For more than a quarter century, Gardner Village witches have delighted Jordan Valley families. They perch on rooftops, gather around cauldrons, and turn up in unexpected corners of the historic West Jordan shopping village for the annual WitchFest.
The Halloween tradition runs through October 31 with plenty of activities visitors can enjoy simply by strolling through the village or through ticketed experiences.
When the Witches Take Over
When Gardner Village introduced Witches Night Out in 2000, visitors wore witch hats and gathered along luminary-lined pathways for music, entertainment, food, and fortune telling.
The idea took flight.
Witches Night Out grew as the village expanded its Halloween celebration around it. Gardner Village co-owner Angie Gerdes says the goal is creating a wholesome experience centered on fun and whimsy rather than anything scary or gory.
A Cackle of Witches
Some of WitchFest’s most recognizable attractions are the green-faced witches themselves. Visitors can look for larger-than-life witch displays arranged in humorous vignettes along the pathways while participating in the Bewitching Scavenger Hunt, which has visitors access the hunt on their phones using QR codes. Those who complete the 2026 scavenger hunt can purchase a cookie for $1 at Happy Camper Deli & Bakery.
Live Gardner Village witches appear in Center Court every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday between 12:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays also feature a 12:30 p.m. Wee Witches Parade for children who want to dress in their witchy best and join the fun.
Breakfast, Dinner and Plenty of Hocus-Pocus
Two of the best-known WitchFest experiences are the ticketed Breakfast with a Witch and Witchapalooza Dinner Theater. Other reservation-based experiences include the Bewitching Escape Room, the Manifestations Magic Show dinner, the Witch Run, Witchy Spa Services, and witch-themed art workshops.
Visitors who prefer more spontaneous outings can enjoy face painting, caramel apples and treats, witch costumes, the Witch Express Train, and tractor-pulled wagon rides.
Carrying on the Original Tradition
In 2026, Witches Night Out takes place on Saturdays in October (October 3, 10, 17, 24) from 6-9 p.m. Guests are encouraged to dress in witch attire.
The Gardner Village witches themselves kick off the Witches Parade at 7:30 p.m., followed at 8 p.m. by a Witches Parade open to all adults 18 and older. The night concludes with a performance of “Thriller” featuring the Gardner Village witches.
Something to Eat, Something to Take Home
Food is woven into the WitchFest experience as well. Visitors can sit down for a meal at Archibald’s Restaurant in the historic mill, grab something quicker at Happy Camper Deli & Bakery or stop at Chocolate Covered Wagon for caramel apples and sweets. During October, additional options include Archie’s WitchyWay Café on Mill Plaza and food trucks during peak days.
After more than 25 years, WitchFest has become an annual tradition where visitors discover whatever new mischief the witches have dreamed up for the year.
And that’s the real Halloween magic behind WitchFest.
Recipe:
Lucinda’s Own Savory Pumpkin Pizza
One ready-to-bake pizza dough
1 ½ c. pumpkin puree
1 sweet onion, diced
1 tsp. sugar
1 cloves garlic, minced
1 shallot, diced
½ Tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups grated Havarti cheese
1 cup arugula
extra virgin olive oil
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Saute half of the onions with olive oil on medium heat until transparent. Add sugar and stir. Add pumpkin puree, garlic, shallot, thyme, and other half of onion in mixing bowl. Stir, and then mix in parmesan cheese. Add salt and pepper to taste. Follow directions for preparing dough, then top dough with pumpkin mixture. Add the arugula and carmelized onions. Sprinkle grated Havarti cheese on top. Cook for 15 minutes on pizza stone or 20 minutes on cookie sheet.