Halloween 2026

AT THE KRUMBHOLZ-DOKTOR ESTATE

A Haunted Mansion Halloween

Elmwood Park • Columbia, South Carolina
October 31, 2026

The gates will open. The spirits will stir. And the estate will once again receive guests.

2307 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC 29201

YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED

This Halloween, the Krumbholz-Doktor Estate will be transformed in celebration of Disney’s Haunted Mansion—an evening of stately decay, restless spirits, peculiar residents, supernatural happenings, and hospitality from both sides of the grave.

Guests are invited to spend Halloween night at the estate while one of Columbia’s most extraordinary neighborhood traditions unfolds just beyond its gates.

There will be food.

There will be drink.

There will be several thousand trick-or-treaters.

And, naturally, there may be a few residents of the mansion who were never formally invited.

ATTIRE FOR THE AFTERLIFE

Victorian & Edwardian Costume Requested

This is a costume-appropriate evening, and attire should complement the Haunted Mansion atmosphere of the estate.

Guests are asked to choose costumes with Victorian or Edwardian flavor rather than modern Halloween characters.

Think of the strange assortment of souls who might have once occupied—or still occupy—a grand old haunted estate:

Mourning widows and widowers.
Aristocrats.
Butlers and maids.
Undertakers.
Spiritualists and mediums.
Explorers.
Governesses.
Military officers.
Inventors.
Fortune tellers.
Decadent society guests.
Ghostly brides.
Mysterious estate staff.

Elegant, eccentric, sinister, theatrical and supernatural interpretations are all welcome.

Historical accuracy is not required. Looking as though you belong in the Haunted Mansion is.

Costume Inspiration

Browse Edwardian Costume Ideas

Browse Victorian Costume Ideas

THE MANSION AWAITS

Throughout the evening, the estate itself will become part of the entertainment.

Expect a Haunted Mansion-inspired environment of ghostly illumination, supernatural effects, strange portraits, old clocks, restless inhabitants and other peculiar happenings throughout the property.

Some things will be obvious.

Others may require a closer look.

And some residents are considerably more active after sunset.

HALLOWEEN IN ELMWOOD PARK

Beyond the estate gates, Halloween in Elmwood Park becomes an attraction of its own.

The neighborhood receives such an extraordinary number of visitors that the City closes neighborhood roads beginning at approximately 5:00 PM.

Visitors are even bused into Elmwood Park for Halloween.

Roads generally reopen at approximately 10:00 PM.

For several hours, streets normally filled with cars instead become crowded with costumed children and families moving from one historic home to another.

It is a very big affair.

APPROXIMATELY 2,200 YOUNG VISITORS

Yes. About 2,200.

Participating homes in Elmwood Park typically receive roughly 2,200 trick-or-treaters during Halloween night.

That means the Krumbholz-Doktor Estate has considerably more callers than the average haunted house.

Fortunately, the mansion has staff.

Unfortunately, this year...

you are part of the staff.

YOUR DUTIES AT THE MANSION

Every guest receives one small appointment to the household.

First: Bring one bag of Halloween candy.

With thousands of children arriving at the estate, every contribution helps keep the candy supply from mysteriously vanishing before the evening is over.

Second: Serve the estate for 15–30 minutes.

At some point during the evening, each guest will spend approximately 15–30 minutes helping distribute candy to trick-or-treaters.

There will be plenty of time before and afterward to enjoy the party.

We simply ask everyone to spend a short portion of the evening helping the estate staff manage the extraordinary number of visitors arriving at the front of the property.

Your assistance is greatly appreciated.

Consider it temporary employment at the Haunted Mansion.

No prior experience with ghosts required.

REFRESHMENTS FOR THE LIVING

Even the living must occasionally eat.

Food will be served.

Drinks will be available.

Come hungry and plan to spend the evening with us.

Refreshments will be available throughout the party while Halloween unfolds around the estate.

ARRIVING AT THE ESTATE

Because Elmwood Park effectively transforms into a pedestrian Halloween district for the evening, guests should not attempt to drive directly to the estate once the road closures begin.

ROAD CLOSURES BEGIN

Approximately 5:00 PM

ROADS REOPEN

Approximately 10:00 PM

GUEST PARKING

Please park at:

2205 PARK STREET

Columbia, SC 29201

This is the large parking lot across the road from Palmetto Life Church.

Here is a visual map link

From there, proceed to the mansion:

THE KRUMBHOLZ-DOKTOR ESTATE

2307 LINCOLN STREET

Columbia, SC 29201

Here is a visual map link

Once you reach Lincoln Street, finding the correct house should not be particularly difficult.

Look for the mansion with the ghosts.

BEFORE DEPARTING YOUR MORTAL RESIDENCE

ATTIRE

Victorian or Edwardian-inspired Haunted Mansion costume.

BRING

One bag of Halloween candy.

PARK

2205 Park Street
Columbia, SC 29201

DESTINATION

Krumbholz-Doktor Estate
2307 Lincoln Street
Columbia, SC 29201

ESTATE DUTY

One 15–30 minute turn helping distribute candy.

PROVIDED

Food, drink and other forms of hospitality.

EXPECT

Approximately 2,200 trick-or-treaters, elaborate Halloween activity throughout Elmwood Park, and considerably more supernatural activity than would normally be considered reasonable.

ONE FINAL MATTER

For most of the year, the Krumbholz-Doktor Estate is simply one of the historic houses of Elmwood Park.

Halloween is different.

The streets close.

Thousands arrive.

The lights change.

The clocks begin behaving strangely.

The dead become unusually sociable.

And for one evening, the estate becomes our own little corner of the Haunted Mansion.

We hope you will join us.

Dress for the mansion.

Bring candy for the children.

Enjoy the food and drink.

Take your brief turn serving the estate.

And should you encounter one of the mansion’s permanent residents during the evening...

Please be courteous.

They were here first.