If you are looking for a frightfully fun time this Halloween, or if you love a spooky ghost story, Dutchess County has you covered!
There are dozens of Halloween-themed events and attractions throughout the county this season, from haunted mansions to costume parties. Here are some can’t-miss experiences that are guaranteed to send chills down your spine.
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Featured in this article: Bone-Chilling Attractions | For the Kids | Parties and Nightlife | Spooky Experiences | Historic Events and Cemetery Tours 
• Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 7 p.m., Oct. 2–Nov. 1, 2026, plus Monday, Oct. 12, 2026, at Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Falls): This Halloween experience is not for the faint of heart! As seen on the AMC show “Fear Fest,” Kevin McCurdy’s Haunted Mansion celebrates “50 years of fears!” Experience immersive and spine-tingling elements and mesmerizing special effects. Food, drinks and mini doughnuts are available at The Grumpy Pumpkin. The Kids Day event on Oct. 12 (12–3 p.m.) includes arts and crafts, magic shows and trick-or-treating through the trail with some friendly monsters.
• Haunted Fortress of Stanford (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, 6:30 p.m., Oct. 2–30, 2026): Created by Peter Wing (of Wing's Castle fame), the Haunted Fortress has been scaring visitors since 1997, and this season promises to be frightfully good! Those brave enough to walk all the way through the creepy swamp will encounter the Train Yard, the Carriage House, the Crooked House, the Caves, the Bottomless Pit, the Village, the Church with its Graveyard, and the Lab. Weather permitting, the attraction will be open on four consecutive weekends beginning Oct. 2 (closed on Halloween). Cash only. Sensory-friendly shows are scheduled on Oct. 4 and 18 from 2–4 p.m.
• "The Crucible" (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, Oct. 9–25, 2026, at the Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck): CENTERstage Productions presents Arthur Miller's chilling dramatization of the real-life Salem Witch Trials. Set in Salem, Mass., in 1692, the play depicts the hysteria and fear that captivated the town after a group of girls is accused of practicing witchcraft.
• "Spellbound in the Valley: A Book Festival Like No Other" (Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23 and 24, 2026, at the MJN Convention Center, Poughkeepsie): Meet more than 100 authors and vendors from a variety of genres — including dark romance, dark fantasy, paranormal, monster, horror and thriller — at this one-of-a-kind celebration of literature. There will be book signings, a VIP dinner and a costume party along with the vendor market.
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• Wicked Wappingers Halloween Festival and Parade (Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, 12 p.m. in the Village of Wappingers Falls): March in the parade, which will begin on East Main Street near Market Street, then head to Mesier Park for a trunk-or-treat, a costume contest, food, music, vendors and games!
• Haunted Barn (Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23–25, 2026, at Maxon Mills, Wassaic): Home to the Wassaic Project non-profit art and art education organization, Maxon Mills is quite a unique exhibition space, an historic, seven-story wooden grain elevator along the train tracks that has been repurposed into a magnificent gallery for contemporary artists to display their creations. The nearby Luther Barn studio space is where many of these creations are born. This year’s Haunted Mill will be held in the Luther Barn and will feature plenty of spooky installations and kid-friendly fun.
• Movie Thyme Presents "The Nightmare Before Christmas" (Oct. 24, 2026, at The Village Pancake Factory, Fishkill): Movie Thyme is an immersive dining experience that draws you into the film with food! As you watch the movie, inspired drinks and meals are brought out to you as you see them on the screen. Enjoy the 1993 film "The Nightmare Before Christmas" paired with a seven-course meal (a five-course dinner along with two mocktails, which can be upgraded to cocktails).
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• The (Not-So-Haunted) Stony Kill Spooktacular (Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 4–7 p.m., at Stony Kill Farm, Wappingers Falls): Enjoy some family-friendly Halloween fun on the farm with a costumed Spooky Barn Tour. Hop on the Hay Wagon for a ride through the fields at dusk, sit by the fire and enjoy snacks and food truck fare, visit the Not-So-Haunted I Spy Garden (4–5 p.m.), get up close to Slithers and Scales in the greenhouse (4–6:30 p.m.), and if you’re looking for a fright, dare to walk the Haunted Gardens at night (6–7 p.m.).
• Tract-or-Treat Weekend (Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 24 and 25, 2026, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., at Barton Orchards, Poughquag): There are plenty of trick-or-treat and trunk-or-treat events out there, but Barton Orchards puts its own, farm-themed spin on a Halloween tradition with this "Tract-or-Treat" event. This two-day, family-friendly festival features live music, pig races, hayrides, a petting zoo, a corn maze, a haunted house and more. Pick your own apples and pumpkins, grab some apple cider donuts and a bite to eat from the concession stand. Kids can wear their costumes and trick-or-treat around the farm, collecting goodies at festive stops.
• Big Rock's Big Carve (Saturday, Oct. 25, 2026, 1 p.m. to dusk, at Big Rock Market, Stanfordville): Help light up the town! Stop by Big Rock Market and carve a jack-o-lantern for the group lighting at dusk. Gutted pumpkins will be provided. Enjoy free cider donuts and kids games and prizes.
• Gade-O-Ween Festival (Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, 2 p.m., at Heritage Financial Park, Wappingers Falls): Head to the home of the Hudson Valley Renegades minor-league baseball team for some major-league Halloween fun! Dress up for trick-or-treating, which will be followed by a screening of the film "Halloweentown" on the big screen. Guests can bring a blanket and sit on the field or in the seats. Enjoy hayrides, games, inflatables and more. Ballpark concessions will be available for purchase.
• Mall-O-Ween Spooktacular (Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, 4–6:30 p.m. at the Poughkeepsie Galleria, Poughkeepsie): Enjoy a spooky night at the mall complete with trick-or-treating, a mad science show with the Nutty Scientist, music, costumes and more!
• Halloweekend Fun (Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 30–Nov. 1, 2026, at the Mid-Hudson Discovery Museum, Poughkeepsie): Come explore your favorite museum with a playful Halloween twist. Get creative with Halloween art in the Maker Space — where little ghouls and goblins can craft their own frightfully fun masterpieces. Explore the spookier side of science with Halloween Science featuring fun, hands-on experiments. Stick around for the ultimate Halloween highlight: the Vomiting Pumpkin Demo! It’s silly, surprising, and a little bit gross — in the best way possible. Come in costume and enjoy Halloween fun for the whole family.
• Trick-or-Treat at Clermont (Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, 10:30 a.m.–4 p.m., at Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown): Come for the candy, stay for the photo ops at the spooky-cute Halloween photo stations. Trick-or-treating in the Visitor Center is free. The mansion will be open for regular tour hours: on the hour from 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
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• Movie Night at Bannerman Castle: "Gremlins" (Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, 6 p.m. at Bannerman Castle, Pollepel Island): Take a scenic sunset cruise to Bannerman Castle on Pollepel Island in the Hudson River and enjoy a screening of this classic horror film. Tickets include the round trip from the Beacon Dock to the island aboard the Estuary Steward tour boat. The dock is adjacent to the Beacon Metro-North train station.
• "Death Valley Beauty Pageant: Murder Mystery Dinner" (Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026, 4 p.m., at Curry Estate, Hopewell Junction): Ticket includes a three-course meal with entree selection and entertainment by Murder Cafe. Dress your best for the costume contest!
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• Monster’s Ball (Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, 7 p.m., at The Lantern, Wassaic): After two days of creepy, crawly fun at the Wassaic Project’s Haunted Barn, the grown-ups head across the street to The Lantern for the Monster’s Ball featuring live music and a costume contest. All tickets to the ball must be purchased in advance — no tickets will be sold at the door. And, most importantly, all attendees must wear a costume. Uncostumed ball-goers will be turned away, even with a ticket. Must be 21 or older.
• Un-Hinged Halloween Speed Dating (Friday, Oct. 30, 2026, 6 p.m., at Sloop Brewing, Hopewell Junction): Un-Hinged Speed Dating is back at the Factory for an extra spooky edition of their signature speed-dating events!
• Shadows and Spirits: A Hex and Harvest Supper Club (Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, 6 p.m., at The Culinary Institute of America): This Halloween, The CIA is welcoming in the dark — and those who dare to greet it — with a dinner party! Enjoy the spoils of the Hudson Valley’s harvest paired with spirits, both in your glass and, perhaps, in the ether.
• A Hippie Halloween (Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, 8 p.m., at the Towne Crier Cafe, Beacon): Come as you are or come dressed as your favorite 1960s personality and enjoy a live performance at the iconic Towne Crier by the Woodstock tribute band Back to the Garden 1969.
• Jessica Lynn’s Halloween Bash (Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, 8 p.m. at Daryl’s House, Pawling): Who better to host an unforgettable party than Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Daryl Hall? Every Halloween, contemporary country music star Jessica Lynn and her band host this themed party. This year's 10th annual bash will be filled with games, dancing, and a legendary costume contest with awesome Daryl's House prizes!
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• Wing’s Castle (Millbrook): Spend the night and take a tour of this unique medieval-style castle tucked away in the Dutchess countryside. Husband-and-wife artists Peter and Toni Ann Wing began building the castle in 1970 as a “live-in art project” on land that had been in the Wing family since the 1800s. They have used mostly recycled and repurposed materials in its construction and decoration. Visitors can choose between the Annex Suite, the Dungeon Room, the Chamber Room or the Cottage and enjoy plenty of modern amenities during a quiet getaway. The castle overlooks the fields at the Millbrook Vineyards and Winery, which offers daily tastings of its award-winning wines and hosts special events like weekend food trucks from May through October and jazz concerts in the summer.
• Miss Fanny’s Victorian Party House (Wappingers Falls): Named after the last member of the Van Wyck family who lived there, Miss Fanny’s is a 19th-century farmhouse that has been decorated with an enormous assemblage of antiques — and a twist of the macabre. The home has been featured on several paranormal TV shows, including “Haunted Collector” on the Syfy Network and “My Ghost Story” on the Biography Channel. The current owners reportedly share the space with spirits who have made their presence known with doors opening and closing, voices, footsteps — and even apparitions. Events are held year-round, including ghost hunts, medium readings and psychic Halloween parties.
• Red Hook Cemetery Crawl (Self-guided tours, now through Oct. 19, 2026, at multiple locations in Red Hook): This self-guided tour of six Red Hook cemeteries details the lives of interesting people and their memorials. It’s an interesting and innovative way to study local history. The Crawl also includes a seasonal scavenger hunt, which will conclude with an award ceremony on Oct. 25 at the historic Elmendorph Inn at 3 p.m.
• Stones & Bones Living History Tour (Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, 2–9 p.m. at Wappingers Rural Cemetery, Wappingers Falls): Presented by Dani Masterson in collaboration with the Wappingers Historical Society, this event will introduce you to some of the notable cemetery “residents” who tell their stories through interactive dialog. Among the costumed apparitions will be Ruth Houghton Clapp, founder of the Franklindale Baptist Church; Andrew Jackson, village bricklayer and mason; Victor L. Bracone, village war hero; Dr. James Lenox Banks, physician and philanthropist; Zebulon Phillips, War of 1812 soldier who helped build fortifications along the Hudson River in New York City; Georgina Gurney, Social Studies and History teacher for 36 years; Charles H. LeRoy, apprentice engineer on the Messenger steamship; Dan Brouthers, baseball slugger and Hall of Famer; and Elias Brown, owner of the Brown Comb Factory.
• "Patriots Among Us: A Revolutionary Cemetery Experience" (Sunday, Oct. 11, 2026, 1–3 p.m., at the New Hacksensack Cemetery, Wappingers Falls): The Wappingers Historical Society is hosting this special, family friendly event, where attendees will learn about several patriots buried there who served in Colonel Brinckerhoff’s Dutchess County Militia, Second Regiment. Explore the fascinating world of colonial headstones and what the symbols and inscriptions mean. You'll also learn how to safely clean and care for historic tombstones. Younger history detectives will enjoy a special scavenger hunt designed just for them. Plus, it's the perfect opportunity to pick up your free copy of the Wappingers Historical Society's new guidebook, "Wappinger Revolutionary Roots: History, Heroes, and Hidden Places."
• St. James Episcopal Church Graveyard Tours (By reservation only, Oct. 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24, 2026, at St. James Episcopal Church, Hyde Park): Tour this 200-year-old churchyard during their seasonal graveyard tours by lantern light and "meet” some of the iconic people who are buried there! Characters dressed in costumes appropriate to their times tell their stories through interactive dialogue. Each year features new stories with connections to local history. These graveyard tours are appropriate for ages 5 and older. They are not haunted tours and are not meant to be scary.
• Haunted Beacon Ghost Walk (select dates in October and November 2026 Nov.): Explore Beacon's haunted history reaching back more than 400 years. Hear stories of local legend and paranormal activity. Help unravel the connections of hauntings with local murder mysteries and meet the Matteawan Ghost!
• Legends by Candlelight (Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 16, 17, and 23, 2026, tours every half hour from 6–8 p.m., at Clermont State Historic Site, Germantown): Come face-to-face with “ghosts” of Clermont’s past and hear their tales of glory, loss, failure and success. Some will be funny, others scary, but all the stories are true! What starts as a campy candlelit tour of the museum quickly turns into a quest to quell the spirits of the mansion. Visitors will be led to the house through a landscape covered in flickering jack-o-lanterns, then into the mansion for a haunting experience. Space is limited and advance tickets are required.
• Public Ghost Hunt (Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, 6 p.m., at Madam Brett Homestead, Beacon): For the first time, the historic Madam Brett Homestead, built in 1709, is opening its doors for a public paranormal investigation. Be among the first to investigate the Homestead after dark during this unique paranormal experience led by Full Moon Paranormal.
• Dutchess County Historic Tavern Trail: Halloween Edition (Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, 6 p.m. at Foster’s Coach House Tavern, Rhinebeck): Join Dutchess County Historian William P. Tatum III in the Foster’s Coach House Tavern basement and explore cases of “accidental” death drawn from the Ancient Documents Collection. These court records tell of drownings, falls, and other accidents that ended lives — without any apparent human agency at work. Or was there? Be sure to book your dinner reservations for before or after the program.
