/ -

Halloween in New Haven: What to Do and Where to Get Spooky

If you’re hunting for the best things to do in New Haven this Halloween, you’ve come to the right place. To celebrate the spooky season, the city is filled with haunted happenings. From paranormal ghost tours on hallowed grounds to mysterious ancient cemeteries, here’s the ultimate guide for where to get spooked in New Haven this Halloween.

Elm City Social’s Nightmare on College St.

From October 12-31 join New Haven’s only haunted bar, Elm City Social, for a killer party every night. Explore three themed floors with multiple bars and drink specials throughout, and show off your Halloween style for the costume contest. Each week features unique events with a tarot card reader the week of October 12, a monster party the week of October 21, and a DJ on the haunted rooftop the week of October 28. All attendees must be 21+ with valid proof of ID.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Ready for the ultimate Halloween event? Join the Shubert Theatre on Friday, October 27 and Saturday, October 28 at 2pm for screenings of the unedited cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show. Spend time with the original ‘Magenta’, Patricia Quinn, with a live shadow cast and audience participation. Make sure to wear your best dress for the costume contest and get ready for an afternoon of classic Halloween delights.

Free Family Fun Day at Shubert Theatre

Join the Shubert Theatre on Sunday, October 29 from 10am to 1pm for a day of free fun-filled activities for the whole family. Visitors can explore the ins and outs of this iconic theater with backstage tours filled with trick-or-treating and arts and crafts stations along the way. Children under 12 are welcome to wear Halloween costumes to the theater, but please no prop weapons. Registration is requested but not required.

6th Annual New Haven Halloween Bar Crawl

Join the 6th annual New Haven Halloween bar crawl for a night filled with food specials, exclusive drinks, a haunted afterparty, and a wicked costume contest with a $1,000 grand prize. With tickets as low as $18 for groups, the bar crawl is sure to be the most thrilling party of the year. From 4-10pm on Saturday, October 28, join haunted parties at some of New Haven’s hottest venues including 168 York Street Cafe, Prime 16, Rize Nightclub, Secrets, Via Gastrobar, and Vibes On Orange. 1-2 drinks or shots included with each ticket and all attendees must be 21+ with valid proof of ID. 

New Haven Ghost Tours

Join ‘Ghosts of New Haven’ for an evening walking tour with an expert guide who shares haunting tales while visiting some of the spookiest sites throughout the city. While visiting spooky sites such as the Skull and Bones Society, New Haven City Hall, New Haven Public Library, Grove Street Cemetery, and the Green, you may even experience supernatural and paranormal activity. Truth be told that the ghost of Benedict Arnold still haunts the Green to this day. Interested in a ghost tour? Visit ghostsofnewhaven.com to book an hour-and-a-half-long group tour or private tour ahead of Halloween. 

The Cushing Center – Brain Museum

Dubbed New Haven’s ‘brain museum,’ pay a visit to The Cushing Center at Yale’s Whitney Medical Library for an eye-opening yet eerie look into Dr. Cushing’s, the “Father of Modern Neuroscience,” pioneering efforts to treat patients with brain disorders and tumors. On permanent display, The Cushing Center features real human brains donated by nearly 400 of his patients with the entire collection still remaining in its original jars along with patient photographs. It is open free of charge to the general public; however, visitors must check in at the Circulation Desk to get a Yale Proximity ID card for access to the collection.

The Crypt

Ready for a chilling fun fact? The Crypt, which contains the identified remains of about 137 people and unidentified remains of over 1,000 people, lies just below the Center Church on the Green. Even the city founder Theophilus Eaton; the first wife of Benedict Arnold, Margaret Arnold; one of the founders of Yale College, James Pierpont; and the grandparents of U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes are all buried here. Protected by the church for over 200 years, The Crypt offers visitors a mysterious glance into its storied ancient past. 

The Grave of Midnight Mary

For ultimate chills and thrills, urban legend has it that Evergreen Cemetery is home to its own resident ghost, known as Midnight Mary, who continues to haunt the area after she was accidentally buried alive in 1872. Although no evidence exists that this ever happened (or did it?), the long-standing story eerily stems from her epitaph that reads “The people shall be troubled at midnight and pass away.” Feeling brave? Visitors can find Midnight Mary’s tombstone at the back of Evergreen Cemetery on the path that parallels the iron wrought fence.

Orginially Published on October 26, 2022
Updated on October 11, 2023

Tags: , , ,