In October's final weekend, Albany County comes to life with a spine-tingling array of events. Don't miss out on Halloweekend fun in Albany County! With the second year of Albany's month-long All-Hallow E'en Festival creeping closer, now is the perfect time to start planning your Halloweekend haunt in the county. Many events sell out quick, so be sure to reserve your spot today before your chances vanish. Take a look through this itinerary to see what the weekend of Friday, October 25 to Sunday, October 27 has to offer.

Jump to: Featured Events

These events are part of Discover Albany's All-Hallow E'en Festival! A month-long event in Albany County featuring dozens of Halloween-themed happenings. The festival is based off an enchanting celebration that took place in Albany in 1904 & 1905. Be sure to visit albanyhalloween.com for more information.

Friday Evening - Oct. 25, 2024

Begin your festivities by booking one of Albany's hotels marked perfect Places to Stay for Leaf Peepers. In late October, fall foliage has reached its peak in Albany County, offering a backdrop of vibrant hues. Many trees will have begun to shed their leaves adding an eerie ambience for your Halloweekend. The hotels featured in the blog linked above are nestled in picturesque, leaf-covered settings, close to attractions like Washington Park, the Ann Lee Pond Nature Preserve, and Thacher Park.

After checking in, head over to the Hollow Bar + Kitchen for an early dinner. The popular farm-to-table eatery stands in the heart of downtown Albany, within walking distance of your next Halloweekend happening.

Grab tickets now for an enchanting evening at the Kenmore Ballroom with Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics. This 6 PM performance features orchestral covers of Halloween favorites like Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' and a medley from 'The Nightmare Before Christmas,' all set under the glow of candlelight.

Alternatively, become beguiled by haunting tales of Albany’s past on the 6 PM Capitol Hauntings Tour. This popular tour beckons visitors to uncover urban legends and famous ghosts that linger in the historic New York State Capitol Building. Or spend you evening delving into the sinister stories of Albany's Center Square neighborhood with a Dark Side of Center Square Tour. With tours running between 6 PM and 7:30 PM, there are plenty of opportunities to book this thrilling experience. 

Interested in all three? Capitol Hauntings tours are available at 5 PM and 6 PM on various weekdays in October. The Candlelight Concert has additional performances on October 25 at 8:45 PM and October 26 at 6 PM and 8:45 PM. Dark Side of Center Square tours also run on October 22, 24, 27, and 29. 

Once you’ve finished your 6 PM tour or concert, you’ll still have plenty of time to visit Samascott Orchards, just 30 minutes outside of Albany by car or rideshare. There, you can explore Nine Pin’s annual Cider Maze. Dare to navigate the corn maze under the stars while enjoying a refreshing can of Nine Pin cider. The event runs until 10 PM.

Or stick in the city of Albany and head to the second annual Halloween House Ball hosted by In Our Own Voices at Lark Hall. The event calls upon 1980's ballroom culture where POC LGBTQ+ youth participated in competitive dance, lip-syncing, and runway walks. The evening culminates with the crowning of Albany’s Halloween ambassador, a community leader who will advocate for LGBTQ+ POC health and wellness. This modern twist nods to the 1904 & 1905 All-Hallow E’en Festival, where a Halloween Queen Titania was crowned. Stay tuned for more details!

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by In Our Own Voices | IOOV (@ioov245)

Saturday - Oct. 26, 2024

Morning

If you rise early on Saturday, consider a trip to Thacher Park, just half an hour from the capital city by car. This Albany County landmark offers can’t-miss fall foliage. Attend the Caves & Karst event from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, which takes you through the park’s unique landscapes, including an active sinkhole. Want to extend your visit? There’s plenty of fun in the Helderberg Hilltowns. Face your fears at the obstacle course at Wildplay Thacher. Wrap up with Halloween-themed fun at Tracking Cryptids from 5 PM to 6:30 PM, where you can search for clues of notorious creatures like Bigfoot. Then head back to the city to catch some of the later evening festivities.

Afternoon

Stop and have lunch in a restaurant known for its haunted history. The Olde English Pub has been a reported sight of strange apparitions and unexplained happenings. Sit down and see if one of the eerie figures that lurks in this 1700's building pays you a visit during your meal. 

Halloweekend brings the Dead Man's Hand Tattoo Expo and Capitol Terrorfest to Albany for the first time. Starting at 12 PM at the Albany Capital Center, dive into an affair of top tattoo artistry, a special FX makeup competition hosted by Ricky Vitus from SYFY’s "Face Off," a costume contest, vendors, and more. Can’t make it Saturday? Don't fear - the event runs all weekend! Stop by and make some permanent memories. 

Saturday also brings the City of Albany's annual Trick or Trot Pumpkin Run 5K to Washington Park. Register to run along a frightfully themed course, beginning at 4 PM. The popular all-ages event encourages goblins, ghouls, and all mysterious creatures to join in on the fun, so dress in your best because there will be a costume contest. Non-runners can hang out in Washington Park and enjoy the afterparty featuring giveaways, awards, and vendors. 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Albany Events (@albanynyevents)

Evening 

As darkness descends upon Albany on Saturday, so too does an enchanting array of All-Hallow E'en festivities.

Enjoy dinner at one of downtown's late-night establishments like Common Roots Brewing Company or The Copper Crow. Both housed in historic buildings, the latter of which is reportedly home to two active spirits. 

At 7 PM, pick your poison for Halloween fun. Choose to trace the footsteps of an infamous murderer at Historic Cherry Hill.  Murder at Cherry Hill is a popular walk-through experience, reliving a frightening night in 1827 that resulted in Albany's final public hanging and two sensational trials. This event runs at 5:30 PM & 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday throughout October. Or at 7 PM, set sail with a Rockin Halloween Cruise aboard Dutch Apple Cruises — a floating Halloween party featuring rock hits from the 90s to today. 

Saturday night, Albany comes to life with a series of Halloween parties. Be sure to travel over to Lark Street, as Albany's "village in the city" will be open for a series of exciting happenings hosted by the Lark Street BID. Or dress up and show out for the 10th Annual HOLLOWeen Bash at the Hollow Bar + Kitchen. This no cover party will award those in best costume. Stay tuned for more details on where to dance til you drop as they get announced. 

Sunday - Oct. 27, 2024

Sunday morning, grab brunch or breakfast at a downtown Albany stop before heading to the Discover Albany Visitors Center for our very own Eerie Albany Historic Ghost Tour. Starting at 11 AM, be beguiled with tales of the capital city's storied past. Who is the ghostly figure that lingers past closing time at the Olde English Pub? What mysteries lie within the homes of the Ten Broeck Triangle? Unearth this and more, if you dare!

After your tour concludes, grab a seasonal treat and take the time to explore the All-Hallow E'en Art Path. Presented by the Albany Center Gallery, downtown Albany will transform into an autumn wonderland with fall-themed art installations at various locations. 

Close your Albany Halloweekend with a venture to the Altamont Fairgrounds. Running from 4 PM to 10 PM, set out on an eerie adventure with their inaugural Halloween Haunts event. Journey through three haunted hayrides, a haunted cemetery, Halloween themed carnival games and more! Can't make it Sunday night? Halloween Haunts runs the entire weekend, Friday to Sunday, from 4 PM to 10 PM!

Bonus: October 27 also sees the 53rd Annual Festival of Nations return to the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Running from 11:30 AM to 5 PM, join this celebration of cultural diversity representing over 30 nations from around the world. 

Looking for more?

The All-Hallow E'en Festival doesn't end there. With Halloween falling on Thursday, October 31, events continue throughout the week. Plus, Halloweekend creeps into early November with Mayhem & Madness performed by Musicians of Ma'alwyck on November 1 and November 3. Plus, BOO Part !!: A Halloween Afterparty at Common Roots Brewing Company and a Haunted Barn Bash at Lakota's Farm on November 2! 

Visit albanyhalloween.com for more events and updates! Be sure to follow the All-Hallow E’en Festival on Instagram @albanyhalloween.

*This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRP1752 awarded to the City of Albany, New York, by the U.S. Department of Treasury.