Happy October everyone!
After 11 months of waiting and counting down the days, our favorite month is here at last! Even better, it both looks and feels like October ought to. There's a chill in the air and our wool sweaters came out this week along with the scarves.
The Jack O'Lantern Spectacular Delivers 32 Nights of Glow Starting Oct. 3rd
This annual pumpkin festival features a stunning 5,000-plus carved jack o' lanterns on display fitting a different arcing theme every year.
Held 7 nights a week from October 3rd through Nov. 3rd, 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 and you still have time to try your luck at winning a pair of tickets on the Halloween New England website.
Details about the Spectacular.
The Haunted Speakeasy is the Halloween Party of the Season!
The veil lifts on the Atrium to reveal scenes from Worcester's ghostly past--specters from the final Halloween before the end of prohibition haunt the halls for five memorable nights this Halloween season!
Lindy hop or foxtrot your way across the beautiful ballroom. Dance and enjoy spirits (booo!) as 1920s music (and a few contemporary songs reVAMPed for that flapper feel) play in the ballroom by resident Speakeasy Spectacle Niki Luparelli and the Gold Diggers!
Friday and Saturday, October 18th and 19th
Friday and Saturday, October 25th and 26th, 2019
Interspersed with just the right amount of floor performances by some of New England’s best burlesque and variety acts, the themed dress for the night is 1920s & 30s, vintage, opulent, retro, ghastly Gatsby, horrific.
Options for general admission tickets and VIP admission tickets (includes VIP cocktail hour, a glass of champagne upon entrance, appetizers, and choice of a vintage dance lesson or a guided tour through the spooky and haunted former jail).
Event note: 21+. Event details and links to tickets.
On Saturday and Sunday, October 5th and 6th in Kingston, is the annual "Gone But Not Forgotten: Victorian Mourning Customs" exhibit where you can tap into history as the Hearthside Museum "re-creates the Victorian mourning customs practiced during the time when Simon Thornton passed away, with displays in each room of the house that include mourning clothing, mourning clothing, jewelry, artwork, stationery displays, post mortem photography, and other funerary exhibits."On Saturday, October 5th in the early evening you can check out the exhibit and take a candlelight tour. Sunday early afternoon will offer the exhibit and tour (but no candlelight).
Costumes for kids and adults are encouraged but masks are not permitted for teens/adults over age 12y. Fairy Tale Night is included with the regular admission to the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular.
Also, on Saturday, Oct 5th (rain date Oct 6) Frerich's Farm in Warren will host their Halloween Party for Individuals with Autism and their families with a pirate ship, scavenger hunt, western town, bubble table, and food (advance registration required).
Connecticut Halloween Events (full guide)
We know haunt-fans, novice haunters, and home haunters wouldn't miss the Behind the Screams event at The Haunted Graveyard coming up this Saturday, October 5th in Bristol, CT. It only is offered once every year and advanced tickets are a must.
It's a big weekend coming up at the CT Trolley Museum in East Windsor - the CT Trolley Museum's Pumpkin Patch opens Friday through Sunday for a family fun experience where a vintage trolley car ride takes you to the scenic pumpkin patch field where each child can pick out a free pumpkin. On Saturday and Sunday, there is also pumpkin decoration and face painting to boot and admission includes unlimited trolley rides plus access to the Fire Truck Museum located on the same property. By Saturday night, the Trolley Museum transforms into a spookier Halloween scene for the return of Rails to the Darkside for an evening trolley ride to the entrance of their haunted attraction. You can find the startles and screams offered every Friday and Saturday night.
This weekend October 5th & 6th in Winsted is the 2-day Latex Mask Making Workshop at Tyler Green FX Studio where participants will learn fundamentals of sculpting, molding, latex casting, painting, and finishing. These workshops often sell out so act fast to lock up your spot!
It's opening weekend for the month-long Downtown Cabaret Theatre's seasonal children's stage offering of "Sherlock Holmes and the Haunted Cabaret" which runs every Saturday and Sunday throughout October - look for matinees both days plus an evening performance on Saturday nights.
Massachusetts Halloween Events (full guide)
On Saturday at the Salem common, don't miss the return of the Salem Zombie Walk where you'll find the undead, zombie hunters, and zombie survivors creeping their way through starting at 11:00am.
While in Salem on Saturday, the Peabody Essex Museum will host several fascinating lectures. Top of our list would be Xavier Burgin's film "Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror" Documentary Film Screening described as "delving into a century of genre films that by turns utilized, caricatured, exploited, sidelined, and finally embraced them, Horror Noire traces the untold history of Black Americans in Hollywood through their connection to the horror genre."
Also at PEM on Sunday, the 6th do not overlook "Scream, Queen: My Nightmare on Elm Street" documentary film screening which is co-presented with Wicked Queer: Boston LGBT Film Festival. "Some have called it the ‘gayest horror movie ever made!’ But for Mark Patton, the star of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge, it was anything but a dream come true. Detailing the homophobia and Aids-phobia of 1985 as a closeted actor in Hollywood, Mark retraces his missteps on the pathway to stardom. 30 years after its initial release, Patton is hitting the road to set the record straight about the controversial sequel and the experience that halted his career before it even begins. Confronting the cast and crew for the first time, Mark attempts to make peace with his past as well as embrace his legacy as cinema's first male scream queen."
Salem travel tip: If you're not already familiar with taking the train (MBTA commuter rail) into Salem then you are missing out--it's the easiest way to get in and out and save yourself any parking drama. We like to park at the Swampscott MBTA station and take the train 1 stop into Salem. It's a quick walk from the Salem station into the downtown area and the MBTA even adds extra trains during the last weekend of October.
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 $40 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.
On Saturday, October 5th the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline is hosting a double feature screening of "The Wolf Man" & "Creature from the Black Lagoon" in 3D which they are cheekily billing as "the Wolf Man vs. the Gill Man"
On Monday, October 7th in Westborough, test your Zombieland recall with "Zombieland" Themed Trivia at the Red Heat Tavern with our favorite trivia jockey Rich DeYoung!
In Fall River on Wednesday, October 9th let the Gravestone Girls take you on a 90-minute Virtual Tour of Fall River’s Cemeteries to "examine why we have cemeteries and gravestones, why the look like they do, and how styles and art have evolved over almost 400 years. This presentation will include images and history of Fall River's historic cemeteries, including the famous Oak Grove Cemetery which is the final home of Lizzie Borden."
In Fall River on Wednesday, October 9th let the Gravestone Girls take you on a 90-minute Virtual Tour of Fall River’s Cemeteries to "examine why we have cemeteries and gravestones, why the look like they do, and how styles and art have evolved over almost 400 years. This presentation will include images and history of Fall River's historic cemeteries, including the famous Oak Grove Cemetery which is the final home of Lizzie Borden."
Maine Halloween Events (full guide)
Bangor Historical Society’s Ghostly feature tales veiled in unsolved mysteries, murder and the past residents who may still linger in the Queen City. Tours stroll through the streets o
Haunted History is the name of the game at the "Darker Side of Mt. Hope Cemetery" in Bangor this Sunday, October 6th. This cemetery tour explores local history and is the first of four dates this will be offered this October.
New Hampshire Halloween Events (full guide)
On Friday night - and every Friday in October, the Port City Maker Space is opening its maker space classroom and Electronics Lab for use to inspire you and let your imagination be your guide for a FREE Costume Building Night!
Volunteers will be on-site to help you work on your costume if you need a hand and they'll have tools available for use including soldering irons, 3D printers, sewing machines, and a laser cutter--plus materials on hand for you to use!
In Dover on Sunday, October 6th is family-friendly Halloween experience of a screening of "Hocus-Pocus" at The Strand! Bring your pillows and blankets to enjoy this special event where costumes welcomed - and you can choose from a 2:00pm or 7:00pm showing.
Also on Saturday, October 5th is the first of 5 nights you can visit the Salisbury Woods Haunted Barn and Trail in Salisbury, NH. This haunted trail is a fundraiser for the MVMS Parent Teacher Group so go support a great cause while having some spooktacular fun!
Volunteers will be on-site to help you work on your costume if you need a hand and they'll have tools available for use including soldering irons, 3D printers, sewing machines, and a laser cutter--plus materials on hand for you to use!
In Dover on Sunday, October 6th is family-friendly Halloween experience of a screening of "Hocus-Pocus" at The Strand! Bring your pillows and blankets to enjoy this special event where costumes welcomed - and you can choose from a 2:00pm or 7:00pm showing.Also on Saturday, October 5th is the first of 5 nights you can visit the Salisbury Woods Haunted Barn and Trail in Salisbury, NH. This haunted trail is a fundraiser for the MVMS Parent Teacher Group so go support a great cause while having some spooktacular fun!
Vermont Halloween Events (full guide)
Friday and Saturday night, October 4th and 5th in Proctor, only the bravest of souls will venture into historic Wilson Castle to explore the haunted manor during the Deadnberry Historic Candlelight Tour of Wilson Castle which is a less scary version of their haunted tours.
We enjoyed a Friday night fueled by screams and adrenaline thanks to our recent visit to Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA - thank you to everyone at Barrett's who showed us an incredible time!
We've got an exciting weekend ahead which kicks off with our annual visit to Fear Town Haunted House (Seekonk, MA), followed by a visit to the trail at 13th World, and our 3rd consecutive night of screams will bring us to southeastern CT for a double-header of The Dark Manor Haunted House (Baltic, CT) and a Moonlit Mystic Graveyard Ghost Stroll with Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours (Mystic, CT).
What have we been up to? Where are we headed?
We've got an exciting weekend ahead which kicks off with our annual visit to Fear Town Haunted House (Seekonk, MA), followed by a visit to the trail at 13th World, and our 3rd consecutive night of screams will bring us to southeastern CT for a double-header of The Dark Manor Haunted House (Baltic, CT) and a Moonlit Mystic Graveyard Ghost Stroll with Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours (Mystic, CT).
Plan ahead for your October weekends by checking out haunted attractions on a Sunday night! This weekend there are FIFTEEN haunted attractions open this Sunday, October 6th.Be sure to check out Trail of Terror (Wallingford, CT), The Haunted Graveyard (Bristol, CT), Fright Haven (Stratford, CT), Legends of Fear (Shelton, CT), 13th World (Cumberland, RI), Fear Town (Seekonk, MA), Evidence of Evil (Southington, CT), The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT), Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA), Fear Town (Seekonk, MA) and DementedFX (Holyoke, MA).
Sundays often offer shorter lines and a more personal experience-- so what are you waiting for?
Ending Soon: It's your final chance to win combo tickets to experience The Haunted Graveyard in Bristol, CT during their 3rd weekend of haunting and our final contest to win tickets to visit Haunt on Eden (Plantsville, CT). You'll also be able to enter contests for a 4-pack of tickets to 13th World Haunted Trail in Cumberland, RI,
Enter all contests right from the home page of Halloween New England.
New Contests: Since last week we've added a brand new chance to win tickets to the costume bash of the year - The Haunted Speakeasy in Worcester, MA, and a contest for VIP Tickets to Ravenwood Haunted Farm in Haverhill, MA. You still have time to try your luck in the contest for a 4-pack of tickets to Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA and a new contest for Haunted Overload tickets for their trail in Lee, NH. We've got more tickets to giveaway for Providence, RI's Jack O' Lantern Spectacular for you and three of your friends!
If you haven't yet entered, win tickets to see DementedFX in Holyoke, MA and we're giving away VIP tickets to Legends of Fear Haunted Hayride and Haunted Trail in Shelton, CT.
There's still time to win tickets to see what Fear Town Haunted House has up their scaring sleeves in Seekonk, MA this season so enter soon!
Enter all contests right from the home page of Halloween New England.
If you haven't yet entered, win tickets to see DementedFX in Holyoke, MA and we're giving away VIP tickets to Legends of Fear Haunted Hayride and Haunted Trail in Shelton, CT.
There's still time to win tickets to see what Fear Town Haunted House has up their scaring sleeves in Seekonk, MA this season so enter soon!
Visit Halloween New England's home page for contest details.
Haunted Houses, Haunted Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Friday, October 4th, 2019
Vengeance in the Valley (Guilford, VT) Haunted Hayride and Haunted Corn Maze
Haunt on Eden (Southington, CT)
The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT)
Rails to the Darkside (East Windsor, CT)
Nightmare Acres (CT)
Elwood Orchards (NH) - Non-Haunted Night Maze
Dead North (VT) - Haunted Corn Maze
Hysteria Danvers (MA)
Hanson's Farm Haunted Hayride (MA)
Century Hayride and Spook Walk (MA)
Factory of Terror (MA)
Nesralla Farm (MA) - non-haunted Flashlight Maze
Field of Screams (RI) - House House and Haunted Hayride
Haunted Tunnel at Slater Park (RI)
Haunt on Eden (Southington, CT)
The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT)
Rails to the Darkside (East Windsor, CT)
Nightmare Acres (CT)
Elwood Orchards (NH) - Non-Haunted Night Maze
Dead North (VT) - Haunted Corn Maze
Hysteria Danvers (MA)
Hanson's Farm Haunted Hayride (MA)
Century Hayride and Spook Walk (MA)
Factory of Terror (MA)
Nesralla Farm (MA) - non-haunted Flashlight Maze
Field of Screams (RI) - House House and Haunted Hayride
Haunted Tunnel at Slater Park (RI)
Click for the complete Opening Night Guide
Haunted Houses, Haunted Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Saturday, October 5th, 2019
Destination Haunt (ME)
Salisbury Farm (RI) – non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze
Factory of Terror (RI)
Salisbury Farm (RI) – non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze
Factory of Terror (RI)
Click for the complete Opening Night Guide
We're thrilled to have teamed up again with the uber-talented The Pixel Perfection: After Dark whose incredibly creepy and inspiring haunt photos populate the guides again this year. As always, we know you love their photos...just please don't steal their photos! Why not just follow them on Facebook or Instagram or hire them to capture your Halloween attraction or event?
We're thrilled to have teamed up again with the uber-talented The Pixel Perfection: After Dark whose incredibly creepy and inspiring haunt photos populate the guides again this year. As always, we know you love their photos...just please don't steal their photos! Why not just follow them on Facebook or Instagram or hire them to capture your Halloween attraction or event?
