32 Top Free Halloween Events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley

The Tarrytown Halloween Parade draws scores of ghosts and goblins! Photo courtesy of the event

Two of our favorite things collide in October: Halloween and FREE events in Westchester and the Hudson Valley. With all the money spent on costumes, ticketed events, and parties, having no-cost events to add fun without adding expense is a perfect way to enhance the season.

From pumpkin painting to trunk or treats, there’s enough variety here to justify getting costume mileage on many occasions throughout the month.

Be sure to check out our Guide to Halloween Fun for Westchester Families for other ways to enjoy the spooky season. 

Top Free Halloween Events in New Jersey: Trunk-or-Treats, Parades, and More Fun

Visitors of all ages are invited to come in costume to the Boo at the Zoo in Cape May. Photo courtesy of Cape May, NJ

There are no tricks here; instead, we've got a special treat: More than 25 FREE Halloween events and parades in New Jersey. The weeks leading up to Halloween are full of festivals, costume parades, and plenty more opportunities for ghosts and goblins to dress up and score some scary-good treats.

Read on for our top picks, and be sure to bookmark our Halloween Fun Guide for even more seasonal fun. Happy Halloween, New Jersey!

Top Free Halloween Events in Orlando

The Oakland Nature Preserve's Glow Trail will be lined with Jack-o-lanterns, creating a beautiful nighttime hike. Photo by Charlotte Blanton

The only thing better than Halloween events in Orlando? FREE Halloween events in Orlando! Whether you’re into family-friendly fun or spine-chilling scares—or something in between—everyone loves saving money while soaking in the Halloween spirit. From festive fun to spooky thrills, you can enjoy all the fall festivities without breaking the bank. Plus, with Halloween’s creative flair and sweet treats, discovering a free event near you is easier than ever.

Want more Halloween ideas? Check out our Orlando Halloween Guide for countless local ideas of how to celebrate this sweet and spooky holiday with your family!

Top Free Halloween Events in Atlanta

Kick off Halloween weekend with the Duluth tradition of the spooky Town Green. Photo courtesy of the event

The only thing we love more than Halloween events are FREE Halloween events in Atlanta! After all the money we spend on Halloween costumes, candy, and parties, parents need free Halloween events in Atlanta--like pumpkin & fall festivals, neighborhood Halloween parties, and more. Many of these free Halloween events are hosted by cities, including Roswell, Duluth, and Sandy Springs. We've rounded up the best Atlanta Halloween events that are free to attend!

In fact, there are so many Atlanta events during the last two weekends of October, families may choose to freebie hop. For more fun Atlanta Halloween things to do with kids, check out our city's Halloween Guide

Top Free Halloween Events in Los Angeles

Park Tales: A Not So Scary Halloween is an awesome free Halloween event in Malibu. Photo courtesy of malibucity.org

Free Halloween events in Los Angeles might sound like a trick, but they are actually a treat. They'll have you saying, "BOO-ya!" 

There's nothing mysterious or scary about free Halloween events. No witchful thinking is necessary—Ghouls can have fun for free—pumpkin spice up your October with these hauntingly free happenings all over the city. Save your cash for other Halloween goodies and enjoy scary good, free Halloween events in Los Angeles during the spooky season without playing any tricks on your wallet. 

Looking for more ghostly fun? Check out our Halloween Fun and Activities Guide for Los Angeles & Orange County families, where you'll find lists of the best pumpkin patches in LA, the best trick-or-treat spots in Los Angeles, and the most creative costumes for kids

Most Unique Destinations to See Fall Leaves from NYC

Mountain Creek  provides an unrivaled view from above the fall leaves by taking a ride along its zipline course. Photo courtesy of Mountain Creek

The tri-state area has some of the most spectacular fall leaves in the US. Families looking to peep some fall leaves near NYC can head out to some amazing, unique, fall foliage-filled locations in NYC, Long Island, New Jersey, and the Hudson Valley.

Our list of where to see fall leaves near NYC includes something for all autumn connoisseurs, from adventurous views from above to more leisurely fall foliage frolicking. The best time to see fiery fall leaves in New York and the surrounding areas is likely early October.

For even more seasonal activities, don't miss our Guide to Fall Fun and Day Trips.

The Best Family Shows of Off-Broadway's New Victory Theater 2024-25 Season

The New Victory has been the go-to destination for enriching and affordable theater for families since 1995.

My daughter may be in college now, but we still catch as many shows as we can at the beloved New Victory Theater. That’s a testament to its reputation as New York’s premier performing arts destination for families, with programming that entertains and engages kids and adults alike–so you never outgrow its offerings. Sure, sometimes we bring a 6-year-old cousin along, but just as often we don’t!

Right on 42nd Street in Times Square, the off-Broadway theater has been the go-to destination for enjoyable, enriching, and affordable theater for young audiences and their grown-ups since 1995. With hands-on workshops, pre-show activities, post-show photo ops, and performances tailored to kids with autism and other sensory, social, and learning disabilities, the nonprofit has introduced multiple generations to the magic of the performing arts and raised the bar for what family theater can be.

As a theater enthusiast and longtime New Victory fan myself, I'm thrilled to share a preview of the venue’s 2024-25 season, including the best shows for different ages and tips on how to save money on tickets.

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