First opened in 2004, Spirits on Sproat in Oak Lawn began as a barebones outdoor exhibit with a handful of props. But over the years it continued to expand until it finally outgrew its front yard territory and enlarged to also include the back yard.
What sets our free home haunt apart from others is that, from the start, it was designed to be an outdoor museum of the macabre in which nearly every major horror icon from film, TV, literature, pop culture, and urban legend is represented. Spirits on Sproat now showcases over 120 full-size figures, most of which are home-made replicas of classic horror characters—from Frankenstein and Freddy Kruger to Medusa, Norman Bates, Slenderman, Leatherface, the Headless Horseman, and Art the Clown.
This is likely the only home haunt where you’re going to find characters that you never see at other yard displays, including Svengoolie, Elvira, Jack Torrence, Carrie White, Ash from the Evil Dead, Tar Man, Babyface, Maleficent, Fluffy the crate monster from Creepshow, and Alfred Hitchcock. We also have a reaper skeleton metal band, an evil clown corral, and a pirate skeleton crew.
Fresh figures for 2024 include Dead Ned the Dullahan knight; Moe, Curly, and Larry the clown trio; Heartburn Harry; Patchy the plundering pirate; the angry apple tree from the Wizard of Oz; and several more.
Spirits on Sproat—which has been featured multiple times on Svengoolie’s television program and was named a Hall of Fame Haunt by The Horror Tourers—is more than a fearfully festive destination that’s visited by thousands every autumn. It's also been called "educationally eerie" because it helps introduce OG horror legends to younger fans. We often get multiple generations of families coming by every year where dads, moms, and grandparents will explain to their youngsters who a particular character is and what movie they’re from.
Visitors also enjoy two unique scavenger hunt games that you can play on your smartphone or on laminated sheets provided at the haunt, humorous signage describing each character, creepy horror movie music mixed with sound effects, and light projection special effects.
The crowd-favorite feature of the haunt remains a knife-wielding Michael Myers and hockey-mask-wearing Jason Vorhees who specialize in scaring visitors, climbing roofs, taking selfies, and high-fiving younger kids. In 2024, Michael and Jason will be joined by special surprise guests who are guaranteed to thrill audiences.
To help celebrate its 20th anniversary, Spirits on Sproat will be open to the public this season for more dates than ever before: 23 nights. The display will operate Sept. 27-29, Oct. 4-6, Oct. 11-13, and Oct. 18-31 (weather permitting). Hours are 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and on Oct. 31; and from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sundays and Oct. 21-24 and Oct. 28-30. All ages are welcome.
Starting in 2024, we also accept electronic donations at spiritsonsproat@gmail.com via PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Happy Halloween season!
