Sandusky Witches Walk® 2026: 15 Years of Magic, One Unforgettable October

What began as a small community gathering has evolved into one of the most recognized Halloween events in the United States. In 2026, the Sandusky Witches Walk® celebrates its 15th anniversary, fifteen years of record-breaking community engagement, charitable fundraising, and a month-long October celebration that draws visitors from across the country to the Halloween Capital of Ohio®.

Founded in 2009 by local businesswomen as a grassroots community gathering at James A. Bertsch Jeweler, the Sandusky Witches Walk® pivoted to a charity-centric mission in 2011 with its first beneficiary being the Lung Cancer Association, and was formally established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2022. For fifteen years the organization has supported local causes while building a nationally recognized cultural event centered on creativity, community participation, and civic pride. Additional information can be found at Sandusky Witches' Walk.

Last year, the Greater Sandusky Partnership reported over 15,000 attendees flocked downtown for the event, visitors hailing from 5 countries, 26 states, and 83 Ohio cities. Alongside Cedar Point Halloweekend and the region's water attractions, it has ranked among Erie County's top single-day visitation events for two years running, and stands as Sandusky's second-highest-grossing sales event after Ohio Bike Week. Every dollar raised goes toward charitable initiatives supporting local youth and seniors throughout Erie County.

Recognized as the Best Halloween Festival in Ohio

The Sandusky Witches Walk® has been officially recognized by Best of Best Review as the Best Halloween Festival in Ohio of 2026.

The award honors the organization's outstanding contributions to community engagement, tourism, charitable fundraising, and event innovation. Officially announced on BestofBestReview.com, the recognition highlights the festival's growth into one of Ohio's most celebrated Halloween traditions and acknowledges its lasting impact on both residents and visitors.

A Community Tradition

By 2011 the organization had formally pivoted to a charity-centric mission, with its first charitable beneficiary being the Lung Cancer Association, and by 2022 had grown significantly enough to formally establish itself as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. As participation grew, Sandusky Witches Walk® expanded its charitable efforts and deepened partnerships with local businesses, community groups, and civic organizations across Erie County.

In 2025 the event achieved two Guinness World Records®, the Largest Witch Costume Contest (970 participants) and the Largest Witches' Dance (727 participants), both formally transferred to the City of Sandusky, the Greater Sandusky Partnership, and Shores & Islands Ohio as permanent civic assets. In 2026, the organization was also named a Top 5 BusinessRate Award Winner in the Non-Profit Organization category for Sandusky, Ohio, powered by Google Reviews. Organizers describe the event as community infrastructure, returning tens of thousands of dollars every year to Erie County's youth and seniors while positioning Sandusky as a national destination every October. 

A Month of Activities

For its 15th anniversary year, the Sandusky Witches Walk® is hosting a full month of events throughout October. Organizers have published a full event schedule at Events & Tickets | SanduskyWitchesWalk.

One of the unique features of the 2026 celebration is the Witch Passport program, which encourages visitors to explore participating businesses throughout October. Participants collect stamps from local establishments while discovering restaurants, shops, attractions and community locations across Sandusky, extending the experience beyond scheduled events while supporting the local businesses that help make the season possible. Collect 7 stamps for a chance to enter the $5,000 cash raffle. Once a card is completed, additional stamp cards can be purchased for $20 each. Tickets and passports are available now, with the passport included as part of the VIP ticket, and can be picked up at The Emporium starting September 26.

The 2026 season opens on October 2 with Broom & Sip, a seasonal social gathering designed to kick off the citywide October activation.

An Evening with the Blair Witch Project, October 16

On Friday, October 16 at 7:00 PM at The Emporium on West Market Street, Blair Witch Project co-creator and director Daniel Myrick and his wife Julia Myrick, the film's historical fabricator and prop and set designer, appear for a one-of-a-kind evening including a screening of The Blair Witch Project, an exclusive live Q&A covering the true story behind the film, how the micro-budget indie changed horror forever, and details on new projects they are currently executive producing, followed by fan autograph and photo sessions. Tickets begin at $85 for General Admission and $135 for Director's Circle front row seating and priority Q&A. A silent auction running throughout the weekend will award three winners an exclusive private brunch with Daniel and Julia Myrick at the Sandusky Yacht Club on Sunday, October 18.

Firelands Paracon, October 16–17

Firelands Paracon is a community-focused paranormal convention organized by Eclipse Paranormal that combines a love of the supernatural with charitable fundraising for Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter and Care & Share of Erie County. The convention kicks off Friday, October 16 at 6:00 PM with an opening night ghost hunt at the Merry Go Round Museum and Sandusky Register Building. The main convention opens Saturday, October 17 at The Emporium with vendor doors at 8:00 AM and general admission at 9:30 AM, featuring a Dream Interpretation Gallery with Christopher Brown and talks and meet-and-greets with Patti Negri, Vince Kelien, and Ron Murphy, with all proceeds from the Silent Auction and ticket sales benefiting Care & Share of Erie County.

Sandusky Witches Walk® Main Event, October 17 On Saturday, October 17, the Sandusky Witches Walk® begins with the Witchy Village on the Lake Erie waterfront at Jackson Street Pier opening for artisan vendors and local food at 11 AM. The community parade steps off at 4 PM from Columbus Avenue and Washington Row, processing through downtown Sandusky before arriving at Jackson Street Pier, where the official event continues through 10 PM. The evening features the Opening Ceremony with original founder Michelle Bertschl-Herold, the Witches' Dance, and a stage entertainment lineup including a Broadway-style musical starring Sandusky native Tim Murray, a live appearance by Patti Negri, the "Good Witch of Hollywood" known from Ghost Adventures and MasterChef, and a 90-minute Stevie Nicks tribute concert closing out the night. VIP ticket holders receive front-of-stage access and free admission to Firelands Paracon. Prizes include $5,000 in cash raffles, $500 for Best Witch, $500 for Most Creative Costume, and $500 for Best Pair. 

Little Witches Walk, October 24 On Saturday, October 24 at 9 AM, the Little Witches Walk begins with Halloween crafts at the Sandusky Library before a community parade down Columbus Avenue ending at The Emporium at 314 W Market Street.

Award Ceremony and Amateur Strongman Competition, October 31 The month closes on Halloween night with the Sandusky Witches Walk® Award Ceremony, celebrating the participants, volunteers, and supporters who made the 15th anniversary season possible. The evening includes the final $2,500 cash raffle drawing and costume contest awards, $500 for Best Witch, $500 for Most Creative Costume, and $500 for Best Pair, voted on by the organization's 38,000+ social media followers, paired with an Amateur Strongman Competition to close out the season.

Documenting the Story

A feature-length documentary, approximately 80 minutes, is currently in production by Puzzle World Studios. Titled Folklore and the Power of Community, the film follows the Sandusky Witches Walk® through its 15th anniversary year, tracing its evolution from a grassroots women-led pub crawl in 2009 into a nationally recognized civic institution and two-time Guinness World Record holder. Structured in five acts, Setting the Spell, The Making of a Modern Ritual, Witches Without Borders, Origins of the Witch, and The Night the City Transforms, the documentary combines local community storytelling with global folklore perspectives, academic interviews with witchcraft scholars from Ohio State University and Ohio University, and field shoots in Ohio, Salem (MA), and Eastern Europe. The film is being pursued for streaming and broadcast distribution, aimed at public media audiences, cultural broadcasters, and documentary festival circuits. 

Supporting Local Causes

Every dollar raised through the nonprofit's activities goes directly to support initiatives benefiting youth and senior-focused programs throughout Erie County. Named 2026 beneficiaries include the Kiwanis Club, the City of Sandusky Rec Department, Erie County Senior Center, Sandusky High School bridge graduation rate initiatives, Campbell Christian Community Center, Erie County CASA Program, and Shoreline Pride Sandusky.

Community partners and civic leaders, including Erie County President Commissioner Kate Vargo, the City of Sandusky, the Greater Sandusky Partnership, and Shores & Islands Ohio, continue to collaborate with the organization and now steward its two Guinness World Records® as permanent civic assets.

For organizers, volunteers, and participants, the 15th anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on fifteen years of growth while continuing to build on the event's original purpose: bringing people together for a positive cause. The organization shares updates through its social media channels on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.