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.
Cedar Hill Cemetery's Mystery Scavenger Hunt
The morning sent us exploring the historic cemetery, following clues and working together to solve the mystery. With other teams competing alongside us, we had to keep moving, compare our findings, and put our detective skills to the test as we made our way through the grounds.
The scavenger hunt offered a fun and interactive way to experience Cedar Hill Cemetery, combining a historic setting with a little friendly competition and plenty of opportunities to explore. It was a memorable first visit to this annual event, and a great reminder that cemeteries can offer much more than a quiet walk through history.
Cedar Hill Cemetery Mystery Scavenger Hunt event details
Find more events like this in CT on our CT Halloween Events Guide.
Welcome to the Graveyard with The Gravestone Girls
The evening explored nearly 400 years of New England burial traditions, taking us from colonial cemeteries and early gravestones to the rural cemetery movement and the evolution of burial grounds over time.
One of the most fascinating aspects of the presentation was learning how much information can be found in the details carved into gravestones. The symbolism, artwork, and inscriptions found on these historic markers offer insight into the people being remembered, the communities they belonged to, and the traditions surrounding death and remembrance throughout New England's history.
It was an engaging look at a subject that connects history, art, and local folklore, giving us a greater appreciation for the stories hidden in the region's historic cemeteries.
Find more events like this in MA on our MA Halloween Events Guide.
Cemetery Safari with Jeff Belanger
Jeff took us behind the cemetery gates to explore burial customs, funerary art, memorable epitaphs, unusual cemetery discoveries, and some of the haunted boneyards he has encountered over the years. The presentation blended fascinating historical details with entertaining storytelling and plenty of unexplained encounters.
Cemeteries are full of stories, and this presentation offered a closer look at the traditions, discoveries, and mysteries that make these places such compelling destinations for history enthusiasts and paranormal fans alike.
With Jeff's engaging approach to New England's stranger side, it was an entertaining evening that fit right in with our ongoing fascination with the region's cemetery history.
Find more events like this in MA on our MA Halloween Events Guide.
Wicked Strange New England with Jeff Belanger
While Cemetery Safari focused on burial traditions and haunted grounds, this presentation took us in an entirely different direction, exploring the region's ghosts, monsters, aliens, urban legends, and other unusual stories.
Drawing from more than 25 years of exploring the unexplained, Jeff shared stories connected to his books, podcast, and New England Legends series. The evening was packed with the strange and unexpected, highlighting some of the unusual tales that have become part of New England's folklore.
We always enjoy the opportunity to catch one of Jeff's presentations, and with so many different topics to choose from, there's always something new to discover. Between these two library visits, we experienced both the historical and supernatural sides of his storytelling.
Find more events like this in MA on our MA Halloween Events Guide.
BAT BOY: The Musical at The Umbrella Arts Center
Based on the infamous tabloid creature, this campy horror comedy follows Edgar, a half-bat, half-boy who is taken in by a veterinarian and his wife as he attempts to find his place in a community that isn't quite sure what to make of him.
With performances running through Nov 8th, this production combines its wonderfully strange premise with a pop-rock score by Laurence O'Keefe, the composer behind Legally Blonde and Heathers: The Musical. The result was an entertaining mix of horror, comedy, music, and plenty of wonderfully weird moments.
It's always fun to see the many different ways horror finds its way onto the stage, and BAT BOY: The Musical offered a very different take on traditional Halloween-season entertainment. With its offbeat story and campy sensibility, it was a memorable evening for anyone who enjoys their horror with a healthy dose of humor.
A big thank you to The Umbrella Arts Center for having Halloween New England out to experience this unusual piece of horror theater!
BAT BOY: The Musical event details
Find more events like this in MA on our MA Halloween Events Guide.
More Haunted History & Halloween Adventures Ahead
One of the things we love most about exploring Halloween and horror events throughout New England is discovering just how many different ways there are to celebrate the season.
These recent adventures also reminded us that you don't have to wait until October to find something spooky. Libraries, historical societies, museums, theaters, and historic cemeteries across the region offer fascinating experiences throughout the year.
Discover Halloween events and haunted attractions throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Maine.
Stay tuned as we continue exploring the best Halloween, horror, paranormal, and spooky seasonal experiences New England has to offer!
Find the Right Haunt Guide for Your Halloween Plans
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 kick off the season early, squeeze in a weeknight visit, avoid the crowds, our Halloween New England Haunt Guides make it easier to plan your haunt adventures.
Want to get an early start?
Our Opening Night Haunt Guide tracks the confirmed opening dates for area haunted houses, hayrides, and flashlight mazes, so you can be among the first to experience the scares of the season.
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.
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! 🎃👻
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