Something spooky is happening at the area’s cultural institutions.

The ghosts and spirits party in a frenzy of festivity, until the whole celebration comes crashing down at the historic Lilly House on the Newfields campus. Inside the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, guests can take a fearful trip to the Old West to catch the last train to Tombtown.

And if your luck has run out, you might run into the Headless Horseman at Conner Prairie.

Local attractions are getting into the scary season, with special events, food, drink and other activities to maximize the thrills and chills. Pumpkin-smashing elephants, backward carousels and Mayor Jack of Pumpkin Town await throughout the Indianapolis Zoo. Celebrate Latino culture as dancers, performers and artists put on the annual Día de Muertos event at the Eiteljorg Museum.

There’s a lot going on leading up to Halloween. Here’s a rundown to make the most of the month:

Zoo Boo

Zoo Boo has been welcoming Halloween-minded families and individuals for more than 40 years. Normal zoo displays and animal exhibitions open at 9 a.m., and the cooler autumn temperatures mean most animals will be more active. But the real fun starts later in the day.

Take a trip to Pumpkin Town, where kids can visit with Terra the friendly witch, or enroll in Pumpkin School to learn magical science experiments. Rats, snakes and other creepy crawlies will be on display, along with a collection of different animal skulls. Children can try their broom-handling skills at Broomstick Alley, maneuvering jack-o-lanterns through an obstacle course.

Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes and bring reusable bags to collect candy and other goodies along the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Five stations will provide conservation-conscious treats using only certified sustainable palm oil.

Special treats will be available to purchase throughout the zoo, including zombie mac, skelly wings and monster Rice Krispies treats. Craft beers and themed cocktails such as the toxic tonic and poisoned pumpkin mule are available for grown-ups to purchase.

When: 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 2 to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, through Oct. 31

Where: Indianapolis Zoo, 1200 W. Washington St.

Information: indianapolis zoo.com/events/zooboo

Harvest

The activities and fall festivities that people will find at this unique event are literally night and day.

During Harvest Days, people can stroll the Newfields grounds during the weekends taking in the grandeur of the season. Decked out gardens will feature thousands of Indiana-grown pumpkins and gourds, set-up in photo-friendly stations perfect for Instagram. Local companies such as Sun King Brewing Co., Half Liter and Smoking Goose will provide refreshments to purchase, and an array of kids activities, special tastings and unique vendors are scheduled.

Then, things get scary once the sun goes down. Harvest Nights was created last year as a timed, ticketed event inviting people to brave the darkness for a carefully curated experience.

Thousands of lighted jack-’o-lanterns peer out from the darkness. An eerie ghost train roars towards you. The Lilly House turns into “Mischief Manor” as a projected performance shows how ghosts get down.

Harvest Days is included in the cost of admission at Newfields. Tickets for Harvest Nights are $25 for adults, $17 for youth.

When: Harvest Days, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends through Oct. 31; Harvest Nights, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesdays to Sundays through Oct. 31.

Where: Newfields, 4000 Michigan Road, Indianapolis

Information: discovernew fields.org/harvest

Frightful Frontier

Saddle up pardner, and make your way through the Wicked West for the annual haunted house at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis. This will be the 57th iteration of the signature October event, put on the Children’s Museum Guild.

Visitors can choose from two levels of scares: a lights-on option and the “frightening” hours.

During lights-on hours, children and adults can wander through the same spooky displays, only with everything illuminated. Upbeat music will guide you through the haunted house. Though everyone is required to wear protective COVID-19 masks, greeters will take off their Halloween masks to pass out treats in each room of the house.

Then the frights get turned up a notch when the lights go out. Spooky music and minimal lighting will set the mood for the event. Costumed haunters will be hiding throughout the house, waiting to leap out from the shadows to scare unsuspecting visitors. The haunted house does use visual effects to maximize scares, though the focus is more on startling visitors than using gore to freak them out.

All visitors 2 and older must wear a COVID protecting mask or face covering over their nose and mouth while indoors at the museum. Halloween costume masks are not viable alternatives.

When: Lights-on hours, starting Oct. 9 — 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, noon to 5 p.m. Sundays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Halloween; Frightening hours, starting Oct. 14 — 4 to 9 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays

Where: Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, 3000 N. Meridian St.

Information: childrensmuseum.org/exhibits/haunted-house

Headless Horseman

Bouncing around the idyllic grounds of Conner Prairie on a hayride may seem like a perfect way to spend an autumn evening. But lurking in the darkness is a ghoulish presence. The Headless Horseman rides again at one of the most unique fall festivals in the area.

Visitors can brave the haunted hayride, hoping the Horseman misses them. But the entire event is filled with fun activities for the whole family, even if you scare easily. Small children can ride the barrel train, while bigger kids can play carnival game such as Cauldron Toss, Zombie Soccer and Monster Mini-Golf.

The whole family can enjoy spooky shows such as a Headless Horseman marionette show, a science demonstration and a live performance of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” People will be able to learn about Spectre Search, a local paranormal investigative group, and try not to get lost in the 11-acre corn maze.

Fortune telling, a DJ and tons of festive fall food will also be available during the event.

When: 6 to 10 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays, through Oct. 30

Where: Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd, Fishers

Information: connerprairie.org/explore/things-to-do/headless-horseman

Día de Muertos

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditionally Mexican holiday, in which families host a special meal and celebration welcoming back the souls of their deceased relatives.

In Indianapolis, the Eiteljorg Museum has partnered with Arte Mexicano en Indiana and Nopal Cultural to host a free family-friendly festival recognizing the unique holiday.

Visitors will be able to learn the history behind the holiday, watch performances and meet artists throughout the day. Art demonstrations will show the vibrancy and beauty of Latino art, while special activities allow visitors to show off their own creativity. The celebration is a way to revel in a unique cultural event, while supporting local artists at the same time.

When: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 30

Where: Eiteljorg Museum, 500 W. Washington St., Indianapolis

Information: eiteljorg.org/dia-de-muertos/