If you can sneak into town a little early, lace up your running shoes for the Fright Night 5K.

The race kicks off at 7 p.m. at Flying Tiger Brewery and takes runners and walkers through Downtown Monroe with spooky surprises waiting along the route. Costumes are part of the fun, so don't be afraid to get creative before hitting the course.

Once you cross the finish line, stick around Flying Tiger for a costume contest and live music. It's a fun way to get your first taste of Monroe-West Monroe while officially kicking off Halloween weekend.

Trade the ghosts and goblins for hockey sticks on Friday night!

Head to the Monroe Civic Center to see the Monroe Moccasins take on the Twin City Thunderbirds. Grab dinner at a local restaurant before the game, then head to the arena for an evening of hockey in Downtown Monroe.

After the final buzzer, you're already in the heart of the city. Stop somewhere for a late-night bite or a drink before heading back to your hotel. You'll want to rest up – Saturday is packed.

Halloween lands on Saturday this year, and Monroe-West Monroe has plenty of ways to celebrate. The hardest part may be deciding how much you can fit into one day.

Trick-or-Treat at Boo at the Zoo
Start Halloween with a wild adventure at Boo at the Zoo at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids can wear their costumes and trick-or-treat their way through the zoo. Food trucks, vendors, and shopping merchants will also be set up throughout the grounds, making it an easy way for families to spend Halloween morning together.

And, of course, you'll still have plenty of time left for more Halloween fun afterward!

Cheer on the Warhawks
Halloween + college football? We're in.

Break out your maroon and gold and head to ULM as the Warhawks take on Southern Miss at FMOL Health | St. Francis Stadium. Make time to enjoy the game-day atmosphere before heading into the stadium, then settle in to cheer on the Warhawks. If you're feeling festive, you can always add a little Halloween flair to your game-day look.

Whether you're already a Warhawk fan or just love experiencing college football while traveling, this is one Halloween Saturday you won't spend sitting at home.

Bring Your Four-Legged Friend to Hairy Pawter
Even your pup can get in on the Halloween fun. Head across the Ouachita River to Flying Heart Brewing & Pub in Downtown West Monroe for Hairy Pawter & The Sorcerer's Bone. With a name like that, you already know this isn't your typical Halloween stop. Add it to your Saturday plans for a little food, fun, and four-legged Halloween spirit.

Trick-or-Treat with the Krewe of Janus
There's still time for more candy! From 6–7:30 p.m., stop by the Krewe of Janus Den for Boo at the Krewe. Kids can trick-or-treat around the Krewe's lighted Mardi Gras floats, combining two of Louisiana's favorite reasons to dress up and celebrate.

It's a Halloween experience with a distinctly Louisiana twist and there's still plenty of time afterward for traditional neighborhood trick-or-treating.

Don't Miss the Skeletons
Before October officially comes to an end, make one more spooky stop. Skeletons on Tower takes over Tower Drive throughout October, with businesses, families, and organizations creating their own decorated skeleton displays. Take a drive down Tower to see how many you can spot and pick out your favorites before the skeletons pack up for another year.

And of course, visit a haunted house!
Do you have what it takes to make it through Evil Visions Haunted House?

Why celebrate Halloween for one night when you can make an entire weekend out of it?

Run through Downtown Monroe on Thursday, catch the Moccasins on Friday, then spend Halloween Saturday trick-or-treating, cheering on the Warhawks, and exploring Monroe-West Monroe.

Add in a few great local meals, a comfortable place to stay, and your favorite costume, and you've got everything you need for a Halloween weekend getaway.

Start planning your Halloween weekend in Monroe-West Monroe!