Headless Horseman rides again: Ohio Village All Hallows' Eve returns to a renovated village in Columbus

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COLUMBUS, Ohio. The Headless Horseman is back. After a two-year pause for renovations, All Hallows’ Eve returns to Ohio Village this month, and the 1800s village guests remember has a new look.

The Ohio History Connection will hold the event from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Oct. 24, at Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave.

The highlight is a retelling of Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” by the bonfire, with the Headless Horseman riding through.

“The scene with the Headless Horseman riding through during ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ always is a show-stopper, but it will be an even bigger deal this year because we have some new features in the renovated Ohio Village,” said Neil Thompson, marketing department manager for the Ohio History Connection. “I don’t want to give too much away, but the setting has been improved for some new experiences.”

Families watching by firelight at Ohio Village All Hallows Eve — Courtesy of the Ohio History Connection

A new look for Ohio Village

The event had been on pause while the Ohio History Connection finished a major renovation of Ohio Village as part of its Campus 2.OH revitalization plan. Thompson said returning visitors will notice new brick-paver streets that have been raised to the level of the buildings, so the old boardwalk is gone. The buildings have been repainted, restored and reinterpreted. There’s a new Biergarten and modern restrooms by the American House Hotel, many new trees, and a reimagined Village Square with a central bandstand for speeches and performances.

Spooky, not scary

The night includes fortune telling, traditional dancing, crafts, games, pumpkin painting for $5 per pumpkin, and a funeral parlor where guests can learn about 19th century funeral practices. According to the event page, the widow Claire will also share the bizarre circumstances of her latest husband’s death.

“Even with the fortune tellers and funeral parlor, we strive to provide a spooky, not scary, event that still educates on Halloween holiday observations from the late 1800s,” Thompson said. He said it’s a chance to learn the history of All Hallows’ Eve celebrations in the United States and older practices like hiring professional mourners.

Thompson said the event is appropriate for all ages and makes a good family night out or date night.

What to know before you go

When: 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, and Saturday, Oct. 24
Where: Ohio Village, 800 E. 17th Ave., Columbus. Enter at the Ohio Village Welcome Center on the north side of the Ohio History Center campus.
Tickets: Tickets are required and available at ohiohistory.org/events/all-hallows-eve. There are no timed entry tickets this year, so come anytime after 5:30 p.m.
Parking: Free
Pumpkin painting: $5 per pumpkin, card accepted

Coming in December

The renovated village will also open for the new Holidays at Ohio Village, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, and Saturday, Dec. 12. Details are at ohiohistory.org/events/holidays.

Photos courtesy of the Ohio History Connection.

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