Gainesville’s free downtown Halloween tradition, Truck or Treat on the Square, is returning Friday.
“October is always a fun-packed month for downtown Gainesville. Starting off strong with Mule Camp Market and continuing with SQUAREcrows on the Square (Oct. 17-31), we look forward to ending the fall-oween festivities on a sweet note with another wildly successful Trick or Treat on the Square,” said Special Events Manager Karen Diaz, with the Gainesville Tourism Department.
Open and free to all ages, the event is slated for 3:00-6:00 and will involve local businesses, including restaurants/tasting rooms, retailers and service providers on the square. In addition to storefronts, there will also be over 20 community groups set up on the square participating as “candy stops”.
Balloons will be placed outside participating storefronts. Businesses will remove their balloons if/when they run out of candy.
A 5:30 costume contest will feature contests in the following age categories: 0-4, 5-8, and 9-12. Returning this year will be a Best Group/Family Costume category.
While you’re there, be sure to check out SQUAREcrows on the Square to see firsthand the mad genius of local businesses, groups and organizations. All SQUAREcrows, up through Halloween for the public to enjoy, are competing for the 2026 Best SQUAREcrow title. Photos of the displays can be found on the @DowntownGainesvilleGA Facebook page, where the public can vote on their favorite(s). The photo with the most “Likes” come Halloween night, Oct. 31, wins! The grand prize will be a gift certificate to a downtown business of the winner’s choice, so make those votes count!
At noon, parking will close on Main, Bradford, Spring and Washington streets. By 1:00, Main, Bradford, Spring and Washington streets will close to allow vendors to set up.
To learn more about Trick or Treat on the Square or upcoming holiday events, visit exploregainesville.org/annual-events.