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Some people go to impressive lengths to get into the Halloween spirit, which makes the holiday much more fun for everyone else. Many Utahns go all-out to terrify and delight passersby with their creative curations of all things spooky, scary and skeleton-y.
You're probably familiar with some of the big-name places, but here's a list of thrilling haunts and spine-tingling displays you might not know about. And most of them are free!
Festival Transylvania
Families looking for a kid-friendly spook alley should definitely check out Festival Transylvania at Millcreek Gardens. Set up as a "fun and clever story-walk through various scenes of Transylvania," you'll encounter a hilarious fortune-teller, a friendly scarecrow, pirate skeletons and even a headless horseman as you make your way through. It's fun, affordable and completely free of violence and gore. For more information, visit the Millcreek Gardens website.
Bates Haunt
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the Bates Haunt in Taylorsville is another spooktacular stop to add to your list. Enjoy giant singing pumpkins, dancing skeletons, spooky graphics and original songs all projected onto a house that "wants to eat you." View it from your car while you tune into the displayed radio station or sit on the sidewalk in front of the house. The show runs Oct. 13–31 from 7:30–10 p.m., but be sure to check the Bates Haunt Facebook page for updates.
Haunted Halloween Haven
Haunted Halloween Haven in Spanish Fork is a must-see for a couple of reasons. First, it's appropriate for all ages. (Think: Disney's Haunted Mansion ride in terms of scariness.) Second, it's completely free. The whole experience is a pure labor of love meant to entertain and delight kids and adults alike. The walk-in haunt is open every night in October from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. There are no tour guides or lines, so come anytime!
Hidden Lake Haunts
Scare your socks off for a good cause by visiting Hidden Lake Haunts in Bountiful. Tour the spooky, dilapidated house where "the old residents never truly left." The admission fee for 2022 is one non-perishable food item per guest, which will go to the Bountiful Food Pantry. The haunted house is open from 7–10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays as well as Halloween night.
Canyon Road Haunt
The Canyon Road Haunt in Pleasant Grove boasts of being "the spookiest driveway haunt in the county." This is another place where you can donate non-perishable food items, baby wipes, diapers, formula and other needed items for charity while you enjoy the thrills and chills from your car. Find out more on the Canyon Road Haunt Facebook page.
Scary Potter Utah
Calling all fans of the wizarding world! For two nights only — Oct. 29 and Halloween — you have the chance to walk through the magical world of Harry Potter at this Farmington home. See life-sized props and creatures handmade by a local high school student, including the giant spider Aragog. Come for free butterbeer on Saturday night — and if you're one of the first 100 people dressed as Harry Potter, you'll even get a special treat. Admission is free! Find more details on the Scary Potter Utah Instagram account.
Christensen Haunted Hollows
Should you find yourself in Riverton, don't miss Christensen Haunted Hollows — an elaborate homage to one couple's deep love of the haunting season. Karen and Blake Christensen have decked their home out with pirate skeletons, fog machines, and animated and static props galore for several years and it's become a Halloween tradition for many. The display runs nightly from dusk until 10 p.m. — but the best experience is said to be Oct. 27–31. Don't miss the flames on Halloween night! You'll find Christensen Haunted Hollows at 4142 W. Red Tail Drive in Riverton.
Raven Manor
Since 2001, this South Jordan home has been capturing and sharing "the magic of being a kid on Halloween." Raven Manor features a family-friendly, fascinating yard display with a cemetery theme. Come see the impressive, homemade tombstones, mausoleum and flying ghosts after dark from Oct. 29–31. You'll find this spooky manor at 10995 S Savannah Hill Rd in South Jordan.
Baird Manor
If you're a fan of the popular Netflix series "Stranger Things," you absolutely must put this one on your list. Baird Manor in Lehi puts on one of the best Halloween light displays in the state. The family projects scenes from popular Halloween movies onto their whole house in an immersive, larger-than-life experience.
According to their Facebook page, they run their original Baird Manor show and a new "Stranger Things" show on odd-numbered evenings. You can preview the 12-minute show on the Baird Manor YouTube channel but beware — there are a few spoilers if you've never seen the series. Of course, if you don't want to give the little ones nightmares, they also run Disney shows on even-numbered evenings. Shows run nightly from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m., weather permitting.
The 'Stranger Things' House
For those who prefer a simple but no-less-impressive display featuring their favorite scary TV series, one local home is sure to make you stop and stare. Located at 5087 W. Lake Terrace Ave. in South Jordan, this "Stranger Things" themed house will turn your world upside down. Just watch out for Demogorgons.
Want more haunts?
Once you've checked out all the places on this list, don't stop there! There are plenty more Halloween haunts to enjoy all over the state. If you're looking to scare up more fun, you'll find a full list of spooky sites to visit on the Rocky Mountain Halloween Facebook group page.
Siegfried & Jensen
Since 1990, Siegfried & Jensen have been helping the people of Utah and surrounding states who have suffered needless injuries and death caused by car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective drugs, dog bites, wrongful death, and other types of personal injury.
The firm is committed to keeping Utah families and communities safe by making sure that wrongdoers are held accountable. While a lawsuit isn't always the answer when it is needed having someone on your side can mean the difference between declaring bankruptcy and rebuilding your life and moving forward, especially when you're up against an insurance company or a hospital.
Siegfried & Jensen has a 97% success rate with more than 35,000 cases and $1.2 billion recovered for their clients.
