Jack-O’-Lanterns, Haunted Trails, and Harvest Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend

CONNECTICUT —Halloween might officially fall on Friday, but Connecticut isn’t done celebrating yet. From haunted hayrides and ghostly tours to glowing pumpkins and cozy autumn festivals, this weekend (Oct. 31–Nov. 2) offers the perfect mix of spooky and seasonal. Whether you’re looking for one last scare or a wholesome fall day at the farm, there’s plenty to enjoy across the state.

Historic Wethersfield, one of Connecticut’s oldest towns, is the perfect place for a ghost story — and the Witches and Tombstones Tours at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum deliver exactly that. Taking place on Halloween night (Oct. 31), these candlelit tours lead guests through the museum grounds and cemetery while guides share eerie tales from the town’s colonial past, including true stories of witch trials and graveyard lore. It’s spine-tingling history at its best.

For something both spooky and stunning, head underground to New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine in East Granby, where hundreds of carved pumpkins illuminate Connecticut’s oldest state prison. The event, titled “Light Into the Dungeon: A Jack O’ Lantern Experience,” runs Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, filling the historic tunnels and mine shafts with glowing art, eerie music, and a touch of Halloween magic. It’s equal parts creepy and captivating.

If you’re ready to trade jump scares for apple cider, Autumn Fest at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield (Saturday, Nov. 1) is the perfect post-Halloween palate cleanser. Visitors can enjoy wagon rides, live music, and farm-fresh treats while browsing local vendors and seasonal crafts. The event also features fun activities for kids, including corn hole, pumpkin bowling, and a mini hay maze. Don’t miss the farm market’s signature pies and apple cider donuts before they’re gone for the season.

Final Weekend for Haunted Attractions

For thrill-seekers, this is your last chance to experience Connecticut’s biggest haunted attractions before they close for the season on Nov. 1. Whether you prefer haunted trails, hayrides, or dark mazes, there’s a scare waiting for you:

• Nightmare Acres in South Windsor— a classic haunted trail with movie-quality sets and jump scares around every corner.
• Haunt on Eden in Southington — a locally beloved haunt that mixes theatrical storytelling with pure terror.
• Trail of Terror in Wallingford — one of the state’s longest-running haunted experiences, with elaborate scenes and professional actors.
• Legends of Fear Haunted Hayride in Shelton — a spooky nighttime hayride through the woods with live performers and pyrotechnics.e
• The Dark Manor in Baltic — an indoor haunted house that’s not for the faint of heart, filled with fog, flashing lights, and frights galore.
• Harvest Fair After Dark in Fairfield — part haunted attraction, part Halloween-themed party, blending scares with craft cocktails and live entertainment.

Whether you’re looking to scream or simply soak up the season, these attractions offer a thrilling way to say goodbye to October.

A Weekend to Remember

From the haunting glow of East Granby’s pumpkin-lit prison to the laughter of kids bowling with pumpkins in Middlefield, this weekend offers the best of both worlds — spooky and sweet. So bundle up, grab a cup of cider, and take advantage of Connecticut’s final weekend of Halloween magic before the turkeys take over.