Legend of Sleepy Howell in October 2015. This archive image shows a past event. Photo: Joshua Young (Joshuay04) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for the web.

Howell’s downtown Halloween outing is set for Saturday, October 17, and families can turn up for the afternoon trick-or-treating without buying a ticket or registering ahead.

Legend of Sleepy Howell runs from 3 to 5 p.m. along Clinton Street near the Fire & Ice Pavilion. Howell Recreation lists free trick-or-treating plus Halloween and fall activities, with a superhero theme for 2026.

Plan your afternoon

• 3 to 5 p.m.: Free downtown trick-or-treating.
• 5:30 p.m.: Monster Mile starts near State and Clinton streets.
• 6 p.m.: Headless Horseman 5K starts.

The races require separate registration. Howell Recreation currently lists $20 for the mile and $35 for the 5K; check registration for the current total and any additional fees.

What families need to know

No signup is required for the trick-or-treating. The organizer’s candy-vendor booth fee applies to participating vendors, not families coming for candy.

Open the Sleepy Howell calendar listing for the event location and calendar options.

Running that evening?

Howell Recreation welcomes walkers, strollers, assistive devices and dogs on six-foot leashes. Early packet pickup is listed for October 14 through 16 at Oceola Community Center, 1661 N. Latson Road, during its regular hours.

Use the official Sleepy Howell page for family activities, race registration and volunteer links. Race prices and pickup details are also listed on Howell Recreation’s special-events page.

Details checked September 28, 2026.

Source: Howell Area Parks & Recreation Authority