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Every October, the Hudson Valley transforms into a hub for chills, thrills, and a little hallowed magic. With events scheduled throughout the month, there’s no better time to celebrate the arrival of Halloween than with haunted walking tours, pumpkin-packed festivals, spooky ghost stories, horror flicks, and so much more. Just remember, reservations are required for many of the attractions.
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Albany County | Columbia County | Dutchess County | Orange County | Putnam County | Rockland County | Sullivan County | Ulster County | Westchester County
Albany County
Capitol Hauntings Tours
New York State Capitol Building, Albany
October 2 – November 1
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Ever wondered what haunts the halls of the New York State Capitol Building? Join a Capitol Hauntings Tour to hear all about a lost Capitol mural, a curse set in stone, presidential ghosts, and more spooky and strange happenings in the political building. Head to Albany during an open house for a free tour of the haunted destination.
Ghosts of Albany Walking Tours
Begins at Hilton Albany Hotel, Albany
Nightly through October
The Capitol is haunted! Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about sightings of apparitions, folklore and ghostly experiences, ghost stories told by participants, and much more. These spooky tours combine elements of human interest with historical facts over the course of evenings that are both fun and educational.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
The Kenmore Ballroom, Albany
October 25-26
Enjoy candlelit concerts that bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to Albany this October. Discover Halloween-inspired music at The Kenmore Ballroom under the gentle glow of candlelight, including classics like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the theme from Beetlejuice.
Columbia County
Clermont’s Legends by Candlelight Ghost Tours
Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown
October 18-19, 25-26 at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 8 p.m.
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This annual event brings visitors to Clermont State Historic Site closer to the past than ever before. A horde of ghosts tell their stories of glory and loss. While some aim to spook guests, others are quite the jokesters. Flickering jack-o-lanterns provide light to the performances along the Clermont lawn. Tickets are $15 per person for adults and $5 for children. Make reservations online to guarantee entry.
Dutchess County
Grim’s Wonderland
Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion, Wappingers Falls
September 28 – November 2
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Do you dare adventure your way through Grim’s Wonderland? This year, Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion challenges you to walk through the outdoor, abandoned theme park attraction and brave the menacing creatures of the night. From classic monsters to haunted cemeteries, you’ll experience true terror at the Wappingers Falls destination that’s the longest-running haunted attraction in the country.
A Very Fluffy Halloween
Lilymoore Farm, Pleasant Valley
Weekends in October
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Alpacas, goats, and llamas, oh my! Lilymoore Farm’s adorable family of alpacas don their best Halloween costumes and strut their stuff in lion’s manes, rainbows, and sparkly wings. Farm tours and craft demonstrations make the weekend extra fun for visitors of all ages. Tickets are selling out fast, so get them online ASAP.
Orange County
Haunted History Lantern Tour
Pine Bush UFO & Paranormal Museum, Pine Bush
Saturdays at 9 p.m. through October
A mysterious and haunted place, Orange County’s hamlet of Pine Bush is the perfect place for a spooktacular exploration during a Haunted History Lantern Tour. Starting at 9 p.m., guests will be guided by lantern light to historic locations in town where they can explore the findings of real paranormal investigations provided by acclaimed paranormal author Linda Zimmermann.
Pure Terror Scream Park
Monroe
Weekends in October, 7 p.m.
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Pure Terror is open for the season, promising screams galore. Make your way to Monroe for 13 themed haunted houses with a Halloween-style monster-themed midway. Challenge yourself to enter houses such as Psycho Circus, Resurrection Cemetery, Camp Killmore, and The Nightmare Factory. This Orange County destination currently holds the Guinness World Record for longest haunted attraction.
PYO Pumpkin Spookley Movie Night
Apple Ridge Orchards, Warwick
October 11, 5:30-8 p.m.
Designed with families in mind, Apple Ridge’s movie nights commence with a short walk under the moonlight and through the apple orchards. After throwing blankets onto the field, guests can sit back to watch Spookley the Square Pumpkin, a family-friendly film about the only square pumpkin in the patch and his journey to self-acceptance. You’ll be able to purchase movie snacks at the farm market, and everyone goes home with a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch.
Trunk or Treat
Fair Oaks Drive-In, Middletown
October 26, 4:30 p.m.
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Calling spooky film fans of all ages! Fair Oaks Drive-In hosts a Halloween movie night just for you. “Trunk or Treat” culminates in a screening of Hocus Pocus, a family-friendly fright fest, pumpkin painting, themed games, and, of course, tons of candy. A fee of $30 admits a carload of up to five people. Be sure to show up right on time to decorate your trunk as there are limited spots this year.
Brick-or-Treat
Legoland New York, Goshen
Every day in October
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Take the time to finally visit Goshen’s Legoland New York park during its annual Brick-or-Treat event. Check out the monster shows, munch on candy, take pictures with the bricktastic minifigures, and see what it takes to be a VIM (that stands for “very important monster,” of course).
Putnam County
Tomb With a View Murder Mystery Dinner
Elks Lodge, Brewster
October 19, 6 – 9 p.m.
Celebrate Halloween at this interactive murder mystery dinner in Putnam County this October. The spooky comedy show will put diners’ true crime skills to the test as they try to solve the murder between dinner courses. Prepare to be entertained all night long, and come dressed in your Halloween costumes.
Rockland County
Nyack Halloween Parade
Downtown Nyack
October 26, 5:30 p.m.
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Put on your favorite costume and head to Downtown Nyack for the largest Halloween event outside New York City. Drawing over 10,000 visitors each year, Nyack’s parade has been voted by the Travel Channel as one of the “Top 10 Halloween Parades in America.” Don your best look to win in categories like best couples costume, best group costume, and best pet costume, or design a float to win a cash prize.
Nyack Official Halloween Bar Crawl
Main Street, Nyack
October 26, 4-10 p.m.
This event combines drinking, costumes, and spooky fun as you crawl the bars of Nyack’s Main Street all day long. The scariest and most creative costumes have a shot at winning the costume contest, and adult trick-or-treating will be featured at each bar. A ticket gets you two free drinks, access to more than four participating bars, an exclusive after party, and live DJs at each venue.
Sullivan County
Peace, Love, and Pumpkins
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel
October 11-27
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Hope, hippies, and Halloween! If you missed out on Bethel Woods Peace, Love, and Lights event last Christmas, enjoy this seasonal trip through the scenic garden trails and past hand-carved jack-o-lanterns. Check out glowing pumpkin art, live music, and displays featuring Woodstock festival icons, dinosaurs, mermaids, and even Big Foot.
Ulster County
The Haunted Shanley Hotel
Napanoch
Through October
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As featured in many ghost-hunting shows, Napanoch’s Shanley Hotel is a haunted marvel in Ulster County. Built in 1845, the building has seen many evolutions throughout its history, and many people who came to visit never left. Brave the night by reserving a room in the hotel and participating in a paranormal team night investigation, or just pay a visit for the day if you’re too scared.
Headless Horseman Haunted Attractions
Headless Horseman Haunted Attractions, Ulster Park
Through October 27
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The “#1 Haunted Attraction in America” returns in a big way. This year, spectators will get closer to the horror than ever before. Visitors will walk the haunted woods where the Horseman lurks, without the safety of the typical hayride. Other attractions include spooky motels, monster-filled greenhouses, haunted corn mazes, and more. Reservations are strongly encouraged. In addition, on October 5 and 19, the park tones down its scare level for Children’s Day. Hayrides, haunted gardens, a dinosaur trail, and the Magic Moon Maze give kids a taste of the spookiness without the frights. Live music and treats make this the perfect outing for young kids.
Ulster Corps’ Zombie Escape
Williams Lake, Rosendale
October 26
Could you use a little motivation when running? Few things get you moving like a horde of hungry zombies. UlsterCorp’s annual fundraiser has 5k and 2k races track around the scenic trails of Williams Lake. Scary surprises lurk in the woods, tunnels, and caves that runners pass.
Old Dutch Church Cemetery Tour
Old Dutch Church, Kingston
October 19, 7-8 p.m.
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A little spooky and a lot educational, Old Dutch Church’s cemetery tour takes visitors back to the early days of the Hudson Valley to explore the chilling history of the region. This year’s focus has visitors meeting notable figures that put Kingston on the map. Tickets cost $15 per person.
MyKingstonKids Halloween Fest & Parade
YMCA of Kingston & Ulster County, Kingston
October 26, 2-7 p.m.
It’s time to get your best out-of-this-world attire to blast off into a galaxy of spooky fun at the space-themed festival. Start at Kings Plaza to watch the festivities kick off with the annual Halloween parade before the party begins. With interactive activities, expect costumes, singing, dancing, music, and, of course, sweet treats.
Westchester County
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson
September – November
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The Blaze is back! The Hudson Valley’s electrifying Halloween event fills the grounds at Van Cortlandt Manor with more than 7,000 illuminated jack-o-lanterns in a variety of haunting shapes and sculptures. Advance reservations are required. The show burns through the fall season, kicking off Friday, September 13 and wrapping November 17. Keep your spirits high at this year’s new VIP experience, the Gourd & Goblet Tavern.
Sleepy Hollow
Sleepy Hollow
Through October
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Chills and thrills run rampant in Westchester County during the Halloween season, and nowhere is this more apparent than at Sleepy Hollow. Visit the hallowed grounds to reminisce upon Washington Irving’s tale of the same name. In the cemetery, spot the grave of the author himself, along with the headstones for Andrew Carnegie, William Rockefeller, and members of the Hamilton family.
The Spirits of Sleepy Hollow Country
Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow
Select dates through November 3
Speaking of Sleepy Hollow, this show filled with magic and mystery leans into the folklore surrounding the Hudson Valley. Master illusionists Mark Clearview and Nick Wallace lead attendees on a journey through the history of notable figures like Washington Irving, Hulda the witch, and even the Headless Horseman, all while enchanting the audience with mind-boggling tricks.
Tarrytown Music Hall Ghost Tours
Tarrytown Music Hall, Tarrytown
October 2-31
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One of the most haunted locations in the Hudson Valley, Tarrytown Music Hall is an official site of the Haunted History Trail of New York. Built in 1885, the destination served as a vessel through which many souls passed — and some never left. Follow master storyteller Jonathan Kruk on this guided tour to discover the historic lore and spirits that linger still in the hall.
Twilight Village at Sleepy Hollow
Philipsburg Manor, Sleepy Hollow
Weekends through November 3
Historic Hudson Valley treats visitors to Sleepy Hollow to a walkable village experience that’s just in time for Halloween. Visitors can look forward to tarot readings, enchanting music, fire throwers, spooky shopping, and food and drink. P.S. Keep an eye out for the Headless Horseman while you’re there.
Related: The Hudson Valley’s Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze Is Spooktacular
