Event poster with the title 'Capturing the Spirit of Oakland' and dates October 15-18 and 22-25.

History, theatre, and the thrill of Halloween converge at one of Atlanta’s most iconic autumn traditions: Oakland Cemetery’s Capturing the Spirit of Oakland, now in its 20th year. Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Halloween Tours will take place October 15 - 18 & 22 - 25.

As the sun sets over Atlanta this fall, the past is illuminated.

Explore the mysterious beauty of Oakland after dark and follow the footsteps of costumed storytellers to meet a few of the fascinating characters who made Atlanta into the city we know today.

Artwork by Jamaal Barber

MEMBER PRESALE

Tickets available now for Oakland Members! Tickets will go on sale to the public on July 15.

Capturing the Spirit of Oakland Ticket Options

  • General Admission

    $45 for adults (13+)

    $30.00 for children (3-12)

    Admission to a Capturing the Spirit of Oakland tour.

    • Tickets are sold in 15-minute blocks.

    • Your ticket time reflects the time you will be admitted into Oakland Cemetery, not a tour time.

    • Tickets are valid only for your reserved timeslot.

    • No refunds or exchanges will be issued.

    Get Tickets

  • Premium Ticket Bundle

    $75 ($95 value!)

    The Premium Ticket Bundle includes:

    • Admission to Capturing the Spirit of Oakland.

    • Two (2) Drink Tickets

    • Skip the line at the bar

    • Complimentary water and soda

    • Premium-exclusive specialty Oakland Koozie

    • Commemorative Capturing the Spirit of Oakland program, featuring in-depth resident biographies, historic photographs, and actor biographies

    Get Premium Bundle

  • Premium Ticket Bundle + T-Shirt

    $95.00 ($130.00 value!)

    The Premium Ticket Bundle includes:

    • Admission to Capturing the Spirit of Oakland.

    • Everything included in the Premium Ticket Bundle

    • Limited edition Capturing the Spirit of Oakland 2026 longsleeve t-shirt featuring event artwork by Jamaal Barber

    Get Premium Bundle + T-Shirt
  • A woman dressed in vintage clothing, with a white hat, pink dress, and white gloves, stands facing a group of diverse adults listening outdoors under trees in a park.

    Eternal Pass

    Step beyond the veil any time you dare with an all-access pass to the most spirited tour in town.

    An Eternal Pass can be used on any date during the Capturing the Spirit of Oakland run, with entry between 5:00 PM and 11:00 PM.

    The Eternal Pass also includes:

    • Two (2) Drink Tickets

    • Access to a dedicated Premium Drink Ticket line at the bar

    • Complimentary water and soda

    • Premium-exclusive specialty Oakland Koozie

    • Commemorative Capturing the Spirit of Oakland program, featuring more in-depth resident biographies, historic photographs, and actor biographies

    The Eternal Pass is one-time use only.

    This pass is rarer than a friendly ghost and won’t last forever!

    Get Eternal Pass
  • Person wearing a white t-shirt with a graphic of hands holding a monument and text about African American history at Oakland Cemetery in Atlanta, Georgia, established 1866.

    Pre-Order T-Shirt & Hoodies

    Purchase a limited edition long-sleeve t-shirt or hoodie to remember your Capturing the Spirit of Oakland 2026 experience!

    Each year, new art brings an exciting way to celebrate historic Oakland Cemetery during Halloween. This year’s artwork was created by Atlanta artist and printmaker Jamaal Barber.

    All t-shirts and hoodies are unisex sizing. T-shirts and hoodies can be picked up at the Oakland Store Pop-Up shop at the end of your Capturing the Spirit of Oakland tour.

    Pre-Order Merch
  • A man in a light-colored suit and tie is smiling and speaking to a person in a pink dress and a white hat, with a woman in the foreground. They are outdoors near a cemetery with trees and gravestones.
  • A group of people walking along a paved path in a park or garden, surrounded by green trees and foliage, with a cloudy sky overhead.
  • A man wearing a formal suit, gray vest, and tie, holding a walking cane, standing outdoors with greenery in the background.
  • A man in a suit speaking to an audience at night, with a young girl sitting on a stone ledge nearby. The background features a stone monument and a tall antenna, with trees and a dark blue sky.
  • An elderly woman with gray hair wearing a large floppy sun hat, pearl earrings, and a pearl necklace, dressed in a white lace top and black skirt, laughing outdoors in a garden with lush greenery and a stone monument in the background.
  • Group of diverse people standing outdoors on a brick path, attentively listening during a gathering or event, with trees and greenery in the background.
  • A woman dressed in vintage clothing, wearing a pale yellow dress with a matching jacket, black shoes, and a necklace, stands outdoors with a headset microphone. She is smiling and appears to be speaking or performing. Around her are colorful suitcases, a white bag, and a hat box, with lush green trees and a monument in the background.
  • A group of people gathered outdoors during sunset, listening to a woman in a brown sweater and blue jeans speak. There are trees and a memorial stone in the background.

Capturing the Spirit of Oakland FAQ

  • Oakland Cemetery is easy to get to by bike, public transit, or rideshare.

    Taking MARTA? King Memorial Station is only a 7-10 minute walk from our Main Gate. From the station:

    • Exit to Decatur Street and head west (left) to Grant Street

    • Turn left on Grant Street and continue to Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE

    • Turn left onto MLK Jr. Drive — the main gates will be straight ahead

    Rideshare is strongly encouraged. Limited street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood. Limited onsite parking is available for $20.

  • The entire route covered on the Capturing the Spirit of Oakland tour is approximately 1 mile long and takes 75 minutes. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

  • Ticket purchases support Historic Oakland Foundation’s mission to preserve, restore, enhance, and share Oakland Cemetery and are not refundable.

    If you are no longer able to attend, we recommend gifting or selling your tickets to friends and neighbors.  

  • Unfortunately, we are unable to reschedule Capturing the Spirit of Oakland tickets.

    If you are not sure when you will be able to attend and are looking for flexibility, we recommend the Eternal Pass.

  • Capturing the Spirit of Oakland is a rain or shine event. In the event of severe weather, we will notify ticketholders of any event or schedule changes via email and social media.

    Ticket purchases support Historic Oakland Foundation’s mission to preserve, restore, enhance, and share Oakland Cemetery and are not refundable.

    If you are no longer able to attend, we recommend gifting or selling your tickets to friends and neighbors.  

  • Capturing the Spirit of Oakland tours are designed to enlighten, not frighten. They are not considered scary or inappropriate for children.

    Many parents see this event as an opportunity for their children to engage with history in a unique setting. As every child is different, we encourage parents to consider whether a nighttime cemetery environment would be comfortable for your child.

    Please note: The 75-minute tour is a theatrical, guided experience, and we ask that all guests remain quiet and attentive throughout the performance to respect both performers and fellow attendees.

  • Yes! All proceeds from Capturing the Spirit of Oakland go towards Historic Oakland Foundation’s mission to preserve, restore, enhance, and share historic Oakland Cemetery.

  • Due to this being a permitted event within a City of Atlanta park, only service animals are allowed at Capturing the Spirit of Oakland.

  • As Oakland Cemetery is a historic site, some areas have uneven paths. We’ve made every effort to create an ADA-accessible route.  

    If you have a request for ADA accommodations, including an ASL interpreter or golf cart assistance, please email swhite@oaklandcemetery.com at least 1 week prior to your tour date.  

  • Thank you for your interest! We are always looking for volunteers to help out at our events. Visit our Volunteer Page for more information.

  • Historic Oakland Foundation charges a modest ticketing fee to help cover the operational costs of the ticketing platform that makes secure, reliable transactions possible. These fees also directly support Historic Oakland Foundation’s mission by offsetting expenses so more resources can go toward preservation, education, and community programs.

  • Contact ticketing@oaklandcemetery.com

Get Tickets

Eternal Pass

*Please Note: Your ticket will appear with an October 25 date, reflecting the last available date that you could redeem the Eternal Pass.