Haunting Howell County: A Halloween activity roundup

Published 8:26 pm Friday, October 16, 2026

Spooky season is here, and several organizations and cities have planned activities and events leading up to and on Halloween.

West Plains

Trike or Treat will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. October. 21 at Carmical Field, hosted by the Howell County Health Department WIC program.

There will be children’s activities, food, door prizes, and the giveaway of two bikes donated by Children’s Behavioral Services.

From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 24 an event for children with sensory sensitivities will be held at Children’s Behavioral Services, 205 E. Trish Knight St.

From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 a trick-or-treating event will be held at Cedarhurst, 1521 south U.S. 63.

At sunset that evening the West Plains Parks and Recreation Department will host the movie “Hocus Pocus” at Carmical Field as the final Free Movie in the Park for the season. Estimated start time is between 6:30 and 6:45 p.m.

At 7 p.m. Oct. 25 the Southern Ozarks Community Orchestra will perform “Spooktacular VIII,” a free concert at the Avenue Theatre, 307 Washington Ave. It is sponsored by Stars Foundation, but donations will be accepted.

Scare on the Square will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 in downtown West Plains. Businesses will have decorated trick-or-treat booths. The first 100 attendees will get free hot dogs, and activities include a costume contest, photo booth, kid’s activities, and a booth decorating contest.

Mtn. View

Beginning 3 p.m. Oct. 31, Halloween in the Hills will be held for the second year at Veteran’s Memorial Park, off of East Fourth Street. Organizers Living Relearned Ministries and 432HZ Ministries promise a family-friendly, allergy safe experience with free games, a scavenger hunt, giveaways and costume contest. Young Perpetual and The Burning Dream will give live performances.

Hours for trick-or-treating have been announced by Mtn. View city officials for participating businesses and residential areas, to be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31. The announcement notes that an annual downtown event will begin at 3 p.m. on Oak Street, which will be closed between First Street and Second Street.

Willow Springs

A Trunk-Or-Treat will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 31 a in downtown Willow Springs, sponsored by the Willow Springs Chamber of Commerce. Admission and participation are free. The Willow Springs Lions Club is giving free hay rides and the Eleven Point Fire Department is promising a “spooky surprise.”

At 5:30 p.m. the trunk decoration contest will begin and at 6 p.m. a costume contest will be held at Wendell Bailey Park, sponsored by Waggoner’s Home Center.