Where to watch spooky movies and shows in Tucson this Halloween

Science gets spooky this Halloween at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium with new laser shows and interactive experiences themed around spooky season.

“We like to take advantage of holidays as a way to engage people into the wonders of science,” said Nick Letson, marketing and communications manager at Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, 1601 E. University Blvd. “So if people are looking to do something for Halloween, they might come across us and learn a bit of science on top of that, which is fantastic.”

Starting Friday, Oct. 25, the planetarium kicks off its Halloween celebrations with laser light shows like “Laser Nine Inch Nails,” “Laser Metallica” and “Laser Red Hot Chili Peppers.” Each features a unique show set to the band’s music. 

“We are coming up on 50 years of showcasing science and laser light shows to the public, so we are excited to continue that tradition in new and engaging ways — with these themed shows and more to come,” Letson said. 

On Sunday, Oct. 27, Flandrau kicks it up a notch with three spooky-themed laser shows and a Spooktacular Science showcase featuring activities hosted by the University of Arizona Science Club, science demonstrations and trick-or-treating. Tickets to Spooktacular Science include access to a laser show and all activities.

If you come in costume that day, you will also be entered into a drawing to win a free family membership to the center, which is valued at $195.

And you don’t want to miss the limited Halloween-themed laser light shows. 

The three featured shows are “Fright Light,” a choreographed laser show of monsters dancing along to classic Halloween songs like “Monster Mash”; “Laser Halloween,” a laser show featuring songs from Halloween movies like “Ghostbusters,” “Beetlejuice” and “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”; and “Laser Stranger Things,” an updated version of their current popular laser show featuring new songs including Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill.”

“We’ve never shown the Laser Halloween show to the community before and are excited to pair the shows with the Spooktacular Science showcase,” Letson said. “People are encouraged to get to the show early to partake in science activities or stay after their laser show.” 

To end Halloween celebrations, Flandrau takes their Tucson Sky series and adds a spooky twist. On Oct. 30-31 at 4 p.m., Flandrau’s classic live star talk will feature darker astronomical stories and myths about the night sky. The show will take the traditional format and add local folklores to the storytelling.

Flandrau hopes visitors will not only enjoy these unconventional shows but also see the importance of supporting the local science community as they plan to continue to host themed shows that pair with their exhibits.

For more information and tickets, visit Flandrau's website. 

Here are 5 places to watch Halloween movies this year

Casa Video and Film Bar

2905 E. Speedway

Casa Video is screening Halloween movies all month long.

On Friday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m., Casa Video will be screening the ‘80s classic “The Lost Boys” and will be hosting its annual costume contest. Food will be available from Odd Dogs and prizes will be awarded for the top three costumes.

Other screenings include “Frankenstein” and “Bride of Frankenstein” on Oct. 23 at 7 p.m. and “Cat People” on Oct. 24 at 7 p.m. Both will have food trucks outside. 

Visit the event page for more information.

The Loft Cinema

3233 E Speedway

To kick things off, The Loft is hosting its annual “The Rocky Horror Halloween Bash” on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 10 p.m. This event will feature door prizes and “groovy ghouls of all shapes and sizes,” according to The Loft website. 

To keep the Halloween celebrations going, The Loft will be screening Tim Burton’s 2012 animated classic “Frankenweenie” on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2 p.m. for the whole family to enjoy. There will be free Halloween candy while supplies last.

On Halloween, Thursday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m., The Loft is screening a double feature of John Carpenter’s “The Thing” and David Cronenberg’s “The Fly.” There will be free Halloween candy while supplies last and prizes for the best costume, according to The Loft Cinema. 

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Tickets for all shows can be bought at loftcinema.org.

Tohono Chul

7366 N. Paseo del Norte

Tohono Chul’s Sonoran Cinema is hosting a screening of “Hocus Pocus” on Tuesday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Wilson Room in their gardens. Sonoran Cinema is a seasonal film series that brings family-friendly and classic films to the gardens throughout the year.

Costumes are encouraged, and tickets are $4 for non-members and $2 for members. Popcorn, cotton candy, boxed sweets and drinks will be available for purchase.

Seating is provided and available on a first-come, first-served basis. All proceeds from Sonoran Cinema go directly back into the gardens. Tickets can be purchased through their website.

Tucson Terrorfest Horror Film Fest

The Screening Room, 127 E. Congress St.

Tucson Terrorfest’s film festival will be held from Thursday, Oct. 24 through Sunday, Oct. 27. Expect scary movies that will definitely give you some frights!

To kick things off on Oct. 24, the festival will screen “Shaun of the Dead,” which is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The event will be hosted by Veronica Chase at The Screening Room at 7:30 p.m. and tickets can be purchased on their website.   

The festival follows up with a screening of Andy Warhol’s “Frankenstein” in 3D at 9:30 p.m. at The Screening room. This show is for adults only and tickets will be sold at the door. 

On Friday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m., the festival is screening Horror Shorts, a collection of scary short films. Included will be “A Green Affair” directed by Rebecca Thomson from Australia, “What A Catch” directed by Thomas Pickering from the UK and “The Gourd, The Brad, and The Ghostly” directed by Jillian Terwedo-Malsbury from the U.S., just to name a few.

Later that night at 9:30 p.m., the festival will be screening a random ‘80s horror VHS for free! The film has not been announced yet.

Saturday, Oct. 26 will feature 6 films starting at 11 a.m, and will include “House on a Haunted Hill,” “McCurdy Point: A Ghost Story,” more horror shorts, “Dawn of the Dead,” “Creature from the Black Lagoon” in 3D and “Tremors.”

To end the festival on Sunday, Oct. 27, there will be screenings of “The Last Man on Earth,” “At Midnight I’ll Take Your Soul,” “Stalkers,” “Meathook” and “The Forest Hills.”

More information on tickets and specific screenings can be found on their website.

Life Under the Oaks Lavender Farm 

1221 N. Rancho Robles Road, Oracle

Oracle’s lavender farm is welcoming the Great Pumpkin on Saturday, Oct. 26 with a screening of “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” at 4 p.m.  

This screening will include Halloween activities, cookies, candy, apples, popcorn and lavender lemonade with the price of a ticket. Kids ages 12 and under enter for free and tickets can be purchased through their website.

Explore nature through fun, hands-on exhibits at Children’s Museum Oro Valley at Tohono Chul

CMOV@TC has indoor and outdoor exhibits with daily activities and programming for kids and families that mesh with the environmental focus of Tohono Chul, teaching all about the culture, animals and plants of the Sonoran Desert!

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