MS Halloween fun: Events in, near Jackson, Hattiesburg and the state

Fall is here in Mississippi and it feels like it, too. Blistering hot temperatures have given way to cool, crisp mornings and comfortable afternoons, football is in full swing , people are getting outdoors and going camping and leaves will begin to show their fall colors soon .

Of course, it also means the time will change soon. So, don't forget to set your clocks back .

The beautiful fall weather also signals Halloween is almost here and there are family-friendly events happening in Jackson, Hattiesburg and throughout the state.

No matter where you are in Mississippi, there's likely a Halloween event near you for all ages to enjoy. Hayrides, spooky mazes, pumpkin picking, parades and other special events are happening now. Let's not forget trick-or-treating, either.

So, following are some of the events to enjoy with your family in the Jackson and Hattiesburg areas and throughout the state and some of them are free.

Halloween events in, near Jackson, MS

JXN Fall Fest

• Activities/attractions:Food, entertainment, costume contest, candy, pumpkin patch and more

• Location:Ice House, 251 West South Street, Jackson

• Admission:$0-$7.18

• Dates and times:Oct. 31, 12 p.m.-5 p.m.

• For more information:Visit www.eventbrite.com

Mississippi Children's Boo!seum

• Activities/attractions:Carnival games, temporary tattoos, spooky spin art, playgrounds, Halloween decoration scavenger hunt, and more

• Location:2145 Museum Boulevard, Jackson

• Admission:MCM members free, non-members $13

• Dates and times:Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

• For more information:Call 601-981-5469 or visit www.mschildrensmuseum.org

Fondren Fright

• Activities/attractions:trick-or-treating, bounce houses, food trucks, and more

• Location:Brook Drive, Jackson

• Admission:Free

• Dates and times:Oct. 24, 5-7 p.m.

• For more information:Visit www.visitjackson.com

Park after Dark

• Activities/attractions:Creepy-crawly crafts, trick-or-treating through the Mississippi Children's Museum and the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science and many more activities

• Location:Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Children's Museum

• Admission:$15, members and non-members

• Dates and times:Oct. 23, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

• For more information:Visit www.mschildrensmuseum.org or www.mdwfp.com

Boo at the Jackson Zoo

• Activities/attractions:Candy stations, children's costume parade, hayride, haunted house, DJ, food trucks, and more

• Location:Jackson Zoo, 2918 W Capitol Street, Jackson

• Admission:$8, ages six and older

• Dates and times:Oct. 31, 2-6 p.m.

• For more information:Call 601-952-8776 or visit www.thejacksonzoo.org

Scarecrow Festival

• Activities/attractions:inflatables, petting zoo, cake walk, face painting, train rides, food vendors and more

• Location:Liberty Park, Madison, Mississippi

• Admission:Free

• Dates and times:Oct. 22, 5-8 p.m.

• For more information:Visit www.madisonthecity.com

Howl-O-Ween at the Bark Park

• Activities/attractions:Costume contest for small, medium and large dogs, people/dog combos and doggie trick-or-treats

• Location:Clinton Bark Park, 915 Old Vicksburg Road, Clinton

• Admission:Free

• Dates and times:Oct. 24, 10-11 a.m.

• For more information:Visit www.clintonms.org

Haunting of Olde Towne

• Activities/attractions:Costume contests, carnival games, kids' activities, candy, toys, and prizes for everyone who joins in the games

• Location:200 East Leake Street, Clinton

• Admission:Free

• Dates and times:Oct. 29, 6-8 p.m.

• For more information:Visit www.clintonms.org

Halloween events in, near Hattiesburg, MS

14th Annual Halloween Parade

• Activities/attractions:Floats, costumes and candy

• Location:Begins at Parkway Heights United Methodist Church, 2420 Hardy Street

• Admission:Free

• Dates and times:Oct. 29, 5:30-8 p.m.

• For more information:Visit www.visithattiesburg.org

Zoo Boo at the Hattiesburg Zoo

• Activities/attractions:Animal encounters, unlimited rides on the zoo's train and carousel, face painting, activities for children and Halloween-themed food and drinks

• Location:Hattiesburg Zoo, 107 South 17th Avenue, Hattiesburg

• Admission:$15 online before 5 p.m. day of the event, $17 beginning at 5 p.m. online and at gate, day of event

• Dates and times:Oct. 23-30, 6-9 p.m.

• For more information:Call 601-545-4576 or visit www.hattiesburgzoo.com

Trick-or-Treating on Main Street

• Activities/attractions:Candy and trick-or-treating, additional activities at the Rebekah Stark Johnson Community Arts Center

• Location:Main Street, Hattiesburg

• Admission:Free

• Dates and times:Oct. 26, 4-6 p.m.

• For more information:Visit www.visithattiesburg.com

For more Halloween events in Hattiesburg, visit www.hattiesburgamerican.com

More Halloween events in Mississippi

Haunted Holly Springs Ghost Walking Tours

• Activities/attractions:Walking tours including Hill Country Hauntings, Murder and Plague, City of the Dead, Mysteries of the Martyrs Museum, Haunted Holly Springs Halloween Night Tour, All Hallows Eve at Montrose Manor

• Location:132 East College Avenue, Holly Springs

• Admission:$15-$40

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31. See website for specific times

• For more information:Email hauntedhollysprings@gmail.com or visit www.hauntedhollysprings.com .

Pumpkin Patch Farms

• Activities/attractions:Wagon rides, pony rides, pumpkin patch, super slide, jumping pillow, farms animals, train ride, bouncy barn and more

• Location:2100 County Road 805, Blue Mountain

• Admission:Starts at $15.95

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25 and 31

• For more information:Call 662-512-8656 or visit www.pumpkinpatchfarms.com .

Fall Family Fun at Bull Bottom Farms

• Activities/attractions:Corn maze, farm animals, hayride, giant jumping pillow, corn boxes, cow train, giant slide, pumpkin patch and more

• Location:1641 Sayles Road, Duck Hill

• Admission:$16

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1, 7 and 8. See website for specific times

• For more information:Call 662-614-5746 or visit www.bullbottomfarms/home .

Middleton Farms Pumpkin Patch and Hayride

• Activities/attractions:Pumpkin patch tour, gourd ,corn and sunflower garden tour, take fall photos in the patch of with photo props, bottle feed baby calves, hay ride, petting zoo, food, vendors, hay maze, trike races and more

• Location:21500 Otis Cooper Road, Moss Point, MS

• Admission:$10 - $12, pony rides $5

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25. See website for specific times

• For more information:Call 251-709-2001 or visit www.middletonfarmtours.com

Cedar Hill Farm's Haunted Hayride

• Activities/attractions:Haunted Hayride, Trail of Terror, Senstubia, Zombie Paintball, Corn Maze and Hayride

• Location:008 Love Road, Hernando

• Admission:Fees starting at $14.43

• Dates and times:Oct. 17-Nov. 1. See website for specific times.

• For more information:Call 662-429-2540 or visit www.hauntedfarm.ms

Lazy Acres Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze

• Activities/attractions:Pumpkin picking, family attractions, food, exciting shows, beautiful photo ops, and the magical Monsters in the Moonlight glow trail

• Location:596 Lazy Acres Road, Chunky

• Admission:Fees start at $14.23

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 18, 21-25, 28-31 and Nov. 1. See website for specific times

• For more information:Call 833-327-6386 or visit www.lazy-acres.com/mississippi-pumpkin-fest

Wise Family Farm Corn Maze

• Activities/attractions:Corn maze, pumpkin patch, wagon ride, general store, snack bar, farm playground, and animal exhibit

• Location:291 Shady Grove Road, Pontotoc

• Admission:$14.95

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 18, 21-25, 28-31 and Nov. 1. See website for specific times

• For more information:Call 662-538-8890 or visit www.wisefamilyfarm.com

Mitchell Farms Pumpkin Patch

• Activities/attractions:Daytime and nighttime mazes, wagon tour, Cinderalla pumpkin, magic carpet slide, corn pool, sunflower field, goat castle, pumpkin patch, and more

• Location:650 Leaf River Church Road, Collins

• Admission:$20, school field trips $15 per person

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1, 7 and 8. See website for specific times

• For more information:Call 601-914-9245 or visit www.visitmitchellfarms.com

Seward Farms Field of Fright and Corn Maze

• Activities/attractions:Field of Fright and Haunted Hayride

• Location:10836 Tanner Williams Road, Lucedale

• Admission:Fees start at $15

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 24 and 31. Fun starts at dark

• For more information:Call 228-641-3933 or visit https://sewardfarms.com

Williams Family Farms

• Activities/attractions:Hayride, cow train, slide, calf roping, animal barnyard, corn box, crop maze, kids hay maze

• Location:115 B&W Road, Wiggins

• Admission:$12

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1

• For more information:Call ​601-716-7968 or visit www.williamsfamilyfarms-ms.com/

Southern Promiseland Farm Corn Maze and Pumpkins

• Activities/attractions:Pumpkin picking and photo ops in pumkin patch, corn maze, hayride, farm animals, calf roping, concession stand, play and picnic area, and more

• Location:1212 Raygan Lane, Kiln

• Admission:$10

• Dates and times:Oct. 17, 18, 24, 25, 31 and Nov. 1. See website for specific times

• For more information:Call or visit www.southernpromiseland.com/

Brian Broom has been reporting on and photographing Mississippi for more than 35 years. He can be reached at 601-961-7225 or bbroom@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: MS Halloween fun: Events in, near Jackson, Hattiesburg and the state