Wisconsin Celebrates Halloween with Unique Traditions from Butterfingers to Burial Chambers

How ghost hunting, special sweets, and a little state spirit makes Halloween special in NEWisco

It’s the time for candy favorites, eerie attractions, and you may even find local pride in your neighborhood on full display. Halloween is typically a family-friendly celebration featuring some unique traditions. It evolved from a night of mischief under candlelite when first brought to America by Scottish and Irish immigrants in the 18th and 19th centuries.  

What does Halloween in Wisconsin look like? First, residents of the Badgers State have unique candy tastes. A new survey from CandyStore.com shows Butterfinger is the most beloved Halloween candy, followed by Hot Tamales and Starburst. Nationally, M&M’s are now at the top for the first time. It jumped over Reese’s Cups as the country’s most popular choice.

But it’s not just about the treats. Wisconsin is home to one of the Midwest’s largest haunted attractions. The Burial Chamber is located near Neenah. It’s known for four full-sized haunted experiences, including the chilling “Buried Alive” attraction, The Burial Chamber earns accolades like “Favorite Haunted House” and “Most Scares for the Money” every year. And with ticket prices ranging from $5 to $65, it draws thrill-seekers from across the region who are ready to be spooked.

If you want to show your state spirit through costumes, Wisconsin-themed outfits are hot. Watch for plenty of Bucky Badgers, Hodags, and Paul Bunyan figures roaming the streets. Meanwhile, pets get in on the fun too, with popular costumes like pumpkins and hotdogs lighting up social media feeds.

The National Retail Federation (NRF) predicts Halloween spending this year will hit more than $11 billion overall, with costumes and decorations making up a significant portion of the cost. 

“We’re seeing consumers invest even more in decorations this season,” Lea Grgich of the federation says. “And Halloween remains an occasion people budget for, even with rising costs.” 

The NRF estimates every individual shopper will spend an average of $104 on Halloween, a sharp increase from just a decade ago when the average was only $48.

The spirit of Halloween extends to the soundtrack of the season, with classics like “Monster Mash,” “Ghostbusters,” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” often setting the mood. The iconic long version of “Thriller” is complete with eerie sound effects and chilling narration by Vincent Price. It remains a Halloween anthem and continues to capture listeners decades after its release.

Candy, costumes, or haunted houses. Whatever you enjoy about Halloween in Wisconsin one thing is sure – it offers something for everyone. And it blends tradition with a distinctive Midwest char

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This article is originally part of NEWisco Weekend and the Halloween story aired first on the show. You can listen to the complete episode featuring local ghost hunters, frightening weather, spooky Karaoke, and much more here:

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