Where To Celebrate: Halloween
Where To Celebrate Halloween: The Dead. The Undead. And The Grateful Dead.
Sunset time for Trick or Treaters: Fri, 10/31: 5:53pm
The Haunted Pumpkin Garden, New York Botanical Garden: Pumpkin sculptures of spooky scarecrows, spiders, snakes, and more await you at every turn in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. The display includes 500 intricately carved pumpkins from master sculptors that are sure to capture your youngster’s imagination. Sat-Fri, 9/20-10/31. (2900 Southern Blvd. Bronx; www.nybg.org)
Boo at the Zoo: October weekends at the zoo feature hay mazes, costume parades, musical theater, magic, and more. Visit bats, owls, vultures and other winged icons of Halloween, then embark on a trip back in time and ride the Dinosaur Safari! Musical theater highlights include Broadway at Boo with cast members of Pippin, Cinderella, Motown the Musical, and On The Town. Walk through a tunnel filled with more than 1,000 hand-carved and lit Jack ‘O Lanterns sculpted into animal shapes.Sat-Sun, 10/4-11/2: 10am-5pm. Check times for special attractions and activities. (Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx; www.bronxzoo.com)
The Legend Behind the ‘Legend’, Washington Irving’s Sunnyside: Visit Irving’s fascinating home showcasing numerous objects related to his famous story. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy a shadow puppet performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and experience one of Irving’s spooky tales on a walk through the woods. Sat-Sun, 10/4-5; Sat-Mon, 10/11-13; Sat-Sun, 10/18-19, 25-26 & Fri-Sun, 10/31-11/2: 10:30am-3:30pm. (3 W. Sunnyside Ln., Irvington; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Horseman’s Hollow, Philipsburg Manor: Taking the tale of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to its darkest extremes, Horseman’s Hollow returns for a fifth year of haunted mayhem, now expanded by popular demand to THIRTEEN evenings. Meet the undead, the evil and the insane denizens of a town driven mad by the Headless Horseman. Negotiate a twisted maze of horrors to get to the lair of the Horseman where a party is being thrown in his honor. With elaborate costumes from award-wining feature-film makeup artists and unsettling special effects this popular event is not suitable for small children. Sat-Sun, 10/4-5; Fri-Sun, 10/10-12, 17-19, 24-26 & Fri-Sat, 10/31-11/1: 7-9:30pm. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Irving’s ‘Legend’, Old Dutch Church: Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic performance of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Featuring the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and Katrina Van Tassel. With live, spooky organ music by Jim Keyes. Sat-Sun, 10/4-5; Fri-Sun, 10/10-12, 17-19, 24-26 & Fri-Sat, 10/31-11/1: 5, 6:15 & 7:30pm. (Old Dutch Church: Park at Philipsburg Manor 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Hot ticket alert: The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, Van Cortland Manor: 5,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o’ lanterns set against an historic, 18th-century riverside landscape. Highlights include a headless horseman, a working doomsday grandfather clock, gourd filled jack in the boxes, and dinosaurs from Jurassic Park – all made out of jack-o-lanterns. With sound effects, synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack by recording artist Richard Christy. Advance tickets required. 25 nights from Sat, 10/4 to Sun, 11/9. (525 S. Riverside Ave., Croton on Hudson; www.hudsonvalley.org)
Scared By The Sound: 2014 marks the 15th consecutive year of Scared by the Sound Haunted House and its return to Playland Amusement Park – after its post Hurricane Sandy refurbishing. Take the Crypt Walk; visit the Haunted Wine Cellar, Creepy Morgue and Tunnels of Doom. This walk-through dark attraction may be too scary for children under 10. Strobe lighting and fog use alert for anyone adversely affected by these effects. Sat, 10/4-11/1: 7-11pm, Fri, 10/10-24: 8-11pm, Fri, 10/31: 7-11pm & Sun, 10/12-26: 7-10pm. (Rye Playland, 1 Playland Pkwy, Rye; www.ryeplayland.org)
The Haunt at Rocky Ledge The nightmare begins October 10. Spooky adventures including 2 haunted houses, a haunted trail in the woods, a chilling cornfield, multiple hair-raising walk-throughs and a snack bar. One mile up the road from the Stop & Shop in N. White Plains. Fri, 10/10,17 & 24: 8-11pm; Sat 10/11,18, 25: 7-11pm & Sun, 10/12, 19,26: 7-10pm. (Rocky Ledge Swim Club, 1402 Old Orchard St., North White Plains; www.hauntatrockyledge.com)
Area 51 Train Show: Lasdon Park’s annual train show takes on an alien theme with over 300 feet of track with model trains chugging along past building and desserts filled with aliens, flying saucers, and secret laboratories. Watch some of your favorite movies come to life along the way. With a hay maze, interactive scavengers hunt and take a photo with ET – The Extraterrestrial. Sat-Mon, 10/11-13: 11am-3:30pm. Sat-Sun, 10/18-19, 25-26: 11am-3:30pm & Fri, 10-/31: 3-6pm. (Lasdon Park, 2610 Amawalk Rd., Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)
Haunted Illusions by David Caserta: Take the Halloween season to another level with master Illusionist David Caserta. Witness people levitating, disappearing, and reappearing right before your eyes. Audience Participation Alert: You could be next! With great humor, Caserta elevates the whole ghosts, goblins and ghouls thing to magical conclusions. Sat, 10/11: 3pm. (Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford: www.palacestamford.org)
New! First ever Haunting at Seton: This new event from Greenwich Scouting is geared toward cub scout aged kids features an eery hike around Lake Hillegas, ghost stories around the campfire, Trading Post treats and ghosts galore. For more information and to pre-register online visit the Haunting at Seton Registration site. Sun, 10/19: 6-7:30pm. Camp Seton, 363 Riversville Rd., Greenwich.
Halloween Craft, Bedford Recreation: You will not need to save all your candy wrappers to make a one of a kind CANDY WRAPPER CRAFT. Come out to make your own bag, pencil case or other craft using candy wraps, tape and more. Grades 3-7. Fri, 10/17: 4:30pm. (Bedford Hills Community House, 7 Church St., Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)
Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities: Experience the only indoor Halloween venue in Westchester. Meet long-dead family members as they lead you on a spooky tour of the Lyndhurst mansion. Experience the spectacular gothic castle at night and in a way rarely seen. While the event will appeal to adults and teens, younger children can also participate, as the performance is appropriate for all ages. Fri-Sun: 10/17-11/2: 6-9pm. (Lyndhurst Mansion, 635 South Broadway, Tarrytown; www.lyndhurst.org)
Haunted Graveyard at Lake Compounce, Bedford Recreation: Rides, attractions and a haunted graveyard walk at Lake Compounce for grades 6-9. Sat, 10/18: 3-11pm. (Lake Compounce, 822 Lake Ave., Bristol, CT; www.bedfordny.gov.)
Enchanted Forest at Westmoreland Sanctuary Fairies, gnomes and magical creatures in the Bedford woods. The Enchanted Forest Festival offers magical trail tours, fairy tales, games, food & fun from 2-5pm. And Spooky Trail tours, spooky tales and a marshmallow roast for 6-9pm. With craft projects, food, and entertainment. Sat: 10/18: 2-5pm & 6-9pm. (Westmoreland Sanctuary, 260 Chestnut Ridge Rd., Mt. Kisco; www.westmorelandsanctuary.org)
Halloween Carnival & Ragamuffin Parade, New Castle Recreation: Games, rides, entertainment and amusements prior to and after the Ragamuffin Parade. Come in costume and march in the parade at 3:30pm. Be part of the parade with the Blue Crew Marching Band, the Dixie Dandies Band and the Music Makers After the parade there’s more entertainment at the train station. Visit the Friendly Witches, walk the “plank” at the Pirates’ Den and enjoy the carnival. Everyone is welcome. Sun, 10/19: Carnival: 12pm. Parade; 3:30pm. (Chappaqua Train Station; newcastlerecreation)
Ghost Tours with Linda at Boscobel: Travel the halls of Boscobel house, with specialized equipment to detect the possible presence of supernatural entities. Hear spellbinding ghost stories from paranormal investigator Linda Zimmermann who will be accompanied by her ghost hunting partner Michael Worden, a police detective and author of Ghost Detective, and psychic, Barbara Bleitzhofer – there to identify the spirits. Plus, cookies, cider and book signings with Linda and Mike. Recommended for children 12 and older. Wed-Fri, 10-/22-24: 6pm. (1601 Rt. 9D, Garrison; www.boscobel.org)
Annual Friends of Lasdon Halloween Party: One of our area’s most unique benefit events. Lasdon’s annual adult costume party takes on an ‘Area 51’ theme with the house, grounds and heated party tent decked out with an assortment of aliens, flying saucers and other surprises. With live music by the Gerard Carelli Band, a dance floor, food, beer, wine and prizes for the best overall costume, best alien and best duo. Fri, 10/24: 7-11pm. (Lasdon Park, 2610 Amawalk Rd., Rt. 35, Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)
Spooktacular Halloween Event, North Castle Recreation: Entertainment, games, prizes and candy for grades k-5. Come in costume. Fri, 10/24: 7pm. (North Castle Community Center, 10 Clove Rd., N.W. Plains; northcastlerecreation)
Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club Dinner Dance Halloween Bash: Dinner, dancing and cocktails Halloween style. BVC&M has raised over $750,000 since 1956 for local youth programs in arts and music, club and school sports, scouts, youth outreach, scholarships and community services. Sat, 10/25: 7-11pm. (Bedford Village Golf & Tennis Club, Cantitoe Rd., Bedford: www.bedfordchowderandmarching.org)
Howl & Prowl Pet Costume Party: The seventh annual Howl & Prowl pet costume party benefits Adopt-A-Dog in Armonk. The event features dogs in novelty outfits , a pet costume contest with prizes from event sponsor Pet Pantry Warehouse, free refreshments, free photos with pet photographer Geoffrey Tischman and free pet caricatures from local artist Bill Hernandez. Sun, 10/26: 1-4pm. Greenwich Common Park, 290 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich. To register your dog for the costume contest go to www.adoptadog.org.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show: “Let’s Do the Time Warp Again.” Get the full Rocky Horror Show experience with this late night
screening of the cult classic with Brad and Janet, Dr. Frank-n-Furter, Riff-Raff, Columbia & Magenta, Rocky, Dr. Scott and Meatloaf as Eddy. With a live floor show from the 8th St. Playhouse cast and an audience participation kit. “But it’s the pelvic thrust that really drives you insa-a-a-a-ane, Let’s do the Time Warp again!” Sat, 10/25: 11pm. (Tarrytown Music Hall, 13 Main St., Tarrytown; www.tarrytownmusichall.org)
Boo Walk at Muscoot Farm: A scavenger hunt for Halloween objects for children of all ages. Plus, a farmer’s market. Sat, 10/26. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)
Trick or Treat on Hecksher Farm: Don your Halloween costume and head up to Heckscher Farm to trick or treat with your favorite farm friends! Make your first stop at the otter pond to collect a bag and get your first Clue! Follow the clues to find the five “trick or treat” stations. Then, stop by Overbrook for “Ick-Fest” to get slimy at their slime table, visit live reptiles and bugs, and create crafts around some of their favorite Halloween critters. Don’t forget your treat bag! Sun, 10/26: 1-3pm. (Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.org)
The Byram Hills Pre-School Association’s Halloween Ball: Halloween portraits, crafts, music, tattoos, pizza and cookies and goody bags at BHPSA’s Halloween Ball, No RSVP necessary. Tues, 10/28: 4-6pm. Little Sparrow’s Nursery School, 448 Bedford Rd., Armonk. www.bhpa.info)
Spooky Tales at Caramoor with Award-Winning Storyteller Laura Simms: This interactive event will offer young children (3-8) spooky (but not scary) stories of goblins, ghosts, and happy witches in the Rosen House Music Room from the award-winning storyteller Laura Simms. The performance is followed by a special brew (hot cider) and other ghostly treats (cookies) in the summer dining room. Costumes encouraged & prizes given to the best costumes. Thurs, 10/30: 3:30pm. (Caramoor, Rosen House, 149, Girdle Ridge, Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)
Pumpkin Carving, Bedford Recreation: Pick your pumpkin from the pumpkin patch and carve it into a spooky jack-o’lantern. Plus, pizza and
ghoulish goodies for grades 4-8. Thurs, 10/30: 6:30pm. (Bedford Hills Community House, 7 Church St., Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)
Sponsored: Halloween Teen Night at Life The Place To Be: Club LIFE Teen Nights are awesome because we’ve got the best in-house DJ’s in the Tri-State area. PLUS Special Guest DJs who create the ultimate dance experience. Using the latest state-of-the-art sound equipment and high-tech, intelligent lighting, teens are transported into the nightclub scene — without ever leaving LIFE. Fri, 10/31: 8pm-12am. (Life The Place To Be, 2 Lawrence St., Ardsley, 914.591.4400; www.lifetheplacetobe.com)
After Dark: Overnight Horror Marathon at Jacob Burns: 12 straight hours of horror films hosted by After Dark curator Andrew Jupin including 2 advanced previews hot off the festival circuit, 2 gorgeously restored classics (one in 3D!), 1 rarely screened classic (on 35mm!), 2 contemporary favorites and a cult classic with live commentary. Plus special treats, including DVD giveaways and food for the midnight munchies. Check out the JBFC Blog for more information and clues about each film! Fri, 10/31: 10pm. (Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Mannville Rd.)
Phil Lesh & Friends: It wouldn’t be Halloween without The Grateful Dead. Or at least Phil Lesh & Friends at Port Chester’s Capitol Theatre. The Capitol was one of the Dead’s favorite theaters and their February 23, 1971 concert there is considered “historic” by Dead Heads. The set list that night included three of their most famous jams, “China Cat/Rider,” “Truckin’/The Other One” and “Not Fade Away/Goin’ Down The Road.” Most played songs on their 2014 set list include: “Slipknot!” “Dark Star”and “Viola Lee Blues.” Fri, 10/31: 8pm. (The Capitol Theatre, 149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester; www.capitoltheatre.com)
SIGN UP for our weekly newsletter and you won’t miss a thing.
