Halloween at Thurber House (Family-Friendly & FREE)
During this FREE family-friendly drop-in event, come celebrate Halloween at Thurber House with mini pumpkin/gourd painting and other interactive activities (1:00-3:15 pm), a teaser performance of The Nightmare Before Christmas (3:15-4:00 pm), sweet treats, and more!
You can stop by any time between 1:00-4:00 pm, but you must RSVP by clicking the red “register” button below.
This event is best suited for ages 6+ (minors must have at least one adult with them). You can participate in as many activities as you like. Costumes are welcome!
Note: While our decorations are Halloween-inspired, this event is not a scary "haunted house" attraction. We do advise parental discretion if your child is easily spooked by Halloween decorations and ghost stories.
October 11 Event
1:00-3:15 pm: MINI PUMPKIN/GOURD PAINTING
Paint a creative masterpiece to take home with you. We’ll supply the mini pumpkins, gourds, and paint.
1:00-3:15 pm: INTERACTIVE ACTIVITIES
Special guest Mouth of the Wolf Productions will lead theater-inspired interactive activities that are fun for all ages. Come play with us!
3:15-4:00 pm: TEASER PERFORMANCE OF THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Whether you’re a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas or you’re new to the story, come enjoy a teaser performance of some of the most classic scenes by nonprofit theater program Mouth of the Wolf Productions.
Special Thanks
Thank you to our friends at Mouth of the Wolf Productions for their partnership on this event.
“Evening with the Ghosts” Raffle
(FOR ADULTS/TEENS AGES 15+)
Win a private “Evening with the Ghosts” at Thurber House with a professional paranormal investigator! Adults and teens ages 15+ are welcome to enter the raffle, but teens must be accompanied by an adult.
So… is Thurber House really haunted? One lucky winner and a guest will win a private evening with paranormal researcher James A. Willis at Thurber House to conduct a private ghost investigation, tour, and discussion of his research/findings/ghostly reports at Thurber House. Will the ghost decide to make an appearance? That’s for you to find out… if you dare!
The raffle is $5 for one entry or $20 for five entries. All proceeds benefit Thurber House. The winner will be drawn on October 29.
”Evening with the Ghosts” will take place on a date of the winner’s choosing that is mutually available on James Willis’s schedule.
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All October 11 event attendees must check in at Thurber Center (91 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215).
Parking on Jefferson Avenue: Free, easy street parking is available all along the Jefferson Avenue oval. Note: only the spots along the one-way oval are free; the spots along the two-way ends of Jefferson Avenue (near Broad Street and Long Street) are not free.
Parking off N. 11th Street (behind Thurber House): Free visitor parking is available in the small lot directly behind Thurber House, accessible off N. 11th Street and located here. There is no time limit as long as you are visiting Thurber House. All other parking lots do not belong to Thurber House and you may be towed.
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The first floor of Thurber Center and Thurber House are handicap/wheelchair accessible, including the first floor restrooms.
How to reach the wheelchair ramp for Thurber Center:
If you park on Jefferson Avenue: There is a slight curb (some wheelchairs can navigate this). The closest “ramp” cut is the entrance to the large parking lot on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Long Street (here). Follow the sidewalk through the Thurber Center front gate. Take the sidewalk around the porch on the right side of the building. The entrance to the wheelchair ramp will appear on your left, past the porch.
If you park in the Thurber House rear parking lot: Follow the sidewalk between the handicap parking signs (here). The sidewalk will take you around the north side of our multipurpose building, Thurber Center. The ramp will appear on your right and leads up to the front porch.
How to reach the wheelchair ramp for Thurber House tours (our staff will guide you):
From Thurber Center, go down the ramp and turn right toward Jefferson Avenue. On Jefferson Avenue, turn right and continue toward Thurber House. Follow the sidewalk through the Thurber House front gate. Take the sidewalk around the left side of the House. The entrance to the wheelchair ramp is near the rear corner of the House (here).
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For any questions that are not answered here, please email Jess Cox at jcox@thurberhouse.org or call 614-412-5955.
‣ Do I need to register? Yes, registration is required, but the event is free.
‣ How will I receive my tickets/registration? You will receive an email order confirmation containing your ticket(s)/registration. You can print or show your ticket(s)/registration on your phone. If you are unable to do so, we will manually check you in.
‣ Is the family-friendly event appropriate for young kids? While our decorations are Halloween-inspired, this event is not a scary "haunted house" attraction. We do advise parental discretion if your child is easily spooked by Halloween decorations and ghost stories.
‣ Can I wear a costume? Yes!!
‣ Will there be a bathroom? Yes, accessible bathrooms will be available.
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Disclaimer: Views, thoughts, and opinions expressed by event and program speakers in all mediums are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Thurber House, its affiliates, or its staff/board.