Remember getting goosebumps reading Goosebumps as a kid? This October, you can relive those middle school scares as R.L. Stine's hometown gets a Fear Street makeover, just in time for Halloween. Columbus, Ohio will celebrate the beloved series all month with loads of events and a meetup with the author himself.
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Columbus will transform into a living, breathing Goosebumps book, bathed in an eerie, slime-green light. The takeover coincides with several spooky milestones: the tenth anniversary of the Goosebumps film, the Disney+ reboot's continued buzz and the August release of Stine’s latest page-turner, The Last Sleepover. This celebration is set to be a Halloween experience that's equal parts nostalgia trip, pop culture celebration and spine-chilling party.
The scares kick off October 2 with a free outdoor screening of Goosebumps at Columbus Commons, part of the Sunset Movie Series. From there, the fright factor only ramps up. On October 23, Stine will unveil an actual "Fear Street" sign before his public author talk and signing at Columbus Metropolitan Library. That night, look up—City Hall, the Short North arches, Franklin Park Conservatory and other landmarks will glow neon slime-green in his honor.
Even more local institutions are joining in to celebrate the hometown horror. Franklin Park Conservatory will host a Goosebumps-themed scavenger hunt, ZipZone Outdoor Adventures will offer spooky night flights and the Columbus Crew will debut an MLS-first: a UV-reactive slime-covered jersey designed with Adidas.
And because no Halloween is complete without themed bites and drinks, the city's award-winning dining scene is going all in. Law Bird (a 2025 James Beard semifinalist) will serve a special Goosebumps menu, Budd Dairy Food Hall is crafting cocktails inspired by the books and Land-Grant Brewing Co. is transforming into "Nightmare on Town Street" with cauldrons, cobwebs and a signature green lime slushie.
From a witch-and-warlock paddle on the Scioto River to story time challenges at local bookstores, this celebration is for fans old enough to remember the '90s TV series and new readers discovering the scares for the first time. Columbus isn't just honoring R.L. Stine—it's inviting you to step inside his twisted imagination.
Consider this your official invitation: pack your costume, your courage and maybe... don't go into the basement. Find the full Halloween lineup here.