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!
You can drag and scroll the map and shrink or enlarge. It's easy 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. You can even drill down on a certain category say, just local pumpkin patches - by filtering just to the attraction type you are interested in.
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.
Not every New England state can boast that they have a year-round, brick-and-mortar costume store but New Hampshire can! Costumania in West Lebanon (close to the VT border) has an incredible costume superstore as well as an online shop for stocking up for this season or next.
The Gravestone Girls returns this Thursday, October 8th with "Welcome to the Graveyard: a Virtual Tour of Mattapoisett" - a cozy seaside community in coastal Massachusetts. This zoom-hosted presentation features cemetery art, history, and symbolism ranging from colonial burial grounds, the rural cemetery movement, and into 21st-century locations. This special lecture is being hosted by the Mattapoisett Public Library--it is free but requires pre-registration to access the zoom link.
This Friday, October 9th, the historic Hammond Castle in Gloucester debuts their new 5-performance offering of The Horror of Abbadia Mare: An Adaptation of Five H.P. Lovecraft Stories.
At Rocky Woods in Medfield, you can find the Haunted Fairy and Gnome House Night Hike taking place on Friday, October 9th. This special event starts with a guided night hike around the preserve at Rocky Woods to gather items from nature for woodland creatures. Post-hike, the tour will convene at the visitor's center for a fairy house workshop. The ticket price includes the guided hike, instruction, and all fairy house materials - please buy tickets in advance.
If you are a classic horror fan, we have two related recommendations for you this week: on Sunday, October, 11th there will be a limited number of day-of tickets released for that evening's sold-out Screens and Screams Drive-in Creature-Double-Feature Experience presented by Barrett's Haunted Mansion.
This Thursday, October 8th (and next Thursday too!) is the first-ever Spooky Night Halloween Lights at Legends of Fear in Shelton, CT. For anyone who has the Halloween spirit and loves a spooky atmosphere but doesn't want any scares or actors, this is the ideal event for you! Walk the half-mile haunted trail through the woods and be treated to colorful lights, fog, spooky scenery, and a magical evening under the light of the moon. Single tickets available and discounted family-4 packs also on sale. We highlight recommend buying tickets in advance because there are a limited supply of tickets being sold to ensure safe social distancing.
For the youngest fans of Halloween, the family might check out the Not-So-Scary-Halloween Drive-Through happening at East Haddam's Ray of Light Farm this Friday and Saturday, October 9th & 10th. Held at dusk, the littles will enjoy spotting the illuminated magical pony trail, dressed up characters, and candy hand-outs along the way.
Mystic's renowned Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours is bringing back their special guided tour of Elm Grove Cemetery on Saturday, October 10th. The Elm Grove Cemetery Tour is held at 4:00pm which allows you to make an evening out it by booking the 7:00pm twilight Downtown Mystic Ghost Stroll.
You are Not Alone: A Paranormal Author Event with CT author Sydney Sherman is coming up this Saturday, October 10th as a special discussion hosted on Zoom by the James Blackstone Library in Branford. "You Are Not Alone" approaches the paranormal with a healthy dose of common sense and encourages rational skepticism.
Hearthside House Museum invites you to peer into Victorian Mourning Customs with their annual "Gone But Not Forgotten" tours this month when the first kicks off this Sunday, October 11th.
On Thursday, October 9th, join "Halloween: A Haunted History" lecture with Dustin Pari hosted on Zoom by the Auburn, ME Public Library. Be sure to pre-register to access the Zoom link.
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.
Unbelievable Costume Sale for all of October!
We love that owner Mark Young is the kind of person who actually recognizes returning customers an entire year later which speaks to the kind of personalized customer experience and expertise you get if you swing by in person.
For October 2020, Costumania is running a store-wide sale of 30% off your entire purchase through October 31st! Visit the Costumania page to learn the 30% off discount code!
Can't get to West Lebanon? You'll be happy to learn they also feature an online store but their largest inventory is in the store so if you don't see something you need online, just give Mark a call because he can help you find what you need to pull your whole costume together.
Massachusetts Halloween Events (Full Guide)
The Gravestone Girls returns this Thursday, October 8th with "Welcome to the Graveyard: a Virtual Tour of Mattapoisett" - a cozy seaside community in coastal Massachusetts. This zoom-hosted presentation features cemetery art, history, and symbolism ranging from colonial burial grounds, the rural cemetery movement, and into 21st-century locations. This special lecture is being hosted by the Mattapoisett Public Library--it is free but requires pre-registration to access the zoom link.
Described as "a room-to-room theater performance of The Horror of Abbadia Mare, an adaptation of five H.P. Lovecraft stories set within the Castle and adapted around our founder John Hays Hammond Jr. The Horror-Fan culture will recognize many of the elements of H.P. Lovecraft stories woven together with catastrophic results of Hammond’s insatiable curiosity and research into his family’s dark past at Miskatonic University’s Library. As guests move through the inner rooms of the Castle they come upon various members of the Hammond household and are drawn into a story of frantic and erratic happenings within the castle’s walls." These are small-group performances and require advance tickets.
Plus, take a sneak peek at all-ages events coming up on the calendar on our Family-friendly Halloween Event Guide for MA.
Also kicking off this Friday, October 9th is the first of three consecutive Friday night B-movie film screenings at the Eleanor Cabot Bradley Estate in Canton. The first of the B-Movie Classics on the Lawn series will be a showing of "Little Shop of Horrors" (1960). Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic (or pre-order food), chairs, lawn blankets, wear extra layers, and pre-purchase tickets.
This Sunday's lineup is "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) and "House on Haunted Hill" (1959) so be sure to check Barrett's website the day-of to see if you can score admission!
Building on Barrett's screenings, next Wednesday, October 14th, check out the Worcester Public Library's weekly Virtual HorrorFest 2020 series will host a "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) Film Discussion. Free to join in but pre-registration is needed to access the zoom link.
Connecticut Halloween Events (Full Guide)
This Thursday, October 8th (and next Thursday too!) is the first-ever Spooky Night Halloween Lights at Legends of Fear in Shelton, CT. For anyone who has the Halloween spirit and loves a spooky atmosphere but doesn't want any scares or actors, this is the ideal event for you! Walk the half-mile haunted trail through the woods and be treated to colorful lights, fog, spooky scenery, and a magical evening under the light of the moon. Single tickets available and discounted family-4 packs also on sale. We highlight recommend buying tickets in advance because there are a limited supply of tickets being sold to ensure safe social distancing.
The Lyme, CT Public Library is hosting New England's Vampires and Witches - a virtual presentation with Thomas D'Agostino and Arlene Nicholson which explores the historical relationship our region has with vampire and witch lore, as well as paranormal accounts. Sign up in advance for this free zoom event taking place early afternoon on Saturday, October 10th.
The author looks at why and what we believe about the paranormal and the afterlife. Her book draws distinctions between myths and the paranormal and recounts numerous experiences with spirits. Please sign up in advance for this virtual event.
Join ghost hunter Barry Pirro for a fun evening where you can learn about the History of the Ouija Board on his Tuesday, October 13th free Zoom presentation hosted by the Seymour Public Library but open to all who pre-register.
Another program for the kids - this one offered in the afternoon on Wednesday, October 14th via Zoom - is the "The Mystery of Mummy Mansion" an animated story presented by Talewise and hosted for free by Trumbull Public Library. As with all virtual programs, please register in advance.
Check out more upcoming Halloween events for kids at our Family-friendly Halloween Event Guide for all-ages fun in CT.
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 9th complete with actors, scares, 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!
The Salisbury Woods and Haunted Trail opens their five-night seasonal fundraiser haunt on Saturday, October 10th in Salisbury, NH. This year, they've moved to timed-ticketing so be sure to buy tickets in advance for some affordable spooky fun.
On Tuesday, October 13th, it's another wonderful Gravestone Girls presentation - this Welcome to the Graveyard zeroes in on a virtual discussion on Salem, NH Cemeteries. This virtual event is free to anyone who registers in advance.
Check out more upcoming all-ages Halloween events at our Family-friendly Halloween Event Guide for fun in NH.
Rhode Island Halloween Events (Full Guide)
The Roger Williams Park and Zoo welcome you back this year with their drive-through Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular newly adapted for 2020! Open 7-nights a week, you'll want to book your tickets (and designated time slot) early to make sure you don't miss this magical evening for all ages.Looking for more kids activities? Check out our Family-friendly Halloween Events Guide for fun in RI.
"Hearthside re-creates the Victorian mourning customs practiced during the time when [original owner] 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. To kick off the inaugural exhibit in 2012, a funeral ceremony was featured, complete with an 1868 hearse."
Vermont Halloween Events (Full Guide)
It's Movie Night on the Danville Green this Saturday, October 10th so be sure to arrive early, set out your chairs and snacks, and cozy up for a screening of "Halloweentown".
For a historic and spooky evening, check out the Public Investigation at Wilson Castle happening this Saturday, October 10th in Proctor, Vermont.
As you can imagine, a small group investigation of this castle built in 1885, offers up a personal and memorable experience. For the bravest, consider booking to stay overnight!
Maine Halloween Events (Full Guide)
On Thursday, October 9th, join "Halloween: A Haunted History" lecture with Dustin Pari hosted on Zoom by the Auburn, ME Public Library. Be sure to pre-register to access the Zoom link.
When you're online, state lines don't mean much so jump into Virtual HorrorFest 2020 "Night of the Living Dead" (1968) Film Discussion Wednesday, October 14th hosted by the Worcester Public Library as part of their October-long weekly series of classic horror film discussions. Pre-registration is needed for this free event.
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 11th.
Haunted Overload (Lee, NH), DementedFX (Holyoke, MA), Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA), - Screens and Screams, Trail of Terror (Wallingford, CT),, The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT), 13th World (Cumberland, RI), and Factory of Terror (Fall River, MA).
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 8th has just one haunted attraction on this night - Legends of Fear in Shelton, CT will be open for a Spooky Nights Halloween Lights - a lights-on, no actor, no-scare walkthrough of their haunted trail evening for those looking for a spooky, scare-free night under the stars.
Click for a complete list visit our Guide to which Haunted Attractions are Open Weeknights.
Thursday, October 8th has just one haunted attraction on this night - Legends of Fear in Shelton, CT will be open for a Spooky Nights Halloween Lights - a lights-on, no actor, no-scare walkthrough of their haunted trail evening for those looking for a spooky, scare-free night under the stars.
Click for a complete list visit our Guide to which Haunted Attractions are Open Weeknights.
CONTESTS: Opening Weekend 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.The Barrett's Haunted Mansion Screens and Screams experience has been so popular that every weekend is sold-out! One way you can STILL score admission is through our final Screens and Screams contest which is live on our website right now.
Enter to WIN a pair of tickets to 13th World Haunted Trail in Cumberland, RI and you can find a contest to win a pair of tickets to select nights at Haunted Overload in Lee, NH. We have our one-and-only contest up for VIP passes to Trail of Terror in Wallingford, CT. and a final chance to win tickets to a Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tour in Mystic, CT.
Enter to win tickets to The Dark Manor in Baltic, CT and don't overlook our final contest to win a car-load entrance to the drive-through Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular in Providence, RI.
Recent contest winners are Jennifer Argenio and Kaila Lister who were the final winners to Haunted Overload's invite-only night, Liz Pasquale and Ryan Hurley scored admission to Barrett's Haunted Mansion's Screens and Screams for this weekend, Bianca Burgos won a car-load ticket to see the Jack-O'Lantern Spectacular, Annie Mastroni and Jasmine Cox were the lucky winners to The Dark Manor Haunted House, and just this morning Jennifer Krill and Warren Maxwell each won a four-pack of tickets to 13th World Haunted Trail!
Haunted Houses, Haunted Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Friday, October 9th
Haunted Overload (NH)
Factory of Terror (MA)
DementedFX (MA)
The Dark Woods (NH)
Trombly Gardens (NH) – non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze
Monster Mash Haunted Hayride (MA)
Haunted Houses, Haunted Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Saturday, October 10th
Coppal House Farm (NH) – Spooky Corn Maze
Hicks Family Farm (MA) - Haunted Corn Maze
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?
