Journey through illuminated tunnels at Lumina - A Magical Lights Experience at Harvest Moon Farm & Orchard. Photo by the author
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in Westchester
GUIDE
Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for Westchester Kids
Must-Do Christmas Events and Holiday Activities in the Hudson Valley
The Keeler Christmas light display in Putnam Valley features nearly 1 million lights.
Best Neighborhood Christmas Light Displays and Holiday Lights in Westchester
Stroll by the booths of the lovely White Plains Holiday Market. Photo courtesy of the market
Holiday Craft Fairs and Christmas Markets in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Enjoy the free holiday parade and drone show at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown. Photo courtesy of the event
32 Free Holiday and Christmas Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Kids
Peace, Love & Lights at the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts features lots of groovy displays. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
Spectacular Neighborhood Christmas Lights and Holiday Light Displays in the Hudson Valley
Legoland New York has gotten a seasonal makeover with plenty of festive fun, food, and attractions during its Holiday Bricktacular.
Why a Visit to the Legoland New York Holiday Bricktacular Is a Seasonal Must-Do
Celebrate the holiday spirit at the Snow Ball with the Snow Sisters at FASNY Museum of Firefighting. Photo courtesy of FASNY
24 Best Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley December 2024 with Kids
All aboard a festively decorated Polar Express train ride for some holiday magic and memories. Photo by Gwendolyn Tundermann
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains near NYC
This December, Westchester Ballet Company returns to Lehman Center for the Performing Arts.
Westchester Ballet Company’s World-Class “The Nutcracker” Coming to Lehman Center
Castle Fun Center in Chester has a giant inflatable park, a rock wall, laser tag, and more. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
15 Family Fun Centers in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Peekskill, NY, is a lovely riverfront community that acts an the unofficial gateway to the Hudson Valley.
25 Best Things To Do in Peekskill, NY, with Kids
Grab a colorful treat at Harley's Sweet Shop in Woodstock. Photo courtesy of the shop
25 Best Things To Do in Woodstock, NY, with Kids
Kids can climb the walls at the Cliffs in Valhalla. Photo courtesy of the Cliffs
29 Things To Do on a Rainy Day Indoors in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Fun for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
Romp through the woods in the beautiful Catskills. Photo by Deborah Dadlani
40 Best Things To Do in the Catskills with Kids
Touch the soft rabbits at the Greenburgh Nature Center's petting zoo in Scarsdale. Photo courtesy of the center
Best Animal Petting Zoos near Westchester and the Hudson Valley Where Kids Can Meet Animals
Explore what makes things fly with the Westchester Children's Museum's Wind Tunnel Design Challenge. Photo courtesy of the museum
Visiting the Westchester Children's Museum in Rye: New and Ongoing Exhibits
Friends young and old enjoy the attractions and Legoland New York, the first major theme park in the Northeast in 40 years.
  VIDEO
Legoland New York: A Guide to Visiting the Hudson Valley Theme Park with Kids
GUIDE
Classes Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
The Play Place in Elmsford is one of Westchester's top indoor play spaces.
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Westchester
Tig & Peach offers drop-in, no reservations required, open play 7 days a week.
7 Indoor Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for a Wild Romp
Aspiring artists love the 3-hour workshops at MADE Art Studio in Mamaroneck,
Free and Affordable Summer Camps in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Tour the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze, an annual rite of fall. Courtesy Historic Hudson Valley
100 Things To Do in Westchester and the Hudson Valley Before Kids Grow Up
Summer camps are a great way to make new friends and develop new skills
GUIDE
Summer Camps Guide for Westchester & Hudson Valley Kids
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Kids love a birthday party filled with games and pizza at Chuck E. Cheese. Photo courtesy of Chuck E. Cheese
Best Fun Restaurants for Kids' Birthdays in Westchester
Head to the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum from 5-8 pm on the third Saturday of the month to explore the museum for free, Photo by the author
Free Museums and Museum Days in Westchester and the Hudson Valley
Kids can run, swing, slide, and even make music at Sally’s Dream Playground in Montgomery. Photo by Katherine Dhurandhar
Top Playgrounds in Westchester and the Hudson Valley Worth Driving To
The Ausable Chasm has been described as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and it's one of our top 100 things to do in New York State with kids. Photo by Anna Fader
100 Things To Do in New York State with Kids Before They Grow Up
Creating a baking soda volcano is a classic science experiment for kids. Photo by Sara Marentette Nighswander
67 Easy Science Experiments for Kids To Do at Home
Kids can while away hours of a day with a set of watercolors and a stack of new paper for painting. Photo by Sara Marentette
Crafts for Kids: 100 Awesome Art Projects
These kids' movies are classic hits!
75 Best Movies for Kids: Top Family Movie Night Ideas
Westchester kids will love a visit during FREE hours at the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum. Photo by KD
GUIDE
Guide to Free Fun Things to Do with Westchester Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Playgrounds & Parks in Westchester & the Hudson Valley
Suncatcher_Liz Baill @creativishmom
GUIDE
Boredom Busters for Kids
Elsa and Anna are the special guests at FASNY Museum of Firefighting's Snow Ball this weekend. Photo courtesy of FASNY
Best Things To Do with Kids this Weekend in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

Best Halloween Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley for Kids and Families

Marvel at thousands of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns at Bethel's Peace, Love and Pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Marvel at thousands of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns at Bethel's Peace, Love and Pumpkins. Photo courtesy of Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
9/22/24 - By Katherine Dhurandhar

Spooky season is here, and there’s no shortage of great Halloween events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. 

Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown are prime Halloween destinations owing to their pride in being the home of Washington Irving and the setting of his famed The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Throughout the region, haunted attractions abound for the older set, including a forest trail at a historic haunted hotel. Little ones can delight in friendly fun like Monster Mash-inspired brick-or-treating at Legoland New York or a visit with costumed alpacas. 

Meanwhile, the whole family can enjoy Westchester's most celebrated Halloween event, the Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze.

Read on for our list of the best Halloween events in Westchester and nearby and turn to our Halloween Fun Guide to get the most out of this fun season. 

Sign up for our newsletters to get stories like this delivered directly to your inbox.

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

Best Halloween Events in Westchester

Legendary Tours of Washington Irving's Sunnyside

Irvington
Select dates through November 3, 2024
A Halloween tradition returns, offering daytime holiday fun for all ages. Tour the author's home and enjoy the grounds during this special "Legend of Sleepy Hollow"-themed tour of the estate. READ MORE

The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor

Croton-on-Hudson
Multiple dates through November 17, 2024
This renowned walk-through Halloween experience features more than 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack-o'-lanterns forming assorted impressive displays, with lighting and music enhancements. New for 2024, celebrate the Blaze's 20th year with a giant birthday cake and Celebration Arch, check out the Gourd & Goblet Tavern, a new VIP experience on the pumpkin trail, and spot the giant Kraken rising from the Croton River. READ MORE

The Spirits of Sleepy Hollow Country: A Night of Legendary Magic

Sleepy Hollow
Fridays through Sundays, September 27-November 3, 2024, plus October 14, 2024
Master illusionists take the audience on a journey into the realm of the unknown at this spooky supernatural spectacle. Their tricks and conjurings leave guests spellbound as they communicate with the spirits of Sleepy Hollow Country, like Hulda, Major Andre, and the Headless Horseman himself! READ MORE

Classic Evening Lantern Tour at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery

Sleepy Hollow
Fridays-Saturdays in September and daily in October and November 2024
Halloween season is a fitting time for a guided tour of the historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the resting place of the author of "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." Opt for a daytime tour or a nighttime tour lit by kerosene lamps.  READ MORE

Sleepy Hollow's Twilight Village at Philipsburg Manor

Sleepy Hollow
Fridays-Sundays through November 2, plus October 31, 2024
Looking for the true heart of Sleepy Hollow? You’ll find it at Twilight Village at Sleepy Hollow's historic Philipsburg Manor. Discover delightful and mysterious creatures who will tell your fortune, croon creepy tunes, and tell tall-ish tales of legends and lore. Shop for super Sleepy Hollow swag at the Halloween night market and enjoy cocktails, mocktails, and tasty snacks. Watch where you’re going, or you could come face-to-no-face with the Headless Horseman himself! READ MORE

Sleepy Hollow Paddleboarding Witches Festival

Sleepy Hollow–FREE
Sunday, October 13, 2024
The Paddleboarding Witches Festival features a costumed paddleboarding session followed by a party with food trucks, vendors, and a live telling of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow.  READ MORE

Ossining's Haunted Kill Trail of Terror

Ossining–FREE
Friday, October 18, 2024
On October 18, the Village of Ossining celebrates the spirit of Halloween with its first annual Haunted Kill attraction. The Village’s signature Sing Sing Kill Greenway, which travels almost a mile along the burbling kill brook and under the famed Double Arch Bridge, will be transformed into a dark and foreboding Trail of Terror. READ MORE

Village of Mamaroneck Spooktacular Sunday

Mamaroneck
Sunday, October 20, 2024
The Village of Mamaroneck and Mamaroneck Chamber of Commerce invite you to grab your trick-or-treat bag, dress up as your favorite character, and join the Annual Spooktacular Halloween parade and festivities. READ MORE

Tarrytown Halloween Parade

Tarrytown–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
This spooky spectacle of marchers and floats is back with costume and float-decorating contests. The parade begins in Patriot Park and ends at Main Street with a block party.  READ MORE

Cross County Center Halloween Spooktacular

Yonkers–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Families can enjoy arts & crafts, a DJ dance party, inflatables, Hocus Pocus witches performance, a wizard magic show, spooky selfie spots, and more! READ MORE

Halloween Weekend at the Westchester Children's Museum

Rye–FREE with museum admission
Saturday, October 26-Sunday, October 27, 2024
Swing by the Westchester Children's Museum all Halloween weekend for Halloween-themed STEAM activities, including name 'dem bones, a glow-in-the-dark room, spider web engineering, ghost pour painting, and monster hide n' seek.  READ MORE

Halloweekend at the Hudson River Museum

Yonkers–FREE with museum admission
Saturday, October 26-Sunday, October 27, 2024
Trick or treat at the Hudson River Museum! Meet some creepy crawly critters at a live animal show presented by Greenburgh Nature Center. Plus: explore a haunted historic home on a Gothic Glenview Tour, learn about the stars in a planetarium show, and create a Spooky Silhouette in Family Art Workshops. READ MORE

Best Halloween Haunted Houses and Trunk-or-Treats in Orange County

Legoland's Brick-or-Treat Presents Monster Party

Goshen
Fridays-Sundays, October 4-27, 2024
The Monster Party begins the moment you step into the park with a boo-tifully decorated entry arch. Meet Lego Monster characters like Spider Lady and Wacky Witch and make your way to the treat stations around the park. Don’t forget your costumes! READ MORE

Pure Terror Scream Park

Monroe
Fridays-Sundays, October 4-November 2, 2024, plus September 21 & 28
An extensive Halloween attraction, Pure Terror features 13 haunted houses, including the Woods of the Dead. The walk-through experience utilizes costumed actors, special effects, and elaborate sets on a theatrical scale. Stop in the midway for food and music.  READ MORE

Town of Newburgh Trunk or Treat & Spooky Dance Party

Newburgh–FREE
Friday, October 25, 2024
Newburgh Emergency Services presents its annual trunk-or-treat event held in Algonquin Park, with face painting, pumpkin painting, candy, and a spooky dance party! READ MORE

"I Spy" Halloween Nature Trail at the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum

Cornwall
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Families looking for a fun but not-so-spooky Halloween adventure can drop in on the annual "I Spy" Halloween Nature Trail. Find objects cleverly hidden along your self-guided adventure to earn a prize upon completion. Costumes encouraged. READ MORE

Halloween Party & Festival at Hollow Hill Farm

Montgomery
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Hollow Hill Farm's annual Halloween Party and Fall Festival is held on its beautiful 150-acre farm in Montgomery. Fun activities include hay rides, pony rides, a bounce house, face painting, a costume contest, and more.  READ MORE

Top Halloween Festivals and Haunted Houses in Ulster County

Headless Horseman Haunted Houses

Ulster Park
Fridays through Sundays, October 4-27, 2024, plus Saturdays, September 21 and 28
Not for the faint of heart, this seasonal attraction pulls out all the stops to put the fright in Halloween. This year's format is a walk-through experience where horror-seekers encounter assorted settings like haunted hotels, a corn maze, and a greenhouse. A separate ticket gives access to an escape room. READ MORE

Children's Day at Headless Horseman Hayrides

Ulster Park
Saturdays, October 5 & 19, 2024
On Children's Day, this hayride tones down the scare level. Music and other surprises make this the perfect outing for families with young children. READ MORE

MyKingstonKids Halloween Fest & Parade

Kingston–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Prepare for an out-of-this-world adventure at the MyKingstonKids Halloween Fest with a Space Theme! Blast off into a galaxy of spooky fun where children can explore alien worlds, encounter extraterrestrial creatures, and embark on interstellar quests. Dress up in your best space gear and join us for a day of cosmic delights, featuring thrilling space-themed workshops, interactive activities, and a galaxy of treats!  READ MORE

Best Halloween Events and Trunk-or-Treats in Dutchess County

Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion

Wappingers Falls
Fridays-Sundays, October 4-November 2, also September 28, 2024 and October 31, 2024
Opening for its 48th season, this theatrical walk-through experience features assorted creepy scenarios that pile on the Halloween spook. Guest will embark on a narrative-driven journey through an eerie forest haunted by menacing creatures. Encounter classic monsters, explore haunting abandoned ghost towns, and navigate through a horrifying cemetery where spirits rise seeking new companions. READ MORE

A Very Fluffy Halloween at Lilymoore Farm

Pleasant Valley
Weekends, October 12-27, 2024, plus on Halloween
It’s a Halloween fest – only way cuter. Meet fluffy alpacas and llamas strutting their stuff in lion’s manes, rainbows, or even as a butterfly. It’s the perfect blend of cuteness and hilarity—who wouldn’t want a selfie with an alpaca dressed as a hippie? READ MORE

Kids' Day at Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion

Wappingers Falls
Monday, October 14, 2024
This is a special show for younger kids that won't give them nightmares. Kids' day entertainment includes magic shows and activities like trick-or-treating with friendly monsters. READ MORE

Wicked Wappingers Trunk or Treat & Halloween Parade

Wappingers Falls
Saturday, October 19, 2024
Wicked Wappingers is a day of spooky celebration at the Village of Wappingers Falls. The parade kicks off at noon, followed by festivities at Mesier Park, where there will be a trunk or treat, music, food, vendors, and games. READ MORE

Monster Mania Spooktacular at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum

Poughkeepsie
Friday, October 25, 2024
Join the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum for some not-so-scary fun at the Monster Mania Spooktacular Party! Explore your favorite museum with a playful Halloween twist. Activities include monster-themed exhibits, a laugh studio, a scare lab, little monster games and crafts, a monster costume contest, monster face painting, and more! READ MORE

Town of Fishkill Trunk or Treat

Fishkill–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Join RE/MAX Town & Country for the 3rd annual Halloween extravaganza at the office location in Fishkill, featuring inflatables, candy, entertainment and more! READ MORE

Best Halloween and Trick-or-Treat Events in Rockland County

Nyack Halloween Parade

Nyack–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Put on your best costume and come out for one of the biggest Halloween parades in the area. The parade moves through downtown Nyack with float contests and costume contests for kids and adults.  READ MORE

Boo at the Bear Mountain Zoo

Bear Mountain
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Head to Bear Mountain Trailside Museums and Zoo for a spooky good time. Arrive between 10:30 to 11am to make bear treats, then watch the bears explore their den full of Halloween-themed enrichment. Learn about vultures, owls, bears, and other animals. Family friendly activities include pumpkin decorating, matching games, and crafts. Wear your favorite not-so-spooky Halloween costume!  READ MORE

Trick or Treat at the Palisades Center

Nyack–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Join this annual Halloween trick-or-treat event where children can trick or treat from one decorated table to the next, with music, entertainment, and more.  READ MORE

Awesome Halloween Festivals and Events in Sullivan County

Peace, Love & Pumpkins at Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Bethel
Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 27, 2024
View hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns and glowing pumpkin art as you walk the garden trails on the site of the Woodstock Festival. Exhibits include mermaids, dinosaurs, and Woodstock Festival icons. READ MORE

Dark Forest Fright Walk at Burn Brae Mansion

Glen Spey
Fridays and Saturdays, October 18-26, plus Saturday, October 12, 2024
Dare to take a walk through the haunted forest at the historic Burn Brae Mansion, a historic haunted location, and encounter the creepy creatures that lurk there in the night. With witches, monsters, ghosts, and goblins, the trail comes alive with Halloween's scariest creatures. Live music, food, and beer and wine are available from Shrewd Fox.  READ MORE

Children's Day - Dark Forest at Burn Brae Mansion

Glen Spey
Sunday, October 20, 2024
For one afternoon only, the Dark Forest is transformed to ditch the frights and focus on the delights of Halloween. It's the same Dark Forest walking trail, but done in the light of day with fanciful characters and fun especially for kiddos. There will be games, treat bags, and food and drink for sale. READ MORE

Wurtsboro Halloweenfest

Wurtsboro–FREE
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Join the kids' Halloweenfest in Veterans Park, featuring a kids' costume parade and contest, a pet costume parade and contest, cookie decorating, a live wood-carving demonstration, a bake sale, and free crafts, candy, and games. Tuveemor Aplacas will also be visiting! READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Joseph G. Caputo (Ossining) Community Center
Town of Newburgh Emergency Medical Services
Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses
Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Attractions
Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion
Kevin McCurdy's Haunted Mansion
Re/Max Town & Country
Downtown Nyack
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts