Weekly Top Picks Sept 29-Oct 5, 2021

Happy October everyone!

After 11 months of waiting and counting down the days, our favorite month is here at last! The temperatures are lovely during the day and perfectly crisp at night and we are spotting the leaves turning more every day. New England is showing signs of looking like October ought to! Before we know it, there will be a chill in the air and we'll be staying toasty in our wool sweaters and flannel. 

Halloween New England Nighttime Flashlight Corn Maze Guides

One of Halloween New England's all-time favorite non-scary nighttime Halloween activities is to head out to spend an evening at a local Flashlight Corn Maze so we can spend a few fall hours away under the light of the moon. There might not be a better way to soak up the atmosphere of this time of year when you factor in a dose of that cool, crisp night weather we all love and you've got a perfect night of gently spooky fun! Honestly, there are no scares planned in flashlight mazes but we've been known to brush our elbow against the stalks and give ourselves a startle--that's strictly on us! Some local mazes will offer flashlight nights on a weekly basis while others offer it on a select two or three nights during the season. As many outdoor activities are, flashlight mazes are subject to weather so a drizzle won't usually close a maze but a downpour might. Regardless, wearing a good pair of sturdy boots is a must because...it's New England in the fall!  Find the Flashlight Corn Mazes near you in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. Look in the features box inside each listing to know if they offer a flashlight maze (non-haunted) along with their special haunted events.

Halloween New England Pumpkin Patch Guides

Whether you're headed on a family pumpkin picking excursion for carving or you're seeking some warty and striped pumpkins for distinctive autumn displays, we have listed all the local pumpkin patches for you in one easy-to-find place!

Organized in an intuitive way - one guide per state- tap into Halloween New England's six Pumpkin Patch Guides to help you find a local patch where you live or where you might be road-tripping! Lucky for us all, many patches overlap with farm bakeries and other agri-fun so maybe you'll score some cider donuts too! 

Find the Pumpkin Patches listed near you in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont.

The Jack O'Lantern Spectacular Delivers 32 Nights of Glow Starting Sept. 30th. Tune in Thursday when the Spectacular takes over our Instagram Story!

This Thursday, September 30th-- is the Opening Night for the always mesmerizing Jack O' Lantern Spectacular at the Roger Williams Park and Zoo in Providence, RI!
In 2021, this annual pumpkin festival has been returned to its glory as a walk-through event for people of all ages to enjoy thousands of hand-carved carved Jack O' Lanterns on display fitting a different arcing theme every year.

Held 7 nights a week, September 30th through October 31st, you'll be treated to a breathtaking display of carved pumpkins and pumpkin displays, It's a perfect way to spend a crisp fall evening as you soak up the sights of thousands of glowing, stunningly carved pumpkins.

To celebrate this special Halloween event, Halloween New England has handed over the reins to the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular for an all-day 24 hour Instagram Story Takeover!

 
Visit Halloween New England's Instagram Story on Thursday, Sept. 30th to follow along with the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular Takeover--or look it up under the #HNETakeover and #HNExJOLS to get a peek at what the Spectacular has in store for us all this season!

 

The first-ever Haunted Speakeasy at Sea BOO-ze cruise heads into Boston Harbor this Saturday! NEW Salem Haunted Speakeasy events start soon! 

If you call yourself a Halloween fan and love everything that captures the season, then you already know the place for top-caliber vintage-themed Halloween revelry is New England's very own The Haunted Speakeasy! And if you haven't donned your gangster suit and or adorned yourself in feathers and fridge then, we can't help but ask--what are you waiting for? The Haunted Speakeasy is one of the absolute best themed Halloween parties you'll come across in our wonderful region and there's no better place to sport your ghastly or Gatsby-inspired costume than during one of the SEVEN speakeasy events happening this October! 

There is, however only ONE chance to set sail in Boston Harbor for the Saturday, October 2nd Haunted Speakeasy at Sea BOO-ze cruise so quickly get those few remaining tickets and dust off your stole for this weekend.
Don't forget to buy your tickets early for the rest of October when The Salem Haunted Speakeasy descends on Salem, MA this year with six Speakeasy events lined up during October weekends inside Salem's historic Old Town Hall starting October 9th! With live entertainment, spooky-themed cocktails, dancing, burlesque performers, haunted characters, and more this is an incredibly well-planned Halloween event you will not want to miss.

Advance tickets are a must for Salem's The Haunted Speakeasy (Saturdays, October 9th, 16th, and 23rd plus Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Halloween Weekend October 29th - 31st).

What has Halloween New England been up to? 

Last weekend we took a swing up to Haverhill, MA for OddFest --a gathering of over 25 New England area vendors and artists selling their spooky and creepy wares. This oddities and curiosities bazaar was filled with super creative and unforgettable goodies and collectibles. We think we will be seeing those ultra-creepy painted baby dolls in our nightmares for a while now!

We send out a huge thanks to Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington, MA who hosting us for a wild Saturday night during their 30th Anniversary season of haunting -- a truly impressive accomplishment! Days later, our adrenaline is just starting to dial down after the screams and terror inside the Haunted Mansion and the brand-new attraction Condemned. They outdid themselves this year and we'll treat you to some video from our night there if you hop over to Halloween New England's Instagram.

To mark Barrett's incredible anniversary year, the Halloween New England team reached out to our favorite New England donut company -- Speakeasy Donuts --a pop-up donut bakery out of Salem, MA to create a memorable gift to bring to Barrett's. We Speakeasy Donuts wouldn't let us down yet they still managed to amaze us with their creation: custom donuts of the face of Barrett's iconic haunt character Klown1. We can honestly say we've never seen more terrifying donuts in our lives (in a good way, though!) Well done Speakeasy Donuts and thank you for going above and beyond to allow us to bring the perfect gift!

Massachusetts Halloween Events

Tower Hill Botanical Gardens in Boylston opens its Autumn Illuminated display this Thursday, September 30th. Walk along a half-mile trail, lit by hundreds of lights, adding an ephemeral aspect to the already beautiful statuary, fountains and grounds. This event is mostly outdoors.  Advanced tickets are required.

 

Poe. is a live theater performance that explores some of the author's popular poems and stories, such classics like The Raven and The Cask of Amontillado. Paying homage to one of the great patrons of spookiness through music and movement, this event is held mostly outdoors at the Gedney House in Salem on Thursday, September 30th.

For some indoor spooky live theater in Orleans down on the Cape, nothing will scare you more than The Haunting of Hill House. Opening Friday, October 1st, this tale, set in a mysterious, macabre home brings together a small group of people participating in research of the supernatural.

 

Grab a chair, get a space and settle in and listen to local legends as told by candlelight at Local Lore by Candlelight at Salem's historic Daniels House. Held in one of Salem's oldest homes, you'll find this spooky story offering available to you every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in October.

 

Is Bloody Mary real? How about body part snatchers? The Lady in White? Join author and folklorist Jeff Belanger at the East Bridgewater Library this Tuesday, October 5th for Dark Journeys and Urban Legends and hear why these stories have endured around the world.

Looking for a little retail therapy for yourself or gifts for your Halloween-loving friends? Look no further than Lowell this Saturday, October 2nd GHASTLY: The Oddity & Horror Marketplace. Enjoy locally made wares with a scarier flare and you'll even find Halloween New England there too as we've had this circled on our calendar for weeks no!

How about some classic scary movies? There is a double feature of classic horror- Dracula and Frankenstein in Framingham Saturday, October 2nd. Iconic actors in career-defining roles bring their best to these two amazing adaptations.

 

If you are eagle-eyed, you can spot the Halloween New England team this Friday, October 1st at Fear Town Haunted House in Seekonk, MA, and at Factory of Terror in Fall River.

On Saturday, October 2nd we'll be up in Salem all day and will kick off our adventures in the Witch City by attending the Salem Zombie Walk and wrapping it up in the evening with a Haunted Footsteps Salem Ghost Tour! On Saturday you are also likely to run into us in Lowell while we are checking out GHASTLY: The Oddity & Horror Marketplace at Mill No. 5 featuring all kinds of local artists and vendors. 

On Sunday, October 3rd, we start our morning at Grave Detectives in Concord for the all-ages cemetery tour with the Concord Tour Company!

Connecticut Halloween Events 

Grab your flashlight, check the moonlight and go to Orange, CT to experience the Night Maze at Treat Farm this Friday, October 1st. Enjoy their 6.5-acre maze, complete challenges found within, and use your instincts to find your way out.

Zombie Fashion Show Just because you are undead doesn't mean you can't have style! Strut or shuffle your best corpse self on the runway, killer soundtrack provided by non-other than DJ “Scary” (Gary) O of WINY Radio.
Be a part of the event as a mini-monster (child) or adult, or just come and watch the festivities! For one night only in scenic Putnam, you'll find the Zombie Fashion show this Friday, October 1st as the event begins around 7 PM. Guess who else is excited about this event --we are! Halloween New England will also be visiting this event for the first time and we can't wait - it's been on our wish list for a while now!

 

The Monster Petting Zoo Held at the Staehly Farm & Winery makes its debut this weekend as they will open up open Saturdays and Sundays, October 2nd - 31st.

This new gear-for-the-kids attraction is a fun, family-friendly interactive hayride through an enchanted orchard with monsters to pet! This is not a scary event - in fact, it is as family-friendly as can be! You'll also be treated to a farm market, food trucks, pumpkin picking, photo-ops, and other fall goodies along with daily entertainment.

Looking for a gift for your favorite ghoul?  Need to find the perfect piece to complete your dark decor?  Head to East Haven this Sunday, October 3rd to experience the New England Oddities & Antiques Exhibition where you'll find purveyors of art, antiques, oddities, & general nonsense come out to conduct a day-long event for the obscure. There will certainly be something for everyone here but especially for those with an eye for the creepy and weird!
 

New Hampshire Halloween Events 

Our Tops Picks for New Hampshire this week will have you using your instincts or jumping out of your seat! Watch out for the (pop) corn!

Flashlight Maze at Trombly Gardens opens for the season this weekend also and you'll find them open Friday and Saturday nights in October from October 1st - 30th. Find your way out of the corn maze using just a flashlight, some courage, and hopefully a good sense of direction! Even still, getting "lost" in the maze is part of the fun and there's no better way to partake than in the moonlight during the fall. Trombly Gardens offers up this non-haunted corn maze throughout weekends in October. Bring your own flashlight!

 

The Strand Theater in Dover starts the Week of Witches this Sunday, October 3rd with The Blair Witch Project, followed by Monday, October 4th's screening of The Witches of Eastwick.

Another fun one to note during the Week of Witches happens Tuesday, October 5th when they show The Craft! 

These are just a few of the Witch-themed films so check out The Strand for a full list of screenings to delight you.

Rhode Island Halloween Events 

The Jack O'Lantern Spectacular in Providence (see feature above) is definitely the biggest event to capture our attention in Rhode Island this week! They're open 7 nights a week now (September 30) through October 31st and with thousands--yes thousands!--of hand-carved Jack-O'Lanterns lining the walk, you will be impressed by this atmospheric, all-ages, quintessential New England Halloween experience Details on the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular.

Halloween fun can include our furry friends. Leash up and bring your dog to Howlween Annual Dog Walk and Costume Contest with Warwick Animal Shelter on Saturday, October 2nd. With 

Costume Contest for the pooches, a blessing of the animals, a dog bandana, and a dog walk (choice of long or short walk) this is sure to be a fun event for you and your furry family member. Don't have a pup, you can also meet the shelter's adoptable dogs who will be there spending the entire day on a fun field trip!

Did you know that Dracula never says "I want to drink your blood"? Instead, the line is "I never drink....wine".  And Frankenstein is the name of the Doctor, not the monster! Brush up on your classic Halloween and Movie Monster trivia with a first-hand refresher during these films' double-feature screening of Dracula and Frankenstein in Manchester, Newington, Londonderry, and Salem NH on Saturday, October 2nd.

Under the brilliant autumn moon, challenge yourself to escape the maze by flashlight! head to Wakefield, RI every Saturday in October you'll be treated to campfires with FREE s’mores at the Flashlight Maze at Clark Farms which opens for their night mazes this Saturday night October 2nd.

Last admission for Flashlight Nights is at 8pm and S'mores end at 9:00pm - remember to pack your own flashlight! 

Vermont Halloween Events 

This Saturday, October 2nd has a waning crescent moon--use that light, along with your flashlight to navigate the Twilight Maze at Gaines Farm in Guilford, VT! 

You'll love the autumn experience of finding your way through the (non-haunted) corn maze. Open select dates in September and October. The folks at Gaines Farm love this time of year as much as we do so you're sure to have a memorable evening in their non-haunted twilight maze. Please bring your own flashlight.

Maine Halloween Events 

The event listings are starting slow this month in beautiful Maine.
Why not take in some classic horror flicks? 

Dracula and Frankenstein are a classic horror movie combo and now you can enjoy them with an in-person double feature!

Bela Lugosi stars as the mysterious, suave Count Dracula, the role that would make his career. He stalks through the London fog, looking for his next victim in this signature adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel.

Boris Karloff is brought to life by the mad genius Dr. Frankenstein. The monster is both frightening and tragic in this original adaptation of Mary Shelly's masterpiece. With only 
Brunswick is where the double-feature is happening and it is the only location in Maine to treat yourself to this double-matinee!

Plan ahead for your October weekends by checking out haunted attractions on a Sunday night! This weekend there are FOURTEEN haunted attractions open this Sunday, October 3rd including 13th World (Cumberland, RI), The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT), Fear Town (Seekonk, MA), Barrett's Haunted Mansion (Abington, MA), Factory of Terror (Fall River, MA) and 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?

Find the complete list on Halloween New England's Guide to Haunts Open on Sunday Nights.

Haunted Houses, Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Friday, October 1st

Trail of Terror (Wallingford, CT)

The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT)
13th World Haunted Trail (Cumberland, RI)
Fear on the Farm at McCrays Farm (S. Hadley, MA) - Haunted Hayride and Walk-through

DementedFX (Holyoke, MA)

Dead North (VT) - Haunted Corn Maze 

Seven Cedars Haunted Hayride (RI)

Haunted Tunnel at Slater Park (RI)

The Dark Woods (NH)

Trombly Gardens (NH) non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Elwood Orchards (NH) non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Scamman Farm (NH) non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Fright Kingdom (NH)

Haunted Grandview Manor (ME) 

Monster Hunt (CT) - Haunted Experience & Hayride

Evidence of Evil (CT)

The Haunted Isle (CT)

Bunnell Farm (CT) - non-haunted Flashlight Maze

Hysteria at Connors Farm (MA)

Witch's Woods (MA)

Haunted Witch Village (MA)

Hicks Family Farm (MA) - non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Marini Farm (MA) - non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Click for the complete Opening Night Guide

Haunted Houses, Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Saturday, October 2nd

Haunted Grandview Manor (ME) 

Clark Farms (RI) non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Click for the complete Opening Night Guide

CONTESTS: Opening Weekend Giveaways, Invite-Only Nights, and Tickets Galore!

We've got over a dozen contests live on Halloween New England right now plus more posted over the weekend! Find ALL the contests that you can enter HERE right from the home page of Halloween New England.

Recent Contest Winners:

Congratulations to recent contest winners Rayah Martin who won the Seaside Shadows Elm Grove Tour tickets, Denise Daniel and Jillian Williams won tickets to Haunted Overload's VIP night, Kiana Ka and Sean Randall won a 4-pack of tickets along with Nikki DeCosta who won VIP tickets to 13th World. Allison Dubrosky won VIP Passes to Legends of Fear in Shelton, CT, Gregory Giroux scored admission to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular in Providence, Keri Fletcher and Aleksis Kanelos won tickets to Barrett's Haunted Mansion. Robert Varvarigos and Sumaiyyah Kharashqah are heading into Boston Harbor on our Haunted Speakeasy at Sea haunted BOOze Cruise, and The Concord Tour Company winners are Katharine Simon and Deana Abram who won Grave Detectives tickets and Dawn Patterson who won Grave Addiction tickets! Cory Coffey and Warren Maxwell each scored a pair of tickets to check out The Dark Manor in Baltic, CT! Candie Komorowski is the lucky recipient of opening weekend tickets to Fear at the Farm at McCray's Farm in South Hadley, MA. Nichelle Delgado's name was drawn for the Salem Historical Tours' Witchcraft Walk tickets. Gavin Beauregard crushed the DementedFX contest and came away the winner with a pair of VIP passes!

Weekly Top Picks Oct 15th - 21st, 2020

We are throttling toward Halloween and this week has thrilled us with the addition of more events being added to our state calendars. This week really offers something for everyone who love Halloween - we have events to appeal to haunt-goers, scaredy-cats, ghostly tale lovers, Jack-o-Lantern fans. We've got events for folks who want to go out, for folks who prefer to stay home, and events for absolutely everyone in between. 

If you don't have your pumpkins, be sure to support a local pumpkin patch from one of the many scenic farms that dot the New England landscape. We love seeing pumpkins popping up on doorsteps everywhere during our travels!

We have dozens more wonderful events listed for this week on our website but our hand-picked state-by-state highlights are listed below.

Spooky-not-Scary Events at Area Haunts

There are two spooky-not-scary haunt walk-throughs happening this week which are ideal for Halloween fans who have the spirit of the season but are not interested in the startles or the scares.

The first one up takes place this Thursday, October 15th in Shelton, CT where you're invited to Spooky Nights Halloween Lights at Legends of Fear. This self-guided walk along their 1/2 mile-long wooded trail will feature their haunt house scenery and scenic lights without actors for an evening under the stars. Advance tickets required and family 4-pack discounts available too!

Also Thursday, October 15th will be Fright Night Lite at Haunted Overload in Lee, NH. This actor-free, scare-free wooded trail is lined with treetop-tall handmade creatures, vibrant colorful lighting, and fascinating scenery. Sound, lights, ad fog will be on. Advance tickets also required.  

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:00am-4:00pm is the Daytime Haunt self-guided walk at Haunted Overload. This 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 craftsmanship of the stunningly detailed and uber-creative scenery. As with everything, advance tickets are the way to go!   

Pick a perfect pumpkin at your local pumpkin patch!

As you know by now, Halloween New England makes it so easy to find a local pumpkin patch for carving your jack-o-lanterns in time for Halloween. Add in the various community pumpkin carving contests and pumpkin displays to the mix of your pumpkin-buying needs and you will certainly need to stock up on more than a few!

We have state-by-state guides and maps to all your local farms featuring pumpkin patches and PYO pumpkins.

Click on your state for Halloween New England's Pumpkin Patch Guides for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Massachusetts Halloween Events (Full Guide)

Abandoned Villages and Ghost Towns of New England is a special virtual presentation by author Thomas D'Agostino this Thursday, October 15th via Zoom, hosted by the Southwick Public Library. This event is free but pre-registration required.

Foxborough's Boyden Library presents ghosthunter Dustin Pari's Halloween: A Haunted History Lecture also this Thursday, October 15th which will feature legends, superstitions, and Halloween traditions. You'll need to sign up in advance for this free zoom event - all are welcome.

 

Frightful Fridays Ghost Stories returns to the Gore Mansion in Waltham Friday, October 16th for their first of three consecutive Friday evenings of spooky tales shared under a tent outside this historic 1806 mansion. The festivities last 45-minutes and promise to be a fun alternative to the usual gruesome fair.

This Friday, October 16th is the don't-miss virtual Salem MA Ghost Stroll Tour with Seaside Shadows which will take you through the Salem graveyards, treat you to stories and legends of sea captains, ghost ships, and Witch City mysteries. You won't want to miss this unique virtual option from the renowned Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours whose home base is in Mystic, CT.

Welcome to the Graveyard: An Eye on Pembroke Cemeteries is another terrific Gravestone Girls virtual presentation taking place on Tuesday, October 20th - this one is hosted by the Pembroke Library via Zoom but open to all who pre-register.

An Evening with Edgar Allan Poe is a theatrical reading well-known and lesser-known Poe as performed by literary historian Rob Velella. This special virtual event held Tuesday, October 20th is hosted by the Wilmington Public Library and requires advance registration.

The 2nd featured film covered by the weekly Worcester Public Library's Virtual Horrorfest Film Discussion series is "Nosferatu" (1922)  happening in the afternoon on Wednesday, October 21st. 

"Haunted Western Mass" is a free virtual presentation of ghost stories and local legends on Wednesday, October 21st hosted by the Southwick Public Library (register in advance for zoom link).

Plus, take a sneak peek at all-ages events coming up on the calendar on our Family-friendly Halloween Event Guide for MA.

Connecticut Halloween Events (Full Guide)

The first one up takes place this Thursday, October 15th in Shelton, CT where you're invited to Spooky Nights Halloween Lights at Legends of Fear. This self-guided walk along their 1/2 mile-long wooded trail will feature their haunt house scenery and scenic lights without actors for an evening under the stars. Advance tickets required and family 4-pack discounts available too!

Drive-ins are a feature not a bug of life in 2020 and we love how many drive-in movie opportunities there are into October! Our highlight this week is the Stamford Museum's "Harry Potter" Film Screening on Friday, October 16th.

The annual Things that Go Bump in the Night series returns for the next few weeks where you can take a candlelight tour of the exterior property and short peeks at inside rooms as you are treated to theatrical ghost stories at the historic Nathan Hale Homestead. Offered over six nights this month,  the first two nights are this Thursday and Friday, October 15th and16th - advance tickets are required. 

"Nightmare on Main" in Willimantic wraps up their season on Saturday, October 17th with a final night of small-group, guided tours through their "monstrous exhibits" gallery inside the American Thread building/Windham Mills.
 

Ghosthunter Barry Pirro is teaming up with the Seymour Public Library on Monday, October 19th to offer a virtual presentation "A Ghost Hunter's Favorite Cases" including a post-presentation Q&A. As with any zoom event, pre-registration required for this free event open to all.

Let's be honest, few things capture our Halloween heart more than seeing events like DIY Halloween Makeup for Kids: Fake Wounds (virtual) popping up on the Halloween calendar! Kids and Teens can learn how to make a gory wound this Wednesday, October 21st using everyday supplies you might have around the house. There is a "supply list" you'll need to gather for this online Zoom class so registering a few days in advance will be helpful. Shout out to the Wallingford Public Library for bringing creative programs like this to their calendar!

Another all-ages free event happening in downtown New Haven next Wednesday, October 21st is "The Addams Family" Outdoor Film Screening as part of the weekly Movies in Pitkin Plaza October series. No advance sign-up required because it is first-come-first serve.

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!

On this Saturday, October 17th, Haunted Overload's daytime haunt is co-hosting Howl for the Animals fundraiser for the Pope Memorial Humane Society. Held at Demeritt Hill Farm in Lee, NH. Celebrating the Halloween Spirit there will be a special trick-or-treat through the haunt with non-scary characters passing out candy. Costumed are encouraged for the kiddos and the day haunt is also Fido-friendly during this event so be sure to bring your doggie along to enjoy the festivities! Admission is $5!

 You can visit Haunted Overload which is open for their Fright Night Lite on Thursday, October 15th, Daytime Haunt on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 16-18th between  10-4pm for a no-actor, no-sound, no-scare walk-through. Their award-winning evening haunt is also open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 16-18th complete with actors, scares, a haunted mansion, giant scenes, and their famous treetop tall characters built deep in the woods.

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)

In Central Falls this Thursday, through Monday, October 15th - 19th is your chance to embark on the Blackstone Valley Explorer Riverboat for the Swamp Scare Riverboat Tour - a 20-minute journey aboard along a scary (and socially distanced) spooky experience on the water. Costumes highly encouraged - and masks are required. 

At One Providence Plaza, you can book your pod, family, or selective group of up to six people for one of the Haunted Gondola Rides lined up this Thursday, October 15th and Sunday, October 18th. You'll be treated to haunted tales told by a member of Providence Ghost Tours during a magical evening along the river - you're even invited to bring a bottle of wine or hot beverage for the festivities. All Haunted Gondola rides are sold by the private boat capacity of 6 to keep your group just amongst yourselves.

Roger Williams Park has two major Halloween events happening on the premises this week and weekend:
With advance tickets you can visit the Jack O'Lantern Spectacular's reimagined drive-through carved pumpkin and Halloween display which is open 7 nights a week at the Zoo.

Around the corner at the Museum of Natural History you can find a two-night-only Night at the Haunted Museum event where the most bizarre items from their collection will be on display "amongst spooky living art" for you to enjoy. Advance tickets for both events above are essential.

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

Vermont Halloween Events (Full Guide)

On Friday, October 16th at the Hub Teen Center and Skate Park Pavilion in Bristol, pack a blanket and chair for their first of three weekly free Friday Night classic horror nights. This Friday, October 16th you'll find "The Hitch-Hiker" (1953) playing on the outdoor screen and all are welcome! 

Friday, October 16th the Public Investigation at Wilson Castle resumes for a special small-ground experience with the add-on option of staying overnight within the historic property!

We have two virtual events we recommend for some Halloween enjoyment right from home. On Saturday, October 17th kids may enjoy the "Villains Halloween Tea for Kids" where performers dressed in character will portray the Horned Sorceress, Fur Fashionista, Vain Queen, Queen of Cards and the Stepsisters for a Halloween tea party featuring tea party etiquette and Halloween fashion advice for a fright-free half hour. This is a free event but pre-registration is required. 

For some spooky history brought to us from across the pond, this Monday afternoon, October 19th at 1:00pm learn more about your favorite holiday with "Halloween: History, Traditions, and Superstitions" with a presentation by Dr. Louise Fenton covering "the ancient Celtic traditions and how, over centuries, they evolved into the Halloween we know today. The lecture will also look at how Halloween made it to America with the influx of Europeans and the early celebrations of ‘Play Parties’. The tradition of ‘trick or treat’ will be discussed along with some of the superstitions around black cats and ghosts." This is a free event but pre-registration is required.

Maine Halloween Events (Full Guide)

Our top picks for this weekend in Maine is the Night Maze at Treworgy Family Orchards. Grab your flashlight and head bravely into the cornstalks to navigate your way through under the light of the moon. Held Friday and Saturday nights, October 16th and 17th at their property in Levant, this is a non-scary Halloween attraction suitable for all who don't mind being a little lost in the maze! Advance tickets suggested.

For an incredibly unique annual event, check out "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" (1923) screening accompanied by the Kotzschmar Organ at the Saco Drive-In taking place this Saturday, October 17th.

"Join Organist James Kennerley as he brings life, intrigue and, most importantly, brilliant musical accompaniment to Wallace Worsley’s American classic starring Lon Chaney. The film is based on Victor Hugo’s 1831 novel set in Paris in 1482, and is filled with intrigue, love-lost, betrayal, murder and every other plot twist a spectacular horror movie should offer up to its audience. This silent movie classic will be silent no more when Kennerley adds his magnificent playing to the film!
Come see this classic from 1923 on the big screen and hear the improvised score" (pre-recorded) for this special night. Limited capacity so advance tickets (only $15!) highly recommended. 

Snake River Scary Stories this Saturday, October 17th is a virtual Halloween storytelling event hosted by Snake River Storytelling with two programs "Twilight Tales" (age 10+) and "Stories After Dark" (adults) presented by six nationally-acclaimed storytellers. Just $15 for the whole evening - pre-registration required. 

Plan ahead for your October weekends by checking out haunted attractions on a Sunday night! This weekend there are FOURTEEN haunted attractions open this Sunday, October 18th.

Be sure to check out Trail of Terror (Wallingford, CT), Legends of Fear (Shelton, CT), 13th World (Cumberland, RI), Haunted Overload (Lee, NH), Factory of Terror (Fall River, MA), The Dark Manor (Baltic, CT),   and DementedFX (Holyoke, 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 as you can during October to take full advantage of the Halloween season and our Weeknight Guide was created with you in mind!

Thursday, October 15th has 3 haunted attractions open including Haunted Overload (NH) - Fright Night Lite (full show, no scares) and  Legends of Fear (CT) offers up their final Spooky Night Halloween Lights  (Lights On, No Actors, No scares) 

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

CONTESTS: Ticket Giveaways Galore!

We've got five contests wrapping up this week on Halloween New England and two more that just debuted.  Find ALL the contests that you can enter HERE and we encourage you to enter ASAP!

Ending Soon: 

Two contest will end on Thursday the 15th so depending on when you read this blog, they might already have ended: win a pair of VIP passes to Trail of Terror in Wallingford, CT and it's our final Jack-O'-'Lantern Spectacular contest to win vehicle admission to their carved pumpkin drive-through experience in Providence, RI. 

It's the last few days to enter to WIN a pair of tickets to 13th World Haunted Trail in Cumberland, RI and enter to win admission to The Dark Manor Haunted House in Baltic, CT. The final chance to win tickets to select shows at Haunted Overload in Lee, NH also ends soon -all three above contents conclude this Saturday.

Just added: Look for two incredible mid-season ticket contests which went live this week - enter to win a pair of tickets to Factory of Terror in Fall River, MA and a group admission (up to 4 people) to DementedFX in Holyoke, MA. Enter all contests right from the home page of Halloween New England.

Congrats to our recent contest winners! Celia Cataldo won admission to a sold-out horror double-header at Barrett's Haunted Mansion's Screens & Screams  and the winner of the final pair of Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tour tickets is Deirdre Rouse!

No new attractions are opening this weekend but you can find a complete list of which haunts have already kicked off their season at our complete Opening Night Guide

We're thrilled to have teamed up again with the uber-talented The Pixel Perfection: After Dark whose incredibly creepy and inspiring haunt photos populate the guides again this year. As always, we know you love their photos...just please don't steal their photos! Why not just follow them on Facebook or Instagram or hire them to capture your Halloween attraction or event?

Weekly Top Picks for Sept 18th - 23rd, 2020

We wait all year for this moment - the start of our favorite season!

(Cue: Record scratch) 

Let's get down to what you really want to know - what on earth will this Halloween season look like? Nobody saw this year shaping up the way it has... will our beloved season, celebrations, and traditions be yet another casualty of 2020? 

It will feel and be different--it just has to. We might not cram in two dozen haunt visits like we do most years or hit up your favorite Halloween parade --that's okay, it's just for now. But we definitely can all go out of our way to support those events and attractions that have found a way to adapt for public health considerations. 

Some Halloween events are taking a pause this year --that's also okay -- and we will be there at their door next year when they return, you can be sure of it.

What can you expect this year? Fewer live-person events, more virtual event options. The in-person events will be smaller, customers spread out, ticket prices might be ever-so-slightly higher, and the experience might be uniquely different than what you experienced there in the past. 

There will be few festivals this year - not like we've always thought of them. Yet there will be smaller events with plenty of things you love and count on. There may or may not be a hayride this year to take you to the pumpkin patch. Several places have adjusted their event to a drive-through or even a drive-in experience which is no small feat for them to do. These in-person events are ultra-safe choices for people of any age to enjoy as they are experienced from the comfort and safety of their vehicles. 

You'll find new health and safety protocols in place - everything from handwashing stations to disposable gloves to temperature checks to marked out spaced out queues. As you would expect, wearing a mask is a non-negotiable requirement on all these properties, even outdoors.

Many attractions now require advanced ticket purchases (no walk-ups) and have implemented timed ticketing which means you'll need to show up at a specific time to your event. These are essential ways for event producers to manage the customer flow and stay within state and local restrictions for gathering limits. Without these restrictions and new ticket rules in place, many would not be permitted to open so please comply and support them--it's for your health and those you care about. Don't give them a hard time - they are looking out for you and for their staff.

  

But here we are - mid-September! The sleeping weather has been fabulous and the leaves are predictably starting to color. Pumpkins are still showing up on display at every local farm stand. Salem IS open for business with smaller distanced tours, boutiques fully-stocked, and the Salem restaurants are amazing as ever as they offer outdoor dining. September is an incredible time of year to visit the Witch City so get out to support our Salem folks.

As every year, Halloween New England will keep you posted all season long with upcoming events to help you stay on top of new Halloween experiences and alerted to new attractions. 

Tune in each Thursday for our Top Picks, highlights for the weekend, special events not to be missed, incredible contests, and other essential info to keep you on top of everything this Halloween. We add dozens of new events every week and you'll never find more Halloween events in a single place than on Halloween New England.

If you are looking to narrow down our events listings to all-ages experiences, try our Family-Friendly Halloween Event Guides in several states will help you spot wonderful Halloween and pumpkin events for making memories and starting new traditions this year.

At this point in September, there is just a smattering of Halloween themed and seasonally-inspired events. As we get closer to October 31st you'll see more highlighted events to consider across New England...and of course, we always have more listings than what you see here--plus events in the future--listed on the website. To whet your appetite for the season, here are a few worthwhile events for this weekend.

Massachusetts

Our top picks this weekend are no-brainers - it's the opening weekend for Barrett's Haunted Mansion's new Screens and Screams experience - a drive-in horror movie double-features with an extra layer of scary piled on in a way only THEY would be able to pull off! Remember that horror movie where the person is trapped in a car with the serial killer outside the window and there's no way to escape? Yeah, that's basically you now... but with on-site food delivered to your car if you want.

Go check out the Friday, Sept 18th doubleheader of "An American Werewolf in London" / "The Thing" and Saturday, Sept 19th is "Insidious" / "The Conjuring". Advance tickets are required so get them before they sell out! More details.

For a virtual event (open to anyone) hosted out of the Groveland Public Library, you might enjoy checking out the "Spirits of New England" Presentation with Dustin Pari, a paranormal investigator you might recognize from his time on Ghost Hunters on the SyFy Channel. This online presentation does require advance registration in order to receive the Zoom link. 

Connecticut

In Torrington this Thursday, Sept 17th is the All Hallow's Eve Tea Party - a free, outdoor event hosted by the local library. You can join the renowned Mrs. Gordon for a spooktacular evening to kick off the Halloween season with tales of the supernatural and a discussion of 19th and 20th Century Halloween traditions. Pre-registration required - Event Details 

In downtown New Haven, the weekly Wednesday outdoor movies in Pitkin Plaza have been extended through October! No registration needed - just show up early to check out "Ghostbusters" on Wednesday, Sept 23rd for some family-friendly cinema. Event Details. Events like these are always weather dependent to be sure to watch the forecast.

Rhode Island

Our top pick in Rhode Island this weekend will be the perfect way to soak up a gorgeous weekend of crisp fall weather! The annual Harry Potter Day festivities at Escobar Farm in Portsmouth, RI is lined up for this Saturday, Sept 19th - Event Details. 

Escobar Farm has a HUGE corn maze which is always well-run and creatively designed--and you couldn't find a more scenic farm!

Vermont

Our highlight of this weekend in the Green Mountain State takes place in Danville with an outdoor screening of  "The Goonies" right on Danville Green! No pre-registration is required and weather is always a consideration so be sure to check in with them before you head out! Event Details.

The always popular Giant Pumpkin Weigh-in at Sam Mazza Farms is lined up for this Saturday, September 19th which is accompanied by plenty of outdoor harvest activities and family fun at one of their most beloved pumpkin events of the fall season! There is a ton of other farm fun to be had at this scenic farm in northern Vermont- corn maze, stunning baked good, you name it!.

CONTESTS: Opening Weekend Giveaways, Invite-Only Nights, and Tickets Galore!

We've got six contests live on Halloween New England right now plus more posted over the weekend! Find ALL the contests that you can enter HERE.

Enter to WIN a four-pack of tickets to 13th World Haunted Trail in Cumberland, RI or enter our latest chance to win entry to the special invite-only night at Haunted Overload in Lee, NH. We're running our first of only two chances to win a tour with Seaside Shadows Haunted History Tours in Mystic, CT, and you'll definitely want to try your luck winning admission to The Dark Manor Haunted House in Baltic. CT.

We've got an amazing contest up for a car-load ticket (up to 6 people!) to experience Screens and Screams Horror Drive-in experience at Barrett's Haunted Mansion in Abington and your first shot at winning a vehicle admission to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular new drive-through carved pumpkin festival where you will experience the magic of thousands of carved pumpkins in a (gently) spooky atmosphere!

Visit Halloween New England's home page for contest details and links for entering to win!

Haunted Houses, Haunted Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Friday, September 18th

Screens and Screams Horror Drive-In at Barrett's Haunted Mansion's (Abington, MA)

The Haunted Isle (CT)

Fright Haven (CT)
Click for the complete Opening Night Guide

Haunted Houses, Haunted Mazes, and Haunted Hayrides Opening Saturday, September 19th

Coppal House Farm (NH) – non-haunted Flashlight Corn Maze

Click for the complete Opening Night Guide

We're thrilled to have teamed up again with the uber-talented The Pixel Perfection: After Dark whose incredibly creepy and inspiring haunt photos populate the guides again this year. As always, we know you love their photos...just please don't steal their photos! Why not just follow them on Facebook or Instagram or hire them to capture your Halloween attraction or event?