Discover the magic of Halloweentown in St. Helens, Oregon! Explore this enchanting town where the Disney movie was filmed. Visit Halloweentown now!

It's almost Halloween, so I thought I would write this post on Halloween. St. Helens, Oregon, is the town where the Disney movie Halloweentown was filmed. Keep in mind, this is a Disney film, so Halloweentown is for kids. I went here thinking it was going to be for everyone, but it is not. Almost all of the activities are done during the daytime and close at five pm, even though a lot of the restaurants close at eight pm. During the night, there are around a hundred people compared to over a thousand during the day. It is fun to see, but do come during the daytime.

St. Helens, Oregon, notes that Halloween may only come once a year, but now you can celebrate it all month long. In 1998, the small city of St. Helens served as a backdrop to the Disney Channel Halloween classic “Halloweentown”, and each year thereafter, they transform their Riverfront District into the Spirit of Halloweentown, a celebration of all things spooky. This month-long event has attracted tens of thousands of visitors and is geared towards anyone who loves Halloween. The Spirit of Halloweentown has been featured on ABC News, MTV, Vogue, Entertainment Weekly, BuzzFeed, Country Living, Huffington Post, and many other recognized news outlets.

Halloweentown was a Disney movie produced in 1998 and is about Marnie and her kids getting a big shock when they follow grandma home to Halloweentown - and find out they come from a family of witches. The town is the only place where supernatural beings can lead a `normal' life. Still, trouble is looming, and on her 13th birthday, Marnie not only finds she is a witch, but that she and her family are involved in a fight against the evil that is threatening to take over the world.

I came here during the daytime and then again at night to see what everything would look like lit up. Here are a couple of pictures during the day and the same thing during the night.

Because this is based on the Disney movie, there is nothing here that I would consider scary. If you're looking for a scary Halloween experience, I would recommend going somewhere else.

Ninety-five percent of the activities are done during the daytime, and as a result, almost everything is closed by eight pm on a Saturday. Some of the day activities include: The Columbia Theater, which has special movies and is also haunted, offering a haunted tour. Sand Island Adventure Boat Ride, Big Foot Hunt, and If the Trees Could Talk & More- Last ride departs dock at four-ten pm and island at four-thirty pm.

Ride across the river on a cool water shuttle to Sand Island. After disembarking, walk the nature path and see the incredible face carvings by Carving Artist Extraordinary Wade Lapp. Follow the trail and you might meet a fairy or the resident Bigfoot. Good time to grab a selfie. Participate in the all-ages scavenger hunt along the paths to find the faces in the trees, then treat yourself to a toasted marshmallow by the fire. Try your hand at the Ladder Challenge or other fun games. Explore the island in the middle of the mighty Columbia River. Depending on your family, this activity can last an hour, 20 minutes, or whatever your family decides.

Whispers on the Water and the last train at four-thirty pm leaves from the Riverfront at the East End of Cowlitz Street - Whispers by the Water. Check in with the driver and then take the train for a ride along the river, listen to a story, and hear some fun jokes along the way. At the end, you'll find the Mermaids Sculpture, which has captured the hearts of young and old alike.

The Mermaids, Magical Unicorns, Alpacas, and Dragons. Home to the resident Mermaid Una, the Alpacas, and now Magical Unicorns! You'll be mesmerized by these beautiful creatures. Sit on the dragon bench and dream of ancient times—restricted appearances on some earlier weekends.

The Great Big Halloween Exhibit is open from seven pm to midnight. Closed between five and six pm and on weekdays under After Dark Tickets. Halloween is now one of the most celebrated holidays in the world. They think it is a great thing to honor tradition. Inside the Big Tent, you'll find a mix of traditional Halloween-style decorations and also the significant symbols of Halloween that have lasted for generations. All ages can enjoy a stroll through this new addition and experience a nostalgic feeling of what makes this holiday such a huge tradition for millions. Watch out because you'll want to walk through more than once.

The Alien Interview and Museum of Peculiarities & Oddities includes a Blue Story Card and ends around three-thirty pm. This new feature will be a "must-see" for anyone who has questions for the resident alien. They've been able to connect with an alien who has agreed to answer questions in this audience-based attraction. The alien comes to them from a distant galaxy and will appear to them in a mind-blowing holodeck. Lucky audience members will be able to ask the alien direct questions and get the answers they've been seeking. The alien experience begins with a chance to visit the tongue-in-cheek alien displays and listen to the various stories with your headsets after downloading the blue card app. This exclusive app is yours to keep. It also includes the stories from the exhibits in the Museum of Peculiarities and Oddities. This is a minimal attraction, so get your tickets early. ADA Access is limited to those who can ride the chair lift. Pets are allowed if carried.

There was also a huge pirate theme. I think this was added to keep people busy because it did seem out of place and had nothing to do with the movie. The first picture is a pirate boat that the cannons are firing at.

The big Halloween parade is usually the first Saturday in October and starts at six-thirty pm. While there are plenty of spots for you and your family along the parade route, it is best to get there early to secure your spot! Shortly after the parade, a pumpkin lighting ceremony will take place at roughly seven-thirty p.m.

The sad part is that this is the most significant event during the Halloween celebration and has already been canceled in 2024 due to safety concerns. In the last two years, the parade has just gotten so big. It’s almost like it has outgrown the city’s capacity. It has outgrown St. Helens' ability to get enough people to make it a safe event, according to the St Helens Board of Directors.

While there were no injuries this year, parade-watchers at times were pushing into the parade route, and at least a couple of cars attempted to drive onto the parade route as well. Some of the vehicles just shoved their way through the crowd. One of the volunteers had to call the non-emergency number because there was a guy in an RV just pushing his way through the crowd.”

If you are a paranormal investigator, you can join renowned psychic and St. Helens native Kathleen Dering for a spiritual adventure at the Klondike Tavern, the most haunted hotel in Oregon. You will be on the 2nd floor, which is known to have the most paranormal activity. The 2nd floor has been closed to the public for many years; the hotel rooms have been mostly untouched since it opened in the early 1900s. You will be in the original hallways and rooms of the hotel; the rooms are empty and aged, but full of energy. Memories of the past are haunted echoes sensed in the present. Past attendees have encountered orbs, apparitions, and physical manifestations. Leading paranormal expert Lorraine Warren (“The Conjuring”) and the TV series Paranormal State are among the well-known investigators who have explored this space.

Some random pictures.

After Dark: Board the train for a short ride to the Decorated Home Tour: Nightmare on 4th Street until eight-thirty pm. This is first-come, first-served, and limited space on each train boards at 231 St. Helens Street. The train runs nonstop, so hop aboard and enjoy a little ride on our new Spirit of Halloweentown Train. Take a little trip to some homes that are decorated in the city. Walk the street as you listen to audio of the homes you'll get to see. Board the train back to where you started.

Here are some of the homes on the walk.

Haunted House - opens at ten am (weekends) and eleven am (weekdays) until nine pm. Come and check out the new additions that are sure to have you screaming for more! This has scary things inside and may not be suitable for all ages. I didn't find this scary at all, and spoiler alert......there is nothing inside that will jump out and scare you, so it is geared more for young kids. The Haunted House is next to where you load for the train ride to the decorated home tour.

Here are some pictures of inside the Haunted House.

Even more pictures, and even though it wasn't scary, it was fun, and it was nice to have a partner in crime. I was hoping it would be scary so she would get closer.

Parking is severely restricted, and parking is only available for guests in a paid parking lot. There is a bunch of construction going on, so you must consider this. Weekdays, you can generally find parking in the one lot that is otherwise occupied on weekends by the vendors. The last bus leaves to return to your cars at nine pm, so don't be late. They do have a bag check, and you can check your things there throughout the day until five pm. Suggested donation is $5.

Please note that they cannot guarantee that every activity will happen due to the nature of emergencies and unpredictable situations. The parking lot is located at 1810 Old Portland Road. There is no parking in town for guests or on the waterfront, as in the past. Park and take the shuttle, which runs continuously throughout the day. Parking tickets are available online and save you $$ from onsite payment.

I previously talked about construction here, and this is why.

This new waterfront redevelopment project is right next to where they have all of the activities for Halloweentown. I understand the need for community jobs because this area has been unused for years. In 2015, the City acquired two waterfront properties, the former Veneer Mill site (approximately 24 acres) and the former Paper Mill site (approximately 204 acres). These properties, in conjunction with the City's wastewater treatment plant property (50 acres), make up the three adjacent properties that create the overall Waterfront Redevelopment Project.

About 204 of the total acreage is located close to US 30, presenting the city with a significant opportunity to attract new employers to the area. It is planned to be used as an industrial area.

Halloweentown is worth a visit if you have young kids because they will love it. I would also suggest watching the Disney movie before you go because a lot of the displays here will make more sense.

Places to Stay:

Best Western Oak Meadows Inn

The Lewis River Salmon Shores

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