This is an October like no other and it's been incredible and exciting to see the many ways local Halloween attractions and event producers are tapping into their creativity to find new ways of delivering a special Halloween experience.
With the long weekend upon us, it's a perfect chance to hit the road and explore activities and attractions outside your community and across New England - something to enjoy both day and night. Take full advantage of making this October in New England your most memorable month yet!
It's easy to drag and scroll the map, shrink or enlarge it. It's a snap to identify which attractions are in your neck of the woods and which are in the vicinity of your road trip or leaf-peeping destination.
This weekend offers Halloween fans two wonderful behind-the-scenes opportunities for the haunt-curious--one in New Hampshire and the other in Massachusetts.
Guided tours behind the scenes of Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA! You've always wanted to get a look behind the scenes at the notorious haunt's two attractions, costume, and makeup trailers, and more, now is your chance! Barrett's Haunted Mansion Lights On Tours are offered every Saturday in October from 2:00pm-4:00pm, the lights-on tours will begin beneath the covered line behind the house and run between 30-40minutes. This is a unique opportunity for a peek at the craftsmanship, artistry, and moving pieces that contribute to why this 30-year legendary New England haunt is so special.
Calling all Mobsters and Molls, Flappers and Bootleggers, Ghosts and Ghouls! Starting this Saturday, October 9, an over-the-top 1920s themed haunted party of your vintage dreams comes to life!
For a chance to enjoy the beauty of Autumn in New England, the outdoor Halloween on the Hill at Long Hill in Beverly, MA will fit that bill.
Come explore our beautiful property as we transform Long Hill into a celebration of autumn and the Halloween season. Follow our seasonal-themed trail that will feature over 1,000 jack-o'-lanterns, hundreds of mums and pumpkins, elaborate Halloween sets, light displays, music, and more. This is the perfect Halloween event your family won’t want to miss!
Advanced purchase of timed tickets is required as tickets will not be sold on-site. The event will be held Thursdays through Sundays, now through October 24th, and will be held nightly from October 25th– 31st.
Friday, October 8 at the Coolidge Theater in Brookline, MA come and see a midnight screening of Hocus Pocus. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy star in this Salem-set classic as the Sanderson Sisters, three 17th century witches back from the dead to wreak havoc and devour the souls of children.
Feeling Nostalgic? How about some spookiness at the Mendon, Drive-In this Saturday, October 9th. Two of the most beloved seasonal movies are on the docket for this weekend - enjoy Beetlejuice followed by The Rocky Horror Picture Show!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show will screen the movie on the big screen while you are also treated to the LIVE cast by RKO Army. Regular and VIP tix are available with the VIP admission includes early admission, souvenir laminates for everyone in the car, and a pass to come back for movies! Beetlejuice starts at 7:30PM followed by Rocky Horror Live featuring RKOArmy.
Get ready for the Halloween season ahead and brush up on your SFX makeup skills with the 1-Day SFX Makeup Intensive Course with The Makeup Curio
The Makeup Curio will be in Framingham this Saturday, October 9th where you'll have the chance to truly learn how to transform into a zombie with techniques such as cuts and bruises, hair creation, bald capping, and prosthetic application. This all-day course comes with your own makeup kit to get started which will include 3rd Degree, bruise wheel, foam latex prosthetics, and more. With plenty of time to both learn and practice your new techniques ahead of Halloween season, don't miss your opportunity! This is a vaccination-only event --sign up soon before it sells out!
When Objects Talk Back: A Look into Haunted Objects & Paranormal Research on Tuesday, October 12th in Somerset, MA will have you taking another look at that heirloom in the corner.
Join “The Paranormal Couple” Cody Ray Desbiens & Satori Hawes from Travel Channel’s “Ghost Nation” as they dive deep into the phenomena of Haunted Objects! As the curators of “The Paranormal Couple’s Haunted Museum of Objects, Oddities, and Curiosities: The Traveling Exhibition”, both Satori and Cody have built up quite the collection of creepy oddities and haunted objects.
This Wednesday, October 6th in North Haven, you can learn which celebrities love the same horror movie that you love at the Top 10 Horror Movies: An Evening of Halloween Fun / Author Meet & Greet held at the North Haven Library. On this night you'll meet Charles F. Rosenay, author of “The Book Of Top 10 Horror Lists" whose brand new book gathers 100 celebrities who give their Top 10 favorite horror films and themes. This is a FREE event offered through the library, open to all, and will also be simulcasted via Zoom for those who wish to enjoy but cannot attend in person. Everyone who attends will get a free Halloween treat! Registration is required. 
The Torrington Public Library in Torrington, CT has some not-so-spooky events this Friday and Saturday night. Friday October 8 will test your teen's building skills. Teen Event: Making Haunted Gingerbread Houses sounds yummy-Candy, frosting, red icing.... can you create the creepiest Haunted Gingerbread House? Get creative with friends (ages 11-17) and build haunted gingerbread houses at the library! Don't worry - there will be plenty of candy for us to eat!
On Saturday, October 9the the Torrington Public Library will host its annual, all-ages Not So Spooky Halloween Bash
which serves up fun for the whole family! The event will keep things strictly “not-so-spooky” for the youngest kiddos to ensure that everyone can feel comfortable during the festivities as you support the library through this delightful Halloween fundraiser! All ages are encouraged to come in full costume! There will be trick-or-treating, temporary Halloween tattoos, a Halloween photo station, and much more! Timed entry will be in place. advanced tickets are required.
New Hampshire Halloween Events (Full Guide)
The Pumpkin Runner opens the Milford NH Pumpkin Festival. The festivities begin Friday, October 8th, and run through Sunday, October 10. Come and enjoy live music, artisans, and crafts, as well as pumpkin carving, a haunted trail, and scarecrow making!
The Strand in Dover, NH has you covered this weekend and beyond with frightening films. Starting Friday, October 8th there is a unique bonus experience happening at The Conjuring: Two paranormal investigation teams, S.T.I.R.S~ and New England Spirit Society, have both spent time in the Conjuring House. They will be at The Strand for some Q&A about their findings!
You'll find the pumpkins on display for you on Main St. from October 9th-19th so circle Damariscotta on your map and head north to check out this fun fall experience.
Plan ahead for your October weekends by checking out haunted attractions on a Sunday night! This weekend there are TWENTY-EIGHT haunted attractions open this Sunday, October 11th.
Team Halloween New England was everywhere this past weekend and if you follow us on Instagram or Facebook you've been treated to a few of the pics from our adventures across the region!
Toward the end of last week, we spotted the MEAT Tank while we were at The Big E for the day. If you're curious to learn more about the MEAT tank, you can find it every night at DementedFX haunt in Holyoke, MA now that they've just opened for the season.
On Friday, we headed down to Putnam, CT to take in the annual Zombie Fashion Show which was a super festive community Halloween event where zombies - different age groups - walked the runway strutting their undead fabulousness, and competed for Best Zombie prizes!
On Saturday we headed to Salem for the day where we checked out the Haunted Marketplace right downtown, shopped in the local stores, soaked up the energy of the crowds, and finished the night on a Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour hosted by Salem Historical Tours.
We took a detour up to Mill No. 5 in Lowell, MA to visit the local artisan pop-up market Ghastly. Produced by A Little Bazaar - a different themed pop-up market every weekend - we loved this particular weekend's horror and oddity-themed marketplace which was, you guessed it, right up our alley! We met so many terrific local dark artists, collectors, graphic artists, and fun people! 
On Saturday night, you also could find us down the MA coast starting the evening off at the newly revamped Factory of Terror in Fall River and then headed down the road to welcome the return of Fear Town haunted house in Seekonk, MA after a pause in 2020.
Sunday morning brought us to Concord, MA for a family-friendly graveyard tour called Grave Detectives! which is the new kid-appropriate cemetery tour offered by the Concord Tour Company.
Monday may have been a rainy night in Portsmouth, NH but nobody on the fabulous Legends, Ghosts & Graves Tour noticed the rain because we were all having too much fun with Portsmouth's own New England Curiosities! With two decades of tours under her belt, there might not be a better keeper of seacoast stories and legends than Roxie Zwicker and I know we'll be back for more!
We've got seven contests live on Halloween New England right now plus more added over the weekend! Find ALL the contests that you can enter HERE
See a marker in an area you are curious about? Click on the orange dot to learn more about that attraction and even link over to their attraction page on Halloween New England to see contact info and features of the property.
Behind-the-Scenes Daytime Tours and Events at Area Haunts!
Guided tours behind the scenes of Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA! You've always wanted to get a look behind the scenes at the notorious haunt's two attractions, costume, and makeup trailers, and more, now is your chance! Barrett's Haunted Mansion Lights On Tours are offered every Saturday in October from 2:00pm-4:00pm, the lights-on tours will begin beneath the covered line behind the house and run between 30-40minutes. This is a unique opportunity for a peek at the craftsmanship, artistry, and moving pieces that contribute to why this 30-year legendary New England haunt is so special.
Another very worthwhile daytime haunt experience takes place Friday, Saturday, and Sundays from 10:00am-4:00pm --the Daytime Haunt self-guided walk at Haunted Overload. This all-ages daytime version is actor-free, scare-free, and sound-off. You'll be glad you made the trip to this event because there is no better way to appreciate the stunningly detailed and super creative scenery from this award-winning haunt. As with everything, advance tickets are the way to go--and it's only $8!
Massachusetts Halloween Events (Full Guide)
Salem, MA is where everyone can Charleston and Lindy, shake and shimmy at Haunted Speakeasy's Salem Vintage Halloween Party. This 1920’s-themed haunted party offers up vintage dance lessons, a theatre experience provided by History Alive, themed cocktails of the Prohibition-era, the very best of New England’s Burlesque and Drag performers to bewitch you with spooky performances and thrilling numbers, and musical performances by the uber-talented Niki Luparelli and The Gravediggers! In the spooky heart of New England, you’ll find yourself dancing alongside ghosts and ghouls and you can even tour Miss Havisham’s Parlour on the main floor of Town Hall for an immersive experience based on the novel by Charles Dickens.
This Thursday, October 7 in Brookline, MA indulge your eyes and ears with Candlelight Halloween: A Haunted Evening of Classical Compositions. This atmospheric experience invites you to listen to a performance of some haunted classical music like you’ve never seen before. Savor the music in a uniquely romantic atmosphere created by flickering candlelight and the other classical music lovers. You'll be hearing some selections from the best-known composers in history - discover new music and classics that everyone loves in the most magical setting! The performers for this evening will be the Listeso String Quartet as you soak up the ambiance in a beautiful venue bathed in candlelight as you take in the talented string quartet performing a mix of classical and modern spooky pieces.
Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA also begins offering their October Bite and Fright Deal which you can take advantage of any Thursday or Sunday night in October. For $45 you get admission to both Barrett's Haunted Mansion haunts PLUS dinner (with tax/tip included!) at the Abington Ale House next door to the haunt.
In East Longmeadow at The Apple Place, this Saturday, October 9th is your first of two chances this month to spend a night under the stars at their Flashlight Corn Maze! This is a non-haunted corn maze event suitable for all ages and you'll want to bring your own flashlight and a good pair of walking shoes! This is a quintessential fall experience and if you have never adventured at night in a flashlight maze, this is your chance!
Come explore our beautiful property as we transform Long Hill into a celebration of autumn and the Halloween season. Follow our seasonal-themed trail that will feature over 1,000 jack-o'-lanterns, hundreds of mums and pumpkins, elaborate Halloween sets, light displays, music, and more. This is the perfect Halloween event your family won’t want to miss!
Advanced purchase of timed tickets is required as tickets will not be sold on-site. The event will be held Thursdays through Sundays, now through October 24th, and will be held nightly from October 25th– 31st.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show will screen the movie on the big screen while you are also treated to the LIVE cast by RKO Army. Regular and VIP tix are available with the VIP admission includes early admission, souvenir laminates for everyone in the car, and a pass to come back for movies! Beetlejuice starts at 7:30PM followed by Rocky Horror Live featuring RKOArmy.
The Makeup Curio will be in Framingham this Saturday, October 9th where you'll have the chance to truly learn how to transform into a zombie with techniques such as cuts and bruises, hair creation, bald capping, and prosthetic application. This all-day course comes with your own makeup kit to get started which will include 3rd Degree, bruise wheel, foam latex prosthetics, and more. With plenty of time to both learn and practice your new techniques ahead of Halloween season, don't miss your opportunity! This is a vaccination-only event --sign up soon before it sells out!
Looking for a family fun way to end the long weekend? On Monday, October 11th, try Grave Detectives! for Kids & Families - a unique and memorable historical experience in beautiful downtown Concord, MA!
Grave Detectives! Stories in Stone is an interactive discovery tour for kids and adults exploring the art, history, and sometimes funny stories behind the stones. Grave Detectives! will introduce families to some of Concord MA’s oldest history that is hiding in plain sight at Old Hill Burying Ground.
This tour will introduce kids to how to read gravestone iconography, how to use images to roughly date stones, and how the epitaphs convey information. This is a family-friendly tour suitable for kids 7y and up!
Bonus! Use promo code HALLNE2021 for 10% off Grave Detectives standard admission pricing if you found us through Halloween New England!
When Objects Talk Back: A Look into Haunted Objects & Paranormal Research on Tuesday, October 12th in Somerset, MA will have you taking another look at that heirloom in the corner.
Join “The Paranormal Couple” Cody Ray Desbiens & Satori Hawes from Travel Channel’s “Ghost Nation” as they dive deep into the phenomena of Haunted Objects! As the curators of “The Paranormal Couple’s Haunted Museum of Objects, Oddities, and Curiosities: The Traveling Exhibition”, both Satori and Cody have built up quite the collection of creepy oddities and haunted objects.
Connecticut Halloween Events (Full Guide)
A great free outdoor event happening this Wednesday, October 6th, you can enjoy 'Alien' Outdoor Film Screening. Screenings will be held outdoors at Pitkin Plaza public park, New Haven, CT. Even better you can bring your furry friend in tow! Bring your own chairs and blankets, and take a peek at the forecast before you go as this is a weather-dependent event.
On Saturday, October 9the the Torrington Public Library will host its annual, all-ages Not So Spooky Halloween Bash
which serves up fun for the whole family! The event will keep things strictly “not-so-spooky” for the youngest kiddos to ensure that everyone can feel comfortable during the festivities as you support the library through this delightful Halloween fundraiser! All ages are encouraged to come in full costume! There will be trick-or-treating, temporary Halloween tattoos, a Halloween photo station, and much more! Timed entry will be in place. advanced tickets are required.
Mystic's renowned Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours is bringing back their special guided tour of Elm Grove Cemetery on Sunday, October 10th. The Elm Grove Cemetery Tour is held at 4:00pm which allows you to make an evening out of it by booking the 7:00pm twilight Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour.
New Hampshire Halloween Events (Full Guide)
This weekend is a perfect time to head to Lee, NH where Halloween is in full swing! You can visit Haunted Overload which opens their evening haunted trail for the season on Friday, October 8th complete with actors, scares, their infamous haunted mansion, giant scenes, and their famous treetop tall characters built deep in the woods.
In addition to their nightly show, during the day on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday you can also see what their artistry looks like in the daylight. Visit the Haunted Overload Daytime Haunt between 10:00am-4:00pm!
Head on over to Stratham, NH for the Flashlight Maze at Scamman Farm, Friday evenings in October. Come explore over 6 acres of twists and turns in their non-haunted nighttime corn maze! With a brand new design every year, the corn grows taller and thicker, creating more and more of an adventure. With stalks growing up to 12 feet tall, it makes for a challenging and immersive maze experience.
Bring your own flashlight and dress for the weather.
Bring your own flashlight and dress for the weather.
Halloween Storybook Hayrides at DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee, NH begin this Saturday, October 9th and continue on Saturdays and Sundays through October. A specially designed event for younger children featuring all of their favorite storybook characters. Listen to enchanted stories while on a fun hayride through the nature trails and orchard. After the hayride, each child will receive Halloween goodies and a pumpkin followed by a story read by Mother Goose and face painting.
The hayride is approximately 30-45 minutes long and reservations are strongly recommended
The hayride is approximately 30-45 minutes long and reservations are strongly recommended
The Salisbury Woods and Haunted Trail opens their five-night seasonal fundraiser haunt on Saturday, October 9th in Salisbury, NH. This year, they've moved to timed ticketing so be sure to buy tickets in advance for some affordable spooky fun at this beloved community haunt walk-through.
Sunday, October 10th has the family-friendly fun of "Hocus Pocus" starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najim as the Sanderson Sister. 300 years have passed since the Sanderson sisters were executed for practicing dark witchcraft. Returning to life thanks to a combination of a spell spoken before their demise and the accidental actions of Max, the new-kid-in-town, the sisters have but one night to secure their continuing existence. Costumes are welcomed and encouraged!
The Strand Dover NH extends your weekend fun on Monday, October 11 with George A Romero's original Dawn of the Dead, and on Tuesday, October 12th you'll enjoy the set-in-New England comedy horror movie Re-Animator, loosely based on an HP Lovecraft serial. Both movies begin at 7 PM.
Rhode Island Halloween Events (Full Guide)
The Roger Williams Park and Zoo welcome you into fantastical lands with Fairy Tale Fun Night at the Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular!
On these special nights, you'll love the fairy tale theme as your family participates in meet & greets with some of their favorite costumed characters before hopping on the pumpkin trail.
All events are 6:00 – 8:00 pm and are included in the price of the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular ticket.
Fairy Tale Nights - Tuesdays, October 12th & 19th
Superhero Nights - Wednesdays, October 13th & 20thAvailable every Saturday in October, Clark Farms will open their flashlight maze and you'll be treated to campfires with FREE s’mores until 9pm – weather permitting, of course! The last admission for Flashlight Nights is at 8pm. Bring your own flashlight!
In Burlington, VT, join author and renowned haunted history guide Thea Lewis on the Darkness Falls Ghost Tour for a trip through time on this perennial favorite.
In the center of gorgeous Burlington, this reputable tour has been chosen as one of New England’s best-haunted walks by Yankee Magazine You will be treated to stories and tales featuring some of Burlington’s most infamous characters and intriguing haunts during this 60-minute tour offered through Queen City Ghost Walk.
The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta has adjusted their annual bucket-list fall festival for 2021. For this year, they've reimagined the fest to be an adapted and scaled-back version but still a worthwhile Halloween experience! Sadly, no pumpkin boats will be around this year but the beloved, incredible giant pumpkins will be decorated and will still be on display!
Rhode Island Halloween Events (Full Guide)
On these special nights, you'll love the fairy tale theme as your family participates in meet & greets with some of their favorite costumed characters before hopping on the pumpkin trail.
All events are 6:00 – 8:00 pm and are included in the price of the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular ticket.
Fairy Tale Nights - Tuesdays, October 12th & 19th
Superhero Nights - Wednesdays, October 13th & 20th
Clark Farms Flashlight Maze in Mantunuck challenges you to Escape from (Corn Maze) Alcaltraz! Under the brilliant autumn moon, challenge yourself to escape the maze by flashlight!
Vermont Halloween Events (Full Guide)
In the center of gorgeous Burlington, this reputable tour has been chosen as one of New England’s best-haunted walks by Yankee Magazine You will be treated to stories and tales featuring some of Burlington’s most infamous characters and intriguing haunts during this 60-minute tour offered through Queen City Ghost Walk.
Maine Halloween Events (Full Guide)
You'll find the pumpkins on display for you on Main St. from October 9th-19th so circle Damariscotta on your map and head north to check out this fun fall experience.
Haunted Overload (Lee, NH), DementedFX (Holyoke, MA), Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA), Trail of Terror (Wallingford, CT), The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT), 13th World (Cumberland, RI), and Factory of Terror (Fall River, MA), Legends of Fear (Shelton, CT), Terror at Quassy (Middlebury, CT), Fear Town (Seekonk, MA), 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?
Which Haunted Attractions are Open on Weeknights this Week?
If you are like us, you'll want to pack in as many haunts during October to take full advantage of the Halloween season and our Weeknight Guide was created with you in mind!
Thursday, October 7th has just two haunted attractions open on this night Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA) will be open and ready to give you nightmares! Thursday nights every week is a non-haunted walk-through at Haunted Grandview Manor (Lebanon, ME)--don't worry, the scares will return for the weekend!
Monday, October 11th is a holiday and you have three haunts to choose from to fill out your long weekend. Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA will be open for you along with Fright Fest at Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA and SpookyWorld in Litchfield, NH.
Haunted Houses, Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Friday, October 8th
Haunted Overload (NH)
Terror at Quassy (CT)
Vengeance in the Valley (VT) - Haunted Hayride and Haunted Maze
Monster Hunt (CT) - Haunted Experience & Hayride
Field of Screams (RI)
Haunted Houses, Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Saturday, October 9th
The Apple Place Night Maze - non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze
Hicks Family Farm (MA) - Haunted Corn Maze
Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm (CT) - non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze
What has Halloween New England been up to?
Toward the end of last week, we spotted the MEAT Tank while we were at The Big E for the day. If you're curious to learn more about the MEAT tank, you can find it every night at DementedFX haunt in Holyoke, MA now that they've just opened for the season.
On Friday, we headed down to Putnam, CT to take in the annual Zombie Fashion Show which was a super festive community Halloween event where zombies - different age groups - walked the runway strutting their undead fabulousness, and competed for Best Zombie prizes!
We took a detour up to Mill No. 5 in Lowell, MA to visit the local artisan pop-up market Ghastly. Produced by A Little Bazaar - a different themed pop-up market every weekend - we loved this particular weekend's horror and oddity-themed marketplace which was, you guessed it, right up our alley! We met so many terrific local dark artists, collectors, graphic artists, and fun people!
Sunday morning brought us to Concord, MA for a family-friendly graveyard tour called Grave Detectives! which is the new kid-appropriate cemetery tour offered by the Concord Tour Company.
Monday may have been a rainy night in Portsmouth, NH but nobody on the fabulous Legends, Ghosts & Graves Tour noticed the rain because we were all having too much fun with Portsmouth's own New England Curiosities! With two decades of tours under her belt, there might not be a better keeper of seacoast stories and legends than Roxie Zwicker and I know we'll be back for more!
CONTESTS: Giveaways, Invite-Only Nights, and Tickets Galore!
CONTESTS: Giveaways, Invite-Only Nights, and Tickets Galore!
We've got seven contests live on Halloween New England right now plus more added over the weekend! Find ALL the contests that you can enter HERE
Soooo many contests mean soooooo many winners! Congratulations to the following Halloween fans who have won contests through Halloween New England over the last week - we've listed them below.
Haunted Overload's Invite-only Night - Denise Daniel, Lily Moonstorm, Alicia Auger, Richard Webster
Barrett's Haunted Mansion - Kim Clements and Jamie Pearson
Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular - Andrea Berntsen
Trail of Terror VIP Passes - Victoria Lucia
Block Island Ghost Tour - Sue Cornell
Fear Town - Richa Shah and Christopher Long
Factory of Terror - Rebecca Collinsworth and Jared Ponte
The Dark Manor - Cory Coffey and Warren Maxwell
Grave Addiction Tour with Concord Tour Company - Dawn Patterson
Fear on the Farm at McCrays Farm - Ava Santana and Gavin Beauregard
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