. Dare to step into a spine-chilling tour through a dark night of endless twists, turns, and absolute dread! Start off by taking a chair lift to the top of a hill, and then make your way down through four attractions: Twisted Wood Trail, Onslaugh, Hecate’s Maze, and The Scrap Yard. Each is more frightening than the last, but you can calm your nerves with a seasonal cocktail at the chalet at the end of your adventure! That surely makes it all worthwhile.

Visit Website: https://tyrolbasin.com/calendar/

A Ghostly Gathering – Shake Rag Alley, October 23

This is Shake Rag Alley’s first annual Ghostly Gathering event, which will feature a variety of festive experiences on their 2.5-acre campus in the historic heart of Mineral Point. Tickets holders get to enjoy a complimentary drink from one of the participating local vendors, live music by Yid Vicious, scary storytelling by award-winning Jane Stenson, tarot card reachings, a Night Market of unique crafters, makers, and artists, and there will be a costume contest with cash prizes. Sounds like a great event for all ages!

Visit Website: https://shakeragalley.org/ghostly-gathering/

Haunted Mine Tours – Mining and Rollo Jamison Museums, October 30

Experience Platteville’s spookiest Halloween tradition! Descend deep into the 1845 Bevans Mine for a lantern-lit tour to discover historical truths that are stranger than fiction. Haunted Mine Tours depart every 20 minutes, starting at 5:00PM. Tours sell out, so reserve yours today!

Visit Website: https://mining.jamison.museum/programs/