HighBall Halloween 2025

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

• Virginia West, an official HighBall Halloween 2025 host, will get you in the Halloween spirit, alongside co-emcees NBC4’s Matt Barnes and Joe Spear.
• Performances by Fleetwood Gold, Virginia West and the West Family, Anna and the Annadroids, Sarah Cowan, Doomsdale High
• The larger-than-life Costume Couture Fashion Show, featuring our 2025 Designers including Aaron James Hunter, Andrew Shields, Shiree Houf, Macy Cloer, Que Jones & Steve Puhl Jr., and Shelly Teed.
• A chance to win multiple cash prizes during the Public Costume Contest
• HighBall Bazaar featuring 50 market vendors
• HighBall Potion Patios at participating venues, including Agave & Rye, Barley's, Denmark, Martini Modern Italian, Mikey's Late Night Slice, & Novak's, featuring signature cocktails from Middle West Spirits
• And more!

Enjoy free General Admission to HighBall Halloween, or grab a HighBall Halloween Weekend Access Pass Wristband to enjoy savings on food and drinks throughout the evening! Perks include:

• Exclusive admission to the HighBall Halloween speakeasy at
• Specialty cocktails in the HighBall Halloween Potion Patios along High Street
• Discounted food at participating Culinary Partners
• Discounts at HighBall Partner Events, including the Friday Night Pre-Party at Denmark on High and the Sunday After HighBall Brunch at Black Sheep

This year’s VIP party will be held in the Arnold Plaza at the Greater Columbus Convention Center! Your VIP Access includes:

• Complimentary food, including dessert from Winans Chocolate
• VIP bar access with one complimentary drink ticket
• A VIP view of the HighBall Halloween catwalk
• Indoor restroom access within the Greater Columbus Convention Center
• Access to the VIP Lounge, with more seating and table space than ever before and premium viewing of the catwalk live feed on our LED jumbo screen
• A Weekend Access Pass Wristband, granting access to specialty cocktails in the HighBall Halloween Potion Patios, discounted food at participating Culinary Partners, and admission to the exclusive HighBall Halloween speakeasy at Sacred Palm
• Opportunity to commemorate the evening with a custom figurine with Shrunk3D’s 360 booth. *Additional purchase required.
• One free admission ticket to the CMA at the Pizzuti to explore world-class exhibitions and inspiring contemporary works

For the ultimate HighBall Halloween experience, reserve an FCCFA Spooky Suite for up to 20 guests. This exclusive package includes a private cabana with a 10 x 10’ tent, along with:

• Complimentary taco bar from El Vaquero
• Cocktail service with two free drink tickets per guest
• All of the amenities of VIP Access
• A can’t-be-beat view of the central catwalk and the envy of all other attendees
• Exclusive additional seating directly beside the catwalk, a.k.a. “Spooky Seats”

Deadline to Reserve an FCCFA Spooky Suite is Sunday, October 19, at 11:59 pm.

Seven talented designers will return to the stage to compete for a cash prize in the Costume Couture Fashion Show. Each designer will present one out-of-this-world costume couture creation and three supporting fashion designs strutted across the stage. A panel of judges will determine who takes home first, second, and third place.

The public will also get to strut across the HighBall Halloween catwalk in front of a crowd of thousands for a chance at multiple cash prizes.

General Admission: Access to the nation’s most elaborate costume party is FREE!

Weekend Access Pass Wristband: Grab a HighBall Halloween Weekend Access Pass Wristband to enjoy savings on food and drinks throughout the evening, including exclusive access to the HighBall Halloween speakeasy at Sacred Palm, discounts at Culinary Partners & Partner Events, and specialty cocktails to HighBall Halloween Potion Patios!

• Early Bird Pricing: Through October 19, $10 + fees
• Timely Bird Pricing: October 20-24, $15 + fees
• Day-of Pricing: October 25, $20 + fees

VIP Party:

Take your HighBall Halloween experience to the next level in the VIP Party! VIP ticket holders will get access to the private tented area with full private bar service and restroom, one free drink, complementary bites, premium stage viewing, plus goodies!

• Early Bird Pricing: Through October 19, $90 + fees
• Timely Bird Pricing: October 20-24, $100 + fees
• Day-of Pricing: October 25, $110 + fees

FCCFA Spooky Suites: Immerse yourself in HighBall Halloween like never before by reserving your very own FCCFA Spooky Suite for up to 20 guests. Trick or Treat yourself to an exclusive lounge area featuring a tent and courtyard, enjoy the convenience of private restrooms, and access the HighBall Halloween VIP Party with all its amenities accompanied by complimentary food, a Weekend Access Pass Wristband. Finally, elevate the spooky fun with cocktail service and 2 complementary drink tickets for each guest.

• On sale while supplies last, $2500 + fees
• Deadline to reserve a Spooky Suite is Sunday, October 19, at 11:59 p.m.

• All sales are final and non-refundable.
• Please bring a Photo ID and purchase confirmation to any will-call location located at any gate to redeem for a wristband.
• HighBall Halloween is an all-ages event. However, all attendees under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Proceeds from HighBall Halloween 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. HighBall Halloween helps to underwrite the programs and activities of the Short North Alliance year-round, including community well-being initiatives, critical business support and advocacy, clean and safe initiatives, new public artworks, and creative promotions and events, like Gallery Hop and holiday campaigns, to support small businesses.

HighBall Halloween is an event of the Short North Alliance with support from Goodwill Columbus, Middle West Spirits, Greater Columbus Arts Council, Art Makes Columbus, DLZ, Gateway Film Center, Ohio Arts Council, Stephanie Stein Management, TechArt, Franklin County Convention Facility Authorities, M/I Homes, Block by Block, El Vaquero, Good Liar, Greater Columbus Convention Center, Shrunk3D, The Robert Weiler Co., Hampton Inn & Suites, First Commonwealth Bank, Columbus Blue Jackets, Winans Chocolate, ZenBusiness, and Light Up Columbus.

Thank you to our Beer Garden + Culinary Sponsors, including Agave & Rye, Barley's, Denmark on High, Martini Modern Italian, Mikey's Late Night Slice, Novak's, Sacred Palm, and Black Sheep Kitchen & Spirits.

Thank you to our media partner NBC4.

Host or Publisher Short North Alliance