Pumpkins, candy and costumes … oh my! Your family may choose to celebrate Halloween a bit differently this year due to the pandemic, but there are still plenty of ways to have fun.  Many local businesses have made every effort to provide festivities that your family can enjoy while still feeling safe. And if you’re looking to stay more socially distanced in 2020, you can do that, too! Whatever you decide, Halloween can be a welcome distraction (and a bit of normalcy) for us all right now! Pandemic or not, Halloween is NOT cancelled. So go ahead and get in the spooky spirit!

In our 2020 Halloween Guide, you’ll find:

Pumpkin Patches

More Local Festivities

Ways to Celebrate at Home/With a Small Group

Photo by Michelle Reese

October Weekends at Snipes Farm & Education Center

When: October 3 – October 25; Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 890 W. Bridge Street, Morrisville

Enjoy a day on the farm! The Big Barn Market will have farm fresh produce, pumpkins, fall decorations and yummy fall delicacies such as fresh baked pies, caramel apples, fresh pressed apple cider and cider slushies. Adventures abound on the farm, from the hay pyramid to the woods and trails. Explore the Land of Scarecrows. Find the perfect pumpkin in the patch. Visit the Old Time Farm Museum. Go on a scavenger hunt. Meet the animals, and more! You can even bring your own picnic lunch.

Note that for the safety of guests and staff, you must wear masks at all times except for when eating at a designated picnic table. They will be limiting entry, which will be first come, first entry basis. Admission is $7 per person. Children ages 2 and under are free. All proceeds from Fall Weekends support Snipes Farm and Education Center's mission to model and teach sustainable farming while building community and reconnecting people to the land.

Shady Brook Farm Fall Fest 2020

When: Wednesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last wagon leaving at 4 p.m.; Friday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. with last wagon leaving at 9 p.m. (Hours are slightly different if visiting before October 2)
Where: Shady Brook Farm, 931 Stony Hill Rd. Yardley

Shady Brook Farm is always a popular destination this time of year! The 2020 version of Fall Fest looks a little different from the past, but there's still plenty of fun to be had! They're going back to basics with loads of old fashioned family fun: wagon rides to the pumpkin patch, apple picking in the apple orchard, and pick your own sunflowers + a sunflower stroll. (Note that sunflowers are apples are just about over now.) Be sure to bring your cameras/phones because there are new photo props this year! The kids can cruise around their re-designed SBF 500 Tryke Track, play on the playground, Giant Jumping Pillow, Spider Web, & explore the huge Corn Maze (including an after-dark flashlight maze). All included in the price of admission. They also have Gem Mining for an extra fee. Starting October 2, their re-designed Barn of Horrors and Alien Encounter will also be open, featuring animatronic characters. Due to the pandemic, there will be no Hayride of Horror or live actors this year. Timed tickets must be purchased in advance. Please note that masks are required for guests 3 and up during check in and when social distancing is difficult. You can see all our the procedures Shady Brook is following at this time HERE.

Admission:  Children under 24 months are free, all other guests need a ticket for admission. $12 weekdays, $18 weekends (weekend hours start Fri @ 5pm). Ticket time slots are to stagger entry. You may spend 3 hours at FallFest.

Fall Fest at Hellerick’s Family Farm

When: Open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. with the last entry at 5 p.m. and last hayride at 5:30 p.m.
Where: 5500 N. Easton Road, Doylestown

Bring your family and friends to enjoy a great day of fun on the farm.  General Admission includes entry to the 18 acre Adventure Farm area which includes Hayrides, 2 Corn mazes, Farm animals, 3 slides, Tractor Tire playground and 40+ activities for children and adults of all ages. Click HERE to see the activities included in the admission. Please wear masks upon entry and while on the hayride. Tickets are $12.99 per person. Reservations are required, and admission is limited to 3 hours. Children 2 and under are free.

Froelich's Farm Fall Festival

When: Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. You can also visit JUST the Pumpkin Patch at no admission charge/reservation on Fridays only from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 3143 York Road, Furlong

Fall is not complete without a festival to celebrate the changing of the leaves, the chill in the air, and, of course, Halloween! The festival at Froehlich's Farm offers fun for all ages. Thee $10 Patch Pass (available at the door only) gets you access to festival activities such as PYO pumpkin patch, live music, scarecrows, hay maze etc. An Activity Pass is $20 per person and includes all festival activities plus the hayride, corn maze, Monster Slide, Cow Train, pumpkin decorating and pumpkin shoot out. Find out more HERE. Under 24 months is free.

Masks are required for all guests over the age of 2 except while sitting to eat or drink.

Fall Festival Weekends at Charlann Farms

When: Now through November 1, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: 586 Stonyhill Road, Yardley

Enjoy a day on the farm with activities such as pumpkin painting (each child will receive a sugar pumpkin to decorate), live animals, straw maze, barrel cart ride, straw mountain, corn pit, pumpkin bowling, and more. Tickets are $7.99 per person for ages 2 and up. You must purchase a timed ticket, which is good for a specific 2-hour slot. At the end of your time slot, an announcement will be made, and the staff will then sanitize before the next group. Guests over the age of 3 must wear masks except for when eating. Purchase tickets and find out more HERE.

Photo by Michelle Reese

The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular

When: Weekends, September 26 through November 1
Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne

Come in costume and celebrate silly, not-too-spooky fun at The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular at Sesame Place! The park will be transformed into a family-friendly Halloween haven and guests will enjoy trick-or-treating around the park, Halloween-themed shows, an interactive Scarecrow Scavenger Hunt, pumpkin decorating, swinging, flying, and cruising on Count von Count-themed mechanical rides, and unique photo opportunities with everyone’s favorite furry friends dressed up in costume on their Halloween-themed floats! Note that reservations must be made online. Masks are required.

ALL NEW Halloween Drive-Thru at Sesame Place

When: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in October
Where: Sesame Place, 100 Sesame Road, Langhorne

For the first time ever, families can enjoy a Halloween-themed experience at Sesame Place from the comfort of their cars! Enjoy a special soundtrack, festive decor, millions of lights and Sesame Place characters dressed up in costume on Halloween themed floats. Tickets are $35 per car, and Season Pass Members save 20% on admission.

Night Tours at Eastern State Penitentiary

When: Select dates now through November 15
Where: 2027 Fairmount Avenue, Philadelphia

The annual haunted house event, Terror Behind the Walls, is cancelled this year due to the pandemic. But you can STILL visit one of the most famous prisons in the world this fall! The penitentiary is offering Night Tours, allowing visitors to explore the dark, abandoned cellblocks like never before. These self-guided tours include access to historic locations in the complex such as Al Capone’s Cell and Death Row. You can also enjoy “The Voices of Eastern State” audio Tour, narrated by Steve Buscemi. Tickets start at $19 and vary by night. Find out more about the event and purchase tickets HERE.

Scarecrow Season at Peddler's Village

When: September 9 – October 31
Where: 2400 Street Road, New Hope

Peddler's Village is kicking off its 41st Annual Scarecrow Season with a property-wide display of scarecrows created by individuals and local businesses and organizations. While the traditional Festival is cancelled due to the pandemic, they will sill be hosting scarecrow-making workshops designed with safety in mind on Saturday and Sunday, September 12 and 13 as well as Saturday, September 19 and 26. Get more details (and register) for the workshops at THIS link.

Doylestown (Virtual) Spooktacular Parade & Costume Contest

When: Photo submissions open September 27 – October 10; Voting opens October 15
Where: discoverdoylestown.org

Discover Doylestown is proud to present a Virtual Spooktacular Parade this year including a Best Costume competition for Kids, Groups, Pets, and the brand new Decorated House! While 2020 is keeping us from gathering for the ever popular in-person contest, they wanted to still celebrate all the creativity that goes into your costumes each year!

Please submit your best photo starting on September 27th into one or more categories by October 10th. Discover Doylestown will post the announcement to open voting on October 15th and close the voting on October 29th. There will be one winner in each category and prizes will be awarded according to the most votes in each of the four categories.

Sleepy Hollow Hayride/House in the Hollow

When: Opens September 26 and runs throughout the Halloween Season
Where: Sleepy Hollow, 881 Highland Rd., Newtown

Venture down into THE HOLLOW through the abandoned gardens and deep into the winding crypts and catacombs deep beneath the manor. An expansive cemetery and dark woods provide bone-chilling frights at every turn.

Dare to enter the gates of THE FIELD and wander through the ruins of a bewitched village haunted by ghosts of the outlaws and outcasts that lived there in the 1800’s. Continue through the deserted section of the farm no longer in use after the tragic events of the past. Plenty of new frights for 2020.

This year, they are selling a limited number of tickets for each half hour to maintain safe capacity and eliminate long wait times.

Homicide and Hauntings – Murder Mystery Walking Tour at Peddler's Village

When: Fridays through Sundays, October 3 – November 8, select times
Where: Routes 202 & 263, Lahaska (Meet at the Cock ‘n Bull lobby)

Peddler's Village is known for their Murder Mystery Dinners, but in the times of corona, they're getting creative with these new Murder Mystery Walking Tours.

Being a ghost doesn’t mean you can’t be driven to murder.
The ghosts of Peddler’s Village are in a quandary. Some of them have been disappearing…for good…and no one wants to be next. When a specter finds itself permanently dispatched to the Great Beyond, what can it do but investigate? Hear spine-tingling ghost lore of Bucks County while you help discover which apparition is bumping off the others…with bumps in the night.
When afterlives collide, who will be left with a ghost of a chance?  Can you solve a murder at Homicide and Hauntings?

Tickets are $25 per person. Dinner is not included, but you receive a 10% discount at several Village restaurants when you show your receipt.

The Not so Spooky Halloween Party at The BlinkingHouse

When: October 7 through October 30 from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: 9 Franklin Street, Levittown

(Photo from The BlinkingHouse Facebook Page. Used with permission.)

The BlinkingHouse is popular for its incredible Christmas display set to music, but did you know they also do a Halloween show?! Kermit, Animal, and their Muppet friends sing 6 Halloween songs played over your car radio at 92.9 FM. Many ghosts and other haunts dance to the music. Check out their Facebook page to see a video.

Looking for even more houses to visit? Scroll down for the info on the Lower Bucks Drive-Thru Halloween House Tour.

Halloween Themed Event (for adults) and Trick or Treat Trains (all ages) on the New Hope & Ivyland Railroad 

When: Select dates and times October 8 – October 31, see site for details
Where: New Hope & Ivyland Railroad, 32 W. Bridge St, New Hope

The New Hope Railroad is offering two Halloween-themed excursions – one for adults, and one for all ages. The adults event is meant to spook and delight passengers. The Trick or Treat event will include a live reading of Spookley the Square Pumpkin and trick or treating around the station platform. Masks are required while on the train.

Boo at Bolton: Food Truck Fest and Trick or Treating

When: Saturday, October 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 85 Holly Drive, Levittown

Enjoy food trucks, vendors, children's activities, a DJ and trick-or-treating! Please wear a mask when not eating/drinking, practice social distancing and enter/exit from the driveway so they can monitor attendance.

Annual Boo at the Zoo at Philadelphia Zoo

When: October 16-18, October 23-25 and October 30-November 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
Where: 3400 W. Girard Avenue, Philadelphia

Enjoy three wild weekends of Halloween fun with the family as Boo at the Zoo takes over Philadelphia Zoo. Come dressed in your favorite costume, enjoy a COVID-friendly, socially distanced parade, seasonal decor, the Great Pumpkin Wall, photo opportunities, and a spooktacular good time. Instead of trick or treating around the Zoo, there will be treat bags given away courtesy of Mars.  The annual not-so-scary extinction graveyard will showcasing extinct animals and animals the Zoo is trying to save from extinction. Fall food and drink special offerings will include hot apple cider, sweets and treats, and more to be announced soon.

Trick or Treat with the Animals

When: Saturday, October 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Valley Square, 1501 Main Street, Warrington

Check out the animals and come show off your costumes while you trick or treat for candy! Your $5/pp admission goes toward the Peaceful Kingdom Petting Zoo for animal care. There will also be a raffle for a chance to win a Percy the Camel home visit. (Percy will also be at the event.)

Family Movie Night Hocus Pocus at Lenape Park

When: Saturday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m.
Where: 520 Constitution Avenue, Perkasie

Bring your blankets and chairs to watch this Halloween favorite outside with your family. Spots are limited, and you must register in advance HERE. The first 100 children ages 3-12 will receive a free goody bag.

The Lower Bucks Drive-Thru Halloween House Tour

When: Saturday, October 17 through October 31
Where: Throughout the community – get the tour list HERE

Do you live in Lower Bucks and love to decorate for Halloween? Sign up to be part of the House Tour by October 1! THIS Facebook event page will be publishing a list of houses that are decked out for the holiday. Visit the houses from your car between October 17 and 31 for a fun, socially-distanced way to get into the Halloween spirit.

Hocus Pocus Drive-In Movie Events Presented by Mid Atlantic Event Group

When & Where: Saturday, October 17 at 6 p.m. at Falls Township Park, 900 Mill Creek Road, Levittown
Saturday, October 24 at 6 p.m. at Memorial Park, 1950 Woodside Road, Yardley

Enjoy this Halloween favorite from the comfort of your vehicle. Tickets are priced at $30 per vehicle. You can also add on Best Darn Kettlecorn when you order your tickets online HERE.

Spooktacular Hot Air Balloon Glow Festival

When: Friday, October 23 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Slatington Airport, 1000 Airport Lane, Slatington

This one might be worth the drive! Lehigh Valley Hot Air is hosting this Halloween themed event for families to have some safe fun at a distance. The Hot Air balloons will begin inflating at 6:00 PM. Tethered rides will begin at 5:00. All drive through vehicles must enter and exit from the airport main entrance. All guests with VIP lawn tickets must remain in their designated area for the duration of the event. Each child under 10 will receive a pre packaged trick or treat bag, while supplies last. There will also be a DJ playing Halloween themed music and fireworks at 10 p.m. Find out more HERE.

Howl-O-Ween at Crossing Vineyards

When: Saturday and Sunday, October 24 and October 25 from noon to 6 p.m.
Where: 1853 Wrightstown, Newtown

Dress up your favorite doggies and bring them to Crossing Vineyards outdoor spaces for a Howl-O-Ween Pawty! Pose with your pooch for a complimentary pic (Noon to 2 pm). Wear your own bootiful costume and get a coupon for a free wine tasting. Enjoy specials from the bar, spooky music and, of corpse, treats for your pup. (Please note: Due to Covid 19 restrictions, pets must be kept outside and on leashes.) No cover charge.

Trick or Treat at Quakertown Farmers Market

When: Saturday, October 24 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: 201 Station Road, Quakertown

Trick or Treat thru the Market will be a go for this year. Children ages 1-12 years will be able to stroll thru the Market to collect candy. Families will be able to come and go as they please during the 2 hour period. They will NOT be lining up prior to the start of trick or treating, as they want everyone to be spaced out as much as possible. This will allow the kids to still come out and have fun, but won't have everyone gathered for the event at one time. Everyone must wear a mask. The Market will be setup in Dept. #353A with candy (& a few tricks) for the event!

Quakertown Farmers Market's Free Movie Night Night: Goosebumps 2

When: Saturday, October 24 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: 201 Station Road, Quakertown

The show will take place behind the main Market between the flea market barns. Space is limited, so please come early. Everyone will need to bring their own chair for the event.

Hocus Pocus Halloween Movie Night at Tamanend Park

When: Saturday, October 24 from 6:45 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Where: 1255 2nd Street Pike, Southampton

Bring a blanket, chairs and the family to watch a Halloween classic under the stars! This event is free.

Spring Mill County Club Halloween Drive By Trick or Treat

When: Wednesday, October 28 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: 80 Jacksonville Road, Ivyland

Spring Mill is hosting a FREE Halloween Drive-By Trick or Treat. Drive through their haunted display with goblins, ghosts and other Halloween friends and receive some tasty treats.

Middletown Township Drive-Thru Trick or Treat Extravaganza

When: Thursday, October 29 Wednesday, October 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Forget Me Not Lane, Langhorne

Middletown Township is hosting a family-friendly Halloween event for the community! Get into the Spirit of Halloween! Wear a costume and decorate your car! It's all for FUN…and it's FREE for everyone! Drive around the Middletown Municipal Center in your vehicle and collect a bag full of goodies. Bags will be provided to you during the route.

Families can enter by driving through the Flowers Mill Shopping Center by Jos. A. Bank. Chick-Fil-A will be there giving out treats and selling sandwiches for a quick dinner. Mid Atlantic Event Group will be broadcasting Halloween music through an FM radio station.

NOTE: This event was previously scheduled for Thursday night but has been moved up by one day due to the weather forecast.

Franklin Fright Weekend at the Franklin Institute

When: Saturday and Sunday, October 31 and November 1 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: 271 North 21st Street, Philadelphia

Trick or treat indoors at The Franklin Institute this Halloween weekend when spooky science, liquid scare shows, and other frightfully-fun festivities take over the entire museum. Put on your best, most creative costume and experience ghostly science as you tour the museum, trick or treat through exhibit galleries and knock on the Halloween-inspired doors—behind them, a witch, a pirate, or even Ben Franklin might appear to hand out goodies! Included with the price of admission. Purchase tickets HERE.

Langhorne Borough Trick or Treat Trail

When: Saturday, October 31 from noon to 3 p.m.
Where: 118 South Bellevue Avenue, Langhorne

Bring the kids out the heart of Langhorne Borough for some trick or treating fun! Local businesses and organizations will be providing treats. There will also be a photo costume contest for prizes. Masks are required for attendees over 2 years old. This is a free event.

Drive-Thru Trick or Treat at America Hose Hook & Ladder Co 2

When: Saturday, October 31 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 2401 E. Farragut Avenue, Bristol

This Bristol fire house is stepping up to provide a safe trick or treat experience for the kids. Decorate your car and come in costume! You can pick up a bag of goodies from the comfort of your vehicle.

According to the COVID Risk Levels Dashboard on globalepidemics.org, Bucks County is currently rated “Yellow” in a scale of Green, Yellow, Orange, Red with Green being the safest and Red being the riskiest. That being said, you'll probably find a real mix of people that feel comfortable trick or treating and those that prefer to stay home this year.

Tip: If you're in Lower Bucks and plan to hand out candy, TH Apparel is making signs that you can put on your front lawn to let your neighbors know!

Whether you plan to go trick or treating on Halloween night or not, you might be looking for some suggestions to celebrate at home or with a close group of friends this year. Here are some suggestions:

• Go ALL out with decorating this year. Whether you DIY or let the kids help with shopping, making your home into your own little haunted house is sure to make you feel frightfully festive.
• Organize a Halloween parade in your neighborhood. This is probably the closest to traditional trick or treating, but instead of going door to door, families can simply walk on the sidewalks around the neighborhood in an organized/spaced fashion. If you want to give out treats, place individual bags on a table at the end of your driveway.
• Decorate or carve pumpkins. This is always a Halloween favorite, but make it extra special this year by getting together with some friends outside or organizing Zoom parties.
• Have a face mask party! In true 2020 fashion, your “QuaranTeam” can get together to decorate masks instead of pumpkins this year. Order up a bunch of plain cotton masks. (Or you could even use disposables) and let the kids go nuts with puffy pant, fabric markers and more.
• “BOO” a Neighbor! During the month of October, choose one neighbor and secretly leave a Halloween package at their front door along with a “Boo” poem asking them to pass it on and a “We've Been Boo'ed” sign for them to hang on their door. Get ideas/printables HERE.
• Have a Halloween Movie Marathon. You can do this with just your family, invite a few friends and watch on a projector in the backyard, or even use a program like Netflix Party to watch remotely with others.
• Plan a Halloween Scavenger Hunt. Make the kids “work” for their candy this year by figuring out clues! Place small pieces of candy at the site of each new clue, eventually leading them to a big bag or Giant sized candy bar. You can find plenty of ideas on Pinterest, but HERE‘s a link to a free printable.
• Go on a Candy Hunt … in your yard! Think Easter egg hunt, Halloween style. Get creative by using glow-in-the-dark eggs or using flashlights.
• Find Halloween-themed recipes and have a family bake-off!