Halloween lands on a Saturday this October, making it one of the best years to indulge in all the festivities. Halloween in Old Orchard Beach is the best kind of spooky, with salty air, glowing jack-o’-lanterns and candy for every size of bucket. Kids get their big night of trick or treating. Teens and adults get real scares just down the road.

Odessa by the Sea puts you steps from the sand and close to every event in this guide. Planning Halloween in Old Orchard Beach is a lot easier when your cozy home base is close to the action. Grab a hot cider and let’s dive in.

Official Trick or Treat Time in Old Orchard Beach

Let’s start with what the little ghouls want to know. Each year, trick or treating typically runs from 6 to 8 PM on Halloween night. This year, that means Saturday, October 31. The Fire Department kicks things off with its annual Halloween party at 136 Saco Avenue. Just down the road, the Recreation Department hosts a free Trunk or Treat in the Ballpark parking lot. Picture decorated cars, loud music, and more candy than any kid should reasonably carry. You can start at either stop and hit both. Halloween in Old Orchard Beach is a friendly, small-town party, and it’s easy to see why families love it.

Tips for Trick or Treating

Bring a flashlight and wear some reflective gear. The coastal air cools off fast after sunset, so pack layers. Here is a pro tip: pick a costume that fits over a warm sweatshirt. Nobody wants a shivering pirate. Check the Old Orchard Beach Events Calendar for last-minute updates before you head out.

Haunted Fun Right in Town

Haunted Adventure Mini Golf

Jungle Adventure Mini Golf goes full haunted house each fall. The 18-hole course becomes a 13-hole walk-through packed with animatronics, creepy sounds and eerie sets. Every player gets free 3D glasses that make the blacklight glow pop. A round takes about 30 minutes, and tickets are $15 per person. It is all indoors, so a rainy forecast will not ruin the fun. On Halloween day, the doors are open from 11 AM to 9 PM, which makes it a great warm-up before trick or treating.

Haunted Attractions Within 20 Miles

Ready to go beyond town? Everything below is a short drive away. Drive times start from Old Orchard Beach.

Aquaboggan Ghoulish Golf in Saco (About 10 Minutes)

Here is a fun twist on a night out. Aquaboggan Water Park hosts Ghoulish Golf on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings in October. The course is mostly family friendly, with very few jump scares. The second half turns up the intensity, so parents should use their judgment. Tickets cost $15 per person, and you save $2 if you wear a costume. Fridays and Saturdays run from 6 to 10 PM. Sundays run from 5:30 to 9:30 PM. Saturday, October 31 is the final night. Snack on warm apple cider, fried dough and popcorn while you play.

Want something scarier? The same property hosts the Trail of Terror, a haunted walk through the woods. Tickets are sold online, and it works best for teens and adults. Check the ticket page for open dates.

Wicked Walking Tours in Portland (About 25 Minutes)

If you prefer chills over jump scares, this one is for you. Wicked Walking Tours turns Portland’s dark history into a mix of theater and comedy. The ghost tour runs about 70 minutes, and the stories feature pirates, curses and restless spirits. Tours run on select evenings, so book ahead. Add dinner in Portland and you have a perfect date night.

Harper Halloween Haunted Trail in Buxton (About 30 Minutes)

This one has real community spirit. The Harper family turns its Buxton yard into a haunted walk for everyone. Admission is free, though donations are welcome. It opens Friday and Saturday evenings through late October. The final night is Friday, October 30, from 6 to 8:30 PM.

Ghostly Stops in Biddeford (15 to 25 Minutes)

History buffs, this stop is for you. The Biddeford City Theatre is listed among Maine’s reportedly haunted places, and it is only about 15 minutes away. Wood Island Lighthouse in Biddeford Pool is called one of the most haunted lighthouses in New England. Allow about 25 minutes to get there.

In past years, Biddeford has also hosted a Downtown Creepy Crawl treat trail on Halloween afternoon. Check with Heart of Biddeford for this year’s details.

Plan Your Halloween Weekend

A Perfect Halloween Saturday

Start with a slow morning and a long walk on the beach. When Haunted Adventure Mini Golf opens at 11 AM, go see who can scream the loudest. Grab an early dinner using the Old Orchard Beach Food Guide. Then trick or treat from 6 to 8 PM at the Fire Department and the Ballpark. Teens and adults can cap off the night with Ghoulish Golf in Saco, which stays open until 10 PM.

Beyond the Scares

Fall is a quiet, beautiful season in Old Orchard Beach. The crowds thin out, and seven miles of sand feel wide open. A sunset walk is the perfect break between events. Afterward, cozy up in your rental with warm cider and a scary movie.

Where to Stay for Halloween

Odessa by the Sea has a home base for every kind of group. Big crews love the Odena Beach House, which sleeps 24 guests. It has a game room, a hot tub and a fire pit, so the party never has to leave the property. The beach is only 50 yards away. Families can pick the Odessa Condos, just steps from the sand. Every condo comes with a grill, a picnic table and a washer and dryer.

Book Your Halloween Stay at Odessa by the Sea Today

Halloween weekend fills up fast, and the best rentals go first. Reserve your dates now and lock in your spot by the sea. Book your stay today and make this Halloween one your family will be talking about for years.