Mackinac Island Halloween 2025: Events, Parties & Family Fun

Mackinac Island Halloween 2025: Events, Parties, and Spooky Fun

Mackinac Island is known for horse-drawn carriages, world-famous fudge, and timeless Victorian charm—but when October rolls around, the island takes on a different kind of magic. Halloween on Mackinac Island isn’t just a holiday—it’s a full-blown celebration that combines family-friendly trick-or-treating, scenic races through fall foliage, ghost tours, and costume parties that keep the night alive until closing time.

Since many businesses shut down for the season by the end of October, the island celebrates Halloween a little earlier than the rest of the country. In 2025, Halloween Weekend falls on October 24–26, making it the last big hurrah of the season before Mackinac slips into winter quiet. Here’s your complete guide to everything happening—from kid-friendly candy runs to nightlife costume contests—so you can plan your Halloween getaway to this one-of-a-kind island.

Why Halloween on Mackinac Is Special

Throughout October, Mackinac Island transforms into a postcard-perfect autumn destination. Storefronts and hotels compete with pumpkin and scarecrow displays, cornstalks line fences, and glowing jack-o’-lanterns appear on porches. Add in crisp lake breezes, colorful foliage in the island’s wooded interior, and lantern-lit ghost stories echoing through the streets, and you’ve got an atmosphere that feels tailor-made for Halloween.

But what makes it truly unique is community spirit. Halloween Weekend has become a beloved tradition where locals, seasonal workers, and visitors all come together to celebrate. Families get their daytime fun, runners get a scenic race with a spooky twist, and adults get to end the season with the liveliest party of the year.

The Great Turtle Trail Run & Half Marathon (Saturday, Oct. 25)

If you like to mix fitness with festivities, you won’t want to miss the Great Turtle Trail Run. Held on Saturday morning, October 25, 2025, this scenic race is one of the island’s biggest fall events.

Participants can choose between a half marathon (13.1 miles) and a shorter 5.7-mile run/walk. Both races start and finish in front of Mission Point Resort on Lakeshore Drive, with start times around 10:30–10:45 AM. The routes wind through Mackinac’s dense forests and along Lake Huron’s shoreline, offering breathtaking views of autumn colors and crisp blue water.

But this isn’t just any race—it’s Halloween-themed. Many runners don costumes, from superheroes and witches to clever group ensembles. Imagine jogging past the shoreline with a “zombie bride” on your left and Batman on your right. Even if you’re not running, it’s worth cheering on participants along the route.

• Who It’s For: Runners, walkers, families, and anyone who loves a festive atmosphere.
• Registration: Required in advance through RunMackinac, with entry fees ranging from about $55–$75 depending on when you sign up.
• Highlights: Scenic views, fun costumes, commemorative finisher medals, and a lively crowd of 2,500–3,500 participants.

This race sets the tone for the whole weekend—it’s the perfect mix of athletic achievement and lighthearted Halloween fun.

Downtown Trick-or-Treating (Saturday Afternoon, Oct. 25)

After the runners catch their breath, it’s time for the kids to shine. On Saturday afternoon, Mackinac Island hosts its annual downtown trick-or-treat. From around 3:00 to 5:00 PM, Main Street and Market Street turn into a safe, candy-filled parade of costumes.

Local shops, restaurants, and hotels hand out sweets to children, who roam from storefront to storefront with parents in tow. You’ll see everything from tiny pumpkins to superheroes, princesses, and even family group costumes. The best part? The island’s historic Victorian architecture makes the perfect backdrop for a Halloween stroll.

• Who It’s For: Families with children, though adults love watching too.
• Cost: Free—just bring a costume and a candy bag.
• Atmosphere: Safe, charming, and heartwarming, with businesses decked out in seasonal decor.

For island kids, this is the “big” Halloween since the actual holiday falls after most businesses close. For visiting families, it’s a memory-maker—where else can you trick-or-treat at a 19th-century fudge shop?

Evening Costume Parties & Nightlife (Saturday Night, Oct. 25)

When the sun goes down, Mackinac Island shifts from kid-friendly to adults-only fun. Saturday night of Halloween Weekend is legendary for its costume parties at downtown bars and pubs. Locals, seasonal workers, and visitors all don their most creative outfits and hit the town.

Some of the top spots include:

• Pink Pony (Chippewa Hotel): Known for its packed dance floor, live music, and big costume contest around 10:30 PM with prizes for the most creative looks.
• The Gate House (Grand Hotel’s pub): Popular with locals, this party features a live band, dancing, and costume contests.
• Mustang Lounge, Horn’s Gaslight Bar, and Seabiscuit Café: Each offers its own spin on Halloween nightlife, from DJs to drink specials.

Expect the streets to be filled with groups in elaborate costumes hopping from one bar to another. The vibe is festive, friendly, and a little bittersweet—since it marks the end of the season, everyone goes all out.

• Who It’s For: Adults 21+.
• Cost: Usually free to enter, though drinks are extra.
• Atmosphere: High-energy, with live music, contests, and some of the most creative costumes you’ll ever see.

If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Halloween party destination, Mackinac Island delivers.

Grand Hotel's Spooktacular Halloween Weekend (Oct. 24–26)

The island’s crown jewel, the Grand Hotel, hosts its own Halloween Weekend package for guests. Running from Friday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025, it’s an all-inclusive experience filled with family-friendly fun and a touch of glamour.

Highlights include:

• Family Activities: A Friday movie night, pumpkin carving contests, and a hotel-wide costume contest.
• Food & Drink: A “spirited” Bloody Mary bar on Saturday morning, and a Spooktacular Afternoon Tea with autumn-themed treats.
• Haunted Trail & Maze: Open to the public for a $5 donation, this outdoor maze runs Friday and Saturday nights and features spooky surprises.
• Murder Mystery Weekend: New for 2025, the Grand is hosting an interactive murder mystery game throughout the weekend, with guests solving a comedic Halloween-themed whodunit.
• Who It’s For: Grand Hotel guests (families, couples, friend groups). Some activities, like the Haunted Maze, are open to the public.
• Cost: Hotel stay required (two-night package). Maze entry: $5 donation to charity.

The Grand’s Halloween weekend blends elegance with eerie fun, making it one of the island’s most unique holiday offerings.

Haunts of Mackinac Ghost Tours (Nightly Through October)

No Halloween trip to Mackinac would be complete without a ghost tour. Haunts of Mackinac runs nightly lantern-lit tours from spring through late October, and October is the spookiest time to join.

These 90-minute walking tours cover about a mile through downtown and historic areas, with guides sharing ghost stories tied to real island history. You’ll hear tales of haunted hotels, restless spirits, and eerie happenings at Fort Mackinac.

• Who It’s For: Teens, adults, and families with older kids.
• Cost: Around $20 for adults; children under 7 are free.
• Atmosphere: Creepy but not terrifying—perfect for those who like a mix of history and hauntings.

Walking through dimly lit streets with only a lantern’s glow creates an atmosphere you won’t soon forget. Even skeptics admit it can give you goosebumps.

Extra Halloween Highlights

Beyond the main events, here are a few traditions to keep in mind:

• End-of-Season Sales: Shops slash prices in late October, with fudge, souvenirs, and clothing often marked down by 50% or more.
• Festive Decorations: Inns and storefronts create elaborate displays with scarecrows, skeletons, and pumpkins—perfect for photo ops.
• Local Trick-or-Treat (Oct. 31): By Halloween night, the tourist season has ended, but local kids celebrate in Harrisonville, the island’s residential village. It’s a small, intimate tradition not geared toward visitors but shows the island’s community spirit.

Tips for Visiting Halloween Weekend

• Book Early: Hotels fill up quickly for this weekend—reserve months in advance.
• Ferry Schedules: By late October, ferry service is reduced, so plan your arrival and departure carefully.
• Weather: Expect daytime temps in the 50s°F and evenings in the 40s°F or cooler. Bring layers, a jacket, and comfortable shoes.
• Costumes: Whether you’re running, trick-or-treating, or bar-hopping, costumes are central to the experience—pack one (or two!).

👻 Why Mackinac Island Halloween Belongs on Your Bucket List

Halloween on Mackinac Island is unlike anywhere else. It’s festive but intimate, playful but historic, and full of community spirit. Where else can you run a race in costume through autumn woods, trick-or-treat along a Victorian main street, and end the night dancing in costume at a lakeside bar—all without a single car in sight?

If you’re looking for a Halloween getaway in 2025 that blends small-town charm with unforgettable celebrations, Mackinac Island should be at the top of your list.