Halloween will be here before you know it. The origins of Halloween date back 2,000 years to an ancient Celtic festival, according to the History Channel. In the middle ages, people began practicing a tradition of dressing up as ghosts, going door-to-door to receive treats.

Over the years, Halloween has evolved to include the practice of costumed children trick-or-treating. In West Columbia there are several events planned to mark Halloween. 

Boo at the Zoo
Dates: October 17 – 30, 2025
Time: 6 – 9 p.m.
Location: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia 29210
Trick-or-treat through the Zoo; try your hand at Ray’s Moonlight Magic; make your way through Mummy’s Maze; and shake, wiggle and bop at the Eeky Freaky DJ Dance Party. Plus, take a ride on the Haunted Carousel or hop aboard the Spooky Riverbanks Express (additional charge required). Pete the Cat will stop by Riverbanks on opening weekend of Boo at the Zoo! Don’t miss your chance to meet Pete, snap photos, and enjoy a purr-fectly groovy night after hours at the Zoo October 17-19.
New to 2025, step inside the Haunted Hideaway Igloos — if you dare. Each Haunted Hideaway purchase includes 6 (six) tickets to Boo at the Zoo, exclusive igloo access for the entire event, hot cider, ghoulish games, and a specialty menu with frightful delights.
Cost: $18-$20 general public, children younger than 2 free. Tickets should be purchased in advance. A limited number of tickets available, and most nights will sell out!

Brookland-Cayce and Airport High School Trunk or Treats  

Mark your calendars! Lexington Two’s high schools are inviting the community to their free annual family-friendly Halloween trick-or-treat events.
Brookland-Cayce High School’s Trunk or Treat is set for 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, October 15 in front of the school, 1300 State St., Cayce.
Airport High School’s Trick or Treat Lane is set for 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, October 28, on the school campus, 1315 Boston Ave., West Columbia.
At both schools, student organizations, faculty and staff, and other volunteers will be handing out free candy, and costumes are encouraged.
District and community families are invited. Admission is free to both events.
Last year’s events drew more than 3,000 attendees at Airport High School and Brookland-Cayce High School to enjoy free trick-or-treating and other activities.

The Wooden Dead

The zombies are back for Halloween 2025. Do you want an eerie experience? Come see the Wooden Dead at 1705 Redbird Drive in West Columbia.

Artist Jeff Matthews, who lives there, is the creator of the display of macabre wood-cut figures. He began presenting The Wooden Dead ten years ago.

Matthews sketches and cuts out the scary images and then places them in his yard with colored lights amid a mystic mist. Visitors stream by the home of Jeff and Candy with traffic increasing as the date of Halloween nears. It is a tradition for Halloween decoration cruisers.

Cornerstone Church FREE FALL FAMILY FUN EVENT!
1043 Chris Drive, located at the East Point Academy Elementary Campus at 1043 Chris Drive in West Columbia!
FREE FALL FAMILY FUN EVENT! – *SAVE THE DATE!*
SUNDAY OCTOBER 19th from 3-5PM

Cornerstone Church invites our community to join us for a celebration of fall and families!
We’ll have carnival style games with prizes, face painting, fresh cotton candy, family photo booth, music, and trunk or treat! Costumes are welcome! Friends are encouraged!
Bring non-perishable food to donate to Mission Lexington!
Come out for this fun event and make great fall memories! We look forward to meeting you! 

Cayce-West Columbia Dixie Youth Baseball Trunk or Treat 

The Annual Cayce-West Columbia Dixie Youth Baseball Trunk or Treat is from 6:00 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Oct. 30 at Howard Park behind Northside Middle School and Riverbank Elementary School, off of Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia. It’s a FREE event. There will be food, fun and lots of candy.

Living Waters Christian Center
 · LWCC Fall Festival 2025!
Join us Sunday, October 26th — immediately after our 11AM service — for a fun-filled community celebration!
Trunk or Treat
Food & Music
Games & Family Fun
This event is FREE and open to all surrounding communities! Bring your family, invite your friends, and let’s enjoy this beautiful fall season together.
 3728 Hwy 321, West Columbia, SC 29172
We can’t wait to see you there.

Peter Boulware Toyota of Columbia 

Bring the family and join us for a spook-tacular evening at Peter Boulware Toyota of Columbia!
Our annual Trunk-or-Treat is happening Friday, October 31st from 5–7PM. Come enjoy candy, costumes, and community fun! 
 2136 Sunset Blvd, West Columbia.

Holland Avenue Baptist Church Fall Family Fun Night
You don’t want to miss this! Fall Family Fun Night at Holland Avenue Baptist Church is on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 801 12th St. Our trunk or treat event will have dinner, games, lots of candy, and all the fun! Invite a friend and see you there THIS Sunday night!

Fall Festival at Mt. Hebron UMC
Location: 3050 Leaphart Road, West Columbia 29169
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: We’ll have hayrides, inflatables, games, vendors, delicious food, and so much more for the whole family to enjoy!

Savage Craft Ale Works

Get spooky and smart this Halloween season at Savage Craft! Join us on Monday, October 27th at 7pm for a special Halloween Trivia Night filled with eerie questions, creepy cocktails, and prizes for the top teams — plus a bonus prize for the best costume! Gather your ghouls, grab a pint, and test your haunted knowledge under the Savage lights

Lexington County Museum will host the eighteenth annual Haunted History Halloween
The Lexington County Museum will host the eighteenth annual Haunted History Halloween Tour program at 231 Fox Street in Lexington this year. Tours will last around forty-five minutes each and will take place on the evenings of Thursday October 23 and Friday October 24 at 7:00, 8:00, and 9:00 pm. Tickets are $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12.As ghoulish guides lead guests on a spooky but not too scary journey of the museum property, visitors will hear ghostly stories, including strange and unusual events in Lexington County’s history.
Guests will hear amazing stories, learn about strange remedies in the 19th century, and meet memorable specters and ghosts along the way. Visitors will also learn about superstitions in the 19th century. Watch out for frights and surprises around every corner!
Members get in free with a membership card. This event frequently fills up so reservations are required. To make a reservation, call the Lexington County Museum at 803-359-8369 or email the museum at [email protected]. Payment will be taken at the event (cash or check only). This event is a great way to learn about Lexington history and is educational, family-friendly and, most importantly, fun. 

There is a lot for the kids and some fun things for the adults. So make your plan now to enjoy Halloween in West Columbia.