Top Ten Hamptons Halloween Happenings: Family-Friendly Parties, Activities, And Shows For Children Of All Ages

With Halloween right around the corner, children are buzzing with excitement at the mention of candy, costumes, and trick-or-treating. Whether your little one’s doubling as a gory goblin or a pretty princess, the East End’s Halloween haunts are sure to please both the fearful and the fearless with spooky scenes and whimsical wonders. Here are ten Hamptons Halloween happenings for all ages:

1. Costume contests and Halloween crafts are just a few of the many festive fall activities and games the Children’s Museum of the East End (376 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 631-537-8250, cmee.org) has planned for its Annual Halloween Bash. The celebration, scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, October 24th, will bring together families and children of all ages to enjoy an afternoon of tricks and treats.

2. For scary stories and tricky tales of pirates, haunted mirrors, and old Sylvester family legends, check out Mysteries of the Manor: Tales Tall and True from 12 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 25th at Sylvester Manor (80 North Ferry Road, Shelter Island, 631-749-0626, sylvestermanor.org). Take a tour through the historic Manor house if you dare or for more family-friendly activities, the Manor will offer attendees seasonal snacks and warm cider as they enjoy hayrides and pumpkin carving contests.

Take a frighful tour through the Spooktacular Haunted House at Southampton Arts Center. (Photo: Facebook.com/SouthamptonArtsCenter)

3. Dare to be scared during the Spooktacular Haunted House at Southampton Arts Center (25 Jobs Lane, Southampton, 631-283-0967, southamptoncenter.org). Spooktacular Haunted House, an Oscar Gonzalez production, is recommended for ages 8 and up, and will be open for fright from Friday, October 24th, through Friday, October 31st.

4. For kids 12 and over, the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum (200 Main Street, Sag Harbor, 631-725-0770, hauntedsagharbor.com) will be offering a guided Walking Ghost Tour through the streets of Sag Harbor Village and the Old Burying Ground, winding through historic buildings and spooky houses. Tales of ghostly sightings will be sure to thrill even the bravest of tour participants on Saturday, October 25th from 5 to 7 p.m.

5. After braving the haunted tour, families and children of all ages are invited to the first annual Halloween Costume Party at the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum. From 7 to 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 25th, guests will be treated to enchanting music and frightful foods as they enjoy a party fit for a phantom.

Quogue Wildlife Refuge is hosting their annual Spooky Walk, Enchanted Forest Trail, and a Family Pumpkin Carving event. (Photo: Facebook.com/Quogue-Wildlife-Refuge)

6. The Quogue Wildlife Refuge (3 Old Country Road, Quogue, 631-653-4771, quoguewildliferefuge.org) is offering a few festive, family-fun Halloween activities. For adults, families, and children over seven years old, the Refuge’s 21st Annual Spooky Walk will be held from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, October 24th, Saturday, October 25th, and on Halloween day, Friday, October 31st. While hiking through the Refuge’s trails, participants are sure to find a fright while having run-ins with ghouls, goblins, and ghosts.

7. For those looking for less of a scare, the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is offering an Enchanted Forest Trail for children two to seven, where little ones can dress up and venture through the forest of fantasies to meet whimsical and fun characters. Following the tour, which will be given on various dates and times throughout the Halloween holiday season, children will also have the opportunity to participate in educational activities and games. The Refuge will also offer a Family Pumpkin Carving workshop from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 28th. Adults and children are welcome to gather on the Refuge’s front lawn to carve a pumpkin from the Refuge’s patch. For more information, visit quoguewildliferefuge.org.

8. For a family-friendly Halloween show performed by students, check out Stages Children’s Theater’s “Frankenstein Follies”. In its 20th year of performances, this year’s show will be presented at Bay Street Theater (1 Bay Street, Sag Harbor, 631-725-9500, www.baystreet.org) on Friday, October 24th, and Sunday October 26th. A special 20th Anniversary Alumni Performance and Benefit Reception with special appearances by many Stages past actors will be held on Saturday, October 25th.

CMEE’s Halloween bash will feature a variety of fun Halloween crafts. (Photo: Facebook.com/ChildrensMuseumOfTheEastEnd)

9. For a more alternative trick-or-treating experience, Southampton Youth Services (1370A Majors Path, Southampton, 631-287-1511, www.sysinc.org) is holding their annual “Trunk or Treat” event on Saturday, October 25th from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants are encouraged to decorate the trunk of their car and come in costume to enjoy a day of trick-or-treating from car trunk to car trunk while also partaking in arts and crafts, caramel apple making and much more.

10. Just because All Hallows’ Eve has passed, doesn’t mean the celebration’s over. Head over to La Fondita (74 Montauk Highway, Amagansett, 631-267-8800 www.lafondita.net) from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 1st and Sunday, November 2nd to commemorate the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos. Golden Eagle Art Store will provide crafts throughout the morning, and children ages 5 and up will have the opportunity to decorate skulls, play games, and enjoy traditional Mexican foods.

For more information about local Halloween parades and events, check out the Hamptons.com calendar and sign up for the Hamptons.com Weekly Brief.