From a ski mountain turned haunted warehouse to a masquerade ball at a visionary art sanctuary, here is where to get spooked across the Berkshires, Columbia, Dutchess and Litchfield counties through October 31.
Halloween is a Saturday this year, which seems to have cranked up the spirits with tons to do from now until the big night. Events run from the frightening (a ski resort converted into a haunted warehouse) to the gently spooky (a lantern-lit tour of a 200-year-old churchyard that organizers say is not meant to be scary). Here are 40 options.
Naumkeag, Stockbridge—Wednesdays–Sundays through October 31, 5–9pm
Thousands of jack-o'-lanterns, mums, pumpkins and gourds, plus cauldrons, cobwebs and fairy houses, light a walking trail through the Gilded Age estate's gardens. Timed tickets must be bought in advance, none are sold on site, and parking is off-site with a shuttle. Naumkeag isn't wheelchair or stroller accessible and may be difficult for guests with limited mobility.
Jiminy Peak, Hancock—October 16, 17, 23, 24, 29, 30 and 31, 6:30–10:30pm
The ski resort becomes a haunted warehouse this year, with a walk-through haunt set on the mountain's "forgotten warehouse floor," where the resort promises "the lights never tell the truth." Groups of six to eight leave every couple of minutes, the attraction is recommended for ages 10 and up, and admission is $29. Christiansen's Tavern on site has live music on Friday and Saturday evenings during the run.
The Mount, Lenox—evening tours through October 31
Guides lead two-hour tours through the darkened halls of the estate of Edith Wharton, who wrote ghost stories herself, sharing reported encounters at the house. The tour isn't recommended for children under 12, and reservations are required. A ghost tour for kids ages 6–12 runs Friday, October 23, 6–7:30pm. On Friday, October 16, 6–8pm, longtime tour guide Robert Oakes talks about the strange magic of Wharton's ghost stories, followed by a flashlight tour of the mansion.
Hancock Shaker Village, Pittsfield—Pumpkin Extravaganza Saturday, October 17, 11am–3pm; Haunted Hancock October 22, 23, 24, 29 and 30, 7pm
The family-friendly Pumpkin Extravaganza, included with admission, has costumed trick-or-treating through the village, pumpkin decorating, a visit to the Dwelling kitchen and a meeting with Valerian the Garden Witch. After dark, Haunted Hancock leads 90-minute tours of the Brick Dwelling, billed as "a spine-chilling evening of Shaker ghosts and mystery."
Hoosac Valley Trains, Adams—ghost-story ride October 17; pumpkin patch rides October 17–18 and 24–25; Halloween rides October 31
Ghost tour guide and author Robert Oakes leads an adults-only, one-night-only ghost-story train ride on October 17, while a children's ghost stories and pumpkin patch excursion runs earlier that day. Pumpkin Patch Rides run both October weekends from the Adams station at 4 Hoosac Street, and Halloween rides run on October 31.
Ventfort Hall, Lenox—ghost tour Sunday, October 18, 4:15pm; virtual tour Thursday, October 22, 7pm; Masquerade Macabre Saturday, October 24, 7–11pm
Oakes is here too! He leads an added ghost tour through the 1893 mansion on Sunday, October 18 at 4:15pm, and a one-night virtual tour on Thursday, October 22 at 7pm. The third annual Masquerade Macabre is a formal masquerade fundraiser for the museum. On Halloween day there’s a themed afternoon tea, followed by the year’s final paranormal investigation after dark.
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, Lenox—Friday, October 23, 4–5:30pm
Mass Audubon's naturalists lead a leisurely hike, for families with children ages 4–17, at dusk with discussions about bats, owls, spiders and other residents of the 1,405-acre sanctuary at 472 West Mountain Road. Tickets are $15 per person, or $12 for Mass Audubon members.
Mohawk Theater, North Adams—Friday, October 23, 6–10pm
Police and fire departments, City Hall, Northern Berkshire EMS, North Adams-area college and high school groups and a local youth program build a haunted house inside the shuttered 1938 theater at 111 Main Street. Entry is free, and kids under 12 should have an adult with them. Downtown trick-or-treating runs 4:30–6pm the same day.
Tyler Street, Pittsfield—Friday, October 30, 7pm
The city's 80th parade takes the theme "Futuristic Frights: The Next 80 Years." Participants are encouraged to imagine how future technology, science, climate or society might change what people find scary.
MASS MoCA, North Adams—Friday, October 30, 7pm
Ballet Nepantla's fusion of ballet folklórico and contemporary dance draws on Día de Muertos traditions, using black light to carry the audience into the afterlife. Founders Andrea Guajardo and Martín Rodríguez Vigil built the company around honoring ancestors with Indigenous, Afro and Hispanic roots.
Stockbridge Library, Stockbridge—Friday, October 30, 6pm
Costumed marchers gather at Main and Pine streets and walk up Main Street to the library lawn at 46 Main Street for cider, doughnuts, a children's craft table, a 6:30pm Halloween story time and a walk-about lined with jack-o'-lanterns carved by local businesses and community members. The parade is canceled in the rain, but the rest of the evening moves indoors.
Clark Art Institute, Williamstown—Saturday, October 31, 10am–5pm
Visitors who dress as a work of art from the Clark's collection get free admission, and trick-or-treaters can pick up a free art mystery box at the Clark Center admissions desk. A 2pm "ghost" tour of artworks with shadowy and supernatural subjects is open to visitors in or out of costume, with first-come tickets at the admissions desk.
Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown—Fridays and Saturdays, October 16, 17, 23 and 24, 6–8pm
Costumed "ghosts" from the riverside mansion's past tell true stories of glory, loss and failure on a candlelit tour that begins at the Visitor Center and passes through a jack-o'-lantern-lit landscape. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children 5–12, space is limited, and reservations are required by phone at (518) 537-4240.
Taconic State Park, Copake Falls Area, Copake Falls—Saturday, October 17, 4–6pm
The costume-focused trunk-or-treat at the park's Copake Falls Area is free, with a food and drink truck on site. Vehicles taking part must register with the park, and space is limited.
Cedar Park Cemetery, Hudson—Sunday, October 18, noon–1:30pm
Kelley Drahushuk, co-owner of The Spotty Dog Books and Ale, leads an annual tour through the historic cemetery, which has more than 10,000 grave sites. Registration by email is required and limited to 45 people, and donations support the Hudson Area Library's History Room.
FASNY Museum of Firefighting, Hudson—Saturday, October 24, 10am–noon
Local firefighters bring decorated trucks and hand out treats, and kids can play fire safety Halloween games, vote for their favorite truck and meet the museum dog, Molly. It's free and runs rain or shine at 117 Harry Howard Avenue.
Lake Taghkanic State Park, Ancram—Saturday, October 24, 6–9:30pm
The park's first annual guided evening paddle invites canoes and kayaks (no paddleboards) decorated with string lights and light sticks. The event is free, but boats must pre-register and life jackets are mandatory.
Basilica Hudson, Hudson—Friday, October 30, doors 7pm, show 8pm
The San Francisco band behind "Semi-Charmed Life" plays the converted factory at 110 South Front Street on the Friday before Halloween. Costumes welcome. Tickets are on sale through the venue's website.
Hudson Hall, Hudson—Saturday, October 31, 2pm
Trick-or-treating on Warren Street runs 2–4pm, a parade gathers at 7th Street Park at 4pm and steps off at 4:05pm, and the costume contest is at Hudson Hall at 4:30pm. It's free for all ages, rain or shine.
Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown—Saturday, October 31, 10:30am–4pm
Trick-or-treating in the Visitor Center is free, with Halloween photo stations, and the mansion is open for tours on the hour from 11am to 4pm. Mansion tours are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and free for children under 12.
The Tin Barn, Clermont—Saturday, October 31, doors at 3pm
A 21-and-over Halloween dance party at 1783 Route 9 has a DJ from APB Entertainment starting at 5pm, a prize for best costume and food from Gettin' Smashed Smash Burgers. Admission is $5.
Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Falls—select evenings through November 1
The haunted attraction marks its 50th year, with mazes and effects across themed areas including Horrorwood: The Backlot, Garden of Evil, Deadline Diner and Corn Hollow. Reservations are required, limited tickets are sold each evening, and it isn't recommended for very young children.
11 Creamery Road, Stanford—Fridays and Saturdays through October 30, 6:30–9:30pm
Volunteers, actors and parents stage this town-run walk-through, which has been scaring visitors since 1997, past a swamp, train yard, carriage house, crooked house, caves, bottomless pit, village and a church with a graveyard. Admission is cash only ($15 for adults, $10 for children 12 and under and seniors), and the Fortress is closed on Halloween "so our young actors can trick or treat." A sensory-friendly session with no scary sounds, creepy actors or strobe lights runs Sunday, October 18, 2–4pm.
Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck, Rhinebeck—Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through October 25
Local actors stage Arthur Miller's drama about the 1692 Salem witch trials. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, the play depicts the hysteria and fear that grip the town after a group of girls is accused of practicing witchcraft.
St. James Episcopal Church, Hyde Park—Fridays and Saturdays, October 16, 17, 23 and 24, tours at 6:30, 7, 7:30 and 8pm
Costumed characters tell the stories of people buried in the 200-year-old churchyard, by lantern light, with new stories each year. Reservations are required, tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under, and the hourlong tours suit ages 5 and older.
Madam Brett Homestead, Beacon—Saturday, October 17, 6pm
For the first time, the 1709 homestead opens for a public paranormal investigation led by Full Moon Paranormal. Participants are among the first to investigate the house after dark.
CoSM, Wappingers Falls—Saturday, October 24, 5pm–1am
Alex Grey and Allyson Grey lead the October Full Moon Ceremony from 7 to 8:30pm, followed by a masquerade ball with music, dancing and performance across the grounds from 8:45pm to 1am. Guests are invited to dress as divine, demonic, celestial or otherworldly figures.
Stony Kill Farm, Wappingers Falls—Saturday, October 24, 4–7pm
A costumed tour of the "not-so-haunted barn," hay wagon rides through the fields at dusk, a fire pit, food trucks and reptile encounters in the greenhouse make up the family-friendly farm party. The farm recommends bringing a flashlight because the grounds get very dark after 6pm.
Foster's Coach House Tavern, Rhinebeck—Wednesday, October 28, 6pm
Dutchess County Historian William P. Tatum III leads a program in the tavern basement on "accidental" deaths drawn from the county's Ancient Documents Collection, including drownings and falls. Dinner reservations before or after are recommended.
Happy Valley Arcade Bar, Beacon—Friday, October 30, 4–11:30pm
The second annual event pairs live music, tarot readers, healers and a witchy marketplace with vintage arcade games and pinball. The night runs from 4 to 11:30pm at the arcade bar on Main Street.
Daryl's House, Pawling—Saturday, October 31, 8pm
The country singer hosts her 10th annual costume party at Daryl Hall's club, with games, dancing and a costume contest for Daryl's House prizes. Doors open at 5pm.
Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park—Saturday, October 31, 6pm
Fictional hosts Mrs. Lenora Van Alstyne and her folklore-obsessed cousin Mr. Percival Finch preside over a four-course Hudson Valley harvest dinner in Farquharson Hall, with wine and spirits pairings, a "Hex on the Rocks" cocktail hour, close-up conjurers and card readers. Tickets are $285.
Market Street Creatives, Torrington—Friday, October 16, 4–7pm
Market Street Creatives hosts a family-friendly Halloween event at 100 Lawton Street with trick-or-treating, a scavenger hunt and haunted hallways. Admission is free.
Harrybrooke Park, New Milford—Fridays and Saturdays, October 16–30, 6–10pm
The haunted trail marks its 13th anniversary with a walk through the park after dark that benefits local groups, including two Boy Scout troops, the New Milford Lions Club and the Knights of Columbus. Tickets are $38, and parking is at Pettibone Community Center, 2 Pickett District Road.
Tapping Reeve Meadow, Litchfield—October 17 through November 1, dawn to dusk
The Litchfield Historical Society's seventh annual display puts creative scarecrows made by families, businesses and nonprofits in the meadow at 82 South Street. It's free to visit.
Walker Hall, Watertown—Saturday, October 17, 6pm
Campbell Harmon performs a one-man show that brings Poe back to life, combining dramatic reenactments, historical biography and interaction with the audience. Tickets are $25.
Bunnell Farm, Litchfield—October 17, 23 and 24, 6–9pm
Walkers bring their own flashlights to explore the farm's corn maze after dark, weather permitting.
Naugatuck Railroad, Thomaston—select weekends in October
The one-hour train ride from Thomaston follows the Naugatuck River to the railroad's own patch, where each passenger picks a pumpkin. Pumpkin ice cream from the Nutmeg Fudge Co. is included, coach tickets are $20, and dates and times are at rmne.org or (860) 283-7245.
Torrington Elks Lodge #372, Torrington—Saturday, October 24, 8–11:30pm
This year's theme is "Till Death Was Never Enough," and the gothic ball draws on Victorian grandeur and the legend of Dracula. Each ticket includes one free drink, and the night has a cash bar, costume contests with prizes, raffles and a photo lounge billed as "Inside Dracula's Castle."
Kent Green, Kent—Sunday, October 25, 11am (kids' run 10:30am)
The five-mile road race celebrates its 50th year with an award-winning costume contest. Online registration stays open until the 11am start, and the event is hosted by the Kent Green Shopping Center.
