Spooky Fun Around Vancouver & Portland: Pre-Halloween Events This Weekend (October 24–26, 2025)

Halloween week is almost here, and the Greater Vancouver and Portland area is already buzzing with spooky excitement! If you’re looking for fun, festive, and frightfully unique things to do this weekend (October 24–26, 2025), there’s no shortage of pre-Halloween events happening across Southwest Washington and Portland, Oregon.

From Vancouver’s Kiggins Theatre hosting the cult-classic Rocky Horror Picture Show, to Yacolt’s Chelatchie Prairie Railroad rolling out its Headless Horseman Halloween Special, the region is packed with eerie entertainment for every age and interest. Families can enjoy local Trunk or Treat events across Clark County, runners can take part in the Scary Run in Washougal, and lovers of the weird can explore the Portland Oddities & Curiosities Expo.

Whether you’re in the mood for costumes, candy, creepy collectibles, or community fun, this weekend is your chance to kick off Halloween in Vancouver WA and Portland OR in style. Here’s a roundup of the best pre-Halloween happenings around the metro area — all guaranteed to put you in the spooky spirit!

Special Halloween Showing: The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Kiggins Theatre

📅 Dates: Saturday, October 25, 2025 & Friday, October 31, 2025
⏰ Time: Doors open at 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Kiggins Theatre – 1011 Main St., Vancouver, WA 98660
☎️ Phone: (503) 789-7228
💲 Price: $15 (per ticket)
🔗 Website: Kiggins Theatre

About the Event

Get ready for a wild night at one of downtown Vancouver’s most iconic theaters! The Denton Delinquents, Vancouver’s own Rocky Horror Picture Show shadow cast, take the stage for a fully interactive movie experience.

As the film plays on screen, live actors perform alongside in full costume with props, makeup, and those legendary dance numbers. Expect audience participation, prop kits, and call-back lines galore — the usherette will walk you through all the cues!

What to Expect

• A lively, immersive performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show

• Audience participation with prop kits ($2 or $8 at the door)

• Costumes, corsets, and high energy from cast and fans alike

• Optional “call-back” lines and classic musical moments

Pro Tips

✔ Arrive early for good seats and pre-show fun.
✔ Outside props like rice, squirt guns, or toast are not allowed — purchase prop kits on site to support the cast!
✔ Dressing up is strongly encouraged — it’s half the fun.
✔ All ages are welcome, but parental discretion is advised — the movie is rated R and the humor can get a little spicy.

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad: Headless Horseman Halloween Special

📅 Dates: Saturday–Sunday, October 25–26, 2025
⏰ Time: 9:30 AM, 12:00 PM & 2:30 PM departures
📍 Location: Chelatchie Prairie Railroad – 207 N Railroad Ave, Yacolt, WA 98675
☎️ Phone: (360) 686-3559
💲 Price: Prices vary
🔗 Website: Chelatchie Prairie Railroad

About the Event

Step aboard a vintage train and ride deep into Clark County’s fall scenery for a spooky good time! The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad: Headless Horseman Halloween Special combines the nostalgia of historic rail travel with a playful Halloween twist.

Guests are invited to come in costume and keep their eyes peeled — the Headless Horseman has been known to make surprise appearances along the route! Capture family photos, breathe in the crisp autumn air, and enjoy the rhythm of the rails as you glide through forests and farmland bursting with color.

What to Expect

• A scenic fall train ride through Clark County’s countryside

• Meet-and-greet photo opportunities with the Headless Horseman

• Fun for all ages — costumes encouraged!

• Historic railroad cars and beautiful forest views

Pro Tips

✔ Bring your camera — the Headless Horseman makes for a perfect photo op!
✔ Dress warmly and arrive early; the trains board promptly.
✔ Advance tickets are recommended — this popular ride often sells out.
✔ All ages welcome.

Scary Run Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

📅 Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
⏰ Time: 8:30 AM (15K starts at 8:45 AM; 5K & 10K start at 9:00 AM)
📍 Location: Reflection Plaza / Bi-Mart Parking Lot – 3003 Addy St., Washougal, WA 98671
☎️ Phone: (360) 314-4682
💲 Price: Varies by race distance
🔗 Website: Why Racing Events

About the Event

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE — and laughs! The Scary Run Half Marathon, 10K & 5K returns for its 10th annual Halloween weekend in Washougal, WA! This beloved local race is all about costumes, community, and a few spooky surprises along the way.

Get ready to run (or walk) through the Spooky Forest at Captain William Clark Park, where monsters, zombies, and costumed characters wait to cheer — or chase — you to the finish line. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or a first-time 5K walker, Scary Run is packed with Halloween energy, fun photo ops, and festive post-race treats.

What to Expect

• A loop-style course through scenic Washougal — one loop for 5K, two for 10K, three for 15K

• Themed cheer zones with music, costumes, and Halloween décor

• Free race photos and post-race celebration with snacks and root beer

• Finisher medals and shirts that are wickedly cool

• Costume contest — go spooky, funny, or downright bizarre!

Pro Tips

✔ Kids 12 & under run FREE, and ages 13–17 get 50% off registration.
✔ Packet pickup is Saturday, October 25th at Foot Traffic Vancouver (10 AM–4 PM) or race morning at the Bi-Mart lot (7–9 AM).
✔ Bring your costume, camera, and cowbells — and be ready for photo ops galore.
✔ The event goes on rain or shine — layer up and have fun!
✔ Proceeds benefit local schools, clubs, and nonprofits throughout SW Washington.

Trunk or Treat Events Around Southwest Washington

📅 Date: Saturday–Sunday, October 25–26, 2025
⏰ Time: Most events begin between 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
📍 Locations: Various across Southwest Washington — including Vancouver, Camas, Battle Ground, and Washougal
💲 Price: Free family events (donations sometimes accepted)
🔗 Featured Event: Trunk or Treat at Vancouver Mall

About the Event

Grab your candy buckets and costumes — Trunk or Treat weekend is here! Across Southwest Washington, local groups, schools, car clubs, and community centers are transforming parking lots into safe, family-friendly Halloween zones packed with decorated cars, candy, and creative fun.

One of the area’s most popular gatherings is hosted by the NW Corvette Association at Vancouver Mall. Participants will meet near Hobby Lobby at 2:30 PM, cruise together at 2:45 PM, and park at the upper J.C. Penney’s lot for Orchard’s Cars & Coffee’s Trunk or Treat — an evening of spooky cars, sweet treats, and community spirit.

Other Local Trunk or Treat Spots to Explore

• Camas & Washougal: Hosted by local churches and fire departments, offering games, hot cocoa, and costume contests.

• Battle Ground: Annual Trunk or Treat at Main Street businesses with prizes for best costumes and trunk designs.

• Ridgefield: Family-friendly event at Overlook Park featuring live music, candy, and local vendors.

• Hazel Dell & Salmon Creek: Neighborhood trunk events at community centers — perfect for younger trick-or-treaters!

What to Expect

• Decorated cars with themed displays and candy giveaways

• Music, games, and costume contests

• Community fun for all ages — no scary surprises

• Safe, walkable areas with volunteers and local sponsors

Pro Tips

✔ Dress up — costumes are highly encouraged for kids and adults!
✔ Bring a reusable candy bag or bucket.
✔ Arrive early — parking fills up fast, especially at Vancouver Mall.
✔ Many trunk events are free, but some accept canned food or toy donations.

Why Locals Love It

Trunk or Treats have become a Southwest Washington Halloween tradition — blending classic car culture with community connection. It’s a safe, festive way for families to celebrate and support local groups while showing off their creative spirit.

Portland Oddities & Curiosities Expo

📅 Dates: Saturday, October 25 – Sunday, October 26, 2025
⏰ Time: Daily
📍 Location: Oregon Convention Center – 777 NE Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Portland, OR 97232
💲 Price: Ticket purchase required (available online)
🔗 Website: Oddities & Curiosities Expo

About the Event

Step into the strange, the spooky, and the spectacularly bizarre at the Portland Oddities & Curiosities Expo, returning to the Oregon Convention Center for a weekend celebrating all things wonderfully weird. This nationally touring event brings together artists, collectors, and curious souls for a one-of-a-kind marketplace filled with oddities, curios, and macabre treasures.

You’ll encounter everything from taxidermy and preserved specimens to vintage medical instruments, dark artwork, creepy jewelry, and handcrafted oddities from artisans across the country. Every item is ethically and sustainably sourced — ensuring your curiosity can be guilt-free.

What to Expect

• 150+ vendors offering unique and rare finds

• Taxidermy, preserved insects, bones, and natural specimens

• Horror- and Halloween-inspired art, antiques, and home décor

• Quirky handmade jewelry, clothing, and gifts

• An inclusive space for fans of the dark and unusual

Pro Tips

✔ Bring cash — while most vendors accept cards, some small booths may not.
✔ Costumes are welcome and encouraged!
✔ Expect big crowds — arrive early to beat the rush.
✔ This event is family-friendly, but best suited for older kids and adults who love the macabre.

Plan Your Weekend with Realtor Cas

Exploring fall events is just one of the many reasons locals love calling Vancouver and Southwest Washington home. From walkable downtowns to scenic trails and lively community gatherings, this region offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city access.

If you’re thinking about making the Vancouver–Portland area your next home base — or you’re ready to explore neighborhoods that match your lifestyle — reach out to me anytime. I’m always happy to help you find your place in the Pacific Northwest. 

Sign up for my monthly newsletter to receive expert advice, important local updates, and insider knowledge on the best ways to thrive in this unique region. Whether you're buying, selling, or simply curious about life in the Pacific Northwest, I've got you covered.

👉 Join my newsletter today and never miss a beat! Just enter your email below and get exclusive access to all things Southwest Washington. Let’s stay connected!