BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Terrifying monsters lurk around every corner and ghostly apparitions make for horror-fueled Halloween nights.
At least between now and Oct. 31.
The spooky season is in full swing in the Lehigh Valley, and the list of things to do runs from family-friendly activities to those that may be too intense for younger children.
Here’s the latest on dates and details for a variety of events around the area. (Don't see your event featured? Email news@lehighvalleynews.com)
Boo at the Zoo
Boo at the Zoo is a three-weekend event at the Lehigh Valley Zoo included with zoo admission.
There are six event dates in October: 14 & 15, 21 & 22, and 28 & 29.
Trick or treat each day from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at candy and treat stations throughout the Zoo. Enjoy music and dancing with DJ Ray from Fling-a-Things from noon to 2 p.m. on the final weekend, Oct. 28 and 29. Check out themed crafts and activities, plus a pumpkin patch and more.
Bags will not be provided to participants, so please remember to bring your trick or treat bag.
For more info visitlvzoo.org/boo
Eerie Easton Walking Tour
If you’re looking for some spooky spectacles with a educational bent this season, the Eerie Easton Walking Tour has returned to spread tales of murder, mischief and misadventure throughout the downtown district, Brian Myszkowski reports.
Held by Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, the popular fall walking tour is a hallmark of the area for fans of historically based horrors.
Eerie Easton tours will be offered at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each Friday and Saturday during the month of October, Tours last approximately 1.5 hours. For more info click here.
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Haunt on Dale Lane - Free haunted yard walk thru held the last Friday & Saturday night in October in Bethlehem.
Haunted Garage - 26th annual free haunted garage at 3817 Timothy Lane, Bethlehem. This year's theme will be the Bethlehem Carnival. Halloween fun for kids and adults alike 5-9p.m. Oct. 27-28 and 5-8 p.m. Oct. 29. Enter at your own risk if you dare.
Kaiser's House of Horror - Check out the display at 1250 North Blvd., Bethlehem.
Halloween Haunt at Dorney Park
Dorney Park undergoes a spooky transformation into Halloween Haunt on select fall nights until Oct. 28.
The park is filled with hundreds of terrifying ghouls and ghosts, ready to turn your nightmares into reality.
It features haunted scare mazes, scare zones, live entertainment and rides for a Halloween experience. New attractions for 2023 include "The Ghost In The Machine," exploring the darkened halls of the McTavish Steel Factory, and "Conjure the Night," a live Halloween spectacle. Halloween Haunt is recommended for ages 13 and above, with monsters released at 6:30 p.m. and attractions opening at 7 p.m.
To learn more, read our coverage here.
Historic Haunts Ghost Tours, Bethlehem
Historic Haunts of Downtown Bethlehem Ghost Tours take you on a candle-lit journey through Bethlehem for a guided ghost tour.
Tours are Friday and Saturday nights in October and leave from the Moravian Book Shop.
Call (610) 866-5481 for reservations.
Tours are at 6:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15, plus tax.
Jack-O'-Lantern Lane at Da Vinci Science Center
Jack-O'-Lantern Lane offers an interactive Halloween experience suitable for the entire family through Nov. 5. The event, recurring daily, provides Halloween spirit with “hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns, not-too-spooky houses, hands-on activities and more,” according to the museum.
Inside the "haunted" house, visitors can discover reflections and light effects and have fun with plasma discs to make surprising findings. There will be opportunities to explore the Día de los Muertos display, which pays tribute to Mexican scientists and their contributions. Younger visitors can enjoy Candy Lane, an interactive experience designed for preschoolers. Starting on Oct. 1, the museum’s Live Spooky Science Show delves into the science behind the jack-o'-lanterns and Halloween fun.
Tickets will be $12.95 for adults and kids aged 3 and older. Learn more about it here.
Screamin' Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience
Screamin' Green Hauntoween returns with Halloween activities for the whole family. The event invites participants to join Crayola's mad scientist, Robin, as she embarks on a quest to find her lost potion recipe and de-MONSTERify the crayon crew.
Activities include a themed scavenger hunt, spooktastic crafts, character photo ops and trick-or-treating on weekends. The new attraction "MELTDOWN," where visitors can paint spooky creations with melted wax, opened on Sept. 21. Other programs include the Snack Shack for tasty treats and the Trading Post for pumpkin painting, slime-making and glitter tattoos.
Kids are encouraged to dress up, but costume masks are not allowed. The event will run through 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 31 Check out more information on Crayola’s website.
Monster Mash Family Halloween Bash at Lower Macungie Community Center
The first-ever annual Monster Mash Family Halloween Bash will be held at the Lower Macungie Township Community Center from 7-9 p.m. Oct. 13.
The bash will feature a live DJ, games and a range of Halloween activities to keep everyone entertained. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their best costumes and join in the dancing fun. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative costumes.
This family-focused event is designed for ages 3-11, who must be accompanied by a guardian. The entry fee is $20 per person, while children under the age of 2 can attend for free. Those interested can pre-register for the event here.
Our reporter Jay Bradley has more on the Halloween celebrations in the East Penn area, such as trunk-or-treat, parades and fall festivals. Read them here.
Halloween Walking Parade in Allentown
At this year’s Halloween Walking Parade, participants are encouraged to dress in their Halloween costumes and stroll along the parade route. The parade will feature trick-or-treat stations hosted by local organizations and showcase musical and dance performances by school bands and dance groups on every block.
It will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m Oct. 28. Participants will walk on Hamilton Street from Ninth to Sixth. More information is provided here.
Harvest & Haunts Fall Festival at The George Taylor House
The George Taylor House Association invites visitors to its annual Harvest & Haunts Fall Festival 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 28.
There will be an array of vendors and crafters on the lawn, and historical tours inside the mansion, featuring tales of the house’s spirited visitors. As dusk falls, VIP ticket holders will gear up for a paranormal investigation tour, delving into ghostly communication and gathering evidence throughout the night. Event details can be found on the association’s website.
Spooky Lantern-Led Tour at Moravian Historical Society
Moravian Historical Society presents a lantern-led journey through Nazareth guided by a costumed tour leader, on the last two weekends of October.
The tour will walk visitors through the narrative of Nazareth's founding, with a focus on its Moravian forefathers. It provides insight into the early colonial Moravian way of life, including visits to the oldest Moravian structures in North America and key community edifices, shedding light on crafts, industries and notable figures.
Departing from the Whitefield House, tours are scheduled at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. The Halloween admission will be $15 and can be purchased here.
Ghost Tour by The Sayre Mansion
The Sayre Mansion presents a 60-minute guided ghost tour that was recently featured on the Travel Channel's Ghosthunters 7-8 p.m. Oct. 16, 19 and 22. Led by a guide, visitors will explore areas with the highest reported paranormal activity. The tour concludes in the mansion's lower level, equipped with devices to detect any supernatural presence that evening.
To secure a spot, visitors will have to contact the organization at 610-882-2100. Tickets are prepaid and nonrefundable. The Sayre Mansion limits each tour to 20 guests.
Ghost Stories on the Canal by Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
The Ghost Stories features the National Canal Museum's eerie vessel, the Josiah White Boo, for a 45-minute cruise along the Lehigh Canal. Accompanied by storyteller Judy England-McCarthy, visitors will be enthralled with tales of spectral encounters and supernatural events from the canal and our region's industrial past. Light refreshments will be provided for guests to enjoy on board.
Two options are offered on both Oct. 27 and 28. The first voyage sets sail at 4:30 p.m., giving a chance to admire the scenery in daylight. The second, departing at 6 p.m., promises a more spine-tingling atmosphere in the dark.
This is recommended for ages 7 and up, with parental discretion advised. Tickets will be $15 per child (ages 3-15) and $18 per adult. Get a purchase here.
Witches’ Midnight Market in Lehighton
At 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, participants will dress up Halloween-themed costumes and gather at Wine & More on 1st The event begins with the Witches Walk from the fountain to the shop for the Market's opening. The event will run 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, and 4-10 p.m. on Sunday.
More event details can be found here.
Parades and trick or treat dates
Allentown
Halloween Walking Parade in downtown Allentown: Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the Arts Park: Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023 from 1-5 p.m.
To learn more, click here.
Coopersburg
Halloween parade 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15
Emmaus
Halloween parade 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21
Hellertown
Halloween parade and after-party begins at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22
Nazareth
Halloween parade begins at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21
Whitehall
Annual Halloween parade 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. Includes food trucks, bonfire, more.
Alburtis
Halloween parade 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28.
Macungie
Halloween parade 7:15 p.m. at Buttonwood and Main streets on Sunday, Oct. 29.
