The Halloween season presents an array of endeavors to enjoy throughout Delaware in the weeks ahead. What’s even better is that many of the happy Halloween happenings are family-friendly and suitable for every age. From parties and parades to festivities and activities, here’s a guide to lighthearted frights and delights throughout Delaware this weekend and next.
Boo at the Zoo
Beginning on Friday, October 18, and running all weekend through Sunday, Oct. 20, you and your “wild bunch” are cordially invited to Boo at the Zoo. Held appropriately enough at Brandywine Zoo in Wilmington, all ages are encouraged to don their best costumes and come out for ongoing festivities, fall fun, and an array of exciting activities. Enjoy decorations and even strike a pose for fantastic photo ops. Don’t forget to bring a bag for in-zoo trick-or-treating.
You can purchase tickets online or at the gate. Members are $4 and nonmembers are $8. Children two and under are free. Visit the website to learn more.
Ghost Ship
On Saturday, Oct. 19, the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation Shipyard will present its ever-popular annual Halloween Ghost Ship event. Now in its sixth year, this family-friendly folly continues to be a highly hailed Halloween hit. Come out and delight in deck tours of the famed 141-foot Tall Ship of Delaware, on location at the Copeland Maritime Center. Additional onsite excitement will include costume parading, pumpkin painting and other crafts, face painting, and delicious snacks and refreshments from attending food trucks.
The event will run from noon to 4 p.m. at the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation Shipyard in Wilmington. Go to the website for all other additional details.
Spiders and Ciders
Made possible by Saltwater Roots in Milton, this fun-for-all fall event will be held in Hudson Fields between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on October 19 (rain date October 20). The itinerary packs plenty of ghoulishly good happenings to take in all day long. Enticing food features will include classic apple cider donuts from Fifer’s, fresh cider, and a broad range of fall-themed apple and pumpkin favorites.
Other highlights to look forward to include the Hallowheels bike decorating contest, broomstick racing, trunk-or-treating, an onsite petting zoo, face painting, inflatables, and more. You can also find a versatile range of vendors in attendance among more than 100 participants at this year’s event. Learn more by going to the event link.
Cops and Goblins
The Ocean View Police Department will once again present its wildly popular annual Cops and Goblins Festival on October 26. Now in its ninth year as a beloved community mainstay, the 2024 installment will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., on location at John West Park (rain date October 27).
Come out for a day of fun and festivities, including delicious food and even free Rita’s Italian Ice. There will also be lots of candy and an onsite petting zoo as an additional treat. The costume contest for kids 12 and under is the undeniable icing on the cake, though, with categories ranging from Best Cop, Best Goblin, and Best Overall costume. Learn more by navigating to the event link.
Halloween at Nemours Estate
The Historic Nemours Estate in Wilmington will play host to its own family-friendly Halloween celebration on October 26 between noon and 3 p.m. The happy happening will be held exclusively outdoors in the Estate Gardens as a candy-free family-fun fall folly.
Attending guests are encouraged to come in costume and enjoy onsite trick-or-treating for prizes. Other event highlights will include a hay maze, live music by Bella Von, and delicious vittles via food truck setup. Go to the website for all additional details.
Sea Witch Festival
Rehoboth Beach’s renowned Sea Witch Festival may arguably be regarded as the state’s most mainstream Halloween happening. With its 34th annual installment slated to run from October 25 through 27, you can expect all the same classic event staples you know and love along with those always-new premier endeavors in addition.
Featured highlights at every event include the Sea Witch Festival Parade, of course (on Saturday), live music, a kid’s corner, and vendors galore. There’s just so much packed into the three-day duration that you just have to read about it yourself on the event link.
Tram & Treat at Winterthur
The one and only Winterthur Museum, Garden, & Library will feature its seasonal Tram & Treat on October 26, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Included with the cost of regular admission, you and yours can enjoy a costumed outing to the grounds trick-or-treating through the garden. Other enticing delights to enjoy include games, crafting activities, live music, and more.
Although this is a drop-in event, prospective attendees may register in advance. You may do so or learn more about the event on the website.
Halloween Express Train
Wilmington and Western Railroad presents a plethora of pleasing excursions throughout the year. Their Halloween Express Train, however, gives a whole different meaning to the “new train of thought” concept, this one focused on doing Halloween in a novelty fashion.
The Halloween Express will run on October 27 with two departure times. The first will be at 12:30 p.m. and the second at 2:30 p.m. The cost is just $10 for all guests, all ages, and everyone is encouraged to wear a costume.
During the ride, every passenger will be visited by the railroad witch. The roundtrip duration will be one and a half hours. There will be a half-hour stop at Mt. Cuba Picnic Grove, where you will enjoy lunch (bring your own) before reembarking for the return voyage. Click here to read more or to book your excursion today.
Newark Halloween Parade
Newark’s annual Halloween Parade will step off this year on Sunday, October 27 at Tyre Avenue and Main Street. Start time is at 3 p.m. with a slated 5 p.m. conclusion.
As always, the procession will comprise a versatile setup of local groups and organizations, clubs, school bands, scout troops, and other participants. Note, however, that this is a nonpolitical event with no partisan participants featured. Expect only relaxed family fun with floats, antique cars, costumed characters, and more. For all additional details surrounding this year’s parade in Newark, visit the main website.
As always, all events highlighted here are subject to change. I encourage staying up-to-date and checking all details in the time leading up to every slated endeavor(s) you’re looking to pursue. Also, this is by no means the sum of frightful, delightful Delaware happenings this Halloween season. Consider searching around on your own for any other events that may strike your fancy as well.