Spooky Week at the BOOtanical Center"Spooky Week at the BOOtanical Center" banner graphic with a black bat illustration on the left and a spider dangling from a web on the right. Text reads: Oct 26-30, 2026, extension.usu.edu/davis. USU Botanical Center and Utah State University logos in the bottom right corner.

Spooky Week at the BOOtanical Center is a week of low-key, come-when-you-can activities intertwined with classes, lectures, and hands-on workshops, all built around getting outside, being crafty, and connecting with your community. Soak up the crisp fall air while you wander the garden at your own pace, try a haunted hopscotch course or a scary scavenger hunt, catch story time or a fall color walk through the arboretum, and join us as the week wraps up with a unique Trunk-or-Treat, where community partners turn the trunks of actual trees (not cars) into treat stops throughout the arboretum.

This week-long spooky celebration is for families, gardeners, and anyone looking to find small moments of connection. Slow down, enjoy the changing leaves, and take part in a little community magic. Most activities are free. A few classes require registration and may have a small fee. All ticketed events have limited space, so if you can no longer attend, please contact us so we can open the space to someone else. 

Register for all activities on Eventbrite

If you need help registering for any event, please call us at 801-499-5370.

  • Gather & Grow - Pumpkins, Petals, and Play
    •  Monday, Oct. 26 | 6-7:30 PM | Ticket required | $17/person
    •  An adult craft night for reconnecting with your inner child: As we age, most of us swap silliness for busyness. Research shows that adults who engage in playful activities often cope better with stress, feel more positive emotions, and show greater resilience. Join us for an evening of fun as we modpodge mini pumpkins with dried flowers and greenery, and remember that being an adult doesn't mean Halloween, or any other time of the year, has to be all business. What to expect: hands-on pumpkin decorating, a few playful prompts to spark conversation, and plenty of time to snack, chat, and just enjoy yourself. Come hungry- our trick-or-treat table will be stocked with treats and beverages, and yes, you're absolutely allowed to take more than one.

  • Spooktacular Snacks: Reducing Food Waste
    • Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 4:30 PM | Ticket required | FREE
    • Join us for an after-school snack of Ghost Pops and Monster Mouths! The only thing we're scaring away during this Spooky Week activity is food waste. Kids and their grown-ups will create creepy-cute and delicious snacks from bananas and apples, and take home simple tips for making food go further all year long.

  • Leaf Peeping with Jerry - A Fall Foliage Walk
    • Tuesday, Oct. 27 | 5:30 PM | Ticket required | FREE

    • Join Botanical Center Director Jerry Goodspeed for a guided walk through our arboretum, home to almost 600 different trees. He'll explain why leaves change color and point out the trees that bring reliable fall color to a home landscape. Bring a camera, wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the outdoors and come enjoy the season.

  • Little Witch's Cauldron Kid's Craft
    • Wedneday, Oct. 28 | 11 AM | Ticket required | More details coming soon

  • Build a BOOtiful Bat Box
    • Wednesday, Oct. 28 | 6 PM | Ticket required | $20/person
    • Join us for a hands-on workshop and build your own bat box to take home, giving these cool nighttime creatures a habitat right in your yard.

  • Trunk-or-Treat in the Enchanted Arboretum
    • Friday, Oct. 30th | 3-5 PM | Ticket not required, but encouraged. It will help us plan and ensure we have enough swag and treats for participants. 
    • NOT your typical Trunk-or-Treat. This year, we're adding a BOOtanical twist to this classic gathering by taking our treats to the trunks of the trees!
      Instead of a parking lot, our community partners will be set up with tables throughout the arboretum, handing out candy and goodies as you wander the grounds. Select trees will be dressed up for the occasion - envision enchanted, a little spooky, but not scary. A whole lot of fun, and perfect for all ages. Kids (and adults!) are welcome to come in costume. Friendly, leashed pets in costume are welcome too!

For questions about accessibility or to request accommodations, please contact the event organizer, Emma Parkhurst, at emma.parkhurst@usu.edu prior to the event.

Halloween party invitation: "Join us for Spooky Week at the BOOtanical Center, Oct 26-30, 2026." A cartoon ghost wearing an orange beanie holds an iced drink, with a spider on top of its hat and bats flying around it. A spiderweb decorates the top left corner. Text lists activities: Halloween Story Time, Spooky Scavenger Hunt, Halloween-themed Hopscotch, Fall Foliage Tour, Community Trunk-or-Treat, Hands-on Workshops, and more. Address: 80 E. 725 S. Kaysville, UT, extension.usu.edu. USU Botanical Center and Utah State University logos in the bottom left corner.

   Poster for Trunk or Treat in the BOOtanical Center Arboretum on October 30, 3 to 5 PM, at 875 S. 50 W., Kaysville, UT. Large orange "TRUNK" sits above "OR TREAT" in black. On the right, an illustrated tree trunk with googly eyes and exposed roots has two jack-o'-lanterns and candy resting at its base. Text reads: "Join us at the USU Botanical Center for Trunk or Treat with a twist: our 'trunks' are actual trees, decorated by community partners. Scan the QR code to learn more!" A QR code and logos for USU Extension Davis County, 4-H, and the USU Botanical Center appear at the bottom.
















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