Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade & Spectacle

The 18th Annual Wild Rumpus Halloween Celebration is coming soon!! In 2026, Athens, GA welcomes ALL who wish to howl at the Moon, and stomp to the beat of primal drums, in one of the Southeast USA’s most celebrated holiday parades- The Wild Rumpus!! Dress in costume and BE IN THE PARADE. The Wild Rumpus and all who attend transform beloved downtown Athens, GA into a spectacular fantasyland of costumes, stages with music, massive dance parties in the street, food, drink, performers, and more. The event is FREE to attend, and all ages (21+ ID and wristband required for open container drinking in the festival zone)

Parade in Downtown Athens

Saturday, October 25, 2025 | Downtown Athens, Ga

Rumpus Rally Official Pre-Parade Meetup

Saturday, October 25, 2025 | Creature Comforts Brewery

The Midnight Howl Official After-Party

Saturday, October 25, 2025 | Paloma Park Athens

Online Auction

Ending Oct. 2, 2025!

Looking for the best places to stay during Wild Rumpus weekend? Check the Wild Rumpus website for announcements of host hotels in Downtown Athens and WALKING DISTANCE to all the Wild Rumpus celebrations. https://wildrumpus.org/sponsors/hotels/

Open containers of beer or wine will be allowed inside the barricaded “Festival Zone” which spans several street blocks of downtown, on Washington St. from Pulaski where the dance party happens, all the way up to Lumpkin St. Wristbands are required for outdoor drinking and may be purchased at participating restaurants and breweries inside the festival zone.

Rumpus helped Athens rank as one of HGTV's " The 20+ Best Small Towns For Celebrating Halloween "!

Travel + Leisure describes Athens, GA, as one of the 12 best places to visit in October, highlighting the Wild Rumpus Halloween Parade and Spectacle as a featured Halloween event (October 2024)

"Before Halloween, This City In Georgia Experiences A Wild Yet Welcoming Rumpus," Forbes.com , (October 27, 2023)