Fort Wayne is gearing up for the 14th annual Fright Night in the heart of downtown. 

If you are new to the area, Fright Night stars a large gathering of people dressed in their best spooky and not-so-scary costumes that parade through downtown stopping at different locations for tons of Halloween activities. With more than 30 activities and locations participating, there is something for all ages. 

Where’s the candy?

Looking for treats? More than a few locations will be offering spooky snacks and candy for participating zombies. Don’t feel like dressing as a zombie? That’s OK! Come dressed in whatever costume you would like and enjoy all there is to do. 

Among the stops that will be handing out candy will be the Arbor in The Bradley Hotel for some Fright Bites at 6 p.m., while parents might grab some “spine-chilling libations” there.

Other candy stops include Kanela, 618 S. Calhoun St.; First Wayne Street United Methodist Church’s trunk-or-treat from noon-2 p.m.; the Creepy Courtyard at First Presbyterian Church and Theater, 300 W. Wayne St., from 1-5 p.m.; the Spooktacular Car Show at Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Community Center, 233 W. Berry St., from 4-8 p.m.; and Insomnia Cookies, 840 S. Calhoun St., from 4 p.m.-1 a.m.

Something for the young ones

There are plenty of locations that cater to the kids, although some might be too frightful for the youngest. 

At Science Central, it will be Mad Science Day. With general admission, the event from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. includes learning about the creepy-crawlies that exist in our world, playing with liquid nitrogen bubbles, and learning how our insides work! 

After you learn about our digestive system, head over to Promenade Park for a Riverfront Halloween Hunt from noon-2 p.m. Those between the ages of 5 and 12 can search for eerie eggs, with each being a winner. This is limited to 50 people, so be sure to register at fortwayneparks.org.

Also are Promenade Park will be the Howl-O-Walkoween, where your furry friend can get dressed up for a chance to win prizes from 2-6 p.m.

At Grand Wayne Center from 4-6 p.m., you can spend a Grand Evening with Drac and Friends from Hotel Transylvania. The family-friendly event will feature music, pictures, and a costume parade for those 8 and younger.

After filling your belly with all that candy, make your way to the Allen County Public Library where they will offer some Not-So-Spooky Crafts and Activities, with scare-free and zombie-free zones so that the environment is suitable and welcoming for all ages.

The library will also host a Zombie Scavenger Hunt that might not be suitable for all ages. The hunt involves searching the building for hidden zombies, although none will be hiding in the gallery, children’s department, or genealogy department.

Kids and adults alike can also take part in free Zombie Brain Slime-Making from 2-5 p.m. at Creative Women of the World, 125 W. Wayne St.

At Parkview Field from 5-6:30 p.m., take part in a scavenger hunt. Find all the Halloween-themed stickers and you might win a prize from the TinCaps and Parkview Field.

Spooky tours

Do not fret. There are plenty of spooky adventures for adults, too. 

Fort Wayne offers multiple historical locations that will make the hair on the back of your neck stand upright. Take a trip to the Old City Jail at The History Center and go back in time to see the history of the past criminals of our area. You’ll even get the opportunity to take your own mugshot. 

Looking to catch some ghosts? Take a ghost tour at the infamous Bell Mansion at noon, 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. for $10-$25. Known for its paranormal investigations, The Bell Mansion is an incredible place to try and capture a ghost for yourself. 

The Bell Mansion will also host a Zombie Prom from 7-10 p.m. for $30. The prom includes tours, costume contest, and snacks.

ARCH is offering Haunted Bus Tours with the themes of Murder! Mystery! Mayhem! and Walk with the Spirits of the Past. The tours begin in the parking lot at Strebig Construction, 524 W. Jefferson Blvd. 

The $15-$25 bus tour is described as, “Three spooky bus tours usher you through historic sites of fright, with tales of terror that cloud our city’s night. This ARCH bus tour lasts about 90 minutes and may not be suitable for all ages.” 

Murder! Mystery! Mayhem! is a tour that costs $10-$20, “where not only ghosts remain but story after amazing story tells how Fort Wayne’s dark and bloody past actually happened with murder, hangings, and disaster in the streets we now know as our downtown. This ARCH walking tour is not for the faint of heart and may not be suitable for all ages.” 

Walks with the Spirits of the Past costs $10-$20 and takes you through the West Central Neighborhood.

Historic Fort Wayne will be hosting Lantern Tours at The Old Fort from 6-10 p.m. for $5. A guide will tell the story of Lt. Philip Ostrander, the Old Fort’s resident ghost.

Zombies take to the streets

And of course, the main event is the Zombie Walk itself.

In previous years, costumed ghouls would gather at the I&M Plaza, but now the route begins at the library, coined Zombie Central for the day.

Before the walk begins at 3 p.m., you can get your makeup done at Trinity English Lutheran Church, 450 W. Washington Blvd., from 1-2:30 p.m.

The Zombie Walk pre-party begins at 1 p.m. and will include live music from rock band Pensionrs and the Fort Wayne Fright Orchestra, a photo booth, a performance by Fort Wayne Dance Collective, and a costume contest. Oh yeah, there will also be plenty of prizes distributed.

This event is one of the most anticipated fall activities in the Fort Wayne area every year. For more information and a map and activity guide, go to frightnightdowntown.com.

Come one, come all to 2023’s Fright Night!