Halloweentown Will Be Your New Obsession: A Guide To The Spirit of Halloweentown - Her Jolie Journey (2024)

OMG, did my childhood self geek out when I found out the Halloween movie series that had me glued to the TV actually existed!!! I mean, who wouldn’t want to be in the midst of all that Disney channel original movie magic and see the Spirit of Halloweentown right in front of their eyes? October just got a whole lot better!

This guide to the Spirit of Halloweentown has everything you need to plan a hauntingly good trip. We’re talking all the ghostly fun you can handle. So grab your broomstick and get ready for a wicked adventure in this spirited town!

*Stick around until the end to find Bella Swan’s house from Twilight!

Looking for a town that’s straight out of a Halloween movie? Look no further than St. Helens, Oregon! This charming little place is where they shot many scenes from “Halloweentown,” so it’s only fitting that they hold a month-long festival each year to celebrate everything spooky.

The “Spirit of Halloweentown” is packed with fun Halloweentown-themed events, kicking off on October 1st. From bewitching decorations to eerie ghost tours and everything in between, St. Helens is the place to be for Halloween enthusiasts.

Best way to get here? Portland is located just 28.6 miles south of St. Helens, so you’ll want to book a flight there and rent a car. There is an option to take a public bus to St. Helens, and you can find the locations of those bus stations here.

• WHEN IS HALLOWEENTOWN OPEN?The 2023 Schedule is coming soon, but the dates outlined on the official website are September 16 – October 31, 2023. Official website can be found here.
• BEST TIME TO GO?The weekends are going to be the most busy, so if you want to skips the crowds and chaotic parking and capture some photos visit on a weekday. If you want to catch the attractions those are only available on Saturdays and Sundays.
• HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?It is FREE to walk around and check out popular scenes from the movie, but if you want to check out the fun attractions they have (more on that below) tickets start at $25.
• WHAT IS THE WEATHER LIKE THAT TIME OF YEAR?It’s no secret Oregon gets a lot of rain, so make sure to pack for wet weather. The average temperature this time of year is 65°F.
• WHAT DOES THE PARKING SITUATION LOOK LIKE?Parking is completely free on weekdays throughout town! If you’re looking for a spot, head on over to S 1st Street St. Helens, OR 97051 and you’ll find lots of parking available in the City Lots. On weekends you will need to pay for parking. It’s just $15 to park if you buy your ticket online ahead of time, and if you’re a last-minute kind of person, don’t worry, you can still park onsite for $20. Just head to 1810 Old Portland Road in St. Helens and hop on the shuttle to the event – you can ride it anytime once you’re in the lot.
• IS IT DOG FRIENDLY?Yes, but your dog must be well-behaved and kept on a leash at all times. Some attractions are not dog-friendly.

Looks like St. Helens, Oregon is a die-hard movie fan! They love the setup of this popular flick so much that they recreate it every year, just for the entertainment of the masses. The iconic pumpkin is the star of the show and is hard to miss. It can be found in the town plaza. And guess what? If traveling around for iconic movie locations is your thing, then you hit the jackpot! This city has a map in the town center that guides visitors on where to go.

I have also included a list of popular spots you’ll find here down below:

• BIG PUMPKIN: Located in front of City Hall in Halloweentown Plaza, 275 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
• BENNY’S CAB:Halloweentown Plaza
• BUS STOP:Halloweentown Plaza
• CITY HALL: 275 Strand Street, St. Helens, OR 97051
• COLUMBIA THEATER:212 S 1st Street, St. Helens, OR 97051

The attractions here are open on Saturdays and Sundays. Costume contests? Check! Meet and greets with the stars of “Halloweentown”? Check! But wait, there’s more! Parades and other surprises await you. Here are some other attractions you can expect to find here:

• Sand Island Adventure Boat Ride
• Big Foot Hunt
• Whispers on the Water Train Ride
• The Great Big Halloween Exhibit
• The Alien Interview and Museum of Peculiarities & Oddities Includes Blue Story Card

The hours of each of these attractions do vary. For details check out the official website here. AND don’t miss out on the special events they have scheduled for this 2023 Halloween season here.

Tickets cost $25 per person or you can purchase a $100 Big Family Pass for up to 6 people.

You will find plenty of cute, local shops around the town square that are worth checking out. We really enjoyed popping into 2CS Vendor Mall, an antique shop that is filled with over 70 vendors! Keep in mind this lovely little shop is closes at 5 PM on Sunday – Wednesday and 7 PM on Thursday – Saturday.

Stick around to see where you can find Aggie Cromwell’s House and Bella Swan’s house from Twilight!

Want to add some more magic to your trip to the Spirit of Halloweentown? Check out Bella Swan’s house while you’re here. Yep, THE Bella from Twilight! Bonus points: it’s just a short distance from the Spirit of Halloweentown location. Make your way over to 184 S 6th Street in Saint Helens, Oregon to catch a peek.

*This is an active Airbnb property, so be respectful and snap a quick photo from an appropriate distance.

And if you are looking for more fall destinations, check out my local Wyoming guide here.