HighBall Halloween is the nation’s most elaborate costume party. Staged in the fashion capital of Columbus, this annual event for the Halloween season bridges runway style with the culture of the Short North Arts District. At HighBall Halloween, you are what you wear!

This year’s event will feature:

• A chance for the public to win cash prizes during the Public Costume Contest
• Hosts Virginia West and NBC4’s Matt Barnes and Joe Speir, along with additional surprise guests
• Performances by Fleetwood Gold, Virginia West & The West Family, Anna and the Annadroids, Doomsdale High, Sarah Cowan, Short North Stage, and The Amazing Giants
• Seven talented designers competing for a cash prize in the Costume Couture Fashion Show
• …and more! Find the latest updates on our Event Schedule page

Weapons and Props Policy

The 2025 event will take place on Saturday, October 25 from 6pm to midnight.

HighBall Halloween is held in the Short North Arts District. The event will take place on High Street, from Goodale Street to Nationwide Boulevard.

Review the latest information about Transportation, Parking and Street Closures.

The closest garages to the HighBall Halloween event are Vine Street Garage (37 Vine St.), Joseph Garage (33 W Russell St.), and Goodale Garage (70 E Goodale St.). There are also many options for street parking, public transit, and rideshare services nearby. Learn more about parking in the Short North.

HighBall Halloween will have four points of entry:

• Continental Tower Entrance: northern-most entrance, located at High St. and E Goodale St.
  • Nearest parking garages: Joseph Garage (33 W Russell St.) and Goodale Garage (70 E Goodale St.)
• Goodwill Columbus Entrance: southern-most entrance, located at High St. and Convention Center Dr.
  • Nearest parking garages: Vine Street Garage (37 Vine St.)
• Experience Columbus Entrance: southwest entrance, located at Vine St. and Wall St.
• Swan Entrance: northwest entrace, located at Swan St. and Wall St.

Highball Halloween and the Short North Alliance are committed to making our community events accessible and welcoming for all. By offering free attendance and creating a safe, inclusive atmosphere, HighBall Halloween ensures that everyone, regardless of background, can join in the experience. Attendees under the age of 18 are unfortunately not permitted unless accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. 

PARKING: ADA and standard parking is available for purchase at the Vine Street Garage, which is located at 37 Vine St. Other nearby parking is also available, though Vine Street Garage is the closest location.

ACCESSIBLE RESTROOMS: There will be accessible restrooms at every area where standard restrooms are available.

ACCESSIBLE VIEWING: Accessible Viewing is available on a first come, first served basis at HighBall Halloween. This viewing is intended for fans that use mobility devices and is limited. You will need a wristband to access this area, please go to the Info tent when you arrive to see our staff (located on both the north and south ends of the event). Because this space is limited we ask fans to be mindful with any companion accompanying them.

MOBILITY DEVICES: HighBall Halloween welcomes patrons with mobility devices to our festivals. Please use the Access Lane at the gate when entering. Power wheelchairs and three or four-wheeled mobility scooters are allowed for use by people with mobility disabilities. Manually powered mobility aids, such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes, braces, knee scooters, are allowed. For safety reasons, powered mobility devices that move faster than a walking speed, or are heavier and larger than a wheelchair or scooter, including two-wheeled scooters, golf carts, or all-terrain vehicles, are not allowed. We ask those patrons that use powered mobility devices to do so at a safe speed, approximately walking speed.

PLEASE NOTE: Highball staff cannot provide personal assistance to patrons, including patrons using mobility devices.

Proceeds from HighBall Halloween go to support the Short North Alliance (SNA), a 501(c)3 non-­profit organization serving both the property owners and business owners of the Short North Arts District and the 5th and 4th Special Improvement District. HighBall Halloween helps to underwrite the programs and activities of the Short North Alliance, including clean and safe initiatives, promotions, holiday campaigns, public art installations, and initiatives to support inclusion, diversity, equity, and access. Learn more about the Short North Alliance and Short North Arts District at ShortNorth.org.

Alcoholic beverages can only be consumed within Potion Patios, their respective venues, or the El Vaquero VIP Party held in Arnold Plaza. Vendors including Good Liar and food trucks will be selling non-alcoholic beverages which are permitted to be consumed throughout the event boundaries.

If you’re traveling to HighBall Halloween, book with our official partner: Hampton Inn & Suites Columbus-Downtown. Located at 501 N High St., you can’t beat this proximity to the event! Hampton Inn guests can easily access the event at the Swan Street entrance.

Explore additional Short North hotel and lodging offerings.

General Admission:

• Free to the public

Weekend Access Pass:
Enjoy free general admission to HighBall Halloween, or grab a Weekend Access Pass Wristband to enjoy savings on food and drinks at Potion Patios throughout the evening…and at Official Partner Events throughout the weekend!

• Early Bird: $10, ends October 19
• Timely Bird: $15, ends October 24
• Day-Of: $20

VIP Access:
Upgrade your HighBall Halloween experience with VIP Access! You’ll get access to the El Vaquero VIP Party in Arnold Plaza along with a complimentary drink ticket, private bar access, indoor restrooms, a VIP lounge with seating, and more! You also get all the Weekend Access Pass perks.

• Early Bird: $90, ends October 19
• Timely Bird: $100, ends October 24
• Day-Of: $110
• Limited availability

FCCFA Spooky Suites:
For the ultimate HighBall Halloween experience, reserve a Spooky Suite for up to 20 guests. This exclusive package includes a private cabana with a 10 x 10’ tent, tantalizing complimentary hors d’oeuvres, food and cocktail service with two complimentary drink tickets per guest, and all of the amenities of VIP Access. You’ll have a can’t-be-beat view of the runway and platform stages, and the envy of all other attendees.

• $2,500+
• Limited availability; reserve by October 19

All tickets will be subject to additional processing fees. 100% of all proceeds from event ticket sales after processing fees benefit the Short North Alliance and ultimately support the Short North Arts District.

HighBall Halloween will have four points of entry:

• Continental Tower Entrance: northern-most entrance, located at High St. and E Goodale St.
  • Nearest parking garages: Joseph Garage (33 W Russell St.) and Goodale Garage (70 E Goodale St.)
• Goodwill Columbus Entrance: southern-most entrance, located at High St. and Convention Center Dr.
  • Nearest parking garages: Vine Street Garage (37 Vine St.)
• Experience Columbus Entrance: southwest entrance, located at Vine St. and Wall St.
• Swan Entrance: northwest entrace, located at Swan St. and Wall St.

All attendees will be subject to a security check, including bag check, ID check, and metal detector scan. General Admission is free; guests who have purchased a Weekend Access Pass, VIP Access, or Spooky Suite can pick up their wristbands at Will Call at the ticket booths located inside the main gates.

Wristbands for Weekend Access Pass, VIP Access, and Spooky Suites guests will be available at Will Call at two Info Booths throughout the event. Find the north and south Info Booths on the event map.

Please review the Weapons and Props Policy before entering the HighBall Halloween event site.

• Re-entry is allowed for General Admission and Weekend Access Pass attendees throughout the entire event
• Re-entry is allowed for VIP Access and Spooky Suite attendees as long as you have your HighBall Halloween wristband

HighBall Halloween is a rain-or-shine event. Per the refund policy above, no refunds will be given in the event of inclement weather.

All ticket purchases are final and cannot be refunded in any circumstance, including, but not limited to, inclement weather, talent cancellation, illness, complete event cancellation, event restrictions due to COVID-19, etc. All ticket purchases directly support the 501c(3) organization the Short North Alliance. In the event that HighBall Halloween 2025 cannot take place for any reason, ticket purchases will be transferred as donations.

We ask that pets and animals not be brought to HighBall Halloween. The event atmosphere features loud music and costumes, both of which may cause distress in animals. Service animals will, of course, be permitted. Thank you for understanding!

At HighBall Halloween we focus on the fantasy and costuming elements of the Halloween season, so the stage performances are not designed to frighten. However, it is a public event, and there are many costumes on the streets. It should also be noted that there will be alcohol present at the event. Since our first event 18 years ago, there have always been HighBallers both big and small that are permitted if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian if under the age of 18, and we have yet to receive any complaints about appropriateness for children.