October is one of those months filled with nostalgia. For me, many of those memories focus on Halloween.
I had so many awesome costumes throughout the years, from 50’s poodle skirt girls to Ms. Frizzle, and Trick or Treat was always a highlight of my entire year.
Like everything else in 2020, this year’s festivities will be a little different. Not all families will be participating in door-to-door trick or treating, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t still some fun ways to celebrate.
Governor DeWine and the Ohio Department of Health recommend that Ohioans exercise caution when deciding whether or not to participate in trick-or-treating or other events that put them in close contact with people outside of their households. The CDC has listed traditional trick-or-treating as a high-risk activity.
Halloween celebrations this year will not look like those in years past. Face coverings must be worn, social distancing should be practiced, large groups should be avoided. And stay home if you are sick.
— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) September 17, 2020
If you are going out to celebrate Halloween, face coverings should be worn and you should adhere to social distancing. There is a lot to consider when making these holiday decisions with your family, so be sure to read the Ohio Department of Health’s Halloween guidelines here.
2020 Central Ohio Trick-or-Treat Times
Thursday, October 29
- Bexley: 5:30-7:30 p.m.
- Canal Winchester: 5:30-7 p.m.
- Columbus: 6-8 p.m.
- Dublin: 6-8 p.m.
- Gahanna: 6-8 p.m.
- Grove City: 6-8 p.m.
- Groveport: 5:30-7 p.m.
- Hilliard: 6-8 p.m.
- New Albany: 6-8 p.m.
- Obetz: 6-8 p.m.
- Pickerington: 6-8 p.m.
- Reynoldsburg: 6-8 p.m.
- Upper Arlington: 6-8 p.m.
- Westerville: 6-8 p.m.
- Whitehall: 6-8 p.m.
- Worthington: 6-8 p.m.
Saturday, October 31
- Delaware: 6-8 p.m.
- Powell: 6-8 p.m.
If you’re looking for some alternatives to traditional trick-or-treating, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention has some fantastic low-risk suggestions. Here are some alternatives to going door-to-door that will help keep your family safe, per the CDC.
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house
As our cases continue to climb in Ohio, specifically Franklin County, it’s so important to remember to practice good hand hygiene, social distancing, and to always wear a mask when out in public. Participating in Trick-or-Treat is a decision that every family will have to make for themselves, but those who do should be prepared to do it as safely as possible.
For more resources about Halloween safety during the pandemic, keep scrolling.
- Columbus Public Health COVID-19 Dashboard and COVID-19 Halloween Guidelines (PDF)
- Franklin County Public Health COVID-19 Dashboard
- Responsible Ohio Restart Plan and COVID-19 Halloween guildines (PDF)
