Unearth the hidden frights of Rochester this Halloween with our in-depth guide, offering a treasure trove of spine-tingling events and supernatural experiences to uncover. Our guide reveals Rochester's secrets to all brave souls.
Popular events this season include the eerie Rolling Hills Asylum Ghost Tours, where visitors are led through a once-abandoned asylum, steeped in ghostly legends. With pulse-pounding thrills around every corner, the Nightmare Manor Haunted House invites you to navigate its dark twists and turns. And the Halloweenfest is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring family-friendly activities, spooky decorations, and live entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Rochester
- Rolling Hills Asylum Ghost Tours (East Bethany)
- Halloweenfest (Naples)
- Nightmare Manor Haunted House (Henrietta)
- Seneca Park Zoo Fall Fest
- Dark Matter Scream Works
- MAG Museum of the Dead
- Halloween at the Market
- The Little Theatre Spooky Season
- Golden Girls Musical Brunch Drag Show
- VerHulst Haunted Hayride (Spencerport)
See these and even more events listed below!
Rochester Area Haunted Experiences
Rolling Hills Asylum Ghost Tours
What to Expect:
Explore the most haunted asylum in Genesee County with various paranormal-themed events.
Description:
Rolling Hills Asylum offers a variety of ghost tours and paranormal experiences. Explore the 60,000 square foot facility steeped in history and mystery, where over 1,700 documented deaths have taken place. Participate in guided tours, flashlight tours, and self-guided ghost hunts to uncover the secrets and hauntings of this infamous asylum. Each event includes tips on how to investigate and an overview of the history and haunting of Rolling Hills Asylum.
Where: East Bethany | More Info: Rolling Hills Asylum Ghost Tours
Nightmare Manor Haunted House
What to Expect:
The unique feature of Nightmare Manor Haunted House is its immersive and terrifying experience with multiple scare zones designed to terrify and thrill visitors.
Description:
Nightmare Manor Haunted House is an immersive haunted attraction located in Southtown Plaza, Rochester, NY. Featuring multiple scare zones, including eerie graveyards and Hillbilly Hell, it offers a unique blend of horror and suspense. Whether you're a thrill-seeker or a fan of the macabre, Nightmare Manor guarantees an unforgettable and chilling adventure.
Where: Henrietta | More Info: Nightmare Manor Haunted House
MAG Museum of the Dead
What to Expect:
A unique blend of art, music, and spooky activities in a festive Halloween setting.
Description:
The Museum of the Dead at the Memorial Art Gallery is a 21+ event celebrating Halloween with art, music, fortune-telling, food, and more. The evening includes a costume contest, tarot card readings, ghost tours, and live DJ performances. Guests can explore the galleries, participate in Halloween-themed crafts, and enjoy exclusive VIP experiences.
Where: Rochester | More Info: MAG Museum of the Dead
Dark Matter Scream Works
What to Expect:
Three distinct haunted houses under one roof, offering a comprehensive and terrifying Halloween experience.
Description:
Dark Matter Scream Works is Rochester's scariest haunted attraction, featuring three unique haunted houses for one price. This indoor scream park offers a thrilling Halloween experience with its multi-attraction setup, including Shadowvale Sanitarium, Scream Works, and Grimwood Hall. The event includes a 10th-year anniversary celebration with special activities and scare cam pictures available on their Facebook page.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Dark Matter Scream Works
VerHulst Haunted Hayride
What to Expect:
A haunted hayride experience with a haunted corn maze, offering a thrilling and family-friendly Halloween adventure.
Description:
VerHulst Haunted Hayride is a thrilling Halloween experience located in Spencerport, NY. The event features a haunted hayride and a haunted corn maze, offering a spooky adventure for all ages. The hayride takes approximately 30 to 35 minutes and includes two parts where guests get off and walk among ghouls and goblins. It is not recommended for children under 8 years old due to its high startle effect and use of strobes and flashing lights.
Where: Spencerport | More Info: VerHulst Haunted Hayride
Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks
What to Expect:
Immersive ghost walking tours that interact with the city's authentic paranormal activity.
Description:
Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks offers a unique and immersive experience through its guided tours. For nearly 20 years, these walks have taken participants through the authentically haunted areas of Rochester, sharing the city's rich history and infamous ghost stories. The tours are designed to be both informative and spooky, making them a perfect Halloween alternative for families and ghost enthusiasts alike.
Where: Various | More Info: Rochester Candlelight Ghost Walks
Demon Acres Haunted House & Hayride
What to Expect:
Immersive and detailed haunted attractions with high-tech special effects and Hollywood-quality sets.
Description:
Demon Acres Haunted House & Hayride is a thrilling Halloween experience located on 25 rural acres in Hannibal, NY. The event features three haunted attractions: Jail Break, Demon's Den, and Depths of the Dark Forest. Each attraction offers high-tech special effects and Hollywood-quality sets, ensuring a terrifying experience. Visitors can also enjoy food, bonfires, and SkeleBall Carnival Games. With its immersive and detailed scares, Demon Acres is a must-visit for Halloween enthusiasts.
Where: Hannibal | More Info: Demon Acres Haunted House & Hayride
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Rochester
Halloweenfest
What to Expect:
A festive celebration with live music, street dancing, and a costume contest.
Description:
The Halloween Spooktacular at 5th Avenue South is a family-friendly event taking place on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in Cambier Park. The event features live music, street dancing, a costume contest, and various games, making it a fun-filled celebration for families and children.
Where: Naples | More Info: Halloweenfest
Seneca Park Zoo Fall Fest
What to Expect:
Immersive fall-themed activities and animal encounters in a zoo setting.
Description:
Seneca Park Zoo Fall Fest is a month-long celebration in October 2024, featuring fall-themed animal enrichment programs, delicious seasonal treats, and spooky activities like pumpkin carving demonstrations, trick-or-treating, and Halloween crafts. The event includes special animal encounters and unique keeper talks, making it a fun and educational experience for families of all ages.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Seneca Park Zoo Fall Fest
Halloween at the Market
What to Expect:
A community-driven Halloween celebration with trick-or-treating opportunities and interactive activities.
Description:
Halloween at the Market is a family-friendly event held at the Rochester Public Market. It offers a bonus dress-up and trick-or-treat opportunity, along with interactive activities, performances, live entertainment, and spooky arts and crafts. The event also provides valuable information about the host organizations' programs and services.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Halloween at the Market
Family Fun Day: Trick & Treats
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween event with trick-or-treat stations and spooky science demonstrations.
Description:
Join the Rochester Museum & Science Center for Family Fun Day: Tricks & Treats on October 27, 2024. This event features trick-or-treat stations, slime-making activities, and spooky science demonstrations. Dress up in your favorite costumes and enjoy some safe, Halloween fun with the whole family.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Family Fun Day: Trick & Treats
Powers Farm Market Halloween Hayrides
What to Expect:
Family-friendly Halloween hayrides with special effects and spooky surprises.
Description:
Powers Farm Market offers a spooky yet family-friendly Halloween experience with their Halloween Hayrides. These themed rides feature special effects and spooky surprises, including ghosts, witches, skeletons, and graveyards. The event also includes visits to the Powers Famous Teepees filled with jack o' lanterns and other Halloween decorations. This is a great activity for all ages, though discretion is advised for children.
Where: Pittsford | More Info: Powers Farm Market Halloween Hayrides
Villain Family Fun Musical Brunch
What to Expect:
An interactive and welcoming environment where young guests can meet and take photos with their favorite princesses.
Description:
Join OFC Creations for an enchanting brunch where Princess Ariel, Belle, Elsa, and Rapunzel will dine with young royalty. The celebration includes a buffet featuring scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes, along with specialty beverages. After brunch, enjoy live musical performances and a sing-along, followed by photo opportunities with the princesses on the gazebo stage. This event is perfect for introducing young ones to theatre in an interactive and welcoming environment.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Villain Family Fun Musical Brunch
Carve and Sip for Pups
What to Expect:
Unique pumpkin carving experience with a beverage and tea light included.
Description:
Join Ridges Rescue Inc. for a spooky season celebration at Marshall Street Bar & Grill. Carve your own pumpkin with special guest instructor Don Bush, and enjoy a beverage and tea light included in your ticket. This event is a fun way to celebrate the fall season with friends and family.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Carve and Sip for Pups
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near Rochester
Rochester Halloween Weekend Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
Enjoy a night of thrills and chills with over 4 venues and generously low drink specials.
Description:
Join us for a spooktacular Halloween weekend in Rochester Our bar crawl on October 19th, 2024, starts at 4 PM and ends at 11 PM. Explore over 4 venues, enjoy free entry into the best bars, and indulge in generously low drink specials. Don't miss out on the Halloween event of the year with a $2000 prize value social media costume contest and thousands of crawlers.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Rochester Halloween Weekend Bar Crawl
Cocktail Making Halloween Party
What to Expect:
Hands-on cocktail-making experience with expert mixologists and themed hors d'oeuvres.
Description:
Join us for a spooky cocktail-making experience at Rochester Brainery's Halloween Party. Learn essential cocktail-making techniques from expert mixologists and craft two Halloween-themed cocktails while enjoying delicious themed hors d'oeuvres. This event promises a wickedly fun afternoon filled with creative cocktails and festive atmosphere.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Cocktail Making Halloween Party
Halloween Cookie Decorating Class
What to Expect:
Enjoy a free drink while decorating Halloween-themed sugar cookies.
Description:
Join Shelby Letta of Paradise Sugar Shoppe for a fun and creative Halloween-themed sugar cookie decorating class. This 2-hour event at Rising Storm Brewing Company in Rochester, NY, is perfect for both beginners and seasoned bakers. Participants will learn various techniques to create beautifully decorated sugar cookies and enjoy a free drink while they decorate. The class is suitable for ages 10 and up, and gluten-free options are available upon request.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Halloween Cookie Decorating Class
Other Halloween Activities Near Rochester
Paint Pouring Pumpkins
What to Expect:
A Halloween-inspired paint pouring class where participants can create unique, glittery pumpkin decorations.
Description:
Join us for a Halloween-inspired paint pouring class where you'll mix a little magic with a lot of paint. Learn how to create a dirty pour cup with colors and glitter, then cast your creative spell by pouring your potion over a foam pumpkin. This class is perfect for anyone looking to channel their inner witch or add some flair to their fall decor.
Where: Rochester | More Info: Paint Pouring Pumpkins
Halloween Ceramics
What to Expect:
The opportunity to create and glaze your own unique ceramic pieces with a Halloween theme.
Description:
Join Halligan Creative Arts Therapy for a spooktacular ceramics class on Thursday, September 26, 2024. Participants will have the chance to glaze their own ceramic bisque pieces, choosing between fun Halloween tea light holders and festive decorations. This hands-on experience is perfect for ages 6 and up, offering a full dose of creativity and Halloween spirit. Your masterpiece will be ready to pick up 1-2 weeks after firing.