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Shop Halloween Deals →Every October, the St. Louis area pulses with Halloween energy from haunted mazes to neighborhood parades.
But in 2025, one of the most talked-about happenings is the CWE Street Party + Parade in the Central West End. (Yes, the parade is real, not just rumors.)
I’ll guide you through the parades, street events, and all you need to know: dates, routes, how to get involved, and where to watch.
Parade & Street Events at a Glance
| Event Name | Date / Time | Location / Route | Highlights / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CWE Halloween Street Party & Parade | Oct 25, 11:00 AM – Midnight | Central West End (McPherson → Maryland Plaza, Euclid Ave) | Kid parade, dog parade, costume contests, live music |
| Westport Plaza Halloween Parade | Oct 23, 6:00 PM | Westport Plaza, St. Louis | Free neighborhood parade in Westport area |
| Bethalto Halloween Parade | Oct 27, 6:30 PM | Bethalto, IL | Local community parade in Bethalto region |
| Edwardsville Halloween Parade | Oct 31, 6:30 PM | Edwardsville, IL | Floats, bands, community procession |
| Alton Downtown Halloween Parade | Oct 31, 7:00 PM | Broadway Street, Alton, IL | One of the older regional parades, floats + costumed marchers |
History & Origins
The CWE Street Party + Parade began as a neighborhood Halloween gathering, but over time evolved into a full-blown street party with a parade for children and dogs. In recent years, the adult costume contest has drawn regional attention.
Other suburban parades (Bethalto, Edwardsville, Alton) date back decades as community traditions. The Edwardsville parade, for example, has used the same core route through Schwarz Street, St. Louis Street, and North Main for years.
These parades are organized locally by municipal governments, civic clubs, or downtown associations. Their roots lie in bringing neighborhoods together for family-friendly Halloween fun.
Date, Time & Route Details
CWE Street Party + Parade (St. Louis, MO)
- Date & Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025, from 11:00 AM to Midnight
- Parade Start: Children’s Parade begins on McPherson Avenue, heading toward Maryland Plaza.
- Dog Parade: Begins ~1:00 PM from the same route (McPherson → Maryland)
- Street Party + Adult Costume Contest: Evening performances, drag shows, music, fire dancers; contest begins 8:00 PM. Entry opens 6:00 PM behind main stage. Prizes: $2,500 for first, $1,000 second, $500 third.
Westport Plaza Halloween Parade
- Date & Time: Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 6:00 PM
- Route: Begins at Westport Plaza (111 Westport Plaza Drive, St. Louis) and follows local roads around the plaza area.
- Details: Free event, community-focused, family audience.
How to Participate in St Louis Halloween Events
If you’re itching to do more than just watch, good news most local parades and street parties welcome community participation.
CWE Street Party + Parade allows kids and pet owners to join without registration. Simply arrive 30 minutes before start time near McPherson and Euclid with your costumes ready. Volunteers help line up families and pups by category.
For the adult costume contest, pre-registration opens on the CWE Scene website in early October. Spots fill quickly because the top winners walk away with serious cash prizes.
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Shop Halloween Deals →Suburban parades such as Bethalto or Edwardsville often require short online forms through their municipal sites. There’s no entry fee for individuals or small groups, but commercial floats must apply weeks in advance.
If you’d rather help behind the scenes, each event lists volunteer openings from crowd guides to cleanup teams. It’s a fun way to meet locals while earning community hours.
Viewing Tips & Best Spots
Want great photos and less elbow bumping? Then planning matters.
For the CWE Parade, the most photogenic spots are around Maryland Plaza and Euclid Avenue, where floats slow down and lighting is perfect near sunset. Families usually gather earlier along McPherson Avenue, since it’s calmer and close to restrooms.
At Edwardsville, position yourself near the Main Street curve it’s where performers pause for photos. For Alton’s evening parade, West Broadway offers clear street lighting, while the hill near 9th Street gives a full view of approaching floats.
Accessibility: curb ramps and designated wheelchair zones are available in the CWE and Edwardsville areas. Bring folding chairs or small blankets; standing through long parades can tire even the bravest ghost.
Weather tip late October nights in St. Louis can dip below 50°F, so a layered costume is smarter than face-paint bravery.
Costumes and 2025 Themes
Halloween in St. Louis is as creative as it gets. Every year has its own flavor.
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Shop Halloween Deals →The CWE Street Party has no official 2025 theme yet, but locals are already predicting movie tributes and pop-culture mashups think Inside Out 2, Deadpool & Wolverine, or Barbiecore meets Horror.
Pet owners join the famous Dog Parade, dressing pups as hotdogs, dragons, or superheroes. Judges love group themes, so coordinating your costume with your pet or partner increases your chances of winning.
For the more traditional parades, family-friendly designs dominate pumpkins, witches, skeletons, and superhero families. Costumes involving glow sticks or LED details are popular for safety during night events.
Entertainment & Highlights
The Central West End becomes a full-scale outdoor festival DJs spin electronic sets, local bands perform rock covers, and live entertainers roam the streets. Fire dancers and LED performers make the crowd gasp long before the costume contest begins.
Westport Plaza’s parade stays smaller but livelier for kids, followed by pumpkin-carving booths and trick-or-treat stations in nearby shops.
Grant’s Farm Halloween Nights, running through late October, adds glowing trails and haunted light shows. Families can enjoy wagon rides and meet animatronic creatures amid safe, walk-through exhibits.
Six Flags St. Louis Fright Fest (Sept 13 – Nov 2, 2025) continues to draw thrill-seekers. Haunted houses, scare zones, and nighttime roller coasters bring a high-energy vibe. Kids Boo Fest runs in the daytime for younger visitors.
| Event | Type | Dates | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|---|
| CWE Street Party | Street festival + parade | Oct 25 | Live bands, drag shows, costume contests |
| Grant’s Farm Halloween Nights | Light trail event | Oct 2–30 | Walk-through illumination + family rides |
| Six Flags Fright Fest | Amusement park Halloween | Sep 13 – Nov 2 | Haunted mazes, coasters, day kids fest |
| City Museum Fright at the Museum | Indoor haunted museum | Oct 1 – 26 | Art exhibits + Halloween decor |
| Westport Plaza Parade | Community parade | Oct 23 | Trick-or-treat, local performers |
Travel & Accommodation Tips
If you’re visiting from outside Missouri, St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) is about 20 minutes from most major Halloween venues. From there, Uber, MetroLink, or car rentals make the city easy to explore.
For convenience, stay within the Central West End or Downtown St. Louis both packed with boutique hotels like The Chase Park Plaza Royal Sonesta, Angad Arts Hotel, or Drury Plaza St. Louis at the Arch. Prices climb the weekend of Oct 25, so early booking saves money.
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Shop Halloween Deals →Visitors heading to Edwardsville or Alton parades can base themselves near the Mississippi Riverfront, where motels offer easier parking and lower nightly rates.
Parking around CWE on Halloween weekend can test your patience; I’ve spent 30 minutes circling before settling 10 blocks away. Take the MetroLink to Central West End Station instead it drops you a short walk from Euclid Avenue.
Food & Local Experiences
You can’t celebrate Halloween on an empty stomach, right?
During the CWE event, nearby restaurants turn the evening into a culinary treat. Brasserie by Niche serves special pumpkin-spiced cocktails, while Evangeline’s Bistro offers Cajun small plates and live music.
For quick bites, food trucks line Maryland Plaza tacos, caramel apples, kettle corn, and the essential apple cider. After the parade, many attendees bar-hop between Up-Down Arcade Bar and The Tenderloin Room.
Those visiting Edwardsville should stop by Cleveland-Heath for fall-inspired dishes, while Alton visitors swear by Morrison’s Irish Pub for post-parade drinks.
If you have time before leaving town, the Soulard Farmers Market (open Saturdays) sells local pumpkins, gourds, and handmade décor perfect for your porch.
Safety & Rules for Halloween Events in St Louis
Crowds, lights, and excitement can quickly turn chaotic, so it helps to know the rules before heading out.
All official Halloween events in St. Louis and surrounding towns maintain strict safety measures. Bag checks are common at the CWE Street Party, especially during the evening costume contest. Glass bottles, alcohol (outside designated bars), weapons, and large props are prohibited.
Families should keep an eye on kids during parades, as floats and moving vehicles require distance. Reflective tape on costumes and battery-powered glow sticks are smart after-sunset precautions.
At events like Six Flags Fright Fest and Grant’s Farm Halloween Nights, no full-face masks are allowed for adults, and props resembling weapons are banned. Pets are welcome only at designated parades (such as the CWE Dog Parade).
Security officers and first-aid tents are stationed throughout the main venues. And yes, there are portable restrooms plenty of them, though the lines may test your patience.
Photography & Social Media Tips
If you love capturing the Halloween atmosphere, St. Louis gives you endless photo opportunities.
The best lighting for parade shots is between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM, when the sun hits low across Euclid Avenue or St. Louis Street in Edwardsville. For night events, adjust your camera or phone to a higher ISO (800–1600) and stabilize your hand for cleaner results.
Avoid flash during performances; it ruins ambiance and annoys performers. Instead, use nearby light sources like glowing floats or lanterns to add natural contrast.
When posting on Instagram or TikTok, tag official handles like #CWEHalloween, #StLouisHalloween, #FrightFestSTL, and #GrantFarmNights local organizers often feature user photos on their official pages.
And remember, always ask for consent before photographing children or pets in costume. A smile and quick “Mind if I take a shot?” goes a long way.
Conclusion
Halloween in St. Louis 2025 is shaping up to be a citywide celebration of lights, laughter, and creativity. From the colorful CWE Street Parade to family-friendly suburban routes in Edwardsville, Alton, and Bethalto, every neighborhood adds its twist to October’s magic.
Whether you’re chasing spooky thrills at Six Flags Fright Fest or sharing cider under the lights of Maryland Plaza, you’ll find the perfect mix of nostalgia and fun. Plan early, dress boldly, and bring a sense of humor because no city does Halloween quite like St. Louis.
FAQs
Yes, all parades, including the CWE event, Bethalto, Edwardsville, and Alton, are free to attend. Some afterparties or contests may have optional entry fees.
No ticket is needed to enter the main event area, but food, drinks, or VIP viewing zones may have separate costs.
Dogs are welcome only during the CWE Dog Parade, held in the afternoon. Outside that time, pets should remain at home for safety.
Limited parking is available around Maryland Plaza and nearby garages. For convenience, use MetroLink to Central West End Station or park several blocks away and walk.
Absolutely. Morning and afternoon parades focus on families. Evening shows and parties may be 18+ or 21+, so check the event page before attending.
Outside food is allowed for kids’ events, but alcohol cannot be carried into public streets. Licensed bars serve drinks in the adult sections.
Arriving at least 45 minutes before start time ensures a good spot. By sunset, streets get packed.
Most parades, including Edwardsville’s, run rain or shine unless conditions are unsafe. Organizers update status via social pages around 5:00 PM.