Ready Go Dog Show will be at the Norwalk Oyster Festival for family fun in CT this September. Photo courtesy of JLS Communications
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By land, by sea, by river—however!— families are coming to the best Museums in Connecticut! Connecticut River Museum photo by Ally Noel for Mommy Poppins
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Best Halloween Events in Connecticut for Kids and Families

We've been keeping our ears open for the best Halloween events in Connecticut...like Forest of Fear! Photo by Ally Noel
We've been keeping our ears open for the best Halloween events in Connecticut...like Forest of Fear! Photo by Ally Noel
9/22/24 - By Jennifer Coe

If the spookly, scary season is your favorite, then we have a lot of fun Halloween events to share with you! For older kids (and grown-ups) who aren't afraid of a jump scare or a little bit of spine-chilling, The Forest of Fear 2024 in Danbury is sure to make your night. An annual event, Forest of Fear has costumed actors ready to give you a fright. Evidence of Evil haunted attraction at Lyman Orchards is an outdoor event with an interactive element to their show! Phantom Fall Fest at Lake Compounce is also a fave for many families.

For a rated PG Halloween experience, come and take a stroll through Pumpkintown USA or take the Pumpkin Patch Trolley at the CT Trolley Museum (our favorite!) Your kids will also love Pumpkin Passage - the perfect blending of Dinos and Halloween (even toddler friendly). 

If you are looking for family-fun fairs, browse our list of the Best Fall Festivals in Connecitcut for Families. Still looking for just the right event? Browse our Fall Guide for Connecticut for our picks for autumn fun in Connecticut.

Pumpkin picking and corn mazes are October must-dos! Photo courtesy of Foster Farm
Pumpkin picking and corn mazes are October must-dos! Photo courtesy of Foster Farm

Best Halloween Events in CT around Hartford

Foster Family Farm Corn Maze

South Windsor
September 14 - October 27, 2024
Get lost among four miles of trails spread over two full corn fields at Foster Family Farm. While you're there, don't forget the tractor and farm playscapes, and the daily hay rides. READ MORE

Fall Phantom Fest 2024

Bristol
September 21 - October 27, 2024
Phantom Fall Fest returns to Lake Compounce in 2024. Thrill all day on your favorite rides then fright all night with even more horror around every corner. Hang on to your friends through more fog, more freaks, more FX- like the new, next-level mayhem of Alice in Wonderland. Now, your trip down the rabbit hole is included with park admission. This year, the scare is everywhere.  READ MORE

Light in the Dungeon: A Jack-o-Lantern Experience

Granby
September 27 - October, 27, 2024 Fridays - Sundays
Experience the Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine like never before! In the late 18th century, people incarcerated at New-Gate Prison were housed in the abandoned copper mine in total darkness. Celebrate the Fall season with us as we bring “Light into the Dungeon.” Explore the 100-yard loop of the underground copper mine illuminated by a display of 350 professionally carved Jack O' Lanterns. READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch Trolley in East Windsor

East Windsor
September 28- October 27, 2024
Traveling tothe Pumpkin Patch is a family fun filled adventure where you ride on a trolley car out to the pumpkin patch field and each child can pick out a FREE pumpkin. Additionally, when you return back to the Museum you can decorate the pumpkin, play in the corn box, enjoy the outside play area and the entire museum. A great annual tradition for families. READ MORE

Scarecrows Along Main Street in Old Wethersfield

Wethersfield
October 1 -October 31, 2024
Take a walk along Main Street in Old Wethersfield, which is lined with unique scarecrows made by various artists and residents. READ MORE

Halloween Walk-Thru at Stew Leonard's in Newington

Newington
October 1 -October 31, 2024
Starting on Tuesday, October 1, shoppers can follow a Halloween Walk Through under the tent in the Stew Leonard’s pumpkin patch. READ MORE

Curse of the Rails at CT Trolley Museum

East Windsor
October 4- October 26, 2024
Step aboard the "Curse of the Rails," where haunting echoes of the past and horrifying tales await you on an unforgettable haunted trolley ride! Guided by Deadalus Extreme Paranormal Investigations, you'll journey through haunted landscapes and come face to face with entities that roamed these very rails. READ MORE

Witches & Tombstones Tour in Wethersfield

Wethersfield
October 19 - October 26, 2024
Bone-chilling, but historically accurate, Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum’s Witches and Tombstones Tours will be held Saturdays, October 219 and 26, from 10:30 to 2:30 p.m.  READ MORE

Top Halloween Events in CT around Fairfield

Spooky Night Lights at Legends of Fear

Shelton
September 28 - November 2, 2024
Embark on our legendary Haunted Hayride and The Hallow Trail, featuring the following attractions: Melonhead Revenge Trail, Pine Hills Parish, The Dark Harvest, Hemlock Manor Mortuary, and the Funhouse of Fear! READ MORE

Plasko's Corn Maze

Trumbull
September 30 - November 3, 2024
Come on out for fall family fun at a real family farm in Trumbull! The corn maze will feature an interactive game. This year, a Pirate Adventure Corn Maze features a brand new interactive mystery to be solved: the Treasure Hunt Mystery Game! READ MORE

After Dark in Fairfield

Fairfield
October 4 - October 26, 2024
Come if you dare for 3 haunt attractions for one low price. Enjoy our beer garden, snack shop and movie on inflatable screen. READ MORE

Spooky Silly Sing A Long at the Weston Historical Society

Weston
October 5, 2024
Start your spooky season early with this silly shadow puppet show by TV sensation, Nappy. Join in the fun as Jim Napolitano of Nappy’s Puppet presents some of the silliest sing-a-long songs known to man and monster alike. READ MORE

Forest of Fear 2024 in Danbury

Danbury
October 11-October 27, 2024
Fridays through Sundays in October, something sinister is hiding in the woods behind the Saint Gregory The Great Parish. Each evening, the lights will be on for a no-scares Children's Hour from 5:30-6:30.    READ MORE
Pumpkin patches and spooky rides await this Halloween! Pumpkin Patch photo courtesy of The Shore Line Trolley Museum
Pumpkin patches and spooky rides await this Halloween! Pumpkin Patch photo courtesy of The Shore Line Trolley Museum

Best Halloween Events in Connecticut - New Haven

Fall Festival at the Big Red Barn at Bishop's Orchards

Guilford
September 18 - November 2, 2024
Come to the Big Red Barn at Bishops this Fall and get into the season! READ MORE

Pumpkintown USA

East Hampton
September 21 - October 31, 2024
One of New England's premier non-scary Halloween villages, Pumpkintown USA annually draws about 25,000 visitors. The Village at Pumpkintown USA is home to more than 70 Pumpkinhead people and their pets. The unique village includes a fast food restaurant called MacPumpkins, a saloon, a jail, a church, barbershop, country store, farm, and a fire station. READ MORE

Evidence of Evil Haunted Attraction at Lyman Orchards

Middlefield
September 27 - November 3, 2024
Do you dare enter the dark orchards after dusk? Connecticut's Interactive Haunted Attraction will send you running for the orchard hills! This fall, step into the unknown and face your fears at Evidence of Evil Haunted Attraction! Located at the picturesque Lyman Orchards, our interactive haunted experience is designed to thrill, chill, and leave you breathless. READ MORE

Haunting at the Ridge PG Version

Middlefield
September 27 - October 27, 2024
We expect you’ll be haunted – and possibly screaming – for about 45 minutes. This will include a short chairlift ride in the dark. This pass also includes the Zombie lounge with available food & drink to purchase and entertainment.  READ MORE

Pumpkin Patch at The Shore Line Trolley Museum

East Haven
September 28 - October 27, 2024
Explore the grounds of the Shoreline Trolley Pumpkin Patch and find the perfect sugar pumpkin to take home. Don't forget to bring your camera to capture those precious memories. There will also be apple cider, the trolley barns will be open for self-guided tours, and there's a scavenger hunt for the kids, too. READ MORE

Pumpkin Passage

Montville
October 4 - October 27, 2024
Fun Events every Weekend! Trail of Lights, Dinosaurs & Pumpkins! This is a toddler-friendly Halloween event, and fun family activities are waiting for everyone. READ MORE

Eastern Connecticut Ballet Presents Ballet Spooktacular

Old Saybrook
October 26 - October 27, 2024
For children who just can’t wait for Halloween, Eastern Connecticut Ballet’s Spooktacular serves up a mix of “BOO-tiful” dancing, clever costumes, and a chance for young audiences to be a part of the fun. READ MORE
Scarecrows in the Meadow adds a Halloween twist to outdoor fun. Photo courtesy of the Litchfield Historical Society
Scarecrows in the Meadow adds a Halloween twist to outdoor fun. Photo courtesy of the Litchfield Historical Society

Top Halloween Events in Connecticut - Litchfield

Harrybrooke Park's Haunted Trail

New Milford
October 12 - October 26, 2024
Prepare for a super scare!  Walk the park after dark and experience all that can go bump in the night, see what might be hiding in the trees and feel the terror! There will be scary exhibits, frightening actors and spooky lighting. READ MORE

Scarecrows in the Meadow in Litchfield

Litchfield
October 19 - November 3, 2024
The Scarecrows are coming! Everyone is invited to explore the assembly of more than fifty scarecrows, all created by local businesses, non-profits, and families. READ MORE

Halloween on Main Street in Kent

Kent
October 31, 2024
Hundreds of costumed trick-or-treaters, costumed adults, costumed shop-keepers, and usually, a re-enactment of Michael Jackson's Thriller in the field there in the village. READ MORE
Halloween takes to the sea in Mystic! Annual Witch Paddle and Coat Drive photo courtesy of the Adventure Mystic Facebook page
Halloween takes to the sea in Mystic! Annual Witch Paddle and Coat Drive photo courtesy of the Adventure Mystic Facebook page

Top Halloween Events in Eastern Connecticut

Pumpkin Passage

Montville
October 4 - October 27, 2024
Fun Events every Weekend! Trail of Lights, Dinosaurs & Pumpkins! This is a toddler-friendly Halloween event, and fun family activities are waiting for everyone. READ MORE

Nightmare on Main in Willimantic

Willimantic
October 4 - October 19, 2024
Nightmare on Main is an annual Haunted History experience recommended for folks over 10 years old.  Prepare to be captivated, fascinated, and of course "frightened" as we explore creepy legends, myths, and folklore both locally and around the world.  READ MORE

Annual Witch Paddle and Coat Drive in Mystic

Mystic
October 12, 2024
Wear your favorite Witch or Halloween Costume and come paddle in this Spooktacular  Event on the Mystic River. You must provide your own Paddleboard or Kayak, PFD, Paddle and Leash.  READ MORE

Putnam's Great Pumpkin Festival

Putnam
October 19, 2024
Celebrate The Great Pumpkin with arts and crafts vendors, music, pumpkin features in specialty boutiques and food & drink specials in our unique Putnam restaurants! Ride the train and spend the day Discovering Putnam.  READ MORE

NorWITCH Halloween Strut

Norwich
October 26, 2024
  Join Norwich for an evening of spooky fun and festivities! “The Strut” is a fantastic event for residents and visitors to safely wander around downtown Norwich, enjoying eerie decorations and engaging in loads of family-friendly activities. There will be amazing food trucks, a special NorWitchtown playhouse village for the little ones, dancing witches, a judged cackling contest, and so much more. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Downtown Wethersfield
The Kate: Katherine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center