When it comes to kicking off the holiday celebration season, it seems Halloween is quickly taking center stage as the first-on-the-calendar all-out event.
And if you’re looking to get into the “spirit,” so to say, there are plenty of area happenings — everything from events that promise a good scare to things for those who like a less-frightening Halloween experience.
Check out the curated list below and make the most of scaring season!
Weekends Sept. 26 through Nov. 1 — Fright Fest at Six Flags New England
Saturdays and Sundays, including Columbus Day, the park transforms into a family-friendly boo-fest during the day, a terror-filled horror-fest including Terror Tales and Haunted Mansion mazes at night. Evening activities are not recommended for children under 13. Specialty tickets are required for evening events. Info: sixflags.com/newengland/events/fright-fest
Weekends Oct. 2-31 — McCray’s Fear on the Farm
The longest-running haunted hayride in Massachusetts returns for its 36th season with updates to the Haunted Mansion and trails, and more! Open Friday, Saturdays and Sunday from 6:30 p.m. until the last guest leaves screaming. Admission includes the Monster Mash Haunted Hayride, Massacre Mansion and the D.O.N.G.R.F. General admission $30; fast pass available online for $55. All outdoors, check weather on Facebook page at facebook.com/fearonthefarmatmccraysfarm. Tickets: fearonthefarm.com/index.html
Weekends Oct. 3-26 — Phantoms by Firelight: Frankenstein Encounter
From 4:30-9 p.m. at Old Sturbridge Village, 1 Old Sturbridge Road, Sturbridge. This 1830s village transforms after dark into the experimental world of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, where every fire-lit path leads to a scene where the story is still unfolding.
Frankenstein Encounter is a fully immersive experience featuring themes from the original 1818 literary work of Mary Shelley. This includes themes of death, murder and a monster-like creature. The experience includes theatrical fog, strobe and lighting effects, low-light areas, uneven flooring and tight passageways, loud sound effects and music, fire, and recreated scenes of conflict. Non-member adults $34; teens $16. Tickets:osv.ticketapp.org/portal/product/20/calendar
Oct. 1-31 — The Great Pumpkin Show at Naumkeag in Stockbridge
Wednesday to Sunday; early hour from 4-5 p.m. show also continues 5-9 p.m. Stroll through 3,000 carved and illuminated pumpkins in the gardens at the Gilded Age Naumkeag Mansion! Timed tickets and parking off-site with free shuttle buses. Strollers not permitted. Not dog-friendly. Tickets: Adults $32, Children age 3-15, $15. Family Value Night Wednesdays and Thursdays through Oct. 22 (also Friday, Oct. 2 and Sunday, Oct. 4) Adults $25, Children age 3-15, free. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3cm2mc33
Oct. 10 — Trinity United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine, on the front lawn of the church, 3691 Sumner Ave., Springfield. Purchase pumpkins for fall decorating and Halloween carving in a family-friendly, neighborhood event, plus food trucks and vendors with fall themed items for sale.
Oct. 10 — Cemetery tours at Forestdale in Holyoke
These 45-minute tours begin at 3, 3:20 and 3:40 p.m. and are from 45 minutes to an hour long; cemetery located at 304 Cabot St., Holyoke. Step past the cemetery gates and peer behind the veil with Wistariahurst as our volunteers channel the spirits of Holyoke’s ancestors, leading you through the meandering paths of Forestdale Cemetery, established in 1860 and the final resting place of prominent families, politicians and others who helped shape Holyoke. Wear comfortable shoes and weather-appropriate attire, Rain cancels; no refunds. Reservations required. Members $15; non-members $18. Tickets: tinyurl.com/3u4tkpds
Oct. 14 — Darkened Hallways Tours at Wistariahurst
At 6:30 or 8 p.m., 45 minutes to one-hour candlelight tours at Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. Feel the energy of past inhabitants and servants as docent-led tours share the story of the Skinner family, the tragedy that led their family and business to Holyoke and other spine-tingling stories about the mansion. Under 14 years old with. Reservations required. Members $15; non-members $18. Tickets: tinyurl.com/4kzbvj9u
Oct. 17 — Westfield on Weekends Pumpkin Fest
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, on the middle school athletic fields behind Amelia Park, off Broad Street in Westfield. Admission is free. Event includes food trucks, craft vendors, booths highlighting community services for children, the popular All Stars Dance Center Trunk or Treat, the annual PumpkinFest raffle and of course, the main feature — the pumpkin carving and decorating tent. For more information visit westfieldonweekends.org.
Oct. 18 — Gravestone Art and Walking Tour
Program begins at 2 p.m. in the Wilbraham and Monson Academy Athenaeum, 423 Main St., Wilbraham. begins with a talk about early New England mortuary art and symbolism with Derek Strahan, author of “Lost Springfield, Massachusetts” and “New England Then and Now,” and host of the Western Mass History podcast. Event concludes with a tour of Adams Cemetery on Tinkham Road. Comfortable shoes suggested. More info: theomh.org/
Oct. 23 — Skeletal Secrets at Wistariahurst
At 5:30 p.m. at Wistariahurst Museum, 238 Cabot St., Holyoke. Join a ghostly guide as former residents of this historic house manifest to speak of eerie events and strange happenings that occurred during their mortal lives. Discover dark tales of death, loss, and spirits that are said to still roam our halls to this day as you wander through the home. This unique character tour of Wistariahurst Museum includes standing, walking and transitioning between the first and second floors using our Grand Staircase in dim lighting. This tour may include loud noises, challenging subjects, and possible jump scares. Under 16 years of age with parent. Reservations required. Members $15; non-members $18. Tickets: tinyurl.com/mpedrwft
Oct 24 — Zoo at Forest Park Spooky Safari
This family-friendly Halloween event includes a Trick or Treat Trail for kids up to age 12, crafts, activities, face painting and more. Advance ticket purchase required and cash-only park entrance fee of $3 Massachusetts plates $5 out-of-state plates to park. More info: forestparkzoo.org/spooky-safari
Oct. 24 — Haunted Harvest at Look Park
From noon to 9 p.m., there will be something for the whole family! Event includes live music, food trucks, craft beer, craft vendors, kids’ games and activities, costumes, an after-dark family-friendly, haunted train ride and the glowing pumpkin Allura Pumpkin Art Spectacular in the Wildlife Center. Admission required for Pumpkin Art Spectacular and Haunted Train. Look Park is located at 300 North Main St. in Northampton. More info on Haunted Harvest: facebook.com/lookpark01062/ Allura Pumpkin Art Spectacular: lookallura.com/
Oct. 24 — Track or Treat Train Ride from Union Station
Sponsored by the Amherst Railway Society, Train leaves Springfield’s Union Station at 10 a.m., arrives in Hartford at 10:39 a.m. where passengers leave the train for a variety of Halloween treats. Return train leaves Hartford at 10:56 a.m., arrives back in Springfield at 11:38 a.m, where passengers will have even more Halloween treats to choose from.Maggie the Railroad Clown and the Dancing Witches will be part of the fun. Arrive at Union Station main concourse by 9:30 a.m. Tickets $5, free parking at Union Station that morning. Info./tickets: amherstrail.org/kids-on-track/
Oct. 29-31 — Forest Park Pumpkin Stroll After Dark
Free! This family-friendly event takes place in the Forest Park Aquatic Gardens from 5-8 p.m. nightly. Enter Route 5 or Main gates, shuttle to the display. Park admission and parking are free. Complementary cider and donuts. facebook.com/events/forest-park/pumpkin-stroll-after-dark-at-the-forest-park-aquatic-gardens/1509204097561774/
