Most Popular Halloween Festivals

Halloween is a peculiar holiday, to be sure, but can also be an incredibly fun one in its own weird, spooky, charmingly terrifying way. There’s something about the macabre atmosphere of a well-decorated spooky Halloween party, chilling haunted house, or any such creepy venue, that has an incredible potential to excite us and let us play with our darker sides in a way that doesn’t actually cause any harm. Add to that the appeal of being able to embody someone you’re not for a day, and not to mention all the cheap candy the day after, and it’s no wonder people get excited over Halloween. What could be more fun than to celebrate Halloween by travelling to attend a frightfully fun and highly popular Halloween festival? We honestly wonder….

So today, join Vine Vera in examining some of the most fun, spooky, and popular Halloween festivals out there, and give each some due consideration, especially if you don’t have Halloween plans yet.

Sleepy Hollow Halloween, Sleepy Hollow, NY
New York State certainly isn’t short on fun, large-scale Halloween festivities. Head to Sleepy Hallow, the place where Washington Irving’s chilling and infamous tale of the headless horseman takes place, and the selfsame place where Irving himself rests. The people here sure love Halloween, because the Sleepy Hollow Halloween event runs for the entire month of October, and features no shortage of things to do. Go on one or more of several different haunted hayrides, visit Irving’s grave or the tomb of alleged vampire Barnabas Collins (both of which are visited on evening lantern tours), visit one of the many street fairs, watch a parade or three, and even check out some live music. You’ll also want to be sure and check out the Gothic Revival Lyndhurst Castle, where you can go on a fun tour of the estate referred to as “Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities.” This is no ordinary tour, though, as you’ll be beset by famous ghouls, witches and other creatures of the night along the way, including Maleficent, the Wicked Witch of the West, Henry VII, and Dracula himself!

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Village Halloween Parade, New York City, NY
You know a Halloween event is hardcore when costumes are required for entry. If the sound of joining a large mass of people to walk the streets of the big apple at night, with everyone in costume, and joined by various musicians and intriguing paper-mache puppets sounds like fun, then you might want to consider booking accommodations in New York city for Halloween night.

West Hollywood Carnival, Los Angeles, CA
If you love street fairs with lots and lots of live music and a strong Halloween flair, this one’s for you. Participate in a costume contest, check out any of 50 music acts, visit local clubs and bars for a drink—most if not all of which offer special Halloween contests, décor, and other fun stuff to attract passerby—check out everyone’s fun costumes, and wait to see who gets crowned “Queen of the Carnival,” a competition that choses an A-list celebrity to crown at the event.