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Great Halloween Events for the Family in Rochester, NY
2008

Click here for an MP3 audio file of Debra Ross's Halloween report on Fickle 93.3 with Ace & Marti, 10/23

Halloween Celebrations Weekend By Weekend

Note: There is no Fear at Frontier this year.

October 3-5

See all events for: October 3, October 4, October 5

Holiday Hollow Halloween festival, Pembroke, Sat/Sun
McCracken Farms Pumpkin Patch Rides Brockport, Sat/Sun
Haunted Hayride in Williamson, from Entercom, Fri-Sun
Nightmare Manor, Thurs-Sun
Haunted House of Horrors, Brighton/Penfield, Fri-Sun
House of Pain Haunted House, 600 East Main St., Rochester, Fri-Sun
Valentown's Spooktacular, across from Eastview Mall, Fri/Sat
Haunted History Ghost Walks in Lyons, Saturday at 7pm
Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks, 7 & 8:30. Mount Hope: Friday; Sea Breeze: Saturday; Fairport: Wednesday
Moonlight Maze at Long Acre Farms in Macedon, Fri/Sat

October 10-13

See all events for: October 10, October 11, October 12, October 13

Holiday Hollow Halloween festival, Pembroke, Sat/Sun
Haunted Hayride in Williamson, from Entercom, Fri-Sun
McCracken Farms Pumpkin Patch Rides Brockport, Sat/Sun
Nightmare Manor, Thurs-Sun
Haunted House of Horrors, Brighton/Penfield, Fri-Sun
House of Pain Haunted House, 600 East Main St., Rochester, Thurs-Sun
Valentown's Spooktacular, across from Eastview Mall, Fri/Sat
Haunted History Ghost Walks in Lyons, Saturday at 7pm
Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks, 7 & 8:30. Mount Hope: Friday; Sea Breeze: Saturday; Fairport: Wednesday
Moonlight Maze at Long Acre Farms in Macedon, Fri only

Screamer's Hollow, Sterling, NY, Fri-Sun

October 16-19

See all events for: October 17, October 18, October 19

Pumpkin Walk Ontario Fairgrounds, County Road 10, Canandaigua 6:30PM - 9:30 PM, October 18 only.
Holiday Hollow Halloween festival, Pembroke, Sat/Sun
Spirits of the Past Tour, Genesee Country Village in Mumford, Sat/Sun
Haunted Hayride in Williamson, from Entercom, Thurs-Sun.
McCracken Farms Pumpkin Patch Rides Brockport, Sat/Sun
Tinker Nature Park’s Annual Halloween Event in Henrietta, Sat.
Nightmare Manor, Thurs-Sun
Haunted House of Horrors, Brighton/Penfield, Fri-Sun
House of Pain Haunted House, 600 East Main St., Rochester, Thurs-Sun
Valentown's Spooktacular, across from Eastview Mall, Fri/Sat
Haunted House, by Boy Scout Troop 292, across from Eastview Mall, Wed 10/15, Fri/Sat, also Tues 10/21
Balloon Manor, The Mall at Greece Ridge Center, Fri 10/17-Sun 10/26, every day
Landmark Society Ghost Walks in Rochester, starting at 3rd Presbyterian Church, Fri/Sat (make reservations!)
Haunted History Ghost Walks in Lyons, Saturday at 7pm
Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks, 7 & 8:30. Mount Hope: Friday; Sea Breeze: Saturday; Fairport: Wednesday
ZooBoo at Seneca Park Zoo, Sat/Sun
Brighton Halloween Party at Brookside School, Sat
When the Souls Rise music & dance performance Sat/Sun
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow from Rochester Children's Theatre at Nazareth College, Sat/Sun 2pm
Moonlight Maze at Long Acre Farms in Macedon, Fri/Sat

Screamer's Hollow, Sterling, NY, Fri-Sun

October 24-26

See all events for: October 24, October 25, October 26

Creatures of the Night, Genesee Country Nature Center, Fri/Sat 6-9pm
McCracken Farms Pumpkin Patch Rides Brockport, Sat/Sun
Holiday Hollow Halloween festival, Pembroke, Sat/Sun
Spirits of the Past Tour, Genesee Country Village in Mumford, Sat/Sun
Haunted Hayride in Williamson, from Entercom, Thurs-Sun. Sun is Family Fun Night
Nightmare Manor, Thurs-Sun
Haunted House of Horrors, Brighton/Penfield, Fri-Sun
House of Pain Haunted House, 600 East Main St., Rochester, Thurs-Sun, also Mon-Fri following week
Valentown's Spooktacular, across from Eastview Mall, Fri/Sat
Haunted House, by Boy Scout Troop 292, across from Eastview Mall, Fri/Sat, also Mon 10/27
Haunted Jail, Museum of Wayne County History, Fri/Sat
Halloween Haunted House and trick-or-treating, George Eastman House, Sunday only 1-4pm
Balloon Manor, The Mall at Greece Ridge Center, Fri 10/17-Sun 10/26, every day
Landmark Society Ghost Walks in Rochester, starting at 3rd Presbyterian Church, Fri/Sat (make reservations!)
Haunted History Ghost Walks in Lyons, Saturday at 7pm
Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks, 7 & 8:30. Mount Hope: Friday; Sea Breeze: Saturday; Fairport: Wednesday
ZooBoo at Seneca Park Zoo, Sat/Sun
Halloween Parties at Strong National Museum of Play, Sat/Sun
Pittsford Family Halloween Fest at St. John Fischer College, Sun
Penfield Family Halloween Fest at Rothfuss Park, Five Mile Line Road, Friday 6-8pm
Monster Mash Bash at Northwest YMCA, Long Pond Road, Saturday
Halloween Spooktacular at Niagara Power Project Power Vista in Lewiston, Saturday 10-4
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow from Rochester Children's Theatre at Nazareth College, Sat/Sun 2pm
Kids and I Halloween Paddle, Canadice Lake, Sunday October 26 only, 3:00 to 6:30pm
Screamer's Hollow, Sterling, NY, Fri-Sun

October 30-November 2

See all events for: October 30, October 31, November 1

TreatFest Halloween party, Henrietta Dome, Oct 31 and Nov 1. CANCELED. SORRY, FOLKS.
Trick-or-Treating for Tots/Preschoolers at Strong National Museum of Play, Fri, Oct 31
Nightmare Manor, Thursday Oct 30 only
Haunted House of Horrors, Brighton/Penfield, Friday Oct 31 only
House of Pain Haunted House, 600 East Main St., Rochester, Monday-Friday
Valentown's Spooktacular, across from Eastview Mall, Friday Oct 31 only
Haunted House, by Boy Scout Troop 292, across from Eastview Mall, Wed/Thurs, 10/29 & 10/30
Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks, 7 & 8:30. Mount Hope: Friday; Fairport: Wednesday
Screamer's Hollow, Sterling, NY, Fri-Sun

Halloween Festivals

  • Holiday Hollow, Route 5, Pembroke (just off exit 48A from the Thruway, click here for directions.) (585) 762-8160. The U.S.'s only venue dedicated exclusively to the celebration of Halloween. A fun (not scary) experience for all ages. The Captain Hook & Mr. Smee Pirate Show; The Haunted Forest Adventure; The Talking Pumpkins Show; The Haunted Library; Madame Stromboli’s Fortune Telling Show; Hook’s Hideout; Cricket Cottage Gifts and Crafts; Admiral Portley’s Galley; creative and hysterical games of skill; and, of course, pumpkins for sale!

  • TreatFest- A Halloween party for the family! At the Fair and Expo Center (Dome Arena) in Henrietta. TreatFest Features two days of: trick-or-treating, face painting, balloon creatures, a haunted house, fun-filled activities. Friday AND SATURDAY, October 31 and November 1, 2008. Friday, October 31, Halloween night, will feature SAFE trick-or-treating, a DJ playing fun kids music and giving away door prizes. Saturday, November 1, will feature performances by Gary the Happy Pirate.

  • Spirits of the Past Tour, Fridays and Saturdays, 6-9pm, at Genesee Country Village in Mumford. October 17, 18, 24, and 25, 2008. Take a guided tour of scenes of murder and superstition. Tours leave every 15 minutes. Because of program content, not suggested for children under 10. Walking tours last approximately one hour. Reservations required.

  • Tinker Nature Park’s Annual Halloween Event, Saturday, October 18, 2008. Children meet friendly woodland animals on a guided walk in the woods, visit the haunted barn and Tinker Homestead displaying a Victorian funeral setting. FREE. Call 359-7044 for more information. Located at Tinker Nature Park, 1525 Calkins Rd, Henrietta.

    Haunted Houses/Stadiums/Jails

  • Fear At Frontier is not operating in 2008. Scary event, meant for ages 9 and up. See their FAQ page for tips, rules, and guidelines. (This is also called HauntedRochester.com.)

  • The Fear at Frontier people are also now operating Haunted Rochester, which also has Fear at Southtown, which also seems not to be operating in 2008. (The web site seems to be only semi-functional as of weekend of 10/4.)

  • Nightmare Manor Western NY's Scariest Haunted House is Back! Opening September 27th, 2008 at Southtown Plaza. Two haunted attractions: "Dr. Limon's Manor" with all-new scares around every Corner and the all new "Dark Abyss" (Escape if you can from this dark pit of your Worst Nightmares!) Note from KOA Editor: Clearly, this is only for adults and older children.

  • Haunted House of Horrors Indoor haunted house located in Brighton/border of Penfield on Qualtrough. Participants go through in groups of two or three. Scary. The Haunted House of Horrors has a lot of surprises! It can be toned down for younger audiences, but it is not recommended for young kids, people with heart conditions, women who are pregnant and persons who are prone to seizures. No one will be touched. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting September 26, 2008 and continuing until Halloween. 6pm until the last guest leaves, at least 10pm. Maxie's Ice Cream is right there; they also have apples, cider, hot cider, balloons, a bounce house, costume contest, cotton candy, face painting, gourds and pumpkins, and pumpkin painting.

  • The annual Valentown Spooktacular. Spooky Things are happening again this year at Valentown Square. No guides, no hayrides and no flashlights - just you and the creatures that dwell in the woods and structures at the Ghost City of Valentown. This event runs Fridays and Saturdays, in October. Located in Victor, across from Eastview Mall. Haunted Hayride from Entercom

  • Boy Scout Troop 292 of Chili dares you to go through their annual Haunted House. New location at Westmar Plaza in Gates, off Buffalo Rd across from the Garden Factory. Sunday-Thursday: 6-8:30 pm, Friday &Saturday: 6-10pm. Open mid-late October.

  • The Museum of Wayne County History's Haunted Jail is back this year and scarier than ever! On Friday, October 24, and Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 6 to 9 p.m., the old jail cellblocks at the Museum of Wayne County History will be transformed into a frightening trail of terror. Who knows what is lurking behind the cell doors or just around the corner? Those who dare to find out will be treated to cider and donuts at the end of their trip. Cost for a stroll through the haunted jail is $3. Visitors are encouraged to bring friends -- to have a hand to hold! For more information, call the Museum of Wayne County History, 21 Butternut Street, Lyons, at 315-946-4943.

  • The George Eastman House will be hosting a Halloween Haunted House on Sunday, October 26 from 1-4 pm. This “frightfully” fun day for young ghouls and goblins includes spooky organ music and trick-or-treating on the house’s third floor. FREE for children under age 12 with an adult admission (up to two children per adult). Children must be accompanied by an adult.

  • Balloon Manor is a silly, creepy, funny, weird, slightly-haunted castle made entirely out of balloons! At The Mall at Greece Ridge Center, from Friday, October 17 through Sunday, October 26, 2008. The Manor will close for repairs on Monday and Tuesday, October 20 and 21. All profits from sales of Manor tour tickets will benefit Teens Living with Cancer. The previous three Manors combined have donated more than $80,000 to various Rochester health charities. W-F: 3pm-9:30pm, Sat 10am-9:30pm, Sun 11am-6pm.

    Haunted Hayrides/Walks

  • Haunted Hayrides, from Entercom Marketing Results Group, Eddy Road, off 104 in Williamson, NY, 585-423-2918 for the Haunted Hayride Hotline. 16 nights of fright starting in early October! This annual event takes you down a desolate road, winding through eerie acres of apple orchards into the deep, dark woods. Attracting over 20,000 people each year, this frightful adventure will keep you on the edge of you seat -- and screaming! Live entertainment nightly. 35-minute ride. Advance purchase at Wegmans Video Depts, or a bit more (about $15) at door. Schedule: Friday-Sunday starting 9/26/08, Thursday-Sunday starting 10/16/08

  • Landmark Society Ghost Walks: Resurrected Rochesterians will make their annual appearance on the historic porches of Arnold Park on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 17, 18, 24 & 25, 2008. Lantern-bearing guides lead participants under the cloak of darkness to meet each "ghost" and hear their all-true tales from Rochester's less-rosy past. Tours embark from the Third Presbyterian Church, 4 Meigs St., every 10 minutes from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Advance tickets are $13 ($10 for Landmark Society members) If available, day-of-event tickets are $18. Tickets may be ordered by calling 546-7029 x10; coming into The Landmark Society offices at 133 S. Fitzhugh Street; online using the Landmark Society's secure server or at Parkleigh, 215 Park Ave. Groups of 8 or more can reserve specific tour times by calling 546-7029 x15.

  • Haunted History Ghost Walks.The streets of Lyons will never look the same! The ghosts will walk on Saturdays at 7pm, September through October! Arrive about 6:40p.m. by the Wayne County Courthouse on the Park. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 7-11. For more information, visit http://www.waynehistory.org/calendar.html or call the Museum of Wayne County History at 315-946-4943.

  • Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks. Held at locations throughout Rochester in October. Click on the link to find out Walks and locations.

  • Powers Farm Market - 161 Marsh Road, Pittsford, NY, 585-586-4631 F map
    Powers has three enormous teepee structures that are corn husks on the outside and fun on the inside. As you walk in, it is dark until you see the illumination of hundreds of decorated pumpkins. There are so many different faces, shapes and sizes. The teepees are also decorated with black lights and skeletons and the like. After that, stroll into the store to pick up a pumpkin or two. They also have a petting zoo.
        Note from reader: Powers Farm market is famous for the hamily friendly free tee-pees each year, their magnificent farm market, and kid-pleasing petting farm, but they also have a great hayride, that has a few "haunted" surprises, but for ALL ages! All pulled by a tractor, driven by fun, participatroy drivers, and with honest to goodness bales of hay for seats. $3.00 per person, kids 1 and under free. (Yummy homeade donuts too!)

    Halloween Parties

  • Seneca Park Zoo's "ZooBoo", Rochester, NY, 585-336-7200. ZooBoo is a Rochester tradition. Dress up in your favorite costume and come on out for merry-not-scary trick-or-treating at ZooBoo on October 18, 19, 25, & 26 2008 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

  • The town of Brighton has a Family Halloween party on October 18, 2008, at Brookside School.

  • The town of Pittsford has a Family Halloween Fest on October 26, 2008, at St. John Fisher College from 2pm-5pm.

  • Strong Museum, Rochester, NY, 585-263-2700 - typically has Halloween parties the weekend before Halloween, and trick-or-treat fun for preschoolers on the big day.

  • The Niagara Power Project Power Vista in Lewiston hosts a Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, October 25, 2008. Held at the Niagara Project's visitors center. Put on your costume and join the fun! 10 am - 4 pm

  • Monster Mash Bash at the Northwest Family YMCA on Long Pond Road in Rochester, Saturday, October 25, 2008, from 3:00 pm-5:00 pm. Haunted Locker Room, land inflatable, Dancing, Crafts, Carnival Games, swimming, trick or treating and lots more. Wear your costume, there will be a costume contest for the young and the young at heart. Lots and Lots of door prizes!! Price: Family (up to 5) $25. Individual $10.

  • Webster Christian School - 675 Holt Road, Webster, NY, 585-872-5150F map
    Almost every year, Webster Christian School has a Harvest Party on Halloween with inside carnival type games for the kids (they win candy!). From 6:00 - 7:30 pm. (And YES, wear your NON-scary costumes!) Admission price: One bag of candy per family. Call to make sure that they are having it this year.

    Other Events

    When the Souls Rise is a beautiful music & dance event on October 18 and 19, 2008, sponsored by Present Tense Dance, composer Ward Hartenstein, and Drumcliffe Irish Arts, at School of the Arts, 45 Prince Street, Rochester, NY. "When the Souls Rise" celebrates the mysterious and haunting nature of Halloween without the ghoulishness often associated with the holiday. This original production provides a fantastic occasion for children and adults to enjoy the unearthly and mysterious spirit of Halloween. Through dance, music, and drama, the stories of the souls are revealed and celebrated in this lively and enchanting tale.

    The Rochester Children's Theatre is putting on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow on two Saturdays, October 18 and October 25, 2008 both at 2 p.m. RCT brings this classic tale of the Headless Horseman to life in Nazareth College's "Haunted Grove," and the production even features a real, live horse! Although recommended for ages seven and up, this family-friendly version is both silly and spooky. Click the link for more information and to order tickets.

    Moonlight Maze at Long Acre Farms in Macedon

    The Sixth Annual Smiling Pumpkin Party is on October 18, 2008 at the East Side YMCA, to benefit Golisano Children's Hospital.

    Kids and I Halloween Paddle
    Come carve pumpkins and kayak around Canadice Lake for a spooky paddle. All equipment, instruction, dinner and pumpkin provided! October 26, 3:00 to 6:30pm Cost: $60.00 Adults, $25.00 children. To register and for more information go to www.adventureoutny.com or call 585.329.3664.



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    Please click here to email us if you know of another Halloween event here in the greater Rochester area!

    And don't forget your kids' teeth! Click here for some helpful Halloween candy tips from dentist Jay Parnes, DDS, of Fairport.

    Please click here to email us if you know of another fall or Halloween event here in the greater Rochester area!