Botanical garden stages just-for-fun monsters, grown-up scares
HUNTSVILLE – With the changing seasons, Huntsville Botanical Garden is taking advantage of autumn’s chills to offer Halloween-inspired fun for both children and grown-ups.
“Little Monsters Mash” on Oct. 11 offers a venue for young children to have fun while grown-ups nurture long-lasting memories with their sons, daughters and grandchildren. The mash will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
From costumes and DJ beats to handson crafts and garden-themed trick-ortreating, Little Monsters Mash will fill the day with color, laughter and community.
The Trick-or-Treat Trail will follow a gentle, garden-themed path with sponsor stops. The trail is free to two-year-olds and younger.
Inflatable activities and lawn games will combine fun and exercise. Little monsters can enjoy face painting and balloon twisting.
Children can decorate pumpkins, with no carving required, to spur their creativity and have a take-home souvenir. Family members can gather at the harvest photo spot and snap the moment. A live DJ will heighten the energy with music and movement in lively dancing.
Three different costume contests will show families’ masquerade ingenuity. At 11 a.m., the contest theme will be “Most Creative Homemade” for from-scratch outfits that depict a character. The next theme will be “Best Family Group” to coordinate costumes for an ensemble look. Then at 12:45 p.m., the “Best Character” competition will award the individual that best resembles a live or fictional persona.
Little Monsters Mash will serve festive bites with seasonal snacks and family- friendly concessions for purchase.
For garden members, advance tickets will cost $12; at the event, tickets will be $15. Guests who aren’t members will pay $22 for advance tickets or $25 at the event.
Event proceeds will support Huntsville Botanical Garden’s ongoing mission and programs. Ticket sales are non-refundable.
Who says Halloween is just for kids? Huntsville Botanical Garden will introduce “Spellbound,” a spine-tingling nighttime experience designed exclusively for adults at least 21 years old. As dusk falls, the garden’s familiar paths will transform with theatrical lighting, immersive scenes and unexpected seasonal moments.
From glowing cauldrons and whispering woods to flickering firepits and golden- lit promenades, each vignette reveals the mysterious side of autumn.
Guests can sip a themed cocktail at the Potion Bar, gather around firepits or pause for a fleeting performance beneath the trees. Spellbound promises an atmosphere that is somewhat spooky, sometimes eerie and always captivating.
Spellbound will weave its mystery at these times: Oct. 16 from 7 to 10 p.m.; Oct. 17 from 7 to 11 p.m.; Oct. 18 from 7 to 11 p.m.; and Oct. 19 from 7 to 10 p.m.
Tickets are valid for entry any time during Spellbound operating hours on a selected date. Be sure to allow time to linger, explore and fully experience the magic.
Garden members will pay $12 in advance or $17 at the event. Guests who aren’t members will pay $15 in advance or $25 at the event.
First Horizon Bank is sponsor for these events.
Huntsville Botanical Garden’s address is 4747 Bob Wallace Ave SW. For more information, call 256-830-4447.
