With Halloween coming up, fun activities are springing up around town for ghouls and goblins of all ages. Save the Date for some upcoming October events…
HAUNTED: VICTORIAN GHOST STORIES AT THE MANSION—HALLOWEEN TOURS
Fri, 10/18 – Sun, 10/20; Fri, 10/25 – Sun, 10/27
5:30pm, 6pm, 6:30pm, 7pm & 8pm
The Lockwood-Matthew Mansion Museum, Norwalk
https://www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com/event/2019-halloween-tours/
Victorians were known for their riveting ghost stories and Gothic horror. From Robert Louis Stevenson’s The Body Snatcher to Oscar Wilde’s The Canterville Ghost, readers in the 19th century were deeply engrossed in dark tales from the other side. In keeping with this Victorian fascination with unexplained phenomena, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s Halloween tours will focus on sightings as they relate to the house during the 19th century as well as its more recent history, and the
compelling ghost stories that are part of Connecticut’s legends. Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
8TH ANNUAL HALLOWEEN WITCHES BALL FAMILY FUN NIGHT 2019
Fri, 10/18 6pm – 8pm
Waveny House, New Canaan
*Open to New Canaan residents only
https://www.newcanaan.info/departments/recreation/special_events/halloween_witches_ball_family_fun_night.php
This is an event not to miss! Waveny House is transformed into a Halloween House with fantastic decorations and special lighting. Appropriate for children ages 3-12 and a parent (children must be accompanied by a parent). Come in costume! Dance to the Disc Jockey music. Activities will include the mummy wrap, monster mash, witches broom limbo and more. Door prizes will be distributed throughout the event and we will also have some refreshments to enjoy. Pre-registration is required with
a fee of $18 per person. Space is limited.
MAKER MORNING: BAT CRAFTS
Sat, 10/19 10am – 12pm
New Canaan Library, MakerLab
https://newcanaanlibrary.org/event/maker-morning-bat-crafts/
We’re flapping into Halloween with bat crafts in the MakerLab. Use yarn and the Circuit cutting machine to make bat pom poms. Put your pattern cutting skills to the test by making a felt bat headband or pin. And challenge your mechanical thinking as you make a bat puppet with movable wings. For ages 6+. Children under 8 will need their adult to help with the projects. No registration needed. Drop-in any time between 10 and noon.
TOKENEKE PUMPKIN CARNIVAL
Sat, 10/19 10am – 4pm
Tokeneke Elementary School in Darien
http://www.tokenekepto.com/pumpkin-carnival/
The annual Tokeneke Elementary School Pumpkin Carnival will take place on Saturday, October 19th (rain date 10/20) from 10am-4pm. There will be thrilling amusement rides, fun carnival games, the famous Haunted House and delicious food options from favorite eateries like Burgers Shakes & Fries, Melt Mobile, Fjord Fish Market and Heights Pizza. It’s fun for the whole family!
FAMILY FUN DAY
Sun, 10/20 11am – 2pm
Darien YMCA
https://www.darien-ymca.org/event/family-fun-day-3/
Come experience why families love the Darien YMCA at Family Fun Day Sunday, October 20, from 11am to 2pm. There will be games, food, face painting, silent auction and more! Sponsored by the Holly Pond Nursey School Parent’s Association, this event is held in the gym at the YMCA. An outstanding afternoon for young children and their parents!
RCA HALLOWEEN CELEBRATION
Sun, 10/20 1pm – 4pm
Rowayton Community Center
https://www.rowaytoncurrents.com/?tribe_events=rca-halloween-celebration
Come in costume to explore the hay maze, decorate a pumpkin, pet the animals, grab a goody bag, take a pony ride and parade with your peers! The Halloween Celebration will take place on Sunday, October 20th from 1:00-4:00pm on the Community Center lawn. Don’t forget about the Costume Contest run by the Rowayton Parents Exchange!
TRICK-OR-TREAT WITH STEW LEONARD’S
Wed, 10/23 4pm – 5:30pm
Stew Leonard’s, Norwalk
http://www.stewleonards.com/events-at-stew-leonards/
Children are invited to dress in their costume and come to Stew Leonard’s to go trick or treating throughout the store. Each department in the store will have a candy station for kids to stop at. Children are kindly asked to bring their own reusable bags. Stew Leonard’s famous characters, including mascot Wow the Cow, will be available for taking photos with the children.
ANNUAL JACK-O-LANTERN CARVING CONTEST
Wed, 10/23 & Thurs, 10/24 9am – 3pm
New Canaan Nature Center
https://newcanaannature.org
Carve a pumpkin or two or three at home with your family and bring it in to the NCNC Visitor Center on Wednesday, October 23 or Thursday, October 24, any time from 9am-3pm. Each pumpkin must be accompanied by a registration form. Leave it to our naturalists to set the scene and then, on the 25 th , join us for a daring walk through the woods to visit your creepy creations. Costumes encouraged & welcome! This event has sold out in the past—spaces are limited & advanced registration is recommended. Registration Deadline: 12pm on Thursday, October 24. Members: $10/person; Non-Members: $15/person
ANNUAL HALLOWEEN PARADE WITH AMAZING ANDY
Fri, 10/25 10am
The Darien Community Association
https://dariendca.org/moms-morning-in-childrens-activities/
Our parade is a colorful tradition! Dress up your little ones and bring a bag for trick-or-treating at the doors of local merchants along the way to Tilley Pond. Then join us for snacks and a special show with our favorite magician “The Amazing Andy.” His magical talents will amaze you and your child, and his wonderful antics, humor and sleight of hand will keep even the youngest magic enthusiasts entertained. Meet at the parking lot next to the Darien Fire Station opposite Post Corner Pizza. Price: $5 per child.
HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR
Fri, 10/25 6:30pm – 8:30pm
New Canaan Nature Center
https://newcanaannature.org
Get into the Halloween spirit by joining us for this spooktacular celebration, NCNC-style. We’ll learn about and meet some creepy critters who remind us of All Hallows Eve (spiders, bats, snakes, & more), before getting the chance to make our very own slime. We’ll wrap up the evening by enjoying a spooky & interactive Halloween story and a one-of-a-kind jack-o-lantern experience.
FALL FAIR SPOOKTACULAR
Sat, 10/26 9am – 2pm
New Canaan, East School
https://www.eastschoolptc.org
Come play carnival-style games, climb and slide on large inflatables, visit the Hospital of Horrors and take a trip through the fun haunted house. Don't forget to stop by face painting, arts & crafts and try the cake walk! Grab lunch and a treat from the bake sale before you go.
HALLOWEEN FAMILY FEST
Sat, 10/26 9am – 12pm
Darien Arts Center
http://www.darienarts.org/calendar-of-events/halloween-family-fest
Bring the whole family and join us for a spooky good time! Most activities are geared for those ages 3 and up, but children of all ages are welcome.
2019 HALLOWEEN PARADE IN NEW CANAAN
Sun, 10/27 12pm – 2pm
Elm Street, New Canaan
https://newcanaanchamber.com/halloween-parade/
Ghosts, goblins, fairy princesses, superheroes, children of all ages and their dogs are invited to head in to town and show off their costume. Elm Street will be closed to cars from Noon – 2:00 pm. Grandparents and residents are invited to join us and take lots of pictures of the various, sometimes wholly original, characters.
Halloween Hoot & Howl
Sun, 10/27 4 pm – 6pm (3:30pm opening for special needs families)
Darien Nature Center
https://dariennaturecenter.org/events/halloween-hoot-howl/
Join us for the 17th annual Hoot & Howl! This family event features not-too-spooky fun including crafts, a magic show, s’mores and storytelling around a campfire, face painting, a fall hike, refreshments and animal encounters.
HALLOWEEN STORYTIME
Wed, 10/30 9:30am – 10am
Darien Library, Community Room
https://www.darienlibrary.org/event/3684
Join the children’s library for a special Halloween-themed Toddler Tales. Come in costume and trick-or-treat in the library afterwards! Open. Walkers up to 36 months.