Imagine an ice cream flavor featuring ketchup, mustard, and relish! What a nightmare!

This unusual concoction, fittingly named “Hot Dog Race,” is part of the latest offerings at The Charmery’s annual Halloween event known as “The Harmery,” which co-owner David Alima describes as “genuinely frightening yet somewhat tasty.”

Based in Baltimore, this ice cream shop is among the many local establishments embracing the Halloween spirit with eerie specials and haunting decorations. Whether you’re in search of tricks or treats, we’ve compiled a list of places to immerse yourself in the seasonal fun.

This year’s Halloween offerings at The Charmery are themed around baseball, possibly reflecting the disappointment of another brief Orioles playoff run.

Among the intriguing flavors are a “crabby mac” cheddar and Old Bay ice cream mixed with noodle fragments; a delectable, salty soft pretzel ice cream; and a chili-inspired variety reminiscent of Washington’s famous Ben’s Chili Bowl, present at Nationals Park. The “Harmery Challenge” dares patrons to sample all these unique options.

The themed ice creams will be offered at every Charmery store until Friday or until supplies run out.

Various locations: Hampden, Medfield, Towson, Columbia, Chevy Chase, Bethesda.

Celebrating Halloween in Baltimore would be incomplete without special deals on buns and bowls at Ekiben. This beloved Asian fusion eatery will feature buns for $4 and bowls for $7 this Thursday at all three of its locations, from 4:30 p.m. until closing time.

To take advantage of this special offer, be sure to wear a Halloween costume. Please note that the promotion is limited to one per individual and is available for in-store orders only.

Participating locations include: Fells Point, Hampden, South Baltimore.

This year, Hampden is fully embracing the Halloween spirit.

Bring your little ones to the neighborhood for a trick-or-treat event organized by the Hampden Village Merchants Association, happening from 5 to 6 p.m. Participating businesses will be offering treats along Falls Road, 36th Street, and Chestnut Avenue. Among those taking part is Tia’s Italian Ice, which will be providing complimentary Italian ice and ice cream from 5 to 8 p.m.

From 6:30 to 8 p.m., the community invites everyone to join in an all-ages costume contest. For those interested in a more adult atmosphere, make your way to Frazier’s on the Avenue, where a costume contest will be underway, offering prizes for the top three costumes.

The Avenue, Hampden.

Skip Platform 9 ¾ and head over to Johnny’s for a magical Harry Potter-themed Halloween pop-up.

The Roland Park eatery, part of the Foreman Wolf family, is beautifully transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. On Thursday, there will be special delights from the wizarding world, including chocolate frog cupcakes, Harry Potter-themed cookies, and a variety of “potions” available, both with and without alcohol.

The restaurant warmly invites children to enjoy a special Halloween menu designed just for them, making it a fun stop during their trick-or-treat outings.

4800 Roland Ave., Roland Park.

In Timonium, The Valley Inn has created a Halloween maze to embrace the eerie ambiance of the season.

This maze is free to explore and welcomes both adults and children accompanied by a parent. Don’t forget to visit the restaurant afterward to enjoy a Halloween-themed cocktail or take advantage of their drink specials (three drinks for $30 or four drinks for $100).

10501 Falls Road, Timonium. 

Put on your Halloween costume and visit La Food Marketa at Quarry Lake where you can enjoy a complimentary spooky dessert when you dine for lunch or dinner. The special treat, “Trick or Churros,” features a delightful blend of torched marshmallow, chocolate, tres leches, and festive Halloween candy. Please note, this offer is exclusively for those in costume and is limited to one per table.

In Howard County, make your way to La Food Marketa’s sister establishment, The Food Market Columbia, which has recently introduced a coffee counter. On Halloween, they are providing customers in costume a fantastic deal of half off cafe orders.

La Food Marketa: 2620 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore. The Food Market Coffee: 10480 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. 

If you’re in the mood for a night of dancing, don’t miss the Swann House, the new event venue at Hotel Ulysses, which is hosting a Halloween party with a disco theme this Thursday night.

Disco at the Swann Dive will feature a live DJ, signature cocktails, a Polaroid pop-up station, along with delicious sliders, sandwiches, and fries from the Ash Bar food truck. The best costume will win a complimentary night’s stay at the Hotel Ulysses, but if you don’t take home the grand prize, there’s still a treat: a 20% discount on rooms for all attendees.

Tickets are available for $12 and include a complimentary “Hell-O” shot.

909 N. Charles St., Mount Vernon.

Got a news tip? Reach out to reporter Amanda Yeager at ayeager@baltsun.com, 443-790-1738 or follow her on X @amandacyeager.