Has Halloween night slipped your mind? Maybe your plans fell through the cracks? From haunted streetcar rides to Halloween-themed shows, here are three local, family-friendly events that will ensure your night is full of G-rated fright.
Spooktacular Science at the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium
Flandrau’s annual “Spooktacular Science” event happens this Sunday with a full day of hands-on exhibits and planetarium shows with a spooky twist. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., children and adults are welcome to enjoy Brain Jars, Cockroach Action Potentials, the Slime Station and several other exhibits. Flandrau’s state-of-the-art planetarium also will offer various Halloween-themed shows throughout the day including Black Holes, Fright Lights and Spooky Tucson Sky.
“It really is a way for kids who are interested in science to participate in Halloween in a hands-on way. Plus, they get to interact with various clubs on campus through our science activities and sci-fi crafts,” said Nick Letson, a spokesperson for Flandrau. “The laser light shows and Halloween-themed science activities really set this event apart. Kids and adults can learn about the wonders of science through mini workstations and then go see an astronomy show or Halloween laser show right after.”
Spooktacular Science will be this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd.
Sun Link Spooky Train on Fourth Avenue and Eighth Street
Also on Sunday, Sun Link will be joining the “Halloween on Fourth” event, hosted by the Fourth Avenue Merchant Association. Children and adults are invited to trick-or-treat from noon to 3 p.m. on a special, spook-ified streetcar. The “Sun Link Spooky Train” will be stationed on the tracks near North Fourth Avenue and East Eighth Street. Sun Tran staff will hand out candy to visitors who tour the streetcar during this family-friendly event.
Leah Durain, a spokeswoman for Sun Tran, said this will be the second year Sun Link will host the event.
“This is the second year Sun Link has transformed a streetcar into a spook-tacular train for Halloween. The decorated train will not be in service during the event, allowing visitors plenty of time to take pictures and collect candy,” Durain said. “Additional, non-haunted trains will continue to provide full streetcar service to the public. Once guests have explored the spooky train, they are encouraged to continue down Fourth Avenue for additional holiday festivities.”
The Sun Link Spooky Train will be this Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. at the streetcar stop on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Eighth Street.
Ghost Tours at Old Main
The University of Arizona is over 100 years old. Many of the older buildings on campus have been widely suspected to be haunted, including Bear Down Gymnasium, Old Main and Centennial Hall. Arizona Ambassadors, the campus tour guides, will offer “Ghost Tours” from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Halloween. What better way to celebrate a night of spooks than taking a guided tour of UA’s most iconic haunts?
“This is the first time we have done it in about seven years or so and we’re really excited to bring it back,” said Stella Steed, an Arizona Ambassador. “They are completely free and everyone from the university and Tucson communities are invited. Guests will be taken to a variety of iconic locations on campus to hear different stories of paranormal activity at each spot.”
Steed encourages anyone who is interested in taking the Ghost Tour to register for a time slot using the QR code in the flyer below.
*El Inde Arizona is a news service of the University of Arizona School of Journalism.
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