Paths full of pumpkins, paddling witches, coffin racing and a re-creation of Halloweentown are just a few of the ways to celebrate Halloween across the country. Time Out's spooktacular editors know that when it comes to spooky season, you either go big or go home. If you’ve been prepping your costume for months and can’t wait to get into the spirit, they’ve got a list for you: the best Halloween events in the U.S., with one magical pumpkin spectacular topping them all.
According to Time Out, the best Halloween event in America is The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show in Stockbridge, MA. If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering through a pumpkin wonderland at a Gilded Age estate, this is your Halloween pilgrimage. Set against the backdrop of Naumkeag’s stunning gardens, the monthlong event transforms the historic property into a glowing, gourd-filled fantasy. Picture thousands of intricately carved pumpkins lighting your path—from Sesame Street characters to the Golden Girls—as you sip hot cocoa and stroll through tunnels of light, past bubbling cauldrons and under arches of sculpted vines. It’s equal parts serene stroll and Halloween fever dream. And, yes, costumes are encouraged.
At number two is Festival of the Dead in Salem, MA, which turns the witch capital of America into a monthlong celebration of the spirit world. It’s less about jump scares and more about connection—to ancestors, rituals and a touch of mystery. Expect psychic readings, séances and the iconic Witches Ball, where revelers in elaborate costumes dance the night away to a live DJ.
For a Halloween rich in lore rather than gore, the number three event, Days of Incandescence in Corning, NY, brings 19th-century history to life. Based on a local legend tied to Thomas Edison’s glass bulbs, this three-day festival fills Market Street with folk musicians, jugglers, artisans and even a Guinness-record-holding pumpkin carver.
Rounding out the top five are Manhattan’s Village Halloween Parade and New Orleans’ Krewe of BOO! In these cities, and across the country, Halloween isn’t just a night, it’s a full-on season—and we love it.