This fall, the “W” in “Whidbey” will stand for “wicked good time.” Here is a list of events happening around the island for those who yearn for pumpkins, witches and Dirndls year-round.
South Whidbey
On Sept. 28 and 29, the Venture Out Nursery in Langley invites autumn enthusiasts to the Fall Harvest Fest, featuring family-friendly activities such as a pumpkin patch, face painting and photo opportunities as well as cider, treats, fruit trees, fall decor and fall container classes. For more information, visit ventureoutnursery.com.
There’s a bit of everything at the Bayview Community Hall’s Black Cat Ball events, open to people of all ages with admission by donation. From 6 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 18, the Creepy Potluck will feature creepy-themed foods, a silent disco, roller skating and costumes. From 7 p.m. to midnight, grown-ups can enjoy some beer and wine to the sound of DJ music while kids and adults dance in their costumes at the Black Cat Ball. At 8 p.m. on Halloween night, guests can join the Dollz Adoption event featuring candy, music and a selection of cute or creepy dolls painted by a group of local artists, according to Bayview Hall Manager Carie Elder.
From 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Oct. 26, South Whidbey Fire/EMS will host a Trunk or Treat event at the Bayview Station, featuring local heroes such as the Island County Sheriff’s Office, the Langley Police Department and Life Flight. Families are encouraged to show up in costume.
Central Whidbey
From noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 5, the Meerkerk Gardens will take visitors to Bavaria. The Octoberfest and Fall Plant Sale will feature American roots music by the Nathaniel Talbot Trio at noon and the Pickled Herring Band at 2 p.m. Expect beer and traditional German food. Entry is $15 for adults, children under 13 enter for free. Once inside, visitors can walk over 2 miles of trails, admiring the rhododendrons and a rich variety of plants.
The German mania doesn’t stop there. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 19, the Whidbey Saratoga Orchestra will host its very first Oktoberfest event at the Greenbank Farm. The orchestra’s own German Band will perform traditional German symphonies with musical guests.
A beer garden will feature local beers and brats, German sweet treats, games like the Saratoga Sausage Toss, Hammeschlagen (a game where players take turns driving nails into a wooden beam or stump) and masskrugstemmen (that involves holding a one-liter stein of beer with one arm, parallel to the floor, and in front of you for as long as possible). Families with children can also have fun in the family-friendly space with games and crafts. Tickets cost $20 online and $25 at the door. Kids ages 18 and under are free of charge. For more information, visit sowhidbey.com.
The Whidbey Animals’ Improvement Foundation, also known as “WAIF,” is hosting a “Yappy Hour” at 1 p.m. on Oct. 13 at the Captain Whidbey Inn, where guests can enjoy fall flavors with proceeds benefiting the nonprofit. Registration costs $45 per person. Register online at waifanimals.org/yappyhour.
WAIF’s “Treat for Treats” pet food drive takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on Oct. 26. People can drop off a bag of pet food at the Coupeville shelter, located at 60 Park Road, where they will receive a bag of homemade pumpkin pet treats. Pets and owners can show up in costume.
If you “always throw spilt salt over your left shoulder, keep rosemary by your garden gate, plant lavender for luck, and fall in love whenever you can,” Coupeville’s “Practically Magic” is where you need to be Oct. 24-27.
Witches over the age of 21 may gather at 901 North West Alexander St. in Coupeville to flaunt their enchanting fits and sip margaritas, beer and wine while watching the movie that made Coupeville famous around the country and beyond. The fun begins each night at 6 p.m. Attendees will vote for the most bewitching costumes, with prizes available to winners. Fans will also be able to flaunt and put their Practical Magic knowledge to the test with a trivia game, culminating with the movie screening — popcorn included. More information is available at coupevillehistoricwaterfront.com/practicallymagic.
At 5 p.m. on Oct. 26, spooky critters and friendly characters will gather with friends and family at Cook’s Corner Park in Coupeville, where the Torchlight Parade & Street Dance begins at 5:30. The parade will head down Front Street, where local businesses and organizations will hand out candy, and ends with a dance party in front of the wharf featuring DJ Moose, who will play until 7 p.m.
Coupeville’s four days of magic culminate with high-adrenaline and splattering pumpkins on NorthWest Coveland Street. The Great Coupeville Pumpkin Race starts at 2 p.m. on Oct. 27, and participants of all ages can participate with their homemade squash on wheels. A jury will reward the fastest and most creative cruisers.
Autumn is a particularly busy time for the Greenbank Farm. After a successful debut event last year, the Harvest Moon Market is making a comeback to support the 2025 Whidbey Renaissance Faire. From 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 25-28, families and friends can venture in the haunted dungeon, enjoy brews at the beer garden, browse artisan vendors, dance to live music, enjoy carnival games and more. Children under 12 enter free of charge, while older guests pay $12 online and $15 at the gate.
North Whidbey
From 11 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 5, the Hispanic Heritage Festival will bring mariachi music, dancing, entertainment, food and more to Downtown Oak Harbor.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 5, the Oak Harbor Park & Recreation Harvest Festival will include crafts, games, disc golf and food. The event will take place at 51 SE Jerome St.
From noon to 5 p.m. on Oct. 6, the Elks Lodge in Oak Harbor opens its doors to visitors of all ages to venture inside its haunted house. The event also includes photo opportunities with the creatures walking around the lodge, as well as 40 vendors, a witch dance at 2 p.m., indoor trick-or-treat, pizza, ice cream, coffee, kettle corn and hot dogs.
From 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct. 25, Navy families are invited to wear their spooky costumes and join the “Halloween Spooktacular,” taking place at the Navy Exchange on the Seaplane Base. The event features a Trunk or Treat, carnival games, music, activities and more. The top three trunks, voted by attendees at the end of the row, will win a prize. To host a trunk, register at MyFFR #992401-02 or call the Convergence Zone at 360-257-2432.
WAIF is also throwing a Halloween themed “Bowl Dogs and Alley Cats” party at 1 p.m. on Oct. 20. This annual bowling fundraiser takes place at Oak Bowl and Mario’s Pizza, where guests are encouraged to show up in costume. Community members are invited to register at waifanimals.org/lets-bowl, where they can purchase a $20 ticket to enjoy two hours of shoe rental and unlimited bowling as well as an opportunity to win a prize.
From 5 to 7 p.m. on Halloween, the Oak Harbor Main Street Association will host a safe trick or treating event, “No Tricks Safe Treats,” at South East Pioneer Way in Oak Harbor. More information will become available later and can be found at oakharbormainstreet.org.
Whidbey Farm & Market, located at 1422 Monroe Landing Road near Oak Harbor, will keep its doors open until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in October, welcoming families to a nighttime pumpkin patch and corn maze adventure. On the last weekend of the month, the maze will be invaded by zombies.
Families, friends and couples looking to spend more casual quality time and have an excuse to wear flannels and boots for a photoshoot can enjoy a pumpkin patch at various Whidbey locations, including the Whidbey Farm & Market, the Greenbank Farm, the Case Farm, the Bayview Farmers Market, The Farm Stand at K & R Farms and Scenic Isle Farm during business hours.
