Family-friendly
Hockessin Business Association’s annual Halloween in Hockessin • Oct. 27–28
Hockessin.
From 6–8 p.m. on Friday, head to Gateway Garden Center’s Jack O’ Lantern Jamboree. Stroll the Haunted Woods and see pumpkins carved by local artists, businesses and Gateway staff members. Roast marshmallows and sip warm, fresh apple cider with friends and family.
On Saturday, enjoy a daytime trick-or-treating event (11 a.m.–3 p.m., rain or shine) that’s perfect for kids of all ages. Many of the Hockessin businesses participate by dressing up and giving out candy. Beauty Bar By Saiko owner Saiko Imai makes her own cotton candy for the occasion. Beauty Bar By Saiko also participates in the Teal Pumpkin Project—providing treats for those with food allergies—and the BBQ and Bake Sale, which benefits the Delaware Puppy Rescue.
28th Annual Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddlers’ Festival • Oct. 27–29
Rehoboth Beach. Free. 302-227-2233. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
The 18th annual festival kicks off on Friday with the Tyke Bike race on the boardwalk, a movie in Grove Park and a bonfire at Dewey Beach. On Saturday, watch visitors dressed up in their Halloween best, bands and decorated cars participate in the costume parade. After, watch a Mummers performance, see horse shows on the beach, shop the vendors, and participate in the Sea Witch Hunt. Finish the weekend on Sunday with the 5K Race/Walk and watch the costumed pet parade on the Boardwalk.
Boo! at the Zoo! • Oct. 27-28
Clayton. $5 per person. 302-715-1326. 7–9 p.m.
Traverse the haunted Blackbird Forest and meet ghosts, scarecrows, pumpkins, witches and more spooky surprises. Have a chance to see nocturnal animals like foxes, raccoons, opossums, coyotes, owls and skunks awake in their natural habitat. Warm cider and marshmallows for roasting will be provided.
Dark Dover Lantern Tour • Oct. 27
Dover. $10 per person. Pre-registration is required; call 302-739-9194 to reserve a spot. Tours at 7 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m.
Through the hour-long program, hear true stories about murder, meet the legends who still haunt The Green, and listen to a retelling of Poison Candy murder.
Frightland • Oct. 27–Nov.4
Middletown. 302-838-0256. 6–9 p.m.
Tour haunted attractions like the zombie prison, horror hayrides, haunted barn, while partaking in carnival amusements.
Goodies and Goblins • Oct. 28
Dover. $1. 302-734-1618. 5–6:30 p.m.
Children in costumes can enjoy trick-or-treating through an authentic 1890s village and compete in a costume contest for prizes. Judging from 5-6 p.m.
Halloween Family Fun Day at Woodburn • Oct. 28
Dover. Free. 302-739-5656. 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Take a guided tour through the public spaces of the 1798 home; learn how to play children’s games from the 1700s including hoop and stick, graces, quoits, ninepins and badminton; make sachet filled with herbs and spices; decorate pumpkins; make Tootsie-Roll Pop spiders, pumpkins or ghosts; create a Halloween card or bookmark; make a pom-pom pencil; or decorate a Halloween mask.
Wags, Witches & Warlocks – The Annual Halloween Festival of Bethany Beach
Bethany Beach. 302-541-5207. 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
Get yourself and your pets dressed up for the parade. Registration starts at 9 a.m., parade begins at 10 a.m. Event will have face painting, pumpkin painting, costume contests for both people and pets. Benefits local animal rescue Partners for Paws.
Haunted houses
Hockessin Haunted House – The Exorcism of Mary Alice Clark • Oct. 27–28
Hockessin. $5 per person, cash only. 309-547-1257. 7-9 p.m.
Tour of the rooms and passageways of the Clark house and encounter the spirits and demons within. Haunted house promises paranormal activity, a seance and a mad scientist. All proceeds benefit Comp Animals Pet Rescue, an all-volunteer, no-kill rescue.
Nightmare’s Haunted House • Oct. 30–31
Laurel. $13. 7 p.m.
Meet Pin Head, Dr. Death, The Butcher, The Cobber and ChainSaw Clown. Funds donated to a nonprofit organization or two.
Screams at the Beach • Oct. 27–28
Georgetown. $30–50. 302-856-7400. 6:30–10:30 p.m.
Promises haunted houses, hayrides and cemetery, as well as mazes, woods of terror and zombie paintball. Six attractions throughout the six acres.
Slaughter House Farm • Oct. 27-28
Laurel. $13. 302-381-2150. 6–8:30 p.m.
Learn about the visitors who came to the farm and never left. Proceeds go to Operation We Care, an organization that sends care packages to soldiers serving overseas.
For the Adults
A Rockabilly Zombie Halloween Party at Argilla Brewing Co. • Oct. 27
Newark. 302-731-8200. 6 p.m.–1 a.m.
Come dressed up for a chance to win in the costume contest. Listen to a performance by Delaware’s Bullets and try the killer brews and food.
Halloween Party at Mispillion River Brewing • Oct. 28
Milford. Free. 302-491-6623. 7–11 p.m.
With the help of Haass’ on the Go, join in for a night of spooky fun.
It’s The Great Mead Hall…O’Ween Charlie Brown • Oct. 28
Milton. Thirty tickets are on sale for $35. 302-664-1188.
Hosted by Brimming Horn Meadery, dine on appetizer food and specialty ice cream sundaes. Event will feature music and prizes for best costumes.
Mask and Cask Halloween Party • Oct. 28
Delmar. 302-907-0423. 7–10 p.m.
Hosted by 3rd Wave Brewing Co., come in your favorite Halloween mask and get a dollar off all cask beer.
Out & About Magazine’s 38th Annual Halloween Loop • Oct. 28
Wilmington. $10. 8 p.m.–1 a.m.
Pay a $10 cover charge to partake in a citywide costume party and visit the nightspots in Wilmington. Participating clubs are: Catherine Rooney’s, Chelsea Tavern, Dead Presidents, Ernest & Scott, FireStone, Gallucio’s Cafe, Grotto Pizza, Kelly’s Logan House, Lavish, Timothy’s Riverfront, Trolley Oyster House and Trolley Tap House.
Phantom of the HOPEra Halloween Party • Oct. 28
Wilmington. 302-757-4971. 6–11 p.m.
Hosted by Bellefonte Brewing Co., come in costume for a prize. All costume get a dollar off pints.
Halloween Costume Party • Oct. 28
Marydel. 302-804-1329.1–5 p.m.
Hosted by Harvest Ridge Winery, show off your costume skills. Those dressed up get $2 off glasses of wine and cider and 10 percent discounts on bottles. Prizes will be given for best dressed. Food will be provided by Downtime Refreshment Food Truck, with musical entertainment by Deb & Mike.
Spooky Stretch and Spit at Harvest Ridge • Oct. 28
Marydel. $5 per person for wine tasting. 302-804-1329. 5–6 p.m.
Combine higher yoga and a wine tasting. Costume winner gets a $25 gift card to Harvest Ridge.
Halloween Candy and Wine Pairing at Harvest Ridge • Oct. 29
Marydel. $12 per person. Tickets limited; purchase here. 302-804-1329. 1–3 p.m.
See what wine pairs well with your favorite Halloween treats.
Miscellaneous
Pea Patch Paranormal Adventure • Oct. 27–28
Delaware City. $50. 302-834-7941. 6:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.
Join in on an actual three-hour paranormal investigation, led by the Diamond State Ghost Investigators. Investigation will use electromagnetic field detectors, data recorders and more. Participants must be at least 13 years old.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show • Oct. 28
Milton. $5–10. 302-684-3048. 9 p.m.
Starring Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Richard O’Brien, Barry Bostwick, directed by Jim Sharman, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a musical comedy horror film parodying science fiction and horror movies of the 1930s-1970s. Fully interactive showing of the film. Rocky Horror props available for $6.
