Upcoming Halloween Events in Westchester
Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities
Lyndhurst will deck the halls of its Gothic revival mansion with spooky decorations and eerie lighting this Halloween, which guests can admire during nighttime performances of Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities. This interactive murder-mystery encourages guests, who each hold a clue to the crime, to move throughout the basement and first floor of the house as new hints are revealed by a wacky cast of characters along the way. For guests who prefer to see the seasonal decorations, Lyndhurst’s daytime tours focus on Gothic Revival furnishings that are only on display in October. These events take place through October 31. For more info, visit: lyndhurst.org. Photo caption: Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities (photo courtesy of Lyndhurst)
A Hudson Valley Halloween
Historic Hudson Valley has become known for its array of seasonal events, attracting guests from across the tri-state area. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor exhibits more than 10,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o’ lanterns that are arranged in larger-than-life sculptural displays. Other attractions include an interactive haunted trail at Philipsburg Manor, a dramatic retelling of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and a celebration of Irving’s life at his former residence during a series of family-friendly daytime events. Events at all locations take place on selected evenings through November 25. For more info, visit: hudsonvalley.org.
Halloween Movie Marathon
For the fourth year in a row, Jacob Burns Film Center (JBFC) is embracing the horror movie genre by presenting its Halloween Movie Marathon IV. On the night of October 27, the Center will screen eight diverse films, from new favorites like Get Out and the restored classic Night of the Living Dead to the 90s throw-back I Know What You Did Last Summer and cult gem Suspiria. The night’s festivities will include a costume contest and activities in the Center’s Jane Peck Gallery, along with a concession stand for late-night coffee. The event will be hosted by JBFC Senior Programmer Andrew Jupin. Since it is a Halloween event, guests can also expect a few surprises along the way. For more info, visit: burnsfilmcenter.org.
Halloweekend
Hudson River Museum (HRM) presents a weekend of family-friendly Halloween activities on October 28 and 29. Saturday offers interactive magic shows with comedian and magician Kathie Cvitkovac, followed by a costume parade with the Nepperhan Community Center Band. During Sunday’s festivities, activities include Halloween-themed balloon art/twisting with Brenda Hernandez, a visit from “Washington Irving” at HRM’s historic Gilded Age residence, Glenview, and a costume photo-shoot. On both days, children will create monster masks, go trick-or-treating in their costumes and go on haunted tours of both Glenview and Van Nybelwyck Hall, a detailed dollhouse inspired by historic Hudson Valley homes. For more info, visit: hrm.org.
More Upcoming Halloween Events…
HOWL | Oct. 21
Hudson Valley Center for Contemporary Art
This family theatre experience follows a lonely wolf who meets a cast of characters while searching for his friend. Costumes encouraged. | hvcca.org
Window Painting and Mask Making| Oct. 21
Families will paint Halloween scenes on the windows of downtown businesses. A mask making workshop takes place in Ruby Dee Park at Library Green. | nrpl.org
Alice in Wonderland | Oct. 22
A live theatrical adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic. Costumes encouraged. At Westchester Community College Academic Arts Theatre. | sunywcc.edu/smartarts
Polymer Clay Pumpkin Workshop | Oct. 28
Children will transform simple balls and coils of polymer clay to create their own pumpkin faces. | ryeartscenter.org
The Real Witches of Halloween Hills | Oct. 28
White Plains Performing Arts Center
A young witch apprentice, a skeleton boy and a cat named Pumpkin discover that someone is controlling the results of the Supreme Witch competition. Costumes encouraged. | wppac.com
Spooky Tales | Oct. 30
Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts
This storytelling performance for young children (ages 3-8) celebrates Halloween. Cider and cookies, as well as costume prizes will follow the performance. | caramoor.org
A version of this article first appeared in the October issue of ArtsNews, ArtsWestchester’s monthly publication. ArtsNews is distributed throughout Westchester County. A digital copy is also available at artsw.org/artsnews.
About Mary Alice Franklin
Mary Alice Franklin is ArtsWestchester’s Communications Manager and Editor of ArtsNews. She has a Bachelors in English and Masters in Publishing, and has been published in Paste Magazine, HuffPost, Art Zealous, Art Times, and more.
