Meadow Brook Hall has long been a favorite setting for celebrations—especially for the Dodge Wilson family. In 1929, as Halloween traditions across America were shifting from spooky pranks to more community-focused festivities, the holiday became an occasion for parties, parades and games that encouraged safe, organized fun during the early years of the Great Depression.
That same year, Frances Dodge hosted the first Halloween party at Meadow Brook, inviting twelve of her friends to join in the festivities. The event was even featured in the Detroit Free Press as the “Hallowe’en Dinner Event of the Week,” which promised “Hallowe’en games with witches and goblins to entertain guests.”
Two years later, in 1931, Frances once again took the lead—this time hosting a grand Halloween masquerade dance for forty of her school friends at the estate. Always one for a good laugh, Frances arrived dressed as a cowboy, complete with a tiny mustache, earning her the title of “funniest” costume to the delight of her guests.
Modern Thrills & Chills
Nearly a century later, Meadow Brook continues to celebrate the spirit of the season with Halloween events for all ages. The popular Flashlight Tour allows guests to view the mansion in a whole new light, revealing hidden spaces and intricate carvings, tiles and details that illuminate the exquisite craftmanship. The Dinner and a Movie series features thrilling films shown in the grand Gothic-inspired Ballroom following a three-course dinner.
Another popular event, the annual Mystery Dinner, offered guests an evening of intrigue, glamour, and suspense. Attendees dressed in elegant masquerade attire while immersing themselves in an interactive murder mystery. The night was filled with suspense and surprises as guests tried to uncover the culprit amidst a glittering crowd.
Families joined in the spooky spirit at the Meadow Brook Hall-oween celebration, enjoying an afternoon of trick-or-treating across the estate grounds, along with crafts, games and festive music.
New this year, the adult-only Hall-oween: Bewitching Hour offered guests a spirited evening featuring signature cocktails, live music, a spooky charcuterie spread and the chance to explore the enchanted estate by night.
As the seasons change and new traditions take root, Meadow Brook Hall continues to honor the spirit of celebration that began with the Dodge Wilson family. Halloween at Meadow Brook remains a timeless celebration where history and imagination come alive together.
Be captivated by the people, places and tales that make Meadow Brook Hall so remarkable. Our Estate Stories series unlocks the vaults, dives into the archives and seeks out tales of the Great Estate to pique your interest and enrich your life.
