Sep 29, 2021

Weekly Top Picks Sept 29-Oct 5, 2021

Happy October everyone!


After 11 months of waiting and counting down the days, our favorite month is here at last! The temperatures are lovely during the day and perfectly crisp at night and we are spotting the leaves turning more every day. New England is showing signs of l
ooking like October ought to! Before we know it, there will be a chill in the air and we'll be staying toasty in our wool sweaters and flannel. 

Halloween New England Nighttime Flashlight Corn Maze Guides

One of
Halloween New England's all-time favorite non-scary nighttime Halloween activities is to head out to spend an evening at a local Flashlight Corn Maze so we can spend a few fall hours away under the light of the moon. There might not be a better way to soak up the atmosphere of this time of year when you factor in a dose of that cool, crisp night weather we all love and you've got a perfect night of gently spooky fun! Honestly, there are no scares planned in flashlight mazes but we've been known to brush our elbow against the stalks and give ourselves a startle--that's strictly on us! Some local mazes will offer flashlight nights on a weekly basis while others offer it on a select two or three nights during the season. As many outdoor activities are, flashlight mazes are subject to weather so a drizzle won't usually close a maze but a downpour might. Regardless, wearing a good pair of sturdy boots is a must because...it's New England in the fall!  Find the Flashlight Corn Mazes near you in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. Look in the features box inside each listing to know if they offer a flashlight maze (non-haunted) along with their special haunted events.

Halloween New England Pumpkin Patch Guides

Whether you're headed on a family pumpkin picking excursion for carving or you're seeking some warty and striped pumpkins for distinctive autumn displays, we have listed all the local pumpkin patches for you in one easy-to-find place!

Organized in an intuitive way - one guide per state- tap into Halloween New England's six Pumpkin Patch Guides to help you find a local patch where you live or where you might be road-tripping! Lucky for us all, many patches overlap with farm bakeries and other agri-fun so maybe you'll score some cider donuts too! 

Find the Pumpkin Patches listed near you in ConnecticutMassachusettsRhode IslandNew HampshireMaine, and Vermont.

The Jack O'Lantern Spectacular Delivers 32 Nights of Glow Starting Sept. 30th. Tune in Thursday when the Spectacular takes over our Instagram Story!


This Thursday, September 30th-- is the Opening Night for the always mesmerizing 
Jack O' Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Park and Zoo in Providence, RI!
In 2021, this annual pumpkin festival has been returned to its glory as a walk-through event for people of all ages to enjoy thousands of hand-carved carved Jack O' Lanterns on display fitting a different arcing theme every year.

Held 7 nights a week, September 30th through October 31st, you'll be treated to a breathtaking display of carved pumpkins and pumpkin displays, It's a perfect way to spend a crisp fall evening as you soak up the sights of thousands of glowing, stunningly carved pumpkins.

To celebrate this special Halloween event, Halloween New England has handed over the reins to the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular for an all-day 24 hour Instagram Story Takeover!
 
Visit Halloween New England's Instagram Story on Thursday, Sept. 30th to follow along with the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular Takeover--or look it up under the #HNETakeover and #HNExJOLS to get a peek at what the Spectacular has in store for us all this season!
 

The first-ever Haunted Speakeasy at Sea BOO-ze cruise heads into Boston Harbor this Saturday! NEW Salem Haunted Speakeasy events start soon! 

If you call yourself a Halloween fan and love everything that captures the season, then you already know the place for top-caliber vintage-themed Halloween revelry is New England's very own 
The Haunted Speakeasy! And if you haven't donned your gangster suit and or adorned yourself in feathers and fridge then, we can't help but ask--what are you waiting for? The Haunted Speakeasy is one of the absolute best themed Halloween parties you'll come across in our wonderful region and there's no better place to sport your ghastly or Gatsby-inspired costume than during one of the SEVEN speakeasy events happening this October! 

There is, however only ONE chance to set sail in Boston Harbor for the Saturday, October 2nd Haunted Speakeasy at Sea BOO-ze cruise so quickly get those few remaining tickets and dust off your stole for this weekend.
Don't forget to buy your tickets early for the rest of October when The Salem Haunted Speakeasy descends on Salem, MA this year with six Speakeasy events lined up during October weekends inside Salem's historic Old Town Hall starting October 9th! 
With live entertainment, spooky-themed cocktails, dancing, burlesque performers, haunted characters, and more this is an incredibly well-planned Halloween event you will not want to miss.
Advance tickets are a must for Salem's The Haunted Speakeasy (Saturdays, October 9th, 16th, and 23rd plus Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Halloween Weekend October 29th - 31st).

What has Halloween New England been up to? 

Last weekend we took a swing up to Haverhill, MA for OddFest --a gathering of over 25 New England area vendors and artists selling their spooky and creepy wares. This oddities and curiosities bazaar was filled with super creative and unforgettable goodies and collectibles. We think we will be seeing those ultra-creepy painted baby dolls in our nightmares for a while now!

We send out a huge thanks to Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA who hosting us for a wild Saturday night during their 30th Anniversary season of haunting -- a truly impressive accomplishment! Days later, our adrenaline is just starting to dial down after the screams and terror inside the Haunted Mansion and the brand-new attraction Condemned. They outdid themselves this year and we'll treat you to some video from our night there if you hop over to Halloween New England's Instagram.

To mark Barrett's incredible anniversary year, the Halloween New England team reached out to our favorite New England donut company -- Speakeasy Donuts --a pop-up donut bakery out of Salem, MA to create a memorable gift to bring to Barrett's. We Speakeasy Donuts wouldn't let us down yet they still managed to amaze us with their creation: custom donuts of the face of Barrett's iconic haunt character Klown1. We can honestly say we've never seen more terrifying donuts in our lives (in a good way, though!) Well done Speakeasy Donuts and thank you for going above and beyond to allow us to bring the perfect gift!


Massachusetts Halloween Events


Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston opens its Autumn Illuminated display this Thursday, September 30th. Walk along a half-mile trail, lit by hundreds of lights, adding an ephemeral aspect to the already beautiful statuary, fountains and grounds. This event is mostly outdoors.  Advanced tickets are required.
 
Poe. is a live theater performance that explores some of the author's popular poems and stories, such classics like The Raven and The Cask of Amontillado. Paying homage to one of the great patrons of spookiness through music and movement, this event is held mostly outdoors at the Gedney House in Salem on Thursday, September 30th.

For some indoor spooky live theater in Orleans down on the Cape, nothing will scare you more than The Haunting of Hill House. Opening Friday, October 1st, this tale, set in a mysterious, macabre home brings together a small group of people participating in research of the supernatural.
 
Grab a chair, get a space and settle in and listen to local legends as told by candlelight at Local Lore by Candlelight at Salem's historic Daniels House. Held in one of Salem's oldest homes, you'll find this spooky story offering available to you every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in October.
 
Is Bloody Mary real? How about body part snatchers? The Lady in White? Join author and folklorist Jeff Belanger at the East Bridgewater Library this Tuesday, October 5th for Dark Journeys and Urban Legends and hear why these stories have endured around the world.

Looking for a little retail therapy for yourself or gifts for your Halloween-loving friends? Look no further than Lowell this Saturday, October 2nd GHASTLY: The Oddity & Horror Marketplace. Enjoy locally made wares with a scarier flare and you'll even find Halloween New England there too as we've had this circled on our calendar for weeks no!

How about some classic scary movies? There is a double feature of classic horror- Dracula and Frankenstein in Framingham Saturday, October 2nd. Iconic actors in career-defining roles bring their best to these two amazing adaptations.
 
If you are eagle-eyed, you can spot the Halloween New England team this Friday, October 1st at Fear Town Haunted House in Seekonk, MA, and at Factory of Terror in Fall River.

On Saturday, October 2nd we'll be up in Salem all day and will kick off our adventures in the Witch City by attending the Salem Zombie Walk and wrapping it up in the evening with a Haunted Footsteps Salem Ghost Tour! On Saturday you are also likely to run into us in Lowell while we are checking out GHASTLY: The Oddity & Horror Marketplace at Mill No. 5 featuring all kinds of local artists and vendors. 
On Sunday, October 3rd, we start our morning at Grave Detectives in Concord for the all-ages cemetery tour with the Concord Tour Company!


Connecticut Halloween Events 


Grab your flashlight, check the moonlight and go to Orange, CT to experience the Night Maze at Treat Farm this Friday, October 1st. Enjoy their 6.5-acre maze, complete challenges found within, and use your instincts to find your way out.

Zombie Fashion Show Just because you are undead doesn't mean you can't have style! Strut or shuffle your best corpse self on the runway, killer soundtrack provided by non-other than DJ “Scary” (Gary) O of WINY Radio.
Be a part of the event as a mini-monster (child) or adult, or just come and watch the festivities! For one night only in scenic Putnam, you'll find the Zombie Fashion show this Friday, October 1st as the event begins around 7 PM. Guess who else is excited about this event --we are! Halloween New England will also be visiting this event for the first time and we can't wait - it's been on our wish list for a while now!
 
The Monster Petting Zoo Held at the Staehly Farm & Winery makes its debut this weekend as they will open up open Saturdays and Sundays, October 2nd - 31st.

This new gear-for-the-kids attraction is a fun, family-friendly interactive hayride through an enchanted orchard with monsters to pet! This is not a scary event - in fact, it is as family-friendly as can be! You'll also be treated to a farm market, food trucks, pumpkin picking, photo-ops, and other fall goodies along with daily entertainment.

Looking for a gift for your favorite ghoul?  Need to find the perfect piece to complete your dark decor?  Head to East Haven this Sunday, October 3rd to experience the New England Oddities & Antiques Exhibition where you'll find purveyors of art, antiques, oddities, & general nonsense come out to conduct a day-long event for the obscure. There will certainly be something for everyone here but especially for those with an eye for the creepy and weird!
 

New Hampshire Halloween Events 

Our Tops Picks for New Hampshire this week will have you using your instincts or jumping out of your seat! Watch out for the (pop) corn!

Flashlight Maze at Trombly Gardens opens for the season this weekend also and you'll find them open Friday and Saturday nights in October from October 1st - 30th. Find your way out of the corn maze using just a flashlight, some courage, and hopefully a good sense of direction! Even still, getting "lost" in the maze is part of the fun and there's no better way to partake than in the moonlight during the fall. Trombly Gardens offers up this non-haunted corn maze throughout weekends in October. Bring your own flashlight!
 
The Strand Theater in Dover starts the Week of Witches this Sunday, October 3rd with The Blair Witch Project, followed by Monday, October 4th's screening of The Witches of Eastwick.

Another fun one to note during the Week of Witches happens Tuesday, October 5th when they show The Craft
These are just a few of the Witch-themed films so check out The Strand for a full list of screenings to delight you.

Rhode Island Halloween Events 


The Jack O'Lantern Spectacular in Providence (see feature above) is definitely the biggest event to capture our attention in Rhode Island this week! They're open 7 nights a week now (September 30) through October 31st and with thousands--yes thousands!--of hand-carved Jack-O'Lanterns lining the walk, you will be impressed by this atmospheric, all-ages, quintessential New England Halloween experience Details on the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular.

Halloween fun can include our furry friends. Leash up and bring your dog to Howlween Annual Dog Walk and Costume Contest with Warwick Animal Shelter on Saturday, October 2nd. With 
Costume Contest for the pooches, a blessing of the animals, a dog bandana, and a dog walk (choice of long or short walk) this is sure to be a fun event for you and your furry family member. Don't have a pup, you can also meet the shelter's adoptable dogs who will be there spending the entire day on a fun field trip!

Did you know that Dracula never says "I want to drink your blood"? Instead, the line is "I never drink....wine".  And Frankenstein is the name of the Doctor, not the monster! Brush up on your classic Halloween and Movie Monster trivia with a first-hand refresher during these films' double-feature screening of Dracula and Frankenstein in Manchester, Newington, Londonderry, and Salem NH on Saturday, October 2nd.

Under the brilliant autumn moon, challenge yourself to escape the maze by flashlight! head to Wakefield, RI every Saturday in October you'll be treated to campfires with FREE s’mores at the Flashlight Maze at Clark Farms which opens for their night mazes this Saturday night October 2nd.
Last admission for Flashlight Nights is at 8pm and S'mores end at 9:00pm - remember to pack your own flashlight! 

Vermont Halloween Events 

This Saturday, October 2nd has a waning crescent moon--use that light, along with your flashlight to navigate the Twilight Maze at Gaines Farm in Guilford, VT! 
You'll love the autumn experience of finding your way through the (non-haunted) corn maze. Open select dates in September and October. The folks at Gaines Farm love this time of year as much as we do so you're sure to have a memorable evening in their non-haunted twilight maze. Please bring your own flashlight.

Maine Halloween Events 

The event listings are starting slow this month in beautiful Maine.
Why not take in some classic horror flicks? 

Dracula and Frankenstein are a classic horror movie combo and now you can enjoy them with an in-person double feature!

Bela Lugosi stars as the mysterious, suave Count Dracula, the role that would make his career. He stalks through the London fog, looking for his next victim in this signature adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel.
Boris Karloff is brought to life by the mad genius Dr. Frankenstein. The monster is both frightening and tragic in this original adaptation of Mary Shelly's masterpiece. With only 
Brunswick is where the double-feature is happening and it is the only location in Maine to treat yourself to this double-matinee!



Plan ahead for your October weekends by checking out haunted attractions on a Sunday night! This weekend there are FOURTEEN haunted attractions open this Sunday, October 3rd including 13th World (Cumberland, RI), The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT), Fear Town (Seekonk, MA), Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA), Factory of Terror (Fall River, MA) and Fear on the Farm at McCray's Farm (South Hadley, MA) Haunted Hayride & Walk-through. Sundays often offer shorter lines and a more personal experience-- so what are you waiting for?

Find the complete list on Halloween New England's Guide to Haunts Open on Sunday Nights.



Haunted Houses, Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Friday, October 1st

Trail of Terror (Wallingford, CT)
The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT)
13th World Haunted Trail (Cumberland, RI)
Fear on the Farm at McCrays Farm (S. Hadley, MA) - Haunted Hayride and Walk-through
DementedFX (Holyoke, MA)

Dead North (VT) - Haunted Corn Maze 
Seven Cedars Haunted Hayride (RI)
Haunted Tunnel at Slater Park (RI)
The Dark Woods (NH)
Trombly Gardens (NH) non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze
Elwood Orchards (NH) non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze
Scamman Farm (NH) non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze
Fright Kingdom (NH)
Haunted Grandview Manor (ME) 
Monster Hunt (CT) - Haunted Experience & Hayride
Evidence of Evil (CT)
The Haunted Isle (CT)
Bunnell Farm (CT) - non-haunted Flashlight Maze
Hysteria at Connors Farm (MA)
Witch's Woods (MA)
Haunted Witch Village (MA)
Hicks Family Farm (MA) - non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze
Marini Farm (MA) - non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Haunted Houses, Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Saturday, October 2nd

Haunted Grandview Manor (ME) 
Clark Farms (RI) non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze



CONTESTS: Opening Weekend Giveaways, Invite-Only Nights, and Tickets Galore!

We've got over a dozen contests live on Halloween New England right now plus more posted over the weekend! Find ALL the contests that you can enter HERE right from the home page of Halloween New England.

Recent Contest Winners:
Congratulations to recent contest winners Rayah Martin who won the Seaside Shadows Elm Grove Tour tickets, Denise Daniel and Jillian Williams won tickets to Haunted Overload's VIP night, Kiana Ka and Sean Randall won a 4-pack of tickets along with Nikki DeCosta who won VIP tickets to 13th World. Allison Dubrosky won VIP Passes to Legends of Fear in Shelton, CT, Gregory Giroux scored admission to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Providence, Keri Fletcher and Aleksis Kanelos won tickets to Barrett's Haunted Mansion. Robert Varvarigos and Sumaiyyah Kharashqah are heading into Boston Harbor on our Haunted Speakeasy at Sea haunted BOOze Cruise, and The Concord Tour Company winners are Katharine Simon and Deana Abram who won Grave Detectives tickets and Dawn Patterson who won Grave Addiction tickets! Cory Coffey and Warren Maxwell each scored a pair of tickets to check out The Dark Manor in Baltic, CT! Candie Komorowski is the lucky recipient of opening weekend tickets to Fear at the Farm at McCray's Farm in South Hadley, MA. Nichelle Delgado's name was drawn for the Salem Historical Tours' Witchcraft Walk tickets. Gavin Beauregard crushed the DementedFX contest and came away the winner with a pair of VIP passes!

No comments:

Post a Comment