Haunting Experiences: Exploring the Spine-Chilling Side of Halloween in the Mid Atlantic

Spooktacular Celebrations from Pennsylvania to Virginia

As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, the Mid-Atlantic region transforms into a haven for Halloween enthusiasts. Stretching from Pennsylvania through Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C., and Virginia, this area offers a variety of haunted houses, family-friendly festivals, and ghostly gatherings. If you’re looking to make the most of the spooky season, here’s a guide to the top Mid-Atlantic Halloween events you won’t want to miss.

Top 7

1. Eastern State Penitentiary’s “Terror Behind the Walls” – Philadelphia, PA

This iconic, abandoned prison hosts one of America’s most acclaimed haunted attractions. With immersive, Hollywood-quality sets and scare actors lurking in every cell, “Terror Behind the Walls” offers a bone-chilling experience inside a real penitentiary. For those who crave a true fright, this event is a must-visit.

2. Field of Screams – Mountville, PA

Field of Screams is a legendary haunt featuring multiple haunted attractions: the Haunted Hayride, Den of Darkness, Frightmare Asylum, and Nocturnal Wasteland. Each is packed with special effects, elaborate sets, and plenty of jump scares. The festival atmosphere also includes food, games, and live entertainment, making it perfect for groups and thrill-seekers.

3. Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream – Williamsburg, VA

Busch Gardens transforms into a scream park come October, with haunted houses, scare zones, and eerie entertainment throughout the park. Howl-O-Scream offers a mix of terrifying thrills and family-friendly fun during the day, making it an ideal destination for all ages.

4. Six Flags America Fright Fest – Bowie, MD

Fright Fest at Six Flags America is a Halloween staple for families and adrenaline junkies alike. The park features haunted mazes, scare zones, and special Halloween-themed shows. Rides operate in the dark, adding an extra layer of excitement to your favorite roller coasters.

5. Night of the Living Zoo – Washington, D.C.

This adults-only event at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo mixes spooky fun with live entertainment, craft brews, and costume contests. Wander the zoo after hours, encounter stilt walkers and fire eaters, and enjoy themed cocktails for a uniquely wild Halloween night.

6. Rehoboth Beach Sea Witch Festival – Rehoboth Beach, DE

This beloved family event features a costume parade, trick-or-treating, magic shows, and even a “Broom Toss.” The Sea Witch Festival’s seaside setting adds a whimsical touch to the festivities, making it a favorite for kids and adults alike.

7. Ghost Tours of Historic Annapolis – Annapolis, MD

For those who prefer history with their haunts, the ghost tours in Annapolis are an excellent choice. Wander cobblestone streets by lantern light as guides share eerie tales of the city’s haunted past. It’s a perfect blend of history, mystery, and Halloween spirit.

New York

• Village Halloween Parade: This is a large and festive street parade. It features costumes, music, and giant puppets. The parade takes place on Sixth Avenue on Halloween night, October 31st.
• Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze:   Located in the Hudson Valley, this is a stunning visual event with over 7,000 uniquely carved pumpkins
• Sleepy Hollow:   A classic Halloween destination and a real-life “Halloweentown” for some, it’s easily accessible by Metro-North train from NYC. 
• Nightfall at Green-Wood Cemetery:   It is a popular annual event. Historic pathways in the Brooklyn cemetery are transformed for a spectacular experience. 
• New York City Ghost Tours:  Explore the city’s dark side and learn about paranormal stories with a guided ghost tour. 
• Kids Boo Fest: This family-friendly event features family shows, a pumpkin maze, and a foam party.
• CircoLoco Halloween:  For a more adult nightlife experience, CircoLoco is celebrating its 10th anniversary in New York. They will feature house music over two nights. They will also feature techno music.
• The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze (Hudson Valley): This popular event features a spectacular display of thousands of carved pumpkins. It is a must-see during the fall season.
• New York City Halloween Parade: It is one of the country’s largest and most famous Halloween parades. The event features elaborate costumes, floats, and a festive atmosphere for all ages. 
• Bayville Scream Park: A large Halloween event in the Northeast, offering multiple haunted houses, restaurants, and bars.
• Blood Manor: A theatrical haunted house experience in New York City, designed to shock and terrify visitors.

Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s best Halloween events include major attractions like Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia. It offers a historic haunted prison experience. Additionally, Field of Screams in Lancaster provides a comprehensive haunted experience with hayrides and haunted houses.

• Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary (Philadelphia): It is a popular attraction set in a historic Gothic prison. The event features terrifying haunted houses, live performances, and themed lounges.
• Field of Screams (Lancaster): It is ranked as a top haunted attraction. It includes multiple haunted houses and a haunted hayride. There are also other immersive experiences.
• The Bates Motel (Glenn Mills): A high-startle, high-action haunted attraction that has received national recognition for its terrifying experiences.
• Fright Farm (Point Marion): This seasonal event offers a haunted hayride and a haunted mansion. It has other attractions for a night of fun and horror. 
• Gettysburg: The town is known for its haunted history. It offers numerous ghost tours and experiences centered around its Civil War battlefields and the surrounding areas.

Delaware

These events offer a wide range of ways to celebrate Halloween in Delaware. You can enjoy lively parties and costume contests. There are also family-friendly festivals and themed music nights. No matter your interests, there’s an event for everyone to enjoy spooky season fun.

• Sea Witch Festival: The 35th annual “Fangtastic” event takes place in Rehoboth Beach. The festival includes a market and live music at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand.
• Golf N’ Ghouls: A Halloween-themed miniature golf event at Zelky’s Rooftop Terrace with festive décor, spooky lights, and fog effects.
• Diego’s Rocky Horror Halloween Party: A party with music, spooky cocktails, and a costume contest for Rocky Horror-themed outfits.
• Halloween House Party: A music and social event featuring DJ Biff at Aqua Bar & Grill, with costumes encouraged.
• Masquerade Ball: The Funsters host this ball at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. It benefits the Alzheimer’s Association of Delaware Valley Chapter.
• Ghosted No More: A Halloween party for singles aged 35–55 at Palm Beach Bar and Grill.
• Twin Branch Winery’s 1st Annual Halloween Party: A Halloween party with wine, costumes, and fun.
• Halloween At Paradise Pub: A party featuring a costume contest, cocktails, and live music.

Maryland

Maryland hosts many Halloween events. These include major attractions like Field of Screams Maryland and Bennett’s Curse. There are also seasonal festivals at locations like the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Other options include trunk-or-treat events, haunted trails, and community-specific parties. 

• Field of Screams (Olney, Maryland):  This is a popular regional haunted attraction. It features nightmarish monsters and elaborate scenes. These elements test visitors’ courage. 
• Bennett’s Curse (Baltimore, Maryland):  Located in Baltimore, Bennett’s Curse is known for its cutting-edge technology. It has an innovative approach to the haunted house experience. This makes it a yearly Halloween tradition. 
• Maryland Renaissance Festival (Annapolis, Maryland): The Renaissance Festival is not exclusively Halloween-themed. It features themed events, costumes, and activities. These lend themselves to the Halloween spirit.
• Halloween in the Garden:  Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center in Solomons hosts a family-friendly trick-or-treating festival. The garden is decorated for the season. It features treats from over 60 local businesses. There are games, a DJ dance party, and food trucks.
• A Magical Night of Wizardry:  Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro hosts a wizard-themed festival. The event includes a hayride and a train ride through a “Forbidden Forest.” Visitors can also enjoy wizard crafts and movie screenings
• This Halloween, Main Street Becomes Sweet Street!: Local businesses on Main Street in Ellicott City hand out candy for trick-or-treating. There will also be special displays from the police and fire departments.
• Halloween at the Park: Head to Cumberland’s Constitution Park for hayrides, a haunted trail, a costume contest, and candy. 

West Virginia

Looking for the best Halloween events in West Virginia? Here are some popular options to consider:

• Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum Haunted Tours (Weston, WV): Experience guided flashlight tours at this historic site. Enjoy haunted house attractions at this famously haunted location. This is perfect for thrill-seekers.
• Old West Virginia Penitentiary Haunted House (Moundsville, WV): Explore one of the state’s most notorious former prisons. It is transformed each October into a spooky haunted attraction.
• Oglebay’s Halloween Light Show (Wheeling, WV): Drive through dazzling displays of Halloween-themed lights and enjoy family-friendly activities at Oglebay Resort.
• Charleston’s HallowEast Festival: This multi-day event takes place in Charleston’s East End. It features costume contests, live music, and local food. There is also trick-or-treating for all ages.
• Harpers Ferry Ghost Tours: Take a guided lantern-lit walk through the historic streets. Hear chilling tales of Harpers Ferry’s haunted past.
• Fright Nights WV:  A haunted attraction with a package available at The Resort at Glade Springs. 
• Haunted Hills Estate Scream Park: A scream park experience for those who enjoy being scared.
• Miller’s Nightmare Haunted Farm:  A haunted attraction located on a farm.
• Ghost Tour of Harpers Ferry: Harpers Ferry is considered West Virginia’s most haunted town, offering ghost tours throughout the year.