The Old Idaho Penitentiary’s October events bring Halloween spookiness to life. For a sixteenth year, Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS) staff, volunteers, and community members join together for day tours, night paranormal tours, sleepovers, and THRILLER Dance recreation. These not-to-be-missed events require registration due to attendance limits for greatest safety and enjoyment. Over its 101-year use, more than 13,000 men and 217 women lived here, so the stories inspiring October events are plentiful.
October 4-5: Sleepless in Stripes – This is literally a night-at-the-museum experience, if you can make it all night that is. Your 13-hour stay includes: mug shots; finger-print cards; taking on a prisoner’s character; an intake process; moving in; chow; a cemetery tour; and more. Age: 18 and up.
October 11: Behind the Scenes Tours – Go places only seen on this tour: the underground dungeon; rooms under the burned-out dining hall; the gallows space; the trustee dorm; and dairy barn. Staff share stories along the way. Tours are from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Age: 13 and up.
October 18: Paranormal Investigations – Test your “seeing and hearing” with Big River Paranormal as they lead site tours in search of paranormal events. Understand the history of the site and its buildings. Some people hear/see nothing – others see and hear things. No one leaves disappointed; everyone goes home! Age: 18 and up.
October 24 (all ages) and 25 (18 and up): Fright Nights – This Halloween extravaganza includes two haunted houses (13 and up); Terror on Cell Block 4; a haunted infirmary; presentations; wandering scarers; trick-or-treating on the 24th; food vendors and Mad Swede for adult beverages. THRILLER is enacted with group participation led by national company Thrill the World, both nights. Volunteers (18 years-old and up) are invited to help as make-up artists and scare-actors. Age: specific each night.
November 7 and 21: November Night Tours – These tours mirror the daytime tours as a 101 course about the site. From 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., you can tour on your own or take a staff-guided tour at 6:30, 7:30, 8:30, or 9:00 p.m. Age: 13 and up. Dress for the weather.
Still hungry for more? Behind Gray Walls is a podcast you can find at the places you listen. Broadcast from inside the walls at the Penitentiary, listeners learn about Idaho history, true crime, and inmate stories. ISHS employees Anthony and Skye host.
Explore the Souvenir Confinement (aka gift shop) for unique gifts for birthdays, holidays, and yourself. I’ve found gifts for Christmas, grandkid presents, and history books to read myself. This shop is well curated and worth a visit all on its own – but experience the whole Penitentiary museum experience too.
Learn more about happenings at the Old Idaho Penitentiary, to become a member (which grants you early access to Old Pen Halloween tickets and certain event discounts), or to sign up for an event.
Also see: Boise Lifestyle, August 2025’s FELINE and the FELONS about the Old Pen’s Dennis the Cat.