Oct 11th Recap: Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Haunted Gallows & Saco Halloween Events

 

 

October is finally here, and Halloween New England has been making the most of it! 

Over the past week, we traveled across New England to experience glowing jack-o’-lantern displays, haunted trails, family-friendly Halloween attractions, and plenty of scares. From Providence, Rhode Island to Saco, Maine, these early October adventures gave us a chance to experience several very different ways to celebrate the Halloween season.
Follow along with us as we take you on a tour of the adventures we've been treated to over the last week!

Late-Sept Recap: Cemetery Mysteries, Jeff Belanger & BAT BOY: The Musical

 
From historic cemeteries and centuries-old burial traditions to New England legends and a wonderfully weird night of horror theater, Halloween New England has been keeping busy exploring the region's fascinating history and spooky entertainment!

Over the past few weeks, our team attended cemetery events in Connecticut and Massachusetts, caught two fascinating presentations from storyteller Jeff Belanger, and headed to Concord, MA for a unique theatrical production. Each experience offered a different way to celebrate New England's haunted history, strange stories, and love of all things spooky.

Here's a look back at four memorable experiences that brought together history, mystery, and a little theatrical horror.

July Summerween Recap: Hammond Castle, CT ParaConn & Paranormal Activity

Summerween season continues to bring incredible opportunities to explore the strange, spooky, and supernatural across New England, and the past two weeks took the Halloween New England Team from a candlelit castle in Gloucester to a paranormal convention in Connecticut before wrapping up with an unforgettable night of live horror in Boston.

Here's a look back at three very different experiences that celebrated history, mystery, and all things paranormal.

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Hammond Castle Museum's Spiritualism Tour by Candlelight

The beginning of the month brought us to the breathtaking Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester, MA, where we attended the museum's Spiritualism Tour by Candlelight. 

With flickering candlelight casting shadows across the Gothic stone walls, the setting immediately created an unforgettable atmosphere for an evening centered around history, mystery, and the supernatural. Throughout the tour, our guide Caleb shared fascinating stories about astrology, the spiritualist movement, Faraday cage experiments, and the museum's secret astrological writings. His enthusiasm and knowledge, combined with the castle's dramatic architecture, made for a memorable experience from beginning to end. You can watch our recap reel from our visit on Instagram.

If you're interested in history, spiritualism, or simply enjoy exploring unique historic locations with an atmospheric twist, this tour offers a wonderful way to spend an evening. Spiritualism Tour by Candlelight Tour details

Find more events like this in MA on our MA Halloween Events Guide. 

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CT ParaConn

Next, we traveled to North Haven, CT for the annual CT ParaConn, where paranormal enthusiasts, horror fans, investigators, authors, and curious minds gathered for an afternoon celebrating everything mysterious and unexplained. CT ParaConn event details

We spent time attending engaging panel discussions featuring paranormal investigators, authors, and special guests covering a wide variety of paranormal topics. The convention floor stayed busy throughout the day with exhibits focused on cryptids, horror films, psychics, paranormal investigations, and special guest appearances.

One of our favorite parts of the event was meeting the diverse group of vendors and exhibitors. From tarot readers, psychics, mediums, tattoo artists, authors, and small businesses to paranormal investigators sharing their research and collections, everyone we met was welcoming and excited to talk about their passions.

The size of CT ParaConn felt just right—it was easy to experience everything without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. We had a great afternoon connecting with fellow fans who share a fascination with the strange, mysterious, and unexplained. You can watch our recap reel from our visit on Instagram.

Find more events like this in CT on our CT Halloween Events Guide. 

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Paranormal Activity at the Emerson Colonial Theatre

We wrapped up the weekend in Boston for the pre-Broadway engagement of Paranormal Activity at the Emerson Colonial Theatre. 

Inspired by the iconic horror film franchise, the production follows James and Lou as they leave Chicago for London, only to discover that some horrors can't be left behind. Watching the story unfold on stage was a unique experience, with a gorgeous set design and creative special effects that delivered thrilling moments throughout the performance. 
Paranormal Activity (Play) event details

The audience was clearly filled with horror fans, and their enthusiasm added another layer to the evening. Audible gasps and reactions filled the theater during surprising moments, creating the kind of shared experience that makes live horror so much fun. The production successfully captured the uneasiness and atmosphere that fans of the films have come to expect while bringing the story to life in an entirely new way on stage.

Find more events like this in MA on our MA Halloween Events Guide. 

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More Summerween Events Ahead

One of the things we enjoy most about covering Halloween and horror events throughout New England is experiencing the many different ways our region celebrates the spooky season. Whether it's exploring historic sites by candlelight, spending the day with paranormal enthusiasts, or enjoying live theatrical horror, there's always something new to discover.

If you're looking to keep those Halloween vibes going all summer long, be sure to explore our Summerween Events Guide. You'll find horror movie screenings, summer haunt events, horror trivia nights, dark vendor markets, oddity fairs, costumed festivities, and other Summerween entertainment happening throughout New England.

Halloween New England is your #1 destination for a fully curated guide to the region's best Halloween- and horror-inspired summertime events across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine.

Halloween New England's SUMMERWEEN Events Guide 

We have plenty more adventures ahead, so stay tuned as we continue exploring the best Halloween, horror, paranormal, and spooky seasonal experiences New England has to offer. 

June Summerween Recap: Sweeney Todd in CT & Boston Witchcraft Tour

Halloween New England's Summerween adventures continued this past weekend as we experienced two very different but equally memorable events celebrating New England's rich connection to horror and history.

We were thrilled to attend opening night of one of musical theatre's most iconic horror thrillers and to spend an afternoon exploring Boston's lesser-known witchcraft history, we had the opportunity to experience two unique events that showcase just how much spooky season can be celebrated all year long.

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street - a co-production with Hartford Stage and Theaterworks Hartford

On Friday, we traveled to Hartford Stage for opening night of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, the legendary musical thriller that has captivated horror lovers and theatre fans for generations.

Set in 19th-century London, the production immediately immersed us in a world of revenge, dark humor, horror, and obsession from the very first factory whistle. This Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford co-production featured intimate staging that felt both grand and gritty, creating the perfect atmosphere for Stephen Sondheim's haunting score. Every seat in the theatre offered an excellent view, allowing audiences to fully appreciate the performances and dramatic presentation throughout the evening.

We're grateful to Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford for hosting Halloween New England for this unforgettable night of live theatre. Although this production has now concluded, we're thankful we had the opportunity to experience it during its run. Enjoy our video recap of Sweeney Todd on our Instagram.

Details on Hartford Stage's upcoming Fall '26 production of Dracula

Find more events like this in CT on our CT Halloween Events Guide. 

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Boston Witchcraft Tour - Boston, MA

Saturday brought us into downtown Boston for the Boston Witchcraft Tour, where a beautiful summer afternoon set the stage for an engaging journey through a fascinating chapter of New England history that is often overshadowed by the Salem witch trials.

Hosted by Salem Historical Tours, the 90-minute walking tour explored Boston's connections to witchcraft accusations and executions that took place decades before the events in Salem. As we made our way through historic streets and significant locations, we learned about the religious beliefs that shaped colonial Boston, the story of Goody Glover, and the social tensions that contributed to accusations of witchcraft. The tour also offered thoughtful insight into how these allegations affected the lives of ordinary people in 17th-century Massachusetts.

Enjoy our video recap of our Boston Witchcraft Tour visit on our Instagram.

We'd like to thank Salem Historical Tours for warmly hosting us on this informative and memorable new experience. If you're interested in exploring this lesser-known piece of New England history for yourself, tours continue over the coming months. Details on upcoming Boston Witchcraft Tours

Find more events like this in MA on our MA Halloween Events Guide. 

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Looking Ahead for More Summerween Activities

One of the things we enjoy most about covering Halloween and horror events throughout New England is discovering the many ways the spooky season comes to life long before October arrives. Whether it's experiencing legendary horror theatre, uncovering fascinating local history, or attending paranormal events and Summerween celebrations, there's always something new to explore.

If you're looking to keep those Halloween vibes going all summer long, be sure to check out our Summerween Events Guide. You'll find horror movie screenings, summer haunt events, horror trivia nights, dark vendor markets, oddity fairs, costumed festivities, walking tours, and other Summerween entertainment happening throughout New England.

We'll be sharing many more adventures throughout the season, so stay tuned as we continue exploring the best Halloween, horror, paranormal, and spooky experiences New England has to offer.

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May Halfway to Halloween Recap: Bizarre Bazaar & Gravestone Cleaning Workshop

As spring arrived the team at Halloween New England soaked up the mild weather with some Halfway to Halloween fun! 

We spent time in Hartford, CT experiencing two unique events that celebrated New England's appreciation for the strange, the historic, and the spooky. From a marketplace filled with creepy creativity to an opportunity to help preserve centuries of local history, both events reminded us that Halloween spirit thrives well beyond October.

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Bizarre Bazaar - Hartford, CT

One of our May adventures brought us to downtown Hartford for The Bizarre Bazaar, a free outdoor artisan market celebrating all things creepy, unusual, and delightfully peculiar.

Held at State House Square Plaza alongside Hartford's America's 250th anniversary festivities, the event marked its first celebration of the "Halfway to Spooky Season." Dozens of local artists, makers, and horror-inspired vendors filled the market with creepy collectibles, gothic upcycled fashion, dark photography, vintage treasures, handcrafted décor, original artwork, spooky gifts, and one-of-a-kind creations. Here's our video recap from our Bizarre Bazaar visit in May.

What stood out most was the atmosphere. Halloween lovers gathered to celebrate their shared appreciation for the strange, creating the perfect "Halfway to Halloween" energy throughout the afternoon. Events like this are always a reminder that Halloween isn't just a season in New England—it's a year-round passion shared by an incredible community.

The Bizarre Bazaar returns this fall on Sept 12th which makes it another eartly-fall event to keep on your radar for spooky shopping and supporting local artists.

Find more events like this in CT on our CT Halloween Events Guide. 

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Gravestone Cleaning Workshop at the Ancient Burying Ground - Hartford, CT

Earlier that morning we attended our first Gravestone Cleaning Workshop hosted by the Ancient Burying Ground Association in downtown Hartford.

For years, we'd hoped our schedule would align with one of these free seasonal workshops, and we were excited to finally experience it firsthand. On a beautiful spring morning, we learned the proper techniques for safely caring for historic gravestones using biodegradable cleaner, water, and simple toothbrushes while emphasizing preservation and respect for these centuries-old memorials.

The workshop began with a guided tour that shared fascinating stories about some of the people buried within Hartford's historic Ancient Burying Ground before transitioning into a hands-on demonstration of safe cleaning methods and tools. Here's a video recap from our experience at the Gravestone Cleaning Workshop.

What made the experience especially memorable was the sense of reflection, community, and stewardship it inspired. We met thoughtful participants, made new friends, and learned from knowledgeable volunteers who generously shared both practical preservation techniques and local history.

It's a wonderful free opportunity for anyone interested in local history, cemetery preservation, or giving back to the community. Pre-registration is required, and additional workshops will return throughout the year, including a fall session.

Stay tuned for more Gravestone Cleaning Events posted for the Ancient Burying Ground. As dates are added, you'll see them on Halloween New England!

Find more events like this in CT on our CT Halloween Events Guide. 

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Feed your Halloween Spirit throughout the Warmer Months!

One of our favorite parts of the months leading up to Halloween season is discovering how many creative ways Halloween lovers keep the spooky spirit alive throughout the warmer months. Whether it's browsing a creepy artisan market, exploring haunted history, attending horror-themed events, or learning about historic preservation, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate.

If you're looking for more spooky adventures, be sure to visit our Halfway to Halloween Events Guide and our Summerween Events Guide. You'll find horror movie screenings, summer haunt events, horror trivia nights, dark vendor markets, oddity fairs, haunted history tours, costumed festivities, and other Halloween-inspired entertainment happening throughout Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.

We'll continue sharing our adventures as we explore the best Halloween, horror, paranormal, and spooky experiences happening across New England all year long.

April Recap: Halfway to Halloween at Wicked New England in Salem

 

There's no better way to celebrate the halfway point to Halloween than by spending the day surrounded by fellow Halloween fans, talented artists, haunt enthusiasts, and spooky creators—and that's exactly what we did at Wicked New England's Halfway to Halloween festival at Salem's historic Old Town Hall.

As a proud sponsor of this year's event, Halloween New England was excited to spend the day connecting with members of the New England Halloween community while exploring everything the festival had to offer.

The event brought together dozens of carefully curated spooky vendors, artists, makers, attractions, and entertainers, creating a fantastic atmosphere for Halloween lovers of all ages. From handcrafted décor and artwork to horror-inspired collectibles and seasonal treasures, there was no shortage of incredible finds. Naturally, we couldn't resist doing a little shopping ourselves and came home with an armful of handle bags packed with spooky goodies.

One of the highlights of the day was participating in a panel discussion about all-ages Halloween events throughout New England. We were honored to join the conversation alongside other passionate members of the community.

A special thank you goes to Mike Walsh from America's Hometown Horror Podcast for moderating an engaging discussion with thoughtful questions that sparked great conversation. We'd also like to thank Heirloom Hallowe'en for creating an absolutely stunning backdrop of authentic Halloween antiques that made the panel feel even more special.

Beyond the panel, one of our favorite parts of the day was simply meeting so many talented vendors, performers, and Halloween fans. We had countless conversations with artists, haunt owners, creators, and guests who all share the same excitement for keeping Halloween alive all year long.

By the end of the afternoon, our team was happily exhausted after an unforgettable day filled with shopping, laughter, great conversations, and plenty of Halloween spirit. You can check out our video recap of the 2026 Wicked New England visit.

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello, and especially to Wicked New England for inviting us to be part of such an incredible event. We can't wait to see what next year's celebration brings.

Halloween New England Heads West for a Ghost Ride Lifecasting

Last year Halloween New England headed out west to connect with Ghost Ride Productions for a long-anticipated experience of being lifecasted (head and body) to make a lifecast which may be used for molding and creating this season's realistic special FX props (coming to a haunted house near you....ha!).

Ghost Ride Productions is a leading FX prop company who specializes in props reflecting realism. You won't find out of proportion heads on bodies, exaggerated mugging features, or slapdash paint detailing here. Ghost Ride is known for the kind of props which can be easily mistaken for a live person in a haunt scene.

Haunt designers love using their props because a Ghost Ride prop's realism lends an authenticity to any scene and can even function as a decoy to draw customers' attention to set up a haunt scare. One haunt designer described Ghost Ride's catalog as filled with "the most realistic props you can buy out there. Their props are very durable and hold up over a season and will stay in good shape for years to come which makes it a valuable investment to any haunt's inventory."

When I received the offer from Ghost Ride to participate in this process first-hand, I jumped at the chance without a moment's hesitation! It was a one-of-a-kind opportunity to go behind the scenes to learn about the intensive process behind the making of a brand new horror prop. It was incredible to see how much detailed preparation and skill goes into the task of lifecasting. As a total introvert, this was a unique chance to contribute and "participate" in a haunted attraction in my own small but unusual way. 

Leading up to casting day, the Ghost Ride staff had held meetings where they'd scheduled exactly how the process would go, walked through every step in advance, and created a plan for how to execute the casting. It would be all hands on deck--probably 6 or 7 people on the Ghost Ride staff--cooperating and communicating from start (application of the bald cap) to finish (cracking of the cast--ah freedom!).

This multi-hour process is extremely time-sensitive as the crew must work quickly and with great attention to the application of the thick, goopy mold solution--the consistency of marshmallow fluff-- before the silicone sets in place.

In fact, the entire process is so time-sensitive that one crew member was solely responsible for just tracking the minutes and seconds of time--alerting the crew when a certain amount of time has lapsed as a way of knowing how firm the material was getting. At certain points, the owner of the studio Michael Chaille, would notify a different crew member - this one solely responsible for just mixing new batches of fresh silicone--to whip up a new quart of the mixture as soon as possible. Because the silicone sets very, very quickly, preparation is everything in this process since the mixture cannot be blended in advance or else it would firm up before it was applied. A full table of unmixed solutions was lined up on a dedicated mixing table hours before even the bald cap was placed on my head. 

It takes several layers of silicone applications to complete the molding before the cast material is applied in the final step. The silicone mixture itself is the same solution for each layer but each new layer gets tinted a different color. The purpose of tinting each "round" of silicone is to be able to manage the thickness of the silicone as it is built up layer by layer. Each tinted layer is applied to ensure maximum coverage of every nook, angle, and crevice. For example, a pink layer on top of a green layer will allow the crew to quickly track the thickness of the fresh, liquid pink layer as it is spread over the (dry) green layer underneath. 

Working with large popsicle sticks and brushes in hand, 3 or 4 crew members at one would drag and spread the viscous silicone across the arms or around the neck, pushing the mix into the crevices near the armpits, hands, or knees. That initial layer of silicone is applied on bare skin and it is designed to be able to release any arm or body hair when the mold is cracked open at the end.

The first area that was molded was my head. With my hair covered in a bald cap to create a smooth surface for molding, I sat on a table and rested the side of my cheek on my knees which were tucked up to my body. My entire body was draped in plastic to protect it from the drops and drips of the molding process of the head and my head position needed to match where my body would be for the second molding of the body later on. Once in position, Michael gave me specific instructions about how I could communicate with him using my hands under the clear plastic so he could keep track of how I was doing during the head molding since my mouth would be covered completely and verbal communication wouldn't be possible once we'd begun. 

He asked if I was ready, I said yes. I closed my lips and eyes and I felt the first pour of silicone drip over the top of my head in a big, sticky, gooey mess. It felt like being covered with runny peanut butter. I felt the crew working swiftly to drag the thick liquid over my cheeks, eye, around the corners of my nose, into my ears and under my chin. Just like that, I couldn't see, couldn't talk, and my hearing became muffled by the layers seeping into every tiny nook of my ears. One crew member had the single job of vigilantly watching my nostril holes for safety during the molding process. He zeroed in on this area to ensure that I always had my nostrils completely open--free and clear of silicone-- to be able to breathe without any obstruction. This is an important point: the ability to trust the crew to be 100% safety-minded and ultra-responsible is perhaps the most essential factor in ever agreeing to be lifecasted. Once that first layer of silicone is applied, you basically surrender your safety and well-being over to the crew. When your head is being molded, this is significantly the case as you cannot speak or open your eyes throughout the experience--nothing but your hands to gesture through communicating with a thumbs up or thumbs down answer to yes or no questions they might ask.

For me, the molding of my head was the part I found most enjoyable. Thankfully I am not prone to claustrophobia, and I was actually looking forward to the sensory withdrawal, curious to experience it first-hand. I found the surrender of this part of the casting fairly relaxing--there is literally nothing to do, nothing to see or say, not much to hear. I just sat there with my head resting on my knees and relaxed. I focused exclusively on staying calm, regulating my breath, and focusing on the steady flow of breathing through my free nostril. I knew that it was critical that I be able to do this with great concentration--staying calm would allow my breath to stay measured. I knew that if I allowed myself to get nervous during the process my breathing would quicken and because there was such a limited space to access air (just the nostrils), it would be a slippery slope to remain calm in the mold for the duration. It was a mental exercise as much as it was a physical endurance one. I never felt panicky or uneasy during this molding which certainly contributed to it being a very positive experience! I also fully and completely trusted the professionalism and experience of the Ghost Ride crew with regards to my safety which ultimately, was at the heart of my ability to stay calm and relax.   

The application of the mold layers is an extremely rapid process of everyone working at once, with constant staff communication about what each person was seeing on their side of my body to ensure that every section was properly, evenly covered. As the mix is applied, the weight of the heavy, goopy silicone will weep downward from gravity and the crew feverishly drags the material up the arms and legs as they spread the layers across with care.

After several layers are applied and dried, the final step is to create a cast of the now hardened silicone mold. During this step, a plaster cast is created to encase the mold--dozens of drippy, plastery strips material are draped around every part of the mold. As the heat-activated plaster strips begin to firm, the heat from the outer casts starts to penetrate through the several layers of silicone which, for obvious reasons, made me feel quite warm, almost sauna-like inside the mold.

Because staying in a single position is required for the duration of the mold-making process, there is no opportunity to shift an arm or a leg to stretch or get comfy. It was during this step that was the most challenging for me during the entire process. By this time I'd been in a single position for well over an hour without moving (seated, arms crossed around my legs) and the stagnancy of the position had begun to take its toll with stiffness, a numbness from sitting so long on a hard surface, and general achiness.

Thankfully, the crew at Ghost Ride--as well as some other folks I'd met who'd shared their own lifecasting experience--had prepared me for this moment where it becomes a mental challenge as much as a physical one. Michael and his crew set up fans to blow on my head (the only part of me that was exposed to air) and they even had an ice pack to place on my forehead to keep me staying cool as the warmth and discomfort of that final cast stage progressed. By now it was simply a waiting game... waiting for that plaster cast to fully harden to the point they could crack it open.

When the moment came to release me from the cast the entire crew gingerly rolled me onto my side--pretty much like an Easter egg--since I did not have access to my arms or legs to move or catch myself. From this side angle, I couldn't see a thing that was happening but I could feel action all around me--my feet, back, legs--as they cut through the thick, multi-layered shell that encased my whole body.

When the mold finally cracked, a crew member wrapped me in a robe to wear and like a newborn, I slowly and gently began to stretch my limbs and move a bit as I worked out the stiffness in my hips, knees, and back. After luxuriating in the freedom from the cast for a minute or two, my curiosity got the better of me. I was excited to see what the mold looked like--the areas that stood out for me was the details of the area which had molded my feet (in the body mold) and the detail of the crevices within my ears (in the head mold). It was pretty wild to see the "negative" of my own body parts which of course, I know so well from the 3-dimensional version that I inhabit.

In the months that followed I was sent progress pictures from Ghost Ride. The first foam body "pulled" from the mold, unpainted, untrimmed was the sneak preview. Then I was sent a picture of just the head, decapitated, fully painted and laying on a stainless steel medical tray for the full effect. It is odd to look at your own face but painted with lifeless, dead pallor--none of the expression or color that I'm used to seeing with my reflection in a mirror.
However, nothing prepared me for the experience of receiving photos of the completed prop - full head and body - painted in detail, dressed into character complete with a wig. I think it was seeing my own feet in the prop that was truly freakish. Those feet were just so.... familiar!

The prop, now nicknamed "Alexa", debuted in the Ghost Ride booth and 2018 catalog this year at TransWorld's annual Halloween and Attraction Show (HAA Show) in St. Louis, MO! For haunt owners and designers, HAA is the largest trade show of its kind which showcases FX props, lighting, animatronic props, masks, haunt designers, Special FX, and other vendors directly to the people who create and produce professional haunted houses, escape rooms, and Halloween attractions.
Ghost Ride created several prop variations created out of the same mold - the asylum version, the burn victim, the frozen version, the realistic "alive" version they'd made for their new catalog.

The HAA Show was the first place the haunt industry was able to see in person and place their orders for Ghost Ride's "Alexa." I don't yet know which New England haunted attractions may have purchased the Alexa prop this year for their haunts but I look forward to "scaring myself" when I stumble across it in some creepy scene--I am sure it will be an experience I'll never forget!

My deepest gratitude goes out to Michael Chaille and his incredible crew at Ghost Ride Productions. They gave me a one of a kind experience and true insight into this fascinating field within the Halloween and FX Prop industry and their professionalism at every turn made it an unforgettable day.

Check out some of the Alexa variations below (L to R: "Burn", "Cozy", and "Asylum"). 

Visit the full Ghost Ride Productions catalog at www.GhostRide.com