Your Guide to Halloween in Downtown Lincoln

Halloween is right around the corner, and Downtown Lincoln is pulling out all the stops to celebrate. Whether you’re into haunted tours, creepy cocktails, spooky art, or costume parties, Downtown Lincoln has something for everyone this October.

BY TESSA WISER

Here’s a roundup of spine-tingling events and eerie entertainment you won’t want to miss.

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Scarymore’s at Barrymore’s

Your favorite backstage bar gets a haunted makeover. Known for its theatrical charm, Barrymore’s transforms into Scarymore’s for the season. Stop in for chilling decor and handcrafted cocktails that will send a shiver down your spine.

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Ghouls Night Out: Iron Brush Tattoo Show at Jake’s

This First Friday event showcases artwork by the talented tattoo artists of Iron Brush Tattoo, but this time, it’s on paper, not skin. The show launched on October 3 and runs all month at Jake’s. Stop in to check out the art if you missed opening night.

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Lincoln Historic Ghost Tours

Step into the supernatural with this guided walking tour through the Haymarket, featuring stops at James Arthur Vineyards Tasting Room, The Rabbit Hole Bakery, The Alchemy Aqua Vitae Lounge, and Kinkaider Brewing Co.

Your ticket includes a drink at each stop, tips, historical background on Nebraska’s Prohibition era, and ghost stories told throughout the night. Guests can even participate in a mini ghost hunt using dousing rods.

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Monster Mash Costume Party at Saro Cider

Get your costume ready for a night of cider, spooky beats, and Halloween revelry at Saro Cider on Saturday, October 18, from 7 to 11 p.m. Prizes for costumes and a haunted menu are in store for those who dare attend.

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Haunted Art Studios at Clements Noyes Art Gallery

On the third Friday of the month, Clements Noyes Art Gallery opens its doors for a night of trick-or-treating through spooky artist studios. Stop by between 5 and 7:30 p.m. to enjoy Halloween-themed art and atmosphere.

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Shadow Carnival at Sideshow Speakeasy

On Friday, October 31, the basement of Sideshow Speakeasy transforms into a mysterious underground carnival. With only 100 tickets available, this exclusive event includes a hosted cocktail and mystery shot, carnival booths like The Fortune Teller and The Wheel of Fate, beats by DJ Furashi, and costumes required for entry.

Tickets are $20 and include surprises around every corner.

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Apparitions Spookeasy at the Cornhusker Marriott

Hidden inside the Cornhusker Marriott, this Halloween-themed pop-up bar is only available by reservation. Step into a coffin entrance, follow a lantern-lit hallway, and enter a world where creepy cocktails rule. 

Owner Edward Schmalz describes it best: “Apparition is for the dead, by the dead, and open to the living only for a short time.”

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Little Shop of Horrors at TADA Theatre

This offbeat musical favorite hits the stage in a brand-new adaptation at TADA Theatre. Expect laughs, scares, and unforgettable music in this story of a hapless florist and his bloodthirsty plant with big ambitions. Little Shop of Horrors will be running from Octber 16th to November 2nd. 

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Post Mortem at The Post

The Post is throwing a Halloween night costume contest on October 31 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Show up in your best look for a chance to win a share of $250 in prizes.

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Spooky Movie Trivia at 1867 Bar

Calling all horror buffs. Join the team at 1867 Bar on Wednesday, October 29, at 7 p.m. for Spooky Movie Trivia. This event is free to play, open to all ages, full of prizes, laughs, and Halloween nostalgia.

Whether you know your jump scares or slasher villains, it’s time to prove you’re the ultimate trivia master.

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Candlelight Concert: Halloween Classics at Rococo Theatre

Experience Halloween like never before with a Candlelight Concert at The Rococo Theatre. Under the glow of hundreds of candles, enjoy live string performances of Thriller, Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and more.

Concerts are 60 minutes, and tickets are limited. Entry is available to guests 8 years and older, with doors opening 45 minutes before showtime.

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Plan Your Haunt

Downtown Lincoln is alive with the spirit of the season, and possibly a few actual spirits. Whether you're a lover of the arts, a fan of fright, or just looking for something festive to do with friends, there’s no shortage of events to explore this October.

Happy Haunting — and don’t forget your costume.

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