Oct 17th Recap: Spooky Shopping, Candlelight Tours, Scarecrows & Halloween Festivals

 

Halloween New England has been exploring more of New England’s spooky side and seasonal charm, from candlelit paranormal history to Halloween markets, community celebrations, and festive autumn streetscapes. 

These recent adventures brought us into historic homes, creative marketplaces, and charming New England towns, with plenty of ways to enjoy the Halloween season along the way!

Find Halloween adventures for yourself at our website or even download our new app for Halloween in your pocket!

Things That Go Bump in the Night Candlelight Tour – Coventry, CT

We recently went on our first visit to the Nathan Hale Homestead in Coventry, CT to check out their
annual Things That Go Bump in the Night Candlelight Tour. After sunset, we explored the historic property by candlelight and moonlight, making our way past the schoolhouse and cornfield while hearing stories of paranormal encounters that haven’t been debunked, along with photo and audio evidence.

Our guide, Anne Marie, was a phenomenal storyteller, helping bring the tales to life as we took in the old buildings, creaky floors, and nighttime atmosphere. A big thank you to the Nathan Hale Homestead team for welcoming us to this memorable evening!

Event details for Things that Go Bump in the Night in Coventry, CT.

Find more Conncticut events like this on our Connecticut Halloween Events Guide. 

Scarecrows Along Main – Old Wethersfield, CT

Halloween New England took a stroll through historic Old Wethersfield, Connecticut, for some autumn exploring at Scarecrows Along Main! More than 170 handmade scarecrows were scattered along Main Street, each bringing its own personality to the historic town. From playful characters to imaginative seasonal creations, there was plenty to discover as we wandered past the displays and took in the charming streetscape.

Part of the fun was spotting scarecrows tucked into all kinds of unexpected places, including rooftops and spaces along the road. The displays added a festive fall twist to a relaxing walk through Old Wethersfield, with its historic buildings, local shops, and inviting places to stop along the way. It was a lovely way to explore this picturesque Connecticut town and soak up its New England charm!

A big thank you to everyone in the Wethersfield community who helps bring this tradition to life each October and celebrates Old Wethersfield’s seasonal creativity!

Event details for Scarecrows Along Main Street in Old Wethersfield, CT.

Find more Conncticut events like this on our Connecticut Halloween Events Guide. 

Ghostport – Bucksport, ME

We spent a full day enjoying Ghostport in Bucksport, Maine, a quaint waterfront town surrounded by peak autumn foliage. This free community celebration packed in a full lineup of Halloween fun, including vendors, the Lil Goblins Parade, a witches’ brunch, pumpkin trebuchets, carved pumpkin contests, and a chili cook-off.

The festivities continued into the night with trunk-or-treating, spooky trivia, a book fair, and a late-night showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Alamo Theatre. Thank you to the organizers and the town of Bucksport for putting together such a lively community celebration!

Event details about this year's Ghostport in Bucksport, ME.

Find more Maine events like this on our Maine Halloween Events Guide. 

The Emporium Spooky Goods and More – Bangor, ME

While exploring Bangor, Maine, Halloween New England stopped by The Emporium Spooky Goods and More, a year-round destination for spooky shopping! From horror collectibles and creepy décor to macabre merchandise and clever gifts, there’s plenty to browse for anyone who loves the darker side of the unusual.

The shop also keeps its connection to the local community going with frequent film screenings, guest horror authors, and special events. Places like this help keep Bangor’s spooky side thriving all year long!

Details on Emporium Spooky Goods and More in Bangor, ME.

Spooktacular Marketplace – Torrington, CT

On Saturday afternoon, we stopped by Spooktacular Marketplace at The Warehouse in Torrington, Connecticut, to browse a creative mix of creepy collectibles, vintage pieces, handmade artwork, décor, and Halloween finds from local artists and vendors.

With a food truck and other activities adding to the experience, it was a fun opportunity to explore the offerings at this unique space. Thanks to Spooktacular CT and Market Street Creative for bringing everyone together!

Event details about this year's Spooktacular Marketplace at The Warehouse in Torrington, CT.

Keep the Halloween Spirit Going

Looking for more ways to celebrate the season? Halloween New England’s Haunt Guides help you discover spooky attractions and plan your next Halloween adventure across New England. Whether you’re mapping out an opening-night visit, looking for Sunday-night haunts, or finding new places to explore, our guides are here to help!

Discover Halloween events and haunted attractions throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine.

There’s always more to discover across New England, and we’ll keep sharing our adventures as we explore the region’s haunts, Halloween events, paranormal history, and all things spooky!

Find the Right Haunt Guide for Your Halloween Plans

And with haunt season underway, there's even more to look forward to!

If you're ready for haunted houses, haunted trails, scream parks, and other frightening attractions, be sure to explore our Halloween New England Haunt Guides. For a terrifying Sunday night out with friends, a scare-free night at a haunt, or to visit as many haunts as you can squeeze in, our guides will help you find your next spooky adventure.

Not sure when to hit the haunts? We’ve got a guide for that! 🎃 Whether you’re looking to visit on a weeknight to avoid the crowds or to plan an outstanding Halloween Night of scares, our Halloween New England Haunt Guides make it easier to plan your haunt adventures.

Looking for a quieter night at the haunts?
Check out the Haunts Open Sunday Nights Guide for haunts running on Sunday evenings. It’s a great way to take advantage of lighter crowds, shorter lines, and a more relaxed haunt experience.

Want Halloween atmosphere without the scares?
The No-Scare Haunt Event Guide highlights special scare-free, actor-free events at haunted attractions, giving you a chance to enjoy the sets, atmosphere, and Halloween fun without the jump scares.

Trying to fit more haunts into your schedule?
Our Weeknight Haunt Guide helps you find attractions open Sunday through Thursday, making it easier to maximize your haunt season without waiting for the weekend.

Plan your Halloween Night at a local haunt!
Our Halloween Night Haunt Guide points you to which area haunts will be running their chainsaws on the most epic night of the year--October 31st!

Keep the Scares going into November
Extend your Halloween season longer with our November Haunt Guide! Find all the local haunts which will be open into early November including any haunt special event nights.

However you like to haunt, there’s a guide to help you find your next scream. Explore all of our Haunt Guides and start planning your next Halloween adventure! 🎃👻