Top Picks November 2021

Halloween New England's fans know better than to think Halloween season ends October 31st, right?

There are still a number of very worthwhile events to enjoy during the first weeks of November - and the best part? Fewer crowds, more personal experience, and an extended Halloween season all lined up for you!

Most haunts wrapped up their season last weekend but you'll find a handful who will be open into November and they would love to draw you in for a final Halloween hurrah. It's your last, best chance to pack in extra thrills before your favorite season is over until next fall.

Before we close up the proverbial (blog) shop, let us express our deepest thanks to everyone who followed Halloween New England, read our blogs, visited our event picks, sent us updates and feedback about their Halloween adventures, and let others know about the resource that our site and community aims to be for Halloween fans everywhere. Additionally, the Halloween New England team expanded in 2021, and because of Gail, Lisa, Becky, and Ciara, we were able to attend more events first-hand, be in more places, and provide you with wider Halloween coverage. And one of most significant improvements to Halloween New England this year was the brand new website which would not have been possible without the enormous effort and commitment from our developer Justin at JR Computer Associates and Wendy from NH's own Wetherbee Creative. So much credit for this memorable season goes to the enthusiasm, insight, and passion of the wider HNE team who collectively worked to better serve Halloween fans in every pocket of New England.

May you all have a wonderful "off-season" and we look forward to reconnecting in 2022!

FIVE Haunts are open this Friday, November 5th and EIGHT will be open on November 6th!

But only ONE haunt will also be open on Thursday, November 4th and Sunday, November 7th which is Barrett's Haunted Mansion. Nothing makes us happier than an extra weekend of haunting. Here's the complete list on our Haunted Attractions Open in November Guide.

Thursday, November 4th

Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA)

Friday, November 5th

Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA)

Nightmare Acres (South Windsor, CT)

Curioporium (Hartford, CT)

Fright Kingdom (Nashua, NH)

SpookyWorld (Litchfield, NH)

 

Saturday, November 6th

Trail of Terror (Wallingford, CT)

Legends of Fear (Shelton, CT)

DementedFX (Holyoke, MA)  - Into the Darkness Lights Out 

Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA)

Nightmare Acres (South Windsor, CT)

Curioporium (Hartford, CT)

Fright Kingdom (Nashua, NH)

SpookyWorld (Litchfield, NH)

Sunday, November 7th

Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA)

You might be surprised to find there are still a number of terrific events lined up in November to whet your Halloween/Horror appetite. You can always find the complete event listings for each New England state on our website Halloween New England.

Connecticut (Events Guide)

Enjoy a spooky dinner this Saturday, November 10th at the Murder Mystery Dinner at the Captain Daniel Packer Inne located in Mystic, CT.
Join Seaside Shadows for a special evening based on a real Packer family mystery and the true residents of the 1754 restaurant and neighboring region as guests try to solve the mystery of who killed one of the Packers. Seaside Shadows and Daniel Packer Inne host this thematic, 18th-century period-centric dinner. A multi-course dinner and drink tickets will be provided.
 

This month, Seaside Shadows will also be offering their limited tour of the Elm Grove Cemetery situated amidst a beautiful rural landscape cemetery in Mystic, CT. Elm Grove Cemetery was established in 1853 on the precipice of the Victorian Gothic era and the American Civil War. The Seaside Shadows' Elm Grove Tour allows guests to walk through Victorian Era Mystic via the resting places of notable Mystic residents at Elm Grove Cemetery – focused on dark history, shocking events, and the founding families of the seafaring town.

Book now for tours on Saturday, November 7th & Sunday, November 27th and 
Saturdays, December 5th & 19th.

Massachusetts (Events Guide)

Oddity Marketplace at Mill No. 5 in Lowell is where you can get all your spooky-themed gifts for the holidays. This Saturday, November 6th, Mill No. 5 has an oddity-themed pop-up marketplace featuring local vendors and artisans for a fun and creative afternoon of shopping! Free to attend.

Haunted Footsteps Salem Ghost Tours is still being offered on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings throughout November! Delve into Salem's macabre past as a knowledgable and charismatic guide regales you with true tales of documented paranormal activity, chilling cemeteries, and centuries-old murder. Walking tours give you a wonderful perspective of the quaint city.
This is a fully-outdoor tour and even dogs are permitted to attend (with the exception of the cemetery portion).

Rhode Island (Events Guide)

Do you want to be a ghostbuster? Learn about the History of the Paranormal Nighttime Investigations on Friday and Saturday, November 12th and 13th in Lincoln, RI. As part of the weekend exhibit, there will be a paranormal investigation led by Brian Cano on Friday evening with two sessions, lasting two hours long each.

The Friday evening session is designed for those wishing to experience what an investigation entails.  
For those wanting a longer session, there will be one four-hour session on Saturday evening -- the Saturday night hunt is for those who really want to roll up their sleeves and experience the place.
Joining Brian on the Saturday investigation are special guests, Rhode Island’s Carl Johnson (Ghost Hunters), and Elise Giammarco Carlson (Panorama Paranormal).

Weekly Top Picks Oct. 27th- 31st, 2021

Halloween week has arrived - and the most special night of the year lands on a Sunday night! We couldn't be more pleased to be able to pack in a full week of events, haunts, tours, and other seasonal goodies.

Halloween New England is publishing our top picks early this week to give you plenty of time to find something to line up for every night of the week! What a difference a year makes - this year you won't be turning over rocks to find Halloween thrills and spooky fun.  Even better, Halloween New England is publishing our top picks early this week to give you plenty of time to find something to line up for every night of the week up to and through the big night!

Halloween Week Haunted History - Special Events, Spooky Strolls, and Graveyard Walks in CT

Nothing beats a haunted history tour through a graveyard in late autumn--it perfectly captures the Halloween season in New England! Even better, an outdoor tour is well-suited to physical distancing and organic ventilation. If you are in Connecticut - or are seeking a special way to ring in Halloween week - Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours has an expanded tour schedule you'll want to check out. Advance bookings for everything are essential during Halloween week! 

Wednesday, October 27th - Moonlit Mystic Graveyard Ghost Tour at 7:00pm 
Thursday, October 28th - Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour at 7:00pm
Friday, October 29th - Moonlit Mystic Graveyard Ghost Tour at 7:00pm 
Saturday, October 30th - Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour at 7:00pm & Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour at 7:00 & 9:15pm​​​​
Saturday, October 30th Whitehall Burial Ground Paranormal Investigation (details). Join us for a special Halloween Weekend interactive paranormal investigation of the historic Whitehall Burial Ground. Tickets are $40 for this 11:30pm event. 
Sunday, October 31st (Halloween) - Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour at 7:00pm & Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour at 7:00pm
Monday, November 1st (All Saints Day) - Downtown Mystic Ghost Tour at 7:00pm 
Tuesday, November 2nd (All Souls Day) - Moonlit Mystic Graveyard Ghost Tour at 7:00pm 
Read more about Seaside Shadows in Mystic, CT.

Last Call for Costumes - Halloween and Costumes Guide to help you out!

Is Halloween sneaking up on you fast? 
Halloween New England has simplified your costume needs by listing all your state's Costume and Halloween stores right in one place. We have lists of locally-owned, year-round, as well as many seasonal pop-up stores so get moving soon to snap up those final details for your costume. Every year we research the stores to make sure they are where we have them listed and we always make sure we've got this year's list of pop-up, seasonal stores so you are never left hanging for those final details to round out your perfect costume.

Click to see Halloween New England's complete Costume and Halloween Store guides for Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire,  and Vermont.

It's Halloween Week so it is your last, best chance to see as many haunts as you can pack in before your favorite season is over. 

Wednesday, October 27th has just two New England area haunted attractions that'll be open so make a point to get to Fall River, MA for Factory of Terror and to Abington, MA for Barrett's Haunted Mansion.

Thursday, October 28th offers up ten local attractions to choose from including Haunted Overload's Fright Night Lite (Lee, NH), Demented FX (Holyoke, MA), Fear Town (Seekonk, MA), Legends of Fear trail (Shelton, CT), Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA)and  The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT) will be open with Student Night deal of $5 off admission with student ID.

Click for a complete list visit our Guide to which Haunted Attractions are Open Weeknights.

Sunday, October 31st - Halloween Night! 
If ringing in your favorite night of the year involves screams, scares, fog, and the stuff of nightmares then you know what you need to do - get your butt to an area haunted house to make this night most memorable!
 
TWENTY-NINE haunted houses and trails will be open on Halloween Night including 13th World (Cumberland, RI), The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT), Terror at Quassy (Middlebury, CT), Trail of Terror (Wallingford, CT), Legends of Fear trail (Shelton, CT), Factory of Terror (Fall River, MA), DementedFX (Holyoke, MA) Terror in the Maze (East Longmeadow, MA), Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA), Fear on the Farm at McCray's Farm (South Hadley, MA), and Haunted Overload will be presenting their annual Blackout Night (Lee, NH).

Click for a complete list visit our Guide to which Haunted Attractions are Open on Halloween.

Massachusetts Halloween Events (Full Guide)

So many events happening in the Bay State during Halloween week-- we had a tricky time paring down to our top picks!

Start your Halloween week on Wednesday, October 27th! Have you ever heard a story you didn’t think was true, but then thought… what if? Bloody Mary in the mirror? The Hook by Lover’s Lane? White Lady ghosts? Stolen body parts? Why do similar stories pop up all over the world? Are they more than just stories?
Come take an entertaining and enlightening journey through the (proverbial) graveyard on Wednesday, October 27th with author and folklorist Jeff Belanger during his presentation Dark Journeys: Exploring Urban Legends. For over 20 years, Jeff has been exploring the unexplained. He seeks out history, folklore, ghosts, monsters, and legends all over the world and in your backyard.
This indoor program is for adults (high school age and up) and take note it will be held inside at the Lynnfield Meetinghouse (not at the library facility itself).  

A visit to the Witch City is never complete unless you include something unique--This Wednesday, October 27th is the Samhain Ritual at Maison Vampyre in Salem may be just the thing to add to your Halloween experiences. You will not be expected to participate in this ritual if you do not desire to, and are welcome to observe our beautiful ritual and tradition outside the circle if you would feel more comfortable.

Phantoms & Fire at Old Sturbridge Village continues its after-hours spooky delights from bats and bonfires to cauldrons and candy, from ghosts and guitars, theatrical poetry and storytelling, horror and…maybe even…a headless horseman! Take your entire family to Sturbridge this Halloween week as there is something for every age around every corner at this living history museum on Wednesday, October 27th through Sunday, October 31st.

In Lowell, this Thursday through Saturday, you'll find the final performances of "A Crime in a Madhouse" a visceral, horror-filled theatre production in the style of Grand-Guignol and presented by VitalSaenz at Mill No. 5. This is designed as an intense, interactive show and is not for the faint of heart. Want to know where Halloween New England will be? We'll be here at the Thursday night performance because this kind of seasonal event is right up our horror- and theatre-loving alley.

Thursday, October 28th is a great night to learn more about Halloween: A Haunted History, at the Taft Public Library in Mendon! With over 25 years of experience researching the unknown, Dustin Pari brings exciting and positive lectures about the paranormal all across the country. Dustin has traveled the world over looking for answers and expanding his understanding of the unseen realm and is joining the library on this night to share it with you.

 

Frightful Friday Ghost Stories at the Gore Mansion in Waltham is full of spooky tales, but nothing too scary! The 45-minute program features five dramatic tellings of ghost stories and lore.
On Frightful Friday, October 29th, choose from the 6:30pm or the 7:45pm program.
The event takes place outdoors under a spacious tent where tables and chairs will also be provided for comfort. The site is accessible, and modern indoor restrooms will be available. Please, dress for the weather.

3rd Degree of Terror, an annual home haunt in Ayer is waiting for you to stop by this Friday, October 29th-Sunday, October 31st. As an established, free, home haunt in the area, Third Degree of Terror is open just three nights a year each Halloween weekend so this is your one shot to check it out! This community haunt is designed for all ages and contains detailed, realistic, and immersive scenes, utilizing lighting, sound effects, and scents to full advantage. The emphasis is on creating a spooky and creepy atmosphere and you might even find Halloween New England popping by to see it this year too!

Encounter the literary spirits of Concord's The Old Manse this Friday and Saturday, October 29th and 30th at the special Spirits of the Old Manse event. Join them for attic tours, art activities for children and families, readings of spooky stories written by Nathanial Hawthorne, and stay for s’mores around our fire pit!

 

The topic is haunted houses this week at the Worcester Library Horrorfest. What house is more haunted than the Overview Hotel? See The Shining" Screening at Worcester Library HorrorFest in Worcester, MA on Friday, October 29th. The film will be discussed, as well as books and lore based on the topic. Ages 18 and up are welcome--be sure to pre-register to save your spot.

 

Get your fill of terror at the Annual Halloween Horror Marathon at The Coolidge in Brookline this Saturday, October 30th as the Horror Marathon returns for its monstrous 20th year! There is a special perk this year which is composer Alan Howarth (credits: They Live, Halloween II) will be on-site at the beginning to treat you to a concert performance of some of his memorable scores right at the top of the evening at 11pm. Post-show, the horror films will kick off for twelve hours straight with a curated selection of incredible horror film sequels—all on 35mm! 

For old-school classic horror on Saturday, October 30th, view "The Haunted House" (1921) and "Nosferatu" (1922) with live accompaniment on the Wurltizer Organ. Screening at the Zeiterion Theatre in New Bedford. Organist Bernie Anderson provides the soundtrack for The Haunted House (1921), which follows Buster Keaton on the run and hiding in an abandoned house where a visiting opera company of "Faust" also seeks refuge. The influential horror film Nosferatu (1922) tells the story of a mysterious Count Orlok (Max Schreck), an undead night creature with a taste for human blood.

Take advantage of the wonderfully crisp October evenings we've been enjoying and get outside. Superstitions have long surrounded Copicut Woods in Fall River with rumors of witchcraft and other paranormal activity which circulate the property to this day. Join Halloween New England--yep we'll be there!-- this Friday, October 29th for Myth Busters: Lore and Magic in Copicut Woods as we'll be guests on this special tour exploring the history of Copicut’s local lore. This guided hike will travel through an abandoned farm settlement and the 150-year-old stone-wall-lined Miller Lane.

 

The Costume Nature Hike at Slocum River Reserve in Dartmouth, MA is for Halloween enthusiasts of all ages! All are welcome on this hike, where we will learn about the wildlife at the beautiful Slocum River Reserve.

Take a peek at more all-ages events coming up in MA on our Family-friendly Halloween Event Guide for MA.

Connecticut Halloween Events (Full Guide)

Limited space left to join the Paranormal Pub Crawl with Seaside Shadows in Mystic, CT on Thursday, October 28th for fun night featuring Mystic's own Barley Head microbrewery.

Join Seaside Shadows guides for a walk through Mystic's Water Street featuring true ghostly tales and dark history of this bustling region of downtown Mystic and hear about the haunting tales of your favorite local pubs and taverns. This tour will feature stops at some of your favorite local pubs featuring Barley Head brews allowing you to sample a different flavor at each stop along the way. The tour includes a total of three beers! 

Tap into your inner zombie - live out your 80's music video dreams! The Thriller Flash Mob is looking for Zombies ages 13 and up for an organized flash mob taking place on Halloween night in New Milford! Only two final rehearsals to join -- Wednesday, October 27th and Saturday, October 30th. You'll learn a modified version of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and you do not have to be a dancer! You will learn the entire dance in one rehearsal then be given a video link to practice to. The more rehearsals you attend, the better, but you only need to attend one. All are welcome to join; children ages 6-12 are invited to participate if they are accompanied by an adult and act appropriately.

These rehearsals are leading up to the annual Thriller Flash Mob performance on Halloween Night. Open to all to view, the performance will be held on the New Milford town green on Sunday, October 31st at 6:30pm during "Trunk or Treat". This event will be filmed and produced for YouTube.

It is the last weekend to see "Night of the Living Dead" A Play in Three Acts (theatre) at The Bradley Playhouse in Putnam. As the story goes, when a group of conflicted strangers are trapped in a rural Pennsylvania farmhouse by marauding ghouls, can the strangers overcome their prejudice and suspicions to survive the night? Based upon the 1968 American independent horror film by George A. Romero, co-written by John Russo, this version has been adapted for the stage with new scenes by John F. Carroll. Find evening performances on Friday and Saturday, October 29th and 30th plus a Halloween Day matinee on October 31st.

In addition to nightly scares and screams at The Dark Manor Haunted House in Baltic, there are two additional events to highlight for them this week. Students get rewarded on Thursday, October 28th during Student Night where it's $5 off admission with ID to this spooky indoor and outdoor haunted house. For those not up for the scares and shrieks, it's your final opportunity to visit the "Daytime Matinee Haunt" on Saturday, October 31st --a low-scare, daytime, lights-on twist for some lighter-fare starting at noon.

 

The Not So Scary Halloween Drive-Through in East Haddam is taking place this Friday and Saturday night October 29th and 30th with an experience designed for young children, but fun for all ages!
​Take a drive through the magical Pony Trail which has been decorated and lit up for Halloween! With all sorts of exciting sights on the way you'll be treated to their human characters dressed to the occasion! Candy will be passed out to the little visiting goblins.
This will be a fun event offered in daylight and in the dark. The only difference is in the dark you will see all the beautiful lights! This event is offered as a drive-through experience only. 

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)

It's a big final weekend in Lee, NH where Haunted Overload wraps up their haunt season with a series of special nights. On Thursday, October 28th you'll find their final Fright Night Lite -- a full nighttime light/sound/fog experience which still delivers their signature spooky atmosphere but without the actors or scares. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 29th - 31st will be your last weekend to enjoy the Daytime Haunt at Haunted Overload where you can set your own pace on a self-guided stroll between the artistically conceived creatures and treetop tall structures that line the impressively creative haunted trail. Without the actors or darkness of night, the Daytime Haunt is a perfect way to enjoy the spooky atmosphere of the trail without the screams and scares.

On Saturday, October 30th you can take the hair-raising fun up a notch at Haunted Overload's  Glow Stick Night where your single glow stick is the only standing between you, pitch darkness, and pure terror. However, if pure terror IS your speed, then you'll be glad to know there is also BLACKOUT Night available to you - no glow stick, just your own bravery and sense of direction to help you navigate. Appropriately, this most frightening of events is taking place this year on Sunday, October 31st - Halloween night.

Friday and Saturday, October 29th and 30st are your final two nights to enjoy The Salisbury Woods Haunted Barn and Trail special spooky trail fundraising event in Salisbury, NH.

 

"Dracula" at The Strand in Dover offers up a weekend of theatrical performance running Friday through Sunday, October 29th-31st --Halloween Fun For the Whole Family!!
The premise surrounds Lucy Seward, whose father is the doctor in charge of an English sanatorium, who has been attacked by some mysterious illness. Dr. Van Helsing, a specialist, believes that the girl is the victim of a vampire, a sort of ghost that goes about at night sucking blood from its victims.  The play is intended for all who love thrills in the theater and is appropriate for all groups.

"The Invisible Man" / "The Wolfman" Double-feature Screening on  Saturday, Oct. 30th in Londonderry, NH is double the scary fun! Universal is celebrating the 90th Anniversary of their Classic Monsters with a special double feature of the original The Invisible Man and The Wolf Man! Plus, fans will get an exclusive tour of the Universal Studios lot!

 

This Saturday, October 30th is the final FREE Costume Building Night at Port City Makerspace in Portsmouth, NH. Halloween is truly a maker's holiday, and we love it! To share the love every year Port City Makerspace offers Free Costume-Building Nights to encourage people to go above and beyond for the costume! Their classroom space and Electronics Lab spaces are open for use during these nights from 5-8pm. Members and volunteers will be around to work on their costumes and help you with yours! If you need help with another part of the shop, they can help you operate the equipment or guide you through the workspaces. FREE event but reserve your ticket and space. Suggested donation for these nights is $5, and all donations will go to the Portsmouth Halloween Parade.

If you are still on the lookout for additional kids' activities, visit our Family-friendly Halloween Events Guide for fun in NH.

Rhode Island Halloween Events (Full Guide)   

We're thrilled to support a special hour of Sensory-friendly Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular which takes place 60 minutes before the trail opens to the public. Designed for participants with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and sensory-processing differences, this calmer event will take place from 5:00–6:00 pm over two nights - Tuesday and Wednesday, October 26th and 27th. The over-5000 pumpkins will light up the Zoo’s Wetlands Trail and the sensory-friendly hour will be completely free of music or special effects. Tickets are available for purchase in person only at the Zoo's admissions booth. 

It's the final days of carved pumpkin magic at the Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Zoo. Guests can stroll, or dance their way, past thousands of intricately carved pumpkin display while listening to soundtracks from the 1860’s through contemporary music.

On  Friday, October 29th, the BankNewport City Center, in Providence invites you to dance and skate your way into the night with a wicked good time at the last roller disco of the season - BOOgie Bash and Costume Contest from 5:00pm- 10:00pm. This is an all-ages event and everyone is encouragedto dress up for the evening's costume contest!

 

This Saturday, October 30th in East Greenwich, take a jump to the left at the "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" Screening with performances by RKO Army. In this exciting show, the RKO Army brings the cult classic movie, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, from screen to stage in an interactive event that will have you on your feet dancing and shouting lines back at the film.

This performance also includes RKO Army's performance of Michael Jackson's Thriller!

 

The Providence Monster Dash 5K & Kids Dash on Halloween Sunday October 31st -- a  fun Halloween run where most people dress up in Halloween outfits!
This run takes participants through the RIPTA bus tunnels which have been overrun by ZOMBIES!!!!! For the more family-friendly version, the Kids Monster Dash Youth Race (Age 1 to 12 where parents can run with kids) and the youth race does not use the zombie tunnel and the distance is approximately 1/2 mile.

Looking for more kids' activities? Check out our Family-friendly Halloween Events Guide for fun in RI.

Maine Halloween Events (Full Guide)

For people of all ages who appreciate a creepy Halloween activity, make a beeline to Judgement Day at the Haunted Courthouse in Dresden! Taking place at the Pownalborough Court House on Friday, October 29th, participants will experience a tour of the haunted courthouse and cemetery with hauntings provided by people portraying the ghosts of Pownalborough’s past.
An outdoor fire with seating will allow guests to enjoy the grounds before or after their tour. Hot chocolate and cider will be provided.
 

Ballet Spooktacular at Portland Ballet will be performing their annual Halloween show in Westbrook, ME this Saturday, October 30th with a family-friendly presentation of Halloween-inspired ballet by students of the Senior and Pre-Professional Divisions at Portland School of Ballet!
Halloween-themed dances are combined with famous classical music for a performance that is ideal for all ages! This performance will include a raffle drawing and costume parade at intermission, so come dressed in your best Halloween costume!

 

"Phantom of the Opera" (1925) and the Kotzschmar Organ in Portland, ME is back in Merrill Auditorium! Join Municipal Organist James Kennerley on Saturday, October 30th as he brings life, intrigue and, most importantly, brilliant musical accompaniment to The Phantom of the Opera, a 1925 American silent musical horror film adaptation of Gaston Leroux’s 1910 novel Le Fantôme de l’Opéra, starring Lon Chaney in the title role of the deformed Phantom. Kennerley improvises the music for these events, and no two performances are ever the same.

Take your furry friend in tow this Saturday 30th for a visit to Paloween: Trick or Treat at Animal Welfare Society in Kennebunk. This is a family-friendly event hosted by the Animal Welfare Society who will have treats for the dogs, cats and rabbits in the AWS Adoption Center. Other fun includes a costume parade and a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt around AWS' campus. Paloween is an outdoor event and takes place rain or shine.

Presque Isle Haunted Hearse Tour departs from Historic Fire Station and asks you to contemplate -- are there really ghosts and lingering spirits in Presque Isle? Halloween Night - October 31st--offers the final chances to join this special tour - choose from tours running at 6:00pm, 7:30pm, and 9:00pm. This is a rain or shine event.

Vermont Halloween Events (Full Guide)

Newport Halloween Monster Bash in Newport has all of your Halloween fun events rolled into one place! On Saturday October 30th creep on over to Newport for tricks, treats, games, and activities for the whole family including a Halloween Costume Contest, trick-or-treating, wagon rides, and a Halloween Carnival featuring spooktacular games and haunted hallways.

Also happening on Saturday, October 30th, consider joining Queen City Ghost tours' very own Thea Lewis (Haunted Burlington, Haunted Inns and Ghostly Getaways of Vermont) for Darkness Falls Ghost Tour in Burlington, VT a trip through time on this perennial favorite. This downtown Burlington tour introduces you to the notorious historic characters from Burlington’s and intriguing haunted locations. This is a tour suitable for ages 10 and up at parental discretion as some sensitive subject matter is included.

CONTESTS: Last Chance for Ghost Tour Tickets!

Our final two contests of the season are running RIGHT now but only through this weekend! Act fast and enter as often as you wish to try your luck at winning a pair of tickets to Block Island Ghost Tours and a  Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour with Salem Historical Tours. Both contest tickets offer redemption into 2022 (woohoo) so you can access your spooky fun well ahead of Halloween next year if you score these tickets. Enter all contests right from the home page on Halloween New England.

As always, you can find recent winners to all our contests if you tune in to Halloween New England's Instagram Story!

Weekly Top Picks Oct. 6th-12th, 2021

This is an October like no other and it's been incredible and exciting to see the many ways local Halloween attractions and event producers are tapping into their creativity to find new ways of delivering a special Halloween experience. 

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!

If you don't already know about it, the clickable attraction map on our website is one of the most helpful features HalloweenNewEngland.com offers! You have the ability to see a state attraction map for each of the six New England states!

It's easy to drag and scroll the map, shrink or enlarge it. It's a snap 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. 

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.  

 

Behind-the-Scenes Daytime Tours and Events at Area Haunts! 

This weekend offers Halloween fans two wonderful behind-the-scenes opportunities for the haunt-curious--one in New Hampshire and the other in Massachusetts.
Guided tours behind the scenes of Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA! You've always wanted to get a look behind the scenes at the notorious haunt's two attractions, costume, and makeup trailers, and more, now is your chance! Barrett's Haunted Mansion Lights On Tours are offered every Saturday in October from 2:00pm-4:00pm, the lights-on tours will begin beneath the covered line behind the house and run between 30-40minutes. This is a unique opportunity for a peek at the craftsmanship, artistry, and moving pieces that contribute to why this 30-year legendary New England haunt is so special.

Another very worthwhile daytime haunt experience takes place Friday, Saturday, and Sundays from 10:00am-4:00pm --the Daytime Haunt self-guided walk at Haunted Overload. This all-ages daytime version is actor-free, scare-free, and sound-off. You'll be glad you made the trip to this event because there is no better way to appreciate the stunningly detailed and super creative scenery from this award-winning haunt. As with everything, advance tickets are the way to go--and it's only $8! 

Massachusetts Halloween Events (Full Guide)

Calling all Mobsters and Molls, Flappers and Bootleggers, Ghosts and Ghouls! Starting this Saturday, October 9, an over-the-top 1920s themed haunted party of your vintage dreams comes to life!

Salem, MA is where everyone can Charleston and Lindy, shake and shimmy at Haunted Speakeasy's Salem Vintage Halloween Party. This 1920’s-themed haunted party offers up vintage dance lessons, a theatre experience provided by History Alive, themed cocktails of the Prohibition-era, the very best of New England’s Burlesque and Drag performers to bewitch you with spooky performances and thrilling numbers, and musical performances by the uber-talented Niki Luparelli and The Gravediggers! In the spooky heart of New England, you’ll find yourself dancing alongside ghosts and ghouls and you can even tour Miss Havisham’s Parlour on the main floor of Town Hall for an immersive experience based on the novel by Charles Dickens.

This Thursday, October 7 in Brookline, MA indulge your eyes and ears with Candlelight Halloween: A Haunted Evening of Classical Compositions. This atmospheric experience invites you to listen to a performance of some haunted classical music like you’ve never seen before. Savor the music in a uniquely romantic atmosphere created by flickering candlelight and the other classical music lovers. You'll be hearing some selections from the best-known composers in history - discover new music and classics that everyone loves in the most magical setting! The performers for this evening will be the Listeso String Quartet as you soak up the ambiance in a beautiful venue bathed in candlelight as you take in the talented string quartet performing a mix of classical and modern spooky pieces.

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 $45 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.

In East Longmeadow at The Apple Place, this Saturday, October 9th is your first of two chances this month to spend a night under the stars at their Flashlight Corn Maze! This is a non-haunted corn maze event suitable for all ages and you'll want to bring your own flashlight and a good pair of walking shoes! This is a quintessential fall experience and if you have never adventured at night in a flashlight maze, this is your chance!

For a chance to enjoy the beauty of Autumn in New England, the outdoor Halloween on the Hill at Long Hill in Beverly, MA will fit that bill.
Come explore our beautiful property as we transform Long Hill into a celebration of autumn and the Halloween season.  Follow our seasonal-themed trail that will feature over 1,000 jack-o'-lanterns, hundreds of mums and pumpkins, elaborate Halloween sets, light displays, music, and more. This is the perfect Halloween event your family won’t want to miss!  
Advanced purchase of timed tickets is required as tickets will not be sold on-site.  The event will be held Thursdays through Sundays, now through October 24th, and will be held nightly from October 25th– 31st.  

Friday, October 8 at the Coolidge Theater in Brookline, MA come and see a midnight screening of Hocus Pocus. Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy star in this Salem-set classic as the Sanderson Sisters, three 17th century witches back from the dead to wreak havoc and devour the souls of children.

Feeling Nostalgic? How about some spookiness at the Mendon, Drive-In this Saturday, October 9th. Two of the most beloved seasonal movies are on the docket for this weekend - enjoy Beetlejuice followed by The Rocky Horror Picture Show!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show will screen the movie on the big screen while you are also treated to the LIVE cast by RKO Army. Regular and VIP tix are available with the VIP admission includes early admission, souvenir laminates for everyone in the car, and a pass to come back for movies! Beetlejuice starts at 7:30PM followed by Rocky Horror Live featuring RKOArmy. 

Get ready for the Halloween season ahead and brush up on your SFX makeup skills with the 1-Day SFX Makeup Intensive Course with The Makeup Curio
The Makeup Curio will be in Framingham this Saturday, October 9th where you'll have the chance to truly learn how to transform into a zombie with techniques such as cuts and bruises, hair creation, bald capping, and prosthetic application. This all-day course comes with your own makeup kit to get started which will include 3rd Degree, bruise wheel, foam latex prosthetics, and more. With plenty of time to both learn and practice your new techniques ahead of Halloween season, don't miss your opportunity! This is a vaccination-only event --sign up soon before it sells out! 

Looking for a family fun way to end the long weekend? On Monday, October 11th, try Grave Detectives! for Kids & Families - a unique and memorable historical experience in beautiful downtown Concord, MA!

Grave Detectives! Stories in Stone is an interactive discovery tour for kids and adults exploring the art, history, and sometimes funny stories behind the stones. Grave Detectives! will introduce families to some of Concord MA’s oldest history that is hiding in plain sight at Old Hill Burying Ground.

This tour will introduce kids to how to read gravestone iconography, how to use images to roughly date stones, and how the epitaphs convey information. This is a family-friendly tour suitable for kids 7y and up!

Bonus! Use promo code HALLNE2021 for 10% off Grave Detectives standard admission pricing if you found us through Halloween New England!

When Objects Talk Back: A Look into Haunted Objects & Paranormal Research on Tuesday, October 12th in Somerset, MA will have you taking another look at that heirloom in the corner.
Join “The Paranormal Couple” Cody Ray Desbiens & Satori Hawes from Travel Channel’s “Ghost Nation” as they dive deep into the phenomena of Haunted Objects! As the curators of “The Paranormal Couple’s Haunted Museum of Objects, Oddities, and Curiosities: The Traveling Exhibition”, both Satori and Cody have built up quite the collection of creepy oddities and haunted objects.

Connecticut Halloween Events (Full Guide)

This Wednesday, October 6th in North Haven, you can learn which celebrities love the same horror movie that you love at the Top 10 Horror Movies: An Evening of Halloween Fun / Author Meet & Greet held at the North Haven Library. On this night you'll meet Charles F. Rosenay, author of “The Book Of Top 10 Horror Lists"  whose brand new book gathers 100 celebrities who give their Top 10 favorite horror films and themes. This is a FREE event offered through the library, open to all, and will also be simulcasted via Zoom for those who wish to enjoy but cannot attend in person. Everyone who attends will get a free Halloween treat! Registration is required. 

 

A great free outdoor event happening this Wednesday, October 6th, you can enjoy 'Alien' Outdoor Film Screening. Screenings will be held outdoors at Pitkin Plaza public park, New Haven, CT. Even better you can bring your furry friend in tow! Bring your own chairs and blankets, and take a peek at the forecast before you go as this is a weather-dependent event.

The Torrington Public Library in Torrington, CT has some not-so-spooky events this Friday and Saturday night. Friday October 8 will test your teen's building skills. Teen Event: Making Haunted Gingerbread Houses sounds yummy-Candy, frosting, red icing.... can you create the creepiest Haunted Gingerbread House? Get creative with friends (ages 11-17) and build haunted gingerbread houses at the library! Don't worry - there will be plenty of candy for us to eat!

On Saturday, October 9the the Torrington Public Library will host its annual, all-ages  Not So Spooky Halloween Bash
which serves up fun for the whole family! The event will keep things strictly “not-so-spooky” for the youngest kiddos to ensure that everyone can feel comfortable during the festivities as you support the library through this delightful Halloween fundraiser! All ages are encouraged to come in full costume! There will be trick-or-treating, temporary Halloween tattoos, a Halloween photo station, and much more! Timed entry will be in place. advanced tickets are required.

Mystic's renowned Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours is bringing back their special guided tour of Elm Grove Cemetery on Sunday, October 10th. The Elm Grove Cemetery Tour is held at 4:00pm which allows you to make an evening out of it by booking the 7:00pm twilight Moonlit Graveyard Ghost Tour. 

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 8th complete with actors, scares, their infamous 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!

Head on over to Stratham, NH for the Flashlight Maze at Scamman Farm, Friday evenings in October. Come explore over 6 acres of twists and turns in their non-haunted nighttime corn maze!  With a brand new design every year, the corn grows taller and thicker, creating more and more of an adventure. With stalks growing up to 12 feet tall, it makes for a challenging and immersive maze experience.
Bring your own flashlight and dress for the weather.

The Pumpkin Runner opens the Milford NH Pumpkin Festival.  The festivities begin Friday, October 8th, and run through Sunday, October 10. Come and enjoy live music, artisans, and crafts, as well as pumpkin carving, a haunted trail, and scarecrow making!

Halloween Storybook Hayrides at DeMeritt Hill Farm in Lee, NH begin this Saturday, October 9th and continue on Saturdays and Sundays through October. A specially designed event for younger children featuring all of their favorite storybook characters. Listen to enchanted stories while on a fun hayride through the nature trails and orchard. After the hayride, each child will receive Halloween goodies and a pumpkin followed by a story read by Mother Goose and face painting.
The hayride is approximately 30-45 minutes long and reservations are strongly recommended

The Salisbury Woods and Haunted Trail opens their five-night seasonal fundraiser haunt on Saturday, October 9th in Salisbury, NH. This year, they've moved to timed ticketing so be sure to buy tickets in advance for some affordable spooky fun at this beloved community haunt walk-through.

The Strand in Dover, NH has you covered this weekend and beyond with frightening films. Starting Friday, October 8th there is a unique bonus experience happening at The Conjuring: Two paranormal investigation teams, S.T.I.R.S~ and New England Spirit Society, have both spent time in the Conjuring House. They will be at The Strand for some Q&A about their findings!

Sunday, October 10th has the family-friendly fun of "Hocus Pocus" starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najim as the Sanderson Sister. 300 years have passed since the Sanderson sisters were executed for practicing dark witchcraft. Returning to life thanks to a combination of a spell spoken before their demise and the accidental actions of Max, the new-kid-in-town, the sisters have but one night to secure their continuing existence. Costumes are welcomed and encouraged!

The Strand Dover NH extends your weekend fun on Monday, October 11 with George A Romero's original  Dawn of the Dead, and on Tuesday, October 12th you'll enjoy the set-in-New England comedy horror movie Re-Animator, loosely based on an HP Lovecraft serial. Both movies begin at 7 PM.

Rhode Island Halloween Events (Full Guide)

The Roger Williams Park and Zoo welcome you into fantastical lands with Fairy Tale Fun Night at the Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular!
On these special nights, you'll love the fairy tale theme as your family participates in meet & greets with some of their favorite costumed characters before hopping on the pumpkin trail.
All events are  6:00 – 8:00 pm and are included in the price of the Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular ticket.

Fairy Tale Nights  - Tuesdays, October 12th & 19th  
Superhero Nights - Wednesdays, October 13th & 20th

Clark Farms Flashlight Maze in Mantunuck challenges you to Escape from (Corn Maze) Alcaltraz! Under the brilliant autumn moon, challenge yourself to escape the maze by flashlight!

Available every Saturday in October, Clark Farms will open their flashlight maze and you'll be treated to campfires with FREE s’mores until 9pm – weather permitting, of course! The last admission for Flashlight Nights is at 8pm. Bring your own flashlight!

Vermont Halloween Events (Full Guide)

In Burlington, VT, join author and renowned haunted history guide Thea Lewis on the Darkness Falls Ghost Tour for a trip through time on this perennial favorite.
In the center of gorgeous Burlington, this reputable tour has been chosen as one of New England’s best-haunted walks by Yankee Magazine You will be treated to stories and tales featuring some of Burlington’s most infamous characters and intriguing haunts during this 60-minute tour offered through Queen City Ghost Walk.

Maine Halloween Events (Full Guide)

The Damariscotta Pumpkinfest & Regatta has adjusted their annual bucket-list fall festival for 2021. For this year, they've reimagined the fest to be an adapted and scaled-back version but still a worthwhile Halloween experience! Sadly, no pumpkin boats will be around this year but the beloved, incredible giant pumpkins will be decorated and will still be on display!​​​

You'll find the pumpkins on display for you on Main St. from October 9th-19th so circle Damariscotta on your map and head north to check out this fun fall experience.

Plan ahead for your October weekends by checking out haunted attractions on a Sunday night! This weekend there are TWENTY-EIGHT haunted attractions open this Sunday, October 11th.

Haunted Overload (Lee, NH), DementedFX (Holyoke, MA), Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA), Trail of Terror (Wallingford, CT), The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT), 13th World (Cumberland, RI), and Factory of Terror (Fall River, MA), Legends of Fear (Shelton, CT), Terror at Quassy (Middlebury, CT),  Fear Town (Seekonk, MA), Fear on the Farm at McCray's Farm (South Hadley, MA) Haunted Hayride & Walk-through.

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 7th has just two haunted attractions open on this night Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA) will be open and ready to give you nightmares! Thursday nights every week is a non-haunted walk-through at Haunted Grandview Manor (Lebanon, ME)--don't worry, the scares will return for the weekend!

Monday, October 11th is a holiday and you have three haunts to choose from to fill out your long weekend. Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA will be open for you along with Fright Fest at Six Flags New England in Agawam, MA and SpookyWorld in Litchfield, NH.

Click for a complete list visit our Guide to which Haunted Attractions are Open Weeknights.

Haunted Houses, Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Friday, October 8th

Haunted Overload (NH) 

Terror at Quassy (CT)

Vengeance in the Valley (VT) - Haunted Hayride and Haunted Maze

Monster Hunt (CT) - Haunted Experience & Hayride

Field of Screams (RI) 

Click for the complete Opening Night Guide

Haunted Houses, Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Saturday, October 9th

The Apple Place Night Maze - non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Hicks Family Farm (MA) - Haunted Corn Maze

Ekonk Hill Turkey Farm (CT) - non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Click for the complete Opening Night Guide

What has Halloween New England been up to? 

Team Halloween New England was everywhere this past weekend and if you follow us on Instagram or Facebook you've been treated to a few of the pics from our adventures across the region!

Toward the end of last week, we spotted the MEAT Tank while we were at The Big E for the day. If you're curious to learn more about the MEAT tank, you can find it every night at DementedFX haunt in Holyoke, MA now that they've just opened for the season.

On Friday, we headed down to Putnam, CT to take in the annual Zombie Fashion Show which was a super festive community Halloween event where zombies - different age groups - walked the runway strutting their undead fabulousness, and competed for Best Zombie prizes!

On Saturday we headed to Salem for the day where we checked out the Haunted Marketplace right downtown, shopped in the local stores, soaked up the energy of the crowds, and finished the night on a Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour hosted by Salem Historical Tours. 

We took a detour up to Mill No. 5 in Lowell, MA to visit the local artisan pop-up market Ghastly. Produced by A Little Bazaar - a different themed pop-up market every weekend - we loved this particular weekend's horror and oddity-themed marketplace which was, you guessed it, right up our alley! We met so many terrific local dark artists, collectors, graphic artists, and fun people!

 

On Saturday night, you also could find us down the MA coast starting the evening off at the newly revamped Factory of Terror in Fall River and then headed down the road to welcome the return of Fear Town haunted house in Seekonk, MA after a pause in 2020. 

Sunday morning brought us to Concord, MA for a family-friendly graveyard tour called Grave Detectives! which is the new kid-appropriate cemetery tour offered by the Concord Tour Company. 

Monday may have been a rainy night in Portsmouth, NH but nobody on the fabulous Legends, Ghosts & Graves Tour noticed the rain because we were all having too much fun with Portsmouth's own New England Curiosities! With two decades of tours under her belt, there might not be a better keeper of seacoast stories and legends than Roxie Zwicker and I know we'll be back for more! 

CONTESTS: 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

Soooo many contests mean soooooo many winners! Congratulations to the following Halloween fans who have won contests through Halloween New England over the last week - we've listed them below.

Haunted Overload's Invite-only Night - Denise Daniel, Lily Moonstorm, Alicia Auger, Richard Webster

Barrett's Haunted Mansion - Kim Clements and Jamie Pearson

Jack-O'-Lantern Spectacular - Andrea Berntsen

Trail of Terror VIP Passes - Victoria Lucia

Block Island Ghost Tour - Sue Cornell

Fear Town - Richa Shah and Christopher Long

Factory of Terror - Rebecca Collinsworth and Jared Ponte

The Dark Manor  - Cory Coffey and Warren Maxwell

Grave Addiction Tour with Concord Tour Company - Dawn Patterson

Fear on the Farm at McCrays Farm - Ava Santana and Gavin Beauregard