It’s Time for Spook-tacular Fun at Merriweather District!🎉

wheelersir
2 days ago
3 min read

People in superhero costumes perform on a lit-up checkered stage at night, entertaining a large, joyful crowd. String lights hang above.

Fall’s favorite night out is back and brimming with magic. VVS Events & Marketing, in partnership with Howard Hughes, is bringing a premium, turnkey Halloween experience to the heart of the Merriweather District—where families, neighbors, and local businesses come together for an evening that’s equal parts charming and chill-worthy.

Join us at Color Burst Park on Friday, October 24, 2025, for Spooktacular, a public celebration designed for all ages (especially the littlest boos) with a candy crawl, pumpkin maze, crafts, and live entertainment that make memories look—and sound—like pure joy.

What to Expect at Spooktacular

Trick-or-Treating, Elevated

Our Premium Candy Crawl transforms the Merriweather District into a walkable wonderland of sweets. Participating merchants will be ready with premium treats to kick off your route, so bring your best “thank you” and your cutest costumes. Early-bird goodies are also available!

Guest Services check-in opens at 5:30 PM to confirm your RSVP. Be among the first 500 guests to receive a branded trick-or-treat tote bag; once those are gone, we’ll provide plastic bags so everyone can join the fun.

Ghoulishly Fun Group Costume Contest

Gather your goblins! RSVP to enter our fan-favorite Group Costume Contest, where the People’s Choice winners are decided by crowd roar—yes, we measure it with a decibel app.

All participating groups receive a treat bag, and the top three take home deluxe prize baskets filled with gifts donated by Merriweather District merchants.

Pumpkin Patch Maze & Decor

Wander through our Pumpkin Patch Maze built for exploration and photo ops. With hundreds of pumpkins (classic, white, and the delightfully weird), hay bales, cornstalks, and a towering Pumpkin Arch, it’s a ready-made autumn backdrop—made extra atmospheric with a gentle swirl of fog from our smoke machine.

Crafts, Music, and More!

When pumpkins are available, kids can decorate with premium foam face kits, stickers, and paint pens. Once the pumpkins are gone, the creativity continues with seasonal crafts like pumpkin glasses and scarecrow portraits. Snap your crew at our “Spooky” and “BOO” photo ops, get some sparkle from our glitter and airbrush tattoo artists, and dance the night away with a live DJ keeping the energy high!

Why You Can't Miss This Event

Community is the heart of every great event, and Spooktacular is where Columbia’s neighborhood spirit shines. One of our favorite moments each year is watching a shy little lion or dragon come alive during the Group Costume Contest—suddenly roaring along with the crowd, beaming from ear to ear. It’s a simple reminder of what gatherings like this do best: spark joy, build confidence, and connect families to the place they call home.

Events like Spooktacular don’t just delight; they help activate the Merriweather District, bring foot traffic to merchants, and create shared memories that make Columbia feel even more like home. Just look at last year's event! We welcomed thousands of attendees, and our participating merchants saw a significant boost in foot traffic.

"The energy was incredible! Our store was bustling all evening, and it was wonderful to see so many families enjoying the festivities." - Local Merriweather District Merchant

If you peek at last year’s media gallery, you’ll see what we mean—smiles at every turn, creative costumes, and bustling sidewalks lined with supportive local businesses.