It's the second to last week of Albany's All-Hallow E'en Festival before it crawls to the grave for a year-long slumber. If you're looking for Albany's Halloween events and activities as October ends, you've come to the right place! Find everything from family-friendly events, haunted tours and spine-chilling sights to arts and entertainment, outdoor adventures, Halloween parties, and late October's can't-miss events in Albany. .
- Family-Friendly Events
- Haunted & Eerie Events
- All-Hallow E'en Arts & Entertainment
- All-Hallow E'en Outdoor Adventures
- Halloween Parties
- General Fall & Can't Miss Events
Family Friendly Events
All Hallow E’en Art Path
On view 24/7, all October long! | Downtown Albany
Inspired by the original 1904 & 1905 All-Hallow E’en Festival where local businesses showcased festive window displays, Albany Center Gallery has teamed up with local artists and businesses to create a stunning array of fall-inspired window art and outdoor murals. Explore this vibrant art path split between Maiden Lane near the gallery and Quackenbush Square outside of the Discover Albany's Visitor Center.
Halloween Haunts at the Altamont Fairgrounds
Friday, October 25, Saturday, October 26 & Sunday, October 27 | 4 PM to 10 PM | Altamont Fairgrounds
Head over to Altamont for this family-friendly Halloween weekend event! Embark on an adventure through haunted houses, a haunted cemetery, a haunted hayride, Halloween themed carnivals, movies, food trucks, and more!
Howl and Prowl: Halloween in the Pine Bush
Friday, October 25 from 4 PM to 7 PM | Saturday, October 26 from 10 AM to 3 PM | Pine Bush Preserve
What are the creepy creatures that live in the Pine Bush? Learn more about the preserve's eerie residents at this family-friendly Halloween event! The program includes hands-on activities and crafts. Friday's festivities will include a series of night hikes. Costumes encouraged!
The Hot Mess Show with Diary of a Wimpy Kid Author Jeff Kinney
Friday, October 25 | 6 PM | The Egg
Author of favorite children's book series "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," stops by The Egg on Friday for a live, comedic, and interactive event. Each ticket includes admission for two and a pre-signed copy of the series' latest installment "Diary of a Wimpy Kid #19: Hot Mess." This event is presented by The Egg, The Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, and NYS Writers Institute.
Albany Center Gallery's Creative Creatures: Halloween Edition
Saturday, October 26 | 12 PM to 2 PM | Albany Center Gallery
Artists of all ages are invited to make their mark on the All Hallow E'en Art Path. At this family-friendly arts and crafts event, get into the Halloween spirit with a guided tour of the All Hallow E'en Art Path. Then return to Albany Center Gallery to make your own paper critters to add to the path or to bring home.
Halloween Dunk-or-Treat
Saturday, October 26 | 1 PM to 4 PM | University at Albany
This Halloween event is sure to be slam-dunk fun! Join UAlbany's Men's Basketball Team and other student organizations for a fun-filled afternoon of trick-or-treating, a costume party, games, arts & crafts, basketball, bounce houses and more.
Trunk or Treat at the Albany Rural Cemetery
Saturday, October 26 | 4 PM to 5:30 PM | Albany Rural Cemetery
This annual sweet and safe trunk or treat experience is full of family fun. Food and merchandise will also be available on the grounds of the cemetery.
Halloween Spooktacular
Sunday, October 27 | 11 AM to 2 PM | NYS Museum
Get ready for a frightfully fun, free, family-friendly celebration at the New York State Museum! The museum is hosting an afternoon of Halloween festivities featuring creepy art projects, ghoulish games, spooky science specimens, a dance floor, and more. Be sure to have your child dressed in their Halloween best, as there will be a children’s costume parade at 2 PM to close out the fun!
Community Trunk or Treat
Sunday, October 27 | 4 PM to 6 PM | Shaker Heritage Society
Come in your best costume for this exciting family trunk or treat! A scavenger hunt leads families and kids of all ages on a hunt for candy, culminating in a turn of the century magic show!
Haunted & Eerie Events
Dark Side of Center Square Tours
Tuesday, October 22, Thursday, October 24, Friday, October 25, Sunday, October 27 | Time varies | Additional tours October 29 | New Scotland Spirits
Embark on a sinister tour exploring the "Dark Side of Center Square!" Presented by Historic Albany Foundation, this guided tour will delve into the stories behind the buildings you see every day in the Center Square area of Albany, peeling back the layers of history to discover tales of true crime, spooky stories, and murderous mysteries.
New York State Capitol Hauntings Tour
Tours on Wednesday, October 23, Thursday October 24, and Friday, October 25 (Tours offered through November 1) | Tours at 5 PM & 6 PM | New York State Capitol
The historic New York State Capitol is known for strange or supernatural occurrences, what spirits still roam this state landmark? Find out during a free, Capitol Hauntings tour!
Manifestations: A Shaker Ghost Tour
Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24 | 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM | Shaker Heritage Society
The Shakers never saw the spirit world as frightening, instead they embraced visions, dreams, and communication with those who have departed. Dive into the spirit world and pull back the veil between our realm and the next at America's First Shaker Settlement. Learn stories of Shakers who once walked in the world of the living.
Murder at Cherry Hill
Wednesday, October 23, Thursday, October 24, Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 | Tours at 5:30 PM & 7:00 PM | Historic Cherry Hill
Follow the footsteps of an infamous murderer who's harrowing story took place at Cherry Hill in 1827. This murder resulted in two sensational trials and Albany's final public hanging. Relive that night during one of Cherry Hill's popular October tours.
City Seance Ghost Tour
Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24 | Additional tours October 29 and October 30 | 7 PM to 9 PM | Meet at Discover Albany Visitors Center
Who are the famous spirits that linger around in the capital city? Will you be able to conjure these spirits as you journey through downtown Albany? Find out during this theatrical tour presented by Discover Albany and Capital Repertory Theatre!
Eerie Albany Historic Ghost Tour
Sunday, October 27 | 11 AM to 12:30 PM | Discover Albany Visitors Center
Join Discover Albany for this 90-minute walking tour exploring Albany's eerie history. Who is the ghostly figure who lingers past closing time at the historic Olde English Pub? What mysteries lie within the beautiful homes lining Ten Broeck Triangle? Uncover this and more - if you DARE!
All-Hallow E'en Arts & Entertainment
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Monday, October 21 | 7 PM | The Palace
It's time to Time Warp again; join The Kids of Albany for their 14th annual Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Palace theatre.
Themed Trivia: Stranger Things
Monday, October 22 | 6 PM to 8 PM | Nine Pin
For the month of October, Nine Pin's themed trivia turns Upside Down. Test your knowledge of one of Netflix's most popular series: Stranger Things! Compete to earn prizes including cider flights and other Nine Pin swag.
Cider and a Pumpkin
Wednesday, October 23 | Tickets redeemable 11 AM to 8 PM | Nine Pin Cider
Carve out some time in your Wednesday for Nine Pin's 10th annual cider and a pumpkin event. Nine Pin will have tools onsite to create your jack-o-lantern masterpiece while enjoying a complimentary cider.
Mystic Fair
Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24 | 10 AM to 3 PM | Empire State Plaza
The future seems to contain a trip to the Empire State Plaza sometime in the middle of this week — stop by for the free, Mystic Fair featuring intuitive readings, spirit guides, craft vendors and more.
"Yeats and the Occult"
Wednesday, October 23 | 7 PM | Irish American Heritage Museum
Siena College English Professor, Dr. Lara Whelan, shares a history of Irish writer Yeats and his deep interest and involvement in the occult. How did otherworldly influences impact his writing? Learn at this talk presented just in time for Halloween.
Dead Man's Hand Tattoo Expo 2024
Friday, October 25, Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 | 12 PM to 6 PM | Albany Capital Center
Halloweekend brings the Dead Man's Hand Tattoo Expo and Capitol Terrorfest to Albany for the first time. 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. Stop by and make some permanent memories.
Candlelight: A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics
Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 | 6 PM and 8:30 PM | The Kenmore Ballroom
Experience your favorite Halloween classics performed by a string quartet under the glow of candlelight at this historic venue. Tentative selections include music from The Nightmare Before Christmas, Halloween, The Addams Family, Stranger Things, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" and classical pieces.
The Dinner Detective Murder Mystery Dinner Show
Saturday, October 26 | 6 PM to 9 PM | Hilton Garden Inn, Albany Medical Center
Do you have what it takes to solve the case during this dinner detective mystery event? Can you trust those you dine with? Put your sleuthing skills to the test during this interactive comedy murder mystery dinner.
Halloween's Metal Madness
Saturday, October 26 | 7:30 PM to 10 PM | Cohoes Music Hall
Get ready for a night of madness as two metal bands take to the stage at Cohoes Music Hall.
All-Hallow E'en Outdoor Adventures
Cider Maze
Friday, October 25 | 5 PM to 10 PM | Samascott Orchards | Presented by Nine Pin Cider
This a-maze-ingly fun event invites you to navigate a 7-acre corn maze under the stars. Sip on a Nine Pin cider at the orchards in which they are sourced.
2024 Albany’s Trick or Trot Pumpkin Run 5k
Saturday, October 26 | 4:30 PM | Washington Park
Run along a beautiful Halloween inspired course at the City of Albany's annual Trick or Trot 5k. This popular all-ages event encourages goblins, ghouls and all mysterious creatures to join in the fun — costumes are encouraged! Age-based divisional awards and prizes will be presented. Stick around in Washington Park after the run for an afterparty!
Tracking Cryptids
Saturday, October 26 | 5 PM to 6:30 PM | Thacher Park
Travel along the High Point Trail in search of clues for Bigfoot and Mothman.
Halloween Parties
Rockin Halloween Cruise
Saturday, October 26 | 6:30 PM to 10 PM | Dutch Apple Cruises
Set sail on a Rockin' Halloween Party Cruise with live rock music from the 90's to today to jam the night away. There will be a full bar and food available as you celebrate Halloween on the Hudson.
10th Annual HOLLOWeen
Saturday, October 26 | 10 PM | The Hollow Bar + Kitchen
Bash the night away at The Hollow's 10th annual Halloween party. Make sure to dress your best for a costume contest and win a thrilling grand prize.
Waterworks Pub 2024 Halloween Costume Contests
Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26 | 10 PM to 4 AM | Waterworks Pub
Dress in your Halloween best for Waterworks Pub's massive costume contest this Halloweekend.
7th Annual Official Halloween Bar Crawl
Saturday, October 26 | 4 PM to 12 AM | Bar Vegan
Get dressed up and ready to celebrate Halloween at some of the best bars in Albany
General Fall Events
An Evening with Jon Stewart
Friday, October 25 | 7:30 PM | The Palace
Comedian, writer, and host of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart takes the stage at The Palace.
Phish
Friday, October 25, Saturday October 26 and Sunday, October 27 | 7:30 PM | MVP Arena
Phish's only tour this fall will take over the MVP Arena for three nights during the last weekend in October!
PhanArt at the Palace Theatre
Saturday, October 26 | 12 PM to 5 PM | The Palace
Just a short walk from MVP Arena, PhanArt at the Palace will feature dozens of artists and vendors from the Capital District and across the country from the greater Phish community.
53rd Annual Festival of Nations
Saturday, October 27 | 11:30 AM to 5 PM | Empire State Plaza Convention Center
Join this celebration of cultural diversity representing over 30 nations from around the world! Enjoy the Parade of Nations, crowning of Miss Festival of Nations as well as dances, music, food, arts, and entertainment from around the world.
*This project is made possible in part by the City of Albany’s Albany for All funding program and President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. *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.