Halloween Weekend in Berea: Events & Spotlight Shows

Halloween weekend is here, and we have plenty happening around Berea. From trick-or-treating and outdoor adventures to glass blowing, arts and crafts, and live theater, there are several ways to spend the weekend without leaving town.

One thing I have always enjoyed about Berea is how our community celebrates the holidays. Halloween is no longer just one evening of costumes and candy. Our local businesses, artists, and community organizations have turned it into a season of activities.

This Saturday, October 31, families can enjoy a full day of events around town. Then, on Sunday, November 1, we will close out the weekend with two productions at The Spotlight Playhouse.

Here is what I would put on your calendar.

Saturday, October 31: Halloween Fun Around Berea 🎃

Halloween at the Park, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

For families with young children, Halloween at the Park is a good place to spend Halloween evening.

The celebration takes place at Berea City Park, behind Berea Community School, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Admission is free, and the evening includes fire truck rides, inflatables, a professional photo booth, and local vendors handing out candy.

With several activities in one location, families can bring the kids in costume, collect candy, take pictures, and spend time with friends and neighbors.

The event is scheduled rain or shine, so plan your costumes and clothing with the weather in mind.

Halloween Hike at the Pinnacles, 1:00 p.m.

If your family enjoys the outdoors, the Halloween Hike at the Pinnacles offers a different way to celebrate.

The group hike begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Pinnacles, located at 2047 Big Hill Road in Berea.

The event is open to all ages.

We are fortunate to have the Pinnacles so close to home. I have spent enough time around Berea to know that our natural beauty is one of the things that makes this community special.

A Saturday afternoon hike is a nice way to enjoy the fall weather before the evening’s trick-or-treating activities begin.

For additional details about the hike, check the official listing at Visit Berea.

Make Your Own Blown Glass Pumpkin, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.

For anyone who would rather create something than collect candy, Fire and Fern Glass Studio has a hands-on activity planned.

The Blown Glass Pumpkin session takes place from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. at 217 Adams Street in Berea.

Participants will have the opportunity to craft their own glass pumpkins.

Our arts community gives us something that many towns simply do not have. We can walk into a working studio, meet the people who make the art, and sometimes try the craft ourselves.

I encourage anyone interested to check the official Visit Berea listing for registration, fees, and participation requirements before heading to the studio.

Sweet Treats and Spooky Savings, 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Modern Zen Candle Company is also getting into the Halloween spirit.

Located at 110 Center Street, the shop is offering Sweet Treats & Spooky Savings from 11:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The event includes Halloween-themed specials.

With so many activities taking place around town, Saturday is also a good opportunity to support our locally owned businesses.

If you are visiting the shops along Adams Street or Artisan Way, consider making another stop along Chestnut Street or Center Street. These areas are close enough that you can visit several businesses during the same outing.

Every purchase at a local business helps support the people who work here, and taxable purchases help keep sales tax revenue circulating in our local economy.

During busy festival and holiday weekends, those extra customers can make a real difference to a small business.

Berea Learnshops Bring More Creative Opportunities 🎨

Halloween is not the only thing happening this weekend. We are also beginning the first of three weekends of Berea Learnshops.

These hands-on workshops give people a chance to learn directly from craftspeople and try something they may never have done before.

Saturday’s sessions include:

Stained Glass Masquerade Mask with Nikki Noel: 9:00 a.m. to noon at Berea City Hall.
Watercolor Cabbage and Turtle with Pat Banks: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 200 Artisan Way.
Plaited Brooms: Stalk Weaving on Hand Brooms with Amannda Lee Lazorchack: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 633 Chestnut Street.
Beginner Punch Rug with Beth Johnson: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 633 Chestnut Street.
Stained Glass 3D Pumpkins with Nikki Noel: 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Berea Arts Council, 212 Chestnut Street.

The variety is impressive. We have painting, stained glass, broom making, and textile crafts all happening in one day.

These workshops are part of what has helped Berea build its reputation as an arts community. We are not simply selling handmade products. We are helping people understand the skills and work that go into creating them.

For workshop registration, fees, and availability, visit the official listings at Visit Berea.

Start Saturday Morning in Berea 🚶

Before the Halloween activities begin, we have a couple of familiar Saturday traditions worth mentioning.

The Berea Farmers Market will be operating Saturday morning at the Chestnut Street Pavilion, 635 Chestnut Street. It is a good place to begin the weekend while supporting area growers and producers.

For those looking for a more active start, the Berea Runners weekly group run meets at 8:00 a.m. in the Native Bagel Company parking lot.

If you are planning several stops on Saturday, think about grouping them by location. The Farmers Market, Berea City Hall, and several Learnshop locations are along the Chestnut Street corridor.

From there, you can head toward Old Town for the studios and shops around Adams Street and Artisan Way. You can also fit in a stop at Center Street before heading to Berea City Park for the evening activities.

A little planning can save unnecessary trips across town, especially for families with young children.

Sunday, November 1: Two Shows at The Spotlight Playhouse 🎭

After Saturday’s celebrations, we are not quite finished with Halloween at The Spotlight Playhouse.

We will wrap up our Halloween weekend on Sunday, November 1, with two performances at our theater at 214 Richmond Road in Berea.

Zombie Night: The Musical, Final Performance

First, we have the final performance of Zombie Night: The Musical.

Sunday is the closing day of our production, so this will be the last opportunity to see it.

If you have been meaning to catch the show, now is the time to make your plans. You can find the Sunday performance time and ticket information on the official show page at thespotlightplayhouse.com.

Have a Nice Doomsday, 4:00 p.m.

Then, at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, we will present Have A Nice Doomsday, an end-of-the-world comedy about a family gathering for Thanksgiving on what may be Earth’s final day.

These two productions give our audiences another way to enjoy the Halloween Season after the trick-or-treating is finished.

As Executive Director, I get to see how much work goes into bringing a show to the stage. Our performers, directors, and production teams put in many hours preparing for the performances our audiences enjoy.

Live theater also gives us an opportunity to spend time together without a screen between us. There is something special about sitting in an audience and sharing the experience with the people around you.

Both productions take place at The Spotlight Playhouse, 214 Richmond Road, Berea.

For show details and tickets, visit thespotlightplayhouse.com.

Make Halloween Weekend Your Own 🎉

With so much happening around Berea, you can build a weekend around your family’s interests and schedule.

You could begin Saturday at the Farmers Market, head to the Pinnacles for the afternoon hike, and finish with Halloween at the Park.

You might prefer spending the day learning a new craft, shopping along Chestnut Street, or making a glass pumpkin in Old Town.

If Saturday is already full, Sunday offers another opportunity to enjoy the weekend with us at The Spotlight Playhouse.

What stands out to me is how many different parts of Berea are involved. Our artists, small businesses, community groups, and performers all contribute to the weekend.

And with events spread between Chestnut Street, Old Town, Berea City Park, and the Richmond Road corridor, there is plenty of reason to spend some time exploring our own community.

I hope you will take advantage of what is happening, support a few local businesses and organizations, and enjoy Halloween weekend right here in Berea.

Sources

✍️ About the Author

Dr. Chad Hembree (Mr. Chad) is the Executive Director of the Spotlight Playhouse and Spotlight Acting School. With a background in both vocal performance and theater arts, he has been heavily involved in the Berea performing arts scene for over four decades. He also publishes the local news site, BereaOnline.com.

Upcoming Community and Theater Events

Tickets and info for all shows: thespotlightplayhouse.com

This article originally appeared on BereaOnline.com.

Halloween Weekend in Berea Brings Family Fun, Fall Crafts, and Two Final Sunday Shows at The Spotlight Playhouse 🎃