The Best Hudson Valley Halloween Events for Kids

We picked our favorite local Halloween events that are perfect for little ones

If your little tot scares easily, don’t fear: we’ve rounded up the Hudson Valley’s best, most family-friendly Halloween-related events, just for you.

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, Croton-on-Hudson

See more than 5,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o’ lanterns while meandering through the historic, 18th-century riverside landscape at Van Cortlandt Manor. Snakes, spiders, dinosaurs, monsters, and a giant sea serpent (above) are just some of the designs carved into these pumpkins.
When: October 2-4, 9-12, 15-18, 20-31; November 1, 5-8, 13-15
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor, 525 South Riverside Ave., Croton-on-Hudson​
Cost: Adults, $20; Children 3-17, $16 (Saturdays $25, $20)

Details: www.hudsonvalley.org/events/blaze

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Editor’s Note: The event below is SOLD OUT.

Irving’s Legend with Storyteller Jonathan Kruk, Sleepy Hollow

Master Storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic performance of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
When: October 2-3, 9-11, 16-18, 23-25, 30-31; November 1
Where: Old Dutch Church, 100 Continental St., Sleepy Hollow
Cost: $25, $20 children under 18
Details: www.hudsonvalley.org/events/irvings-legend

8th Annual Pumpkin Walk, Hudson

The Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties hosts its 8th Annual Pumpkin Walk, featuring vendors, jesters, face painting, music, apple cider, and doughnuts.
When: Saturday, October 17; entertainment begins at 4 p.m., walk begins at 6 p.m.
Where: Columbia Greene Community College, 713 Union St., Hudson
Cost: $5 in advance, $6 at the door
Details: 518-828-4619; www.mhacg.org

Halloween Howl Prowl, Albany

The Discovery Center’s Howl Prowl features hands-on exploration of skulls, bats, spiders and more. Afterward, enjoy a half-mile evening hike and cider and doughnuts.
When: October 26, 6:30-8 p.m.
Where: Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission Discovery Center, 195 New Karner Rd., Albany
Cost: $3, $5 per family, children under 5 free, pre-registration required
Details: 518-456-0655; www.albanypinebush.org

Halloween Spooktacular, Poughkeepsie

Kids come dressed to impress at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum’s Halloween Spooktacular. Touch creepy crawlies from the land and sea, create a spooky craft, enjoy treats, and dance around a glowing cauldron in the moonlight.
When: Friday, October 24, 6-7:30 p.m.
Where: Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum, 75 North Water St., Poughkeepsie
Cost: $12 per person
Details: 845-471-0589; www.mhcm.org

Boo at the Zoo, Bear Mountain

Kids make spooky snacks for the zoo’s black bears; investigate real animal skulls; see stuffed specimens in the Nature Study Museum; make autumn crafts; and learn about bats, owls, and vultures.
When: Saturday, October 24, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. (rain date: Sunday, October 25)
Where: Trailside Museums & Zoo at Bear Mountain State Park, 1 Hessian Dr., Highland Falls
Cost: Free
Details: www.trailsidezoo.org/news-events/scheduled-events-for-2013

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Nyack Halloween Parade, Nyack

Nyack’s 28th Annual Halloween Parade ranks everything from the “Best Couple Costume” to the “Best Parade Float” for a chance to win cash prizes. Register by October 17; parade steps off at 5:30 p.m.
When: Saturday, October 24, 3 p.m.
Where: Memorial Park, Nyack
Details: http://nyackchamber.org/nyack-halloween-parade/

Trick or Treat Nature Trail, Grafton

For those who can’t get enough of nature, Grafton Lakes State Park presents a jack o’lantern-lined Trick or Treat Nature Trial that stretches along the forests and ponds located within the park. Patrons are encouraged to bring costumes and flashlights; enjoy face-painting and other activities will be available on-site.
When: Saturday, October 24, 4-7 p.m.
Where: Grafton Lakes State Park, Shaver Pond Center, 194 Shaver Pond Rd., Grafton
Cost: $3 per person, $10 per family
Details: 518-279-1155; www.nysparks.com/events/event.aspx?e=53-11650.0

Monster Mash & Bash, Albany

New York State Museum’s two-day Monster Mash and Bash is perfect for those that have not yet celebrated their 10th Halloween. Arts and crafts, face painting, a costume parade, storytelling, dancing, and a mini monster maze are among the scheduled activities.
When: Saturday, October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 12-4 p.m.
Where: New York State Museum, Cultural Education Center, 4th Floor, 260 Madison Ave., Albany
Cost: $5 per child (cash only), ages 2 and up
Details: 518-474-5877; www.nysm.nysed.gov/programs/halloween

No Scare Halloween, Monroe

For tykes who frighten easily, Monroe’s Museum Village is hosting a “No Scare” Halloween event.
When: October 24, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Where: Museum Village, 1010 Rte. 17M, Monroe

Cost$12 adults; $10 seniors, $8 children 4-12, Free children under 4
Details: 845-782-8248; www.museumvillage.org

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“I Spy” Halloween Trail, Cornwall

Hudson Highlands Nature Museum hosts its family-friendly “I Spy” Halloween Trail. Seek out all the objects — including animal bones and skulls — cleverly hidden along the trail to win a prize. Kids can also make Halloween crafts and take a peek at the creepy-crawlers, like snakes and spiders.
When: Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Hudson Highlands Nature Museum, Outdoor Discovery Center, 174 Angola Rd., Cornwall
Cost: $7 per child ages 2-14, adults free
Details: 845-534-5506; www.hhnaturemuseum.org/index.php/i-spy-halloween-nature-trail

Hudson Halloween Parade

Hudson hosts its Sixth Annual Halloween Parade, which kicks off with a variety of activities, including trick-or-treating on Warren Street and a costume contest. Trick-or-treating begins at 3 p.m., parade begins at 6 p.m.
When: Sunday, October 25, 3-7 p.m.
Where: 7th St. and Warren St., Hudson
Details: www.hudsonhalloween.com

Tannersville Scarecrow Contest & Halloween Parade

Make sure you bring your eeriest scarecrow and ghoulish garments down to Main Street for this town’s annual Scarecrow Contest and Halloween Parade.
When: Sunday, October 25, 1-3 p.m.
Where: Main St., Tannersville
Details: 518-858-9094; www.greatnortherncatskills.com/events/tannersville-scarecrow-contest-halloween-parade

Mohonk Mountain House Halloween Haunts and Happenings, New Paltz

Mohonk Mountain House’s Halloween Haunts and Happenings series features spooky storytelling around the campfire, a meet-and-greet with live timber wolves, an annual Halloween Ball, breakfasts and dinners, and an entire haunted castle to explore.
When: Friday, October 30 to Sunday, November 1
Where: Mohonk Mountain House, 1000 Mountain Rest Rd., New Paltz
Details: www.mohonk.com/calendar/holidays-families/halloween-haunts-and-happenings-14

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