Halloween is just around the corner, and Schenectady County is getting into the spooky spirit! 👻🎃
From haunted adventures and ghostly tours to Halloween movies, pumpkin carving, costume parties, trunk-or-treats and plenty of family-friendly fun, there are lots of ways to celebrate spooky season throughout the county.
Whether you're looking for a serious scare, a night out with friends or something fun for the little ghosts and goblins, you'll find plenty happening this fall.
Check out some of the Halloween happenings coming to Schenectady County!
September 26 - October 31
HOUSE OF HORRORS WAX MUSEUM
The horror-themed museum at Via Port features wax figures in several rooms with settings and decorations to match the character. Characters include Michael Myers, Jason Voorhees, Freddy Krueger, Leatherface, Dracula, Frankenstein, The Exorcist, and more. Open weekends 11am-5:30pm
October 2 - 31
MOVIES at PROCTORS
It Came From Schenectady (ICFM) sponsors movies at the GE Theatre at Proctors. In honor of Halloween they are showing Horrors such as FUGS Film and Birth (2004)! ICFM also presents Halloween Horror Sinema with live music by Smootaphilia, Rosemary's Baby (1968), and Brian De Palma's Carrie (1973).
Also at Proctors: Coco Live-to-Film Concert AMP presents Disney Pixar’s Coco Live-to-Film Concert on Tour featuring a screening of the complete film with Oscar® and Grammy®-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed by the 20-member Orquesta Folclórica Nacional de México.
Behind The Scream: A Live Conversation with David Arquette - following a 30th anniversary screening of SCREAM, a thrilling live conversation featuring a special 30th anniversary screening of the iconic horror film "Scream,"
ZOMBIE ZIPS AT MOUNTAIN RIDGE ADVENTURE
This tour is not for the faint of heart. Your nightmare begins with a corpse-guided tour along a serial killer infested forest to then be hauled into the trees among complete, utter horror. Once in the trees you will be launched in complete darkness … alone, afraid, and vulnerable … along a screaming steel cable hundreds of feet along Mountain Ridge Adventure’s awesome Zip Line Park. The terror occurs every Friday and Saturday nights in October. WARNING: This is not for kids or the faint of heart.
October 3 - 31
ROCKIN' THE DOME MATINEE: LASER HALLOWEEN!
Get ready for a spooktacular experience like no other! Laser Halloween is a mesmerizing laser light show that will cast a spell on you weekends through Halloween. Immerse yourself in a kaleidoscope of eerie colors and patterns as our state-of-the-art lasers dance across the darkness. Note: Rockin' the Dome Matinee tickets do not include Museum Admission.
October 16 - 31
CANDLELIGHT TOURS
Explore the historic Stockade after dark and discover the neighborhood’s most blood-curdling ghost stories. Tickets are $16 and you can choose either the "Colonial Hauntings" or "Ghostly Victorian" tour. The two tours feature different stories, and venture through different part of the neighborhood. Each tour lasts 60-90 minutes – both tours cannot be done on the same night., Thursdays through Saturdays.
October 9
VIA AQUARIUM - ADULT ONLY AFTER HOURS: DEAD AS DISCO
Explore the aquarium at your own pace—whether you’re flying solo, enjoying a date night, or out with friends, this event is the perfect mix of spooky and unforgettable.Please note this event is for guests 18+ only. The event runs from 6:00-8:00pm with last admission at 7:30 PM.
October 16
4TH ANNUAL WITCHES MASQUERADE BALL
Join the Zonta Clubs of Schenectady and Montgomery-Fulton for a bewitching evening to raise critical funds for our scholarship programs, benefiting women across the Capital Region! 5:30 p.m. at Max410 @ The Waters Edge!
KIDS ZOMBIE RUN & FALL FEST
Join the Glenville YMCA for a "friendly" Zombie run through trails while meeting some fun and "spooky" visitors. This event is open to the community and a great family event. The run ends at a "pumpkin patch" where participants can pick and decorate their own pumpkins and enjoy other festive fall activities.
October 17
NIGHTMARE MARKET
On October 17th from 5-9pm Jay Street Marketplace will be transformed into The Nightmare Market! This curated market is a celebration of all things delightfully weird and wonderfully unconventional, spotlighting the best in local artistry, quirky vendors, and imaginative small businesses. Free entry, adult centered but, family friendly!
SPIRITS OF SLEEPY HOLLOW: A READING OF THE LEGEND OF SLEEPY HOLLOW
Join Murray's Fools Distilling for an enchanting evening where ghostly tales and craft cocktails intertwine presented by storyteller Keith Kingcoombs of Mixing History. Settle in for a dramatic reading of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, brought to life alongside a curated menu of three character-inspired drink tastings.
October 24
GLENVILLE POLICE DEPT. TRUNK -OR-TREAT
Come join us for our 4th annual Trunk-or-Treat at Indian Meadow Park from 11am-2pm! With Face Painting, Bounce Houses from Bubble House Rentals, Big Time Photo Booth, Snacks, Traveling Toms Coffee Truck, Free give aways (while supplies lasts), Over 18 trunks Old School Ice Cream Truck, Food Daddy Food Truck, and ALL THE CANDY YOU CAN IMAGINE! This years event is going to be our biggest one yet. You don't want to miss it.
MARIAVILLE FIRE AUXILIARY HAUNTED HOUSE
Head on down to the Mariaville Fire Department for a Haunted House! Running from 2pm-5pm there will be sweet treats, food & drink, and even a haunted house!
PUMPKIN CARVING
Bring the family out for some fall fun at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co.! Ticket purchase gets you a pumpkin, stencils, carving tools and a beer token. Limited to 30 spots. This event will take place outdoors so make sure to dress warm! Lunch available for purchase.
October 25
JACK-O'-LANTERNS & JETS
Grab your goblins and ghouls and join us for a fun evening in the hangar at the Empire State Aerosciences Museum (ESAM) from 4:30-7:30pm! Wind your way around the aircraft to find treats for all, fun surprises, snacks for sale, and free coffee for adults! Costumes encouraged (we'll have prizes for the best of the best).
CHARGERS CANDY CARNIVAL
Join students from Union College's clubs, teams and organizations for an afternoon of Halloween crafts games and candy from 1pm-4pm! Wear your favorite costume, or grab one from our Costume Giveaway (while supplies last!) This event is free and open to the public. Union College Candy Carnival is a collaboration of student organizations welcoming local kids and families to the campus of Union College for a Halloween event on Sunday, October 25 from 1pm-4pm. The event includes games, candy, crafts, costume giveaways, and other activities, and is hosted by Beuth House, Black Student Union, MAMBA, NAACP, NSBE and Community Service House
*HISTORY NIGHT: SPOOKY SCHENECTADY
Join the Rotterdam Community Center in partnership with our friend Mike Diana from the Schenectady County Historical Society for stories about all things spooky and scary in Schenectady County as we approach Halloween!
*HALLOWEEN CAKE AND SIP
Join us at our Schenectady restaurant on October 25th for a spooky Halloween themed Cake & Sip! From 4pm-6pm you'll decorate and take home your very own 6” Halloween themed cake
*TRICK OR TREAT AND FRIGHTS UNDER THE LIGHTS
Head to downtown Scotia for a day of tricks, treats on fun! It starts at 2 pm with Trick or Treat on Mohawk Ave; visit local businesses along Mohawk Ave for treats and don't forget to take and submit a selfie for a chance to win a prize! At 4pm move to Collins Parks for Frights Under the Lights; a baseball game and trunk or treat. The fun will go until it's done! The Ghouls vs Goblins baseball game starts at 5:30pm.
*MARIAVILLE FIRE DEPT. HALLOWEEN PARTY
Who’s ready for some Halloween fun? Don't forget this Saturday from 2pm-5pm is our haunted house & Halloween fun! We can’t wait to see you there!!
*FINS & FRIGHTS
Join us for a spooktacular day at the aquarium as we transform the facility into a haunted underwater wonderland. Here’s what’s in store: Staff in costume to keep the fun festive, Trick-or-Treating throughout the aquarium starting at 11am (while supplies last) Spooky caricatures to take home (11:30am – 2:30pm), and Snap photos with mascots making surprise appearances. Bring your best costumes and get ready for an unforgettable Halloween celebration. All activities are included with General Admission tickets.
October 26
*MOHAWK HONDA TRUNK OR TREAT
Get ready for some ghoulishly good fun at Mohawk Honda's Trunk or Treat from 11am to 1pm right at the dealership for a spooktacular time! The lot will be filled with decorated trunks, overflowing with treats for all the little goblins and princesses. Bring the whole family in their best costumes for a safe and festive trick-or-treating experience. We'll have plenty of candy, smiles, and maybe even a few frights (the fun kind, of course!).
*SCHENECTADY SCHOOL DISTRICT TUNK OR TREAT
This event takes place at the Schenectady Little League Oregon Ave Baseball Field, off of rte 7. There will be decorated trunks, music, raffles, and more! It starts at 5:30pm and goes until 8:30pm. Don't forget to wear your costume!
*KIDS & CANINES COSTUME SHOWDOWN
Get ready for a fun costume showdown! Starting with registration at 12 pm with registration there will be three categories; kids, canines, and group. Judging will occur from 12:20 to 12:40 followed immediately by the parade! There will be prizes!
October 31
DELANSON HALLOWEEN PARTY AND TRUNK OR TREAT
The firehouse will be open from 2pm to 8pm for anyone to stop in. Plenty of Halloween goodies for all! Warm up with a cup of coffee or hot chocolate. Trunk-or-Treat in our parking lot from 2pm to 8pm. A safe place for the whole family to enjoy Halloween. Anyone may bring and decorate a vehicle! FREE apple cider and apple cider donuts in the firehouse, while supplies last!
*VISIT THE WHITNEY BOOKS CORNER
On Halloween children who visit will receive a free book! And don't forget your trick or treat bag to get a special snack!
