At Out and About Mom, we’ve always had a soft spot for Halloween. I mean, what other holiday practically requires that grownups act like kids?
To make sure you find lots of opportunities to enjoy this fun holiday with your family, we’ve pulled together a list of Halloween happenings at some of our favorite Connecticut destinations. We’ve got creepy crafts, spooky storytimes, haunted hay rides, ghoulish grub, costume parades, trick-or-treating alternatives AND MORE! So there’s sure to be something your little hobgoblins will enjoy.
As usual, we’ve kept our list to just the venues we’ve personally visited and written about to ensure you have as much information as possible to help you have a great family outing. And while we haven’t attended every one of these special Halloween events, we have personally been to each of these destinations, which means that you can use our “OAAM Venue Previews” to get that signature OAAM virtual tour of each place before you head out on your Halloween adventures.
And of course, none of these activities are scary (thank goodness!), so you don’t need to worry about any tricks–just treats!
- Cragin Memorial Library in Colchester celebrates with a series of festive craft times! Bring your little hobgoblins to weekly craft sessions to create all kinds of Halloween curiosities. There’s even a Halloween storytime & costume parade on the big day–October 31st! Check out their October 2019 newsletter for dates and times. OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- The Shoppes at Farmington Valley in Canton host their annual event: Give a Treat, Get a Treat, a food drive and trick-or-treating event for kids ages 10 and under. This year it will be held on October 28th from 4:00pm –6:00 pm. The event is FREE, but please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Gifts of Love. OAAM PREVIEW
- The Town of Putnam celebrates with the annual Great Pumpkin Festival on October 19th. With an array of family-friendly activities, this event features The Official Great Pumpkin, 11th Annual Scarecrow Contest, Train Excursion, craft and art vendors, live music, activities for the kids, special pumpkin themed menus and more. OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- Stew Leonards in Newington hosts a variety of Halloween-themed activities all month long including movies at the hay bale theater on Friday, October 11th and Friday, October 25th, and storewide trick-or-treating with Stew’s characters on October 23rd (FREE but you must register in advance–limited number of tickets available). Also check out their Spooktacular Costume Dance Party, Cooking Classes and more! Be sure to check their website as some events require advance registration. OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- The Rocky Hill Library hosts a Preschool Halloween Party on October 30th from 10:15 am-11:30 am. OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- The New Canaan Nature Center gets into the Halloween spirit this month with their Halloween Spooktacular on October 25th from 6:30-8:30pm. Learn about and meet some creepy critters, make your own slime, enjoy a spooky & interactive Halloween story and a one-of-a-kind jack-o-lantern experience. Advance registration highly recommended as this event has sold out in the past. OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- Blue Back Square/West Hartford Center hosts the annual Moms & More Halloween Stroll on October 26th from 10:30am-12:30pm. Trick or Treat at participating merchants, enjoy live music, crafts, games, giveaways and more! OAAM PREVIEW
- The Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford hosts “Día de los Muertos,” a FREE community event on Saturday, November 2nd from 10:00am-5:00pm. Come to visit with local families who will set up ofrendas, or small altars, in the same way they would do at home or with their community. All ages are welcome to learn how to decorate sugar cookie skulls and make papel picado (cut paper designs), and other activities. Performances will happen throughout the day by the many talented ensembles from the Mariachi Academy, and a food truck will be on site. OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- Old Wethersfield hosts Scarecrows Along Main Street from October 5th to November 3rd. Grab your favorite cup of coffee (we recommend stopping by Heirloom Market for a specialty brew and possibly a pastry–just try to resist!) and stroll the streets of the adorable downtown area while the kids check out the creative scarecrows lining the street. OAAM EVENT PREVIEW
- Michaels Stores nationwide will be offering spooky (and FREE!) “Make Breaks” (think lots of DIY slime!) and Kids Club crafts on Saturday mornings from 10:00-12:00 have a Halloween theme this month. Visit this page to search for activities in your area, or call your local store for current schedules and availability. OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- The Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme hosts Heroic Halloween Fun on October 26th from 11:00am-4:00pm with treats and hands-on crafts. Dress up as goblins, faeries, or superheroes to march in their Cavalcade of Costumes parade which begins at noon from the Education Center. Craft-bag prizes for all participants. Plus, you can check out the always amazing Wee Faerie Village while you’re there! Free with Museum admission. OAAM VENUE PREVIEWS 2013 & 2017
- Visit the Connecticut Trolley Museum in East Windsor and take a trolley ride out to their Pumpkin Patch to pick out a sugar-sized pumpkin. Then come back to the Museum to decorate the pumpkins, get your face painted (available Sat & Sun, 11am-3pm), play in the corn box, enjoy the outside play area and explore the entire museum. Don’t forget you can take as many trolley rides as you would like! OAAM EVENT PREVIEW (2014), OAAM UPDATED VENUE PREVIEW (2018)
- Ray of Light Farm in East Haddam offers Not-So-Scary Hayrides on October 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 25th & 26th from 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Intended for younger children. The grounds and trail are decorated for Halloween. Along the trail you will meet “characters” like a circle of witches or characters that tell stories and pass out treats. Tickets can be purchased online. OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- The Stamford Museum and Nature Center hosts a special Halloween Trick-or-Treat with the animals at Heckscher Farm. October 27th from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Come in costume and trick or treat with your favorite farm friends! Follow the clues to find stations throughout the farm. There will be toys or candy at each station, as well as nut free options. The first clue will be available at the Otter Bridge or the North Gate starting at 1:00pm and ending promptly at 2:30pm. Stations & activities will close at 3:00pm. Don’t forget your trick-or-treat bag! OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- The Lutz Children’s Museum in Manchester has Halloween Happenings on the 31st! Free admission and a tasty treat if you come in costume on Halloween. They will have mini-pumpkins to decorate and take home (while supplies last). OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- The Children’s Museum in West Hartford hosts their annual Halloween Spooktacular on October 30th from 2:00pm-7:00pm. Make crafts, trick or treat for prizes, meet some creepy creatures, enjoy a special planetarium show and more! OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
- Mystic Seaport hosts a FREE Trick-or-Treat on October 31st from 4:00pm-6:00pm for kids ages 10 and younger. Families can walk through the historic seafaring village to gather treats, play games on the toy boat playscapes and more! Children must be accompanied by an adult. No registration needed. Don’t forget your trick-or-treat bag! OAAM VENUE PREVIEW
We hope this list helps your family plan plenty of Halloween fun! Now, get to work on those costumes!
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