Candlelight Halloween Dayton captures the city’s vibrant Halloween spirit, from the Fairborn Festival parades to the famed haunted Harshmanville Haunt. With neighborhoods decked out in elaborate displays and rich local traditions, it’s never too early to plan your spooky season. Explore the most frightening plan yet, and make this October unforgettable.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Ray Parker Jr.’s “Ghostbusters” theme transformed supernatural encounters into feel-good entertainment, while Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” depicts the raw, primal power of supernatural forces. Add Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”—the ultimate Halloween anthem—and you have three pieces that approach the supernatural from completely different angles yet somehow work together perfectly.
This chamber ensemble proves that acoustic instruments can capture both the playful energy of ghost-hunting adventures and the epic scope of supernatural gatherings. “Thriller’s” iconic rhythm section translates surprisingly well to strings, while “Night on Bald Mountain” showcases the quartet’s ability to create orchestral-level drama with just four instruments. The intimate glow of candles adds warmth to even the most chilling passages.
Candlelight Halloween at Dayton Masonic Center
The grandeur of the Dayton Masonic Center, with its historic architecture and cavernous halls, becomes all the more captivating under the flicker of thousands of candles. This immersive setting casts long shadows and golden hues across the space, amplifying the eerie beauty of each composition. Doors open 30–45 minutes early, inviting guests to settle into the ambiance before the 60-minute performance begins.
The string quartet’s haunting renditions of Funeral March of a Marionette – Charles Gounod, Halloween (Theme) – John Carpenter, and Der Erlkönig – Franz Schubert fill the space with an elegant chill. It’s one of the most atmospheric Halloween concerts this season—don’t wait to plan.