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What To Do On Halloween (When You Hate Halloween)

Posted on October 29, 2025
Rob Thomas

Rob Thomas

A woman in a blue dress with pink butterflies in her hair lying on a bed.

Comedian Nicole Byer headlines this weekend at the Comedy Club on State, including two Halloween shows. (Photo courtesy of Comedy Club on State)

Do you want to hear something really scary? On the City Cast Madison podcast today, we look ahead to Halloween, as host Bianca Martin talks to Lisa Van Buskirk and Mike Huberty of Madison Ghost Walks about our city’s most haunted spots, from the Capitol to the Orpheum Theater.

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Boo! Madison’s Iconic Buildings Are Haunted

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But while many of us love carving pumpkins and dressing up, there are a hardy few of us who do not get into Halloween. We don’t understand you, but we see you. So here’s a fun-sized list of things to do on Halloween in Madison that have zero spookiness.

The popular comedian and actor (and host of my favorite cooking show, Netflix’s “Nailed It!”), haunts the Comedy Club on State this weekend. Both shows on Halloween night still have tickets available.

The zoo welcomed a new male polar bear, the 1,200-pound Siku, last week. Come to our free zoo and say “hi” as he gets used to his new digs and meets the zoo’s female polar bear, Berit. Another female bear, Nora, will also arrive once the government reopens and the zoo can apply for transportation permits.

The veteran pop-punk band hits The Sylvee Oct. 31 in support of its 10th album, “Everybody’s Talking!” Regular tickets are sold out, which is a little scary, but there looks to be plenty of resale tickets available through Live Nation and other third-party sites.

The James Watrous Gallery at the Overture Center is premiering two new art exhibits Oct. 31 that will run through the rest of the year, featuring Milwaukee artists Warren King and Anamarie America Edwards.

The Bartell currently has a “Dracula” play in production, but if that’s too scary, check out Madison Shakespeare Company’s new production “Women Beware Women,” a 17th-century tragedy by Thomas Middleton.

Instead of making yourself sick from eating too much candy, head to the Villager Mall on S. Park Street for the last South Madison Farmers Market of the year. Fresh produce, meats, flower bouquets and more will be available.

The UW-Madison women’s hockey game Halloween night is sold out, but tickets are still available to see the Capitols host the Grand Rapids RoughRiders on the ice.

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