With all the talk about corn mazes, I made my way to one last weekend. I forgot to get my bearings before entering, but still found the exit! My family was more impressed by the ice-cold water waiting in the car afterward, some traditions never change.

This week, we’re diving headfirst into Halloween fun: pumpkins, frights, and everything in between.

Before that, two upcoming museum fundraisers worth noting, the proceeds sustain programs for the community, exhibitions and tours, while also providing funds for care of the buildings themselves:

As always, tag us in your photos or drop me a note at [email protected] to share what you’re loving this week. Happy fall!

It’s finally October. Pumpkin spice has been around since August, but now it really feels like fall. The air turns crisp, porches get pumpkins, and Halloween creeps in from every corner: haunted houses, glowing jack-o’-lanterns, eerie corn mazes, and all the spooky fun.

Full disclosure: I don’t do scary. I once agreed to see The Ring because I thought my cousins meant Lord of the Rings. Classic middle child move. Spoiler: it was not. I spent the movie with my hands over my face and still can’t look at a well or a landline the same way.

So consider this your guide to the Halloween happenings around the Valley, whether you're in it for the shrieks or just here for the seasonal vibes. Enter at your own risk...and make sure you double-check the movie title first.

Spooky but Manageable

Pumpkin Palooza - Hungerford Nature Center

Stroll jack-o-lantern lined trails glowing with more than 300 pumpkins. Warm up by the cozy bonfire with a cup of fresh cider and a donut in hand, then stick around for Halloween-themed crafts and games. Perfect for young families who want the eerie glow without the fright, costumes encouraged!

📅 October 17 - 18 | 📍 Berlin | More Info

Light into the Dungeon – Old New-Gate Prison

Descend into the dimly lit tunnels of a colonial-era copper mine turned state prison, lined with 400 glowing jack-o’-lanterns. It’s spooky, historic, and beautifully eerie without being a full-blown fright fest. Advance timed-entry tickets required.

📅 Fridays–Sundays, Oct 3 – Nov 3 | 📍 East Granby | More Info

West Hartford Hauntings - North Cemetery

Experience history with a thrill at West Hartford Hauntings, the Noah Webster House’s lantern-lit cemetery tour. Stroll Old North Cemetery with a ghostly guide and hear true tales of death, disease, and the town’s past. Tickets sell out every year!

📅 October 16 - 18; 23 - 25 | 📍 West Hartford | More Info

Choose Your Scare - Events with different levels of scare depending on the time slot.

Haunted Walk Through - Flamig Farm

This year, Flamig Farm trades hayrides for a spooky stroll through pumpkins, lights, and playful Halloween décor on the petting zoo side of the farm (animal cameos possible!). From 6–7 PM it’s kid-friendly and fun, but stick around for the 7–8 PM slot if you want things to get much scarier.

📅 October 17 - 18; 24 - 25 | 📍 Simsbury | More Info

Haunted Trails - Winding Trails

Climb aboard for a haunted 15-minute hayride through Winding Trails’ woods, packed with spooky scenes and costumed characters. Before or after your ride, enjoy Halloween crafts, pumpkin carving, a campfire, and light refreshments. Sessions 1–5 run in daylight for a gentler scare, while sessions 6–9 take place after dark for maximum chills. Parental discretion advised.

📅 Saturday October 25 | 📍 Farmington | More Info

For the Brave Only

Evidence of Evil – Lyman Orchards

This haunted trail takes brave visitors through a series of terrifying scenes with crypts, plague labs, witches’ dens, and worse. It's loud, dark, and packed with jump scares. Not recommended for kids or the faint of heart.

📅 Weekends in October | 📍 Middlefield | More Info

Trail of Terror

Widely considered one of Connecticut’s scariest haunted attractions, this outdoor trail is full of immersive sets, creepy characters, and high-intensity scares. Actors don’t hold back, and neither does the fog machine. If you're after true terror fiend, this one delivers.

📅 Weekends + Oct 30–31 | 📍 Wallingford | More Info

Here’s what’s on deck this week around the Valley — mark your calendars!

Library Events

Discover what’s happening at your local library. Registration may be required—check with each library for full details and other events.