Our friends at the Tennesean have compiled a list of eight halloween events for friends and the whole family to enjoy over the next two weeks.
1. Halloween at the Mansion - This free annual family event from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 27 on the grounds of the Two Rivers Mansion, 3120 McGavock Pike, offers pumpkin painting, hay rides, music, a haunted basement and story telling in the 1802 home adjacent to the mansion. This annual event draws about 2,000 people. The 1859 Two Rivers Mansion sits on 14 acres in Two Rivers Park. Details: 615-885-1112
2. Party with your pup - The new Madison Community Center, 550 N. Dupont Ave., is having its first "Howl-O-Ween" dog-friendly event at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 26. You and your pups (on leashes) can enjoy costume contests, a parade and games — including bobbing for tennis balls for the doggies and bowling with pumpkins for their humans. There is also a photo booth and prizes.
3. Madison Halloween Bash - The Madison Community Center is also having a free "spook-tacular" Halloween Bash, with a costume contest for all ages, plus carnival games, a bounce house and snacks from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at the center at 550 N. Dupont Ave. in Madison. Details: 615-862-8459.
4. East Park safe Halloween - There is a free "safe night" Halloween event from 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 26 at East Park Community Center, 600 Woodland St., with a haunted house, arts and crafts, a bounce house, and games and food.
5. Halloween ice skating - There is a Halloween Ice Skating Party from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m and 3-5 p.m. Oct. 31 at the Centennial Sportsplex Ice Rink. If you wear your spooky costume, you get half off admission. Cool! It means that adults get to skate for $4.50 and kids for $4, including skate rental. Details: 615-862-8480
6. Sportsplex 10-pass sale - Centennial Sportsplex is also having a buy one 10-pass and get another pass half off deal between Oct. 26 and Nov. 2. It means that if you buy a 10-pass for $70, you can get a second one for $35 during the sale.
7. Shelby Bottoms spooky meet and greet - The Saturday before Halloween is a great time for all ages to meet some of the creatures they fear. Shelby Bottoms Nature Center is having its own HOWL-O-Ween, where you can explore spooky animal bones and owl pellets, enjoy some wildlife and nature activities, and maybe meet a few scary wildlife neighbors, like snakes, an opossum and two flying squirrels. The program is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 27 at Shelby Bottoms at 1900 Davidson St. in Shelby Park.
8. City Cemetery Living History Tours - The Nashville City Cemetery Association is partnering with the Metro Historical Commission to host the 19th annual living History tour "Stepping Into Nashville’s Past," offering a unique look at Nashville and some of its most interesting residents.
The tour, which is $5 per person or $10 per family, is from 4-7 p.m. Oct. 27, on the beautiful grounds of the Nashville City Cemetery, using live actors in period costumes to portray a number of Middle Tennessee’s historical characters, such as Gen. James Robertson and his wife, Charlotte.
The tours take about 45 minutes. They are a primary fundraiser for the operation and preservation of this 1822 Nashville cemetery, which is on the National Register of Historic Places.