HIGHBALL HALLOWEEN 2025
THE NATION’S MOST ELABORATE COSTUME PARTY!
- Enjoy the show with free General Admission, or save on the fun with a Weekend Access Pass
- Experience this year’s performances along an extended central runway featuring 360° view platform stages
- Upgrade to VIP Access for an exclusive and enviable experience at the VIP party in the Arnold Plaza
- Take your Halloween plans to the next level as a participant in this year’s HighBall Halloween Public Costume Contest
- Review the HighBall Halloween FAQs for information on entry, parking and transportation, and event policies
PERFORMANCES
SPOTLIGHT PERFORMANCES
6PM | DOOMSDALE HIGH >>
This horror band plays the boo wop tunes of their best years, fear-turing Slaydie Hawkins dances, lycan love, and so much gore! Learn more.
7PM | SARAH COWAN >>
Discover Columbus’ up-and-coming alternative pop voice. Sarah Cowan is a legally blind and queer singer/songwriter defined by her unique blend of modern beats, eighties synth sound, and dark pop undertones. Learn more.
7:50PM | SHORT NORTH STAGE >>
A HighBall Halloween favorite performance, catch a glimpse of the Rocky Horror Show by the Short North’s very own. Learn more.
8PM | VIRGINIA WEST + THE WEST FAMILY >>
Enjoy an over-the-top performance from the beloved drag queen and West family matriarch. Learn more.
8:15PM | FLEETWOOD GOLD >>
This tribute band’s recreations of the best of Fleetwood Mac features tightly fused harmonies, soaring lead vocals and amazing guitar playing to deliver the authentic sound of their muse. Learn more.
9:15PM | ANNA AND THE ANNADROIDS >>
Anna and The Annadroids create smart, sexy, and surreal dance and aerial performances for special events, private parties, music videos, festivals and more. Learn more.
PUBLIC COSTUME CONTEST
WHEN 11 – 11:50PM
WHERE HIGHBALL HALLOWEEN RUNWAY
Join the HighBall Halloween costume contest, where creativity and imagination take center stage! Whether you’re a master of makeup, a sewing savant, or just love to play dress-up, this is your chance to shine. Enter for a chance to win cash prizes, and eternal HighBall Halloween fame!
Category winners will receive a $100 Visa gift card. Please review our Weapons and Props Policy.
HOW TO ENTER
- On October 25, find the Short North Alliance Info Booth to enter between 6 – 9:30pm.
- Select the one of the four categories available that you would like to enter.
- Receive your entry number and instructions for the contest.
- Arrive at the Public Costume Contest Staging Area by 10:30pm and be ready to strut your stuff!
CONTEST CATEGORIES
HIGHBALL HALLOWEEN HORROR STORY
Show us your creepiest, head-turning horror looks that make the judges scream to take home the bragging rights of Scariest Costume.
LIFE IMITATES ART
Pay homage to the greats, whether it be works of art, fine artists, music, theater, movies, comics, TV shows, etc.
SQUAD GOALS
Grab your friends, family, or co-workers and dress to impress for Best Group Costume. Groups of two individuals and up.
#WHAT?
Is that really a costume? What are you supposed to be? Compete for this year’s Most Humorous / Unexpected Costume.
HIGHBALLERS’ CHOICE
The winner from each category will move on to this category for the chance to win a second cash prize and the title of overall winner!
COSTUME COUTURE FASHION SHOW
WHEN 9:30 – 11PM
WHERE HIGHBALL HALLOWEEN RUNWAY
Take in the glamour as each of our 6 talented designer teams present their costume-inspired fashions with three couture costumes that are made to dazzle alongside a stunning couture showpiece.
GET TO KNOW OUR 2025 DESIGNERS
- Aaron James
- Andrew Shields
- Shiree Houf
- Macy Cloer
- Que Jones + Steve Puhl Jr.
- Shelly Teed
HIGHBALL HALLOWEEN BAZAAR
WHEN 6PM – MIDNIGHT
WHERE THROUGHOUT THE EVENT
Shop a one-of-a-kind vendor market full of seasonal oddities and spooky finds. Our 50+ local artisans and makers are bringing their weirdest and most wonderful to this High Street market.
PARTICIPATING VENDORS INCLUDE…
- A&S Plants
- Afterlife Oddities
- art by kyoko
- Bear2Bare
- Coffico African Beauty and Fashion
- For The Love of Dough
- Good Dea Craft School
- Hart & Dagger
- Inappropriate Aunt
- Inferno Candle
- Inkedstar
- Jade Spirited Finds
- Jourdan Jupiter Studio
- Kako’s Closet
- Ko Ko RoX
- Little Gay Bookstore
- Mandala Clay Designs
- Matt Tisdale
- Narly Creations
- Ninja Ginga Creative
- Opuntia Flowers
- PTW vintage
- Queen Bee’s Vintage
- Rubyard
- Sawdust And Cedar
- Seel
- SquidCat, Ink
- StayyWired
- The Gilded Rose Studio
- The Natural Wick
- WanderSom
- …with more to be announced!
HIGHBALL HALLOWEEN POTION PATIOS
WHEN 6PM – MIDNIGHT
WHERE ALONG HIGH STREET, IN FRONT OF PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES
New this year, enjoy collaborative patios featuring specialty themed cocktails right on High Street as your favorite local bars and eateries serve as our exclusive beverage providers and extend their patios.
PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS
Each Potion Patio will offer exclusive access discounts to Weekend Access Pass and VIP Access wristband holders! All guests must be 21+ to purchase alcoholic beverages with a valid state ID.
- Agave & Rye
- Exclusive discount: $5 Rhinegeist Truth, $10 OG Margaritas, $12 Specialty Middle West Spirit Cocktail, $5 Chips & Salsa
- Barley’s
- Exclusive discount: $5 Sun Cruisers
- Denmark on High
- Exclusive discount: $11 Cocktails
- Martini Modern Italian
- Exclusive discount: 25% off full menu (excluding alcohol)
- Mikey’s Late Night Slice
- Exclusive discount: 25% off full menu (excluding alcohol)
- Novak’s
- Exclusive discount: $6 Jameson, $5 Fireball, $4 Miller Lite cans
STREET PROGRAMMING
- Challenge your friends to a little friendly competition with classic yard games
- Strike a pose at our photo ops and capture the perfect Halloween moment
- Encounter wacky & wonderful street performances by the Amazing Giants
Experience the first installation of Open Walls, a space for everyone to draw their art out. From street writers to first timers, everyone is open to experience the thrill of making their own art meet the work of others in these dedicated, pop-up, legal spaces for artistic expression. Try your hand at street art with our new project launching at HighBall Halloween!
- Generously funded by the Columbus City Council, the City of Columbus Department of Neighborhoods, and the Neighborhood Design Center.
- As a 614 Beautiful grant project, the Short North Alliance will also be collecting vital feedback about the addition of a Legal Wall in the Short North Arts District.
PARTNER EVENTS
Official partner events will help you kick off, or continue, the fabulous fun! Weekend Access Pass and VIP Access wristband holders get exclusive discounts at our Partner Events.
- HighBall Halloween Pre-Party
- Denmark on High | 463 N High St.
- Friday, October 24 from 6 – 9pm
- Exclusive discount: $11 cocktails, plus entry to a drawing with your cocktail purchase
- HighBall Halloween Speakeasy
- Sacred Palm (at Mikey’s Late Night Slice) | 457 N High St.
- Saturday, October 25
- Exclusive access to this one-night-only experience is reserved for Weekend Access Pass and VIP Access wristband holders
- HighBall Halloween Drag Brunch
- Black Sheep Kitchen & Spirits | 1124 N High St.
- Sunday, October 26 from 11am – 3pm
- Exclusive discount: 25% off Brunch menu (alcohol excluded)
Photos provided by Steven Needham, Michael Butts, Katelyn Denney, Jonathan D Denney, Latasha Woodard, Chris Cobbs, Erica Legault, Ian Powell, Marvin Myers, Chynell Graham, Brandie Cox, Tariq Fort, Jessica Slabaugh, McKenzie Liu, William Swanagin, Tony Bentivegna, Dysheen Davis, Jason Cokes, Alayna Baldwin, Jerri Shafer, Caleb Hoffman, Isolda Tilson, Warren Todd Elzey, Dave Toth, Molly Heinmiller, Larry Hamill, Jesse Dixon, Brian Hockensmith, Jason Younkman, and Freepik.