Halloween in South County means Pumpkin-lit Harbor Strolls, Haunted History Tours, Witches Paddling Across The Bay, and Costume Parades Through Cobblestone Streets. Halloween In South County Is More Than One Day—it’s A Full-season Celebration.
Wicked WEEKs in Wickford Village
Wickford Village transforms into a delightfully spooky seaside village during Wicked WEEKs, two full weeks of haunted happenings that make this harbor town an October destination. The celebrations begin with Wickford Harbor Lights, followed by the famous Witches Paddle, Sip N Stroll, Scarecrow Contest, Spooky Walking Tour, and the Horribles Parade. Don’t miss the OctoberVets 5K Run/Walk and OktoberVets Festival- Enjoy a scenic 5K through historic Wickford Village, then celebrate with food, a beer tent, live music, prizes, and family-friendly fun. Two great events, one fantastic day. No one does Halloween like Wickford Village—so plan your visit, dress in your Halloween best, and get ready for a spirited South County celebration by the sea.
Vampires in Exeter
When nineteen-year-old Mercy Brown died in 1892 from tuberculosis, it seemed like another rung in a stream of awful luck for the Brown family, who had already lost their mother and eldest child. But when her younger brother, Edwin, seemed destined for the same fate, their father allowed a local doctor to exhume the bodies in search of a cure. The others were found in normal states of decomposition while Mercy, whose body had originally been stored in an above-ground vault because the ground was too frozen for burial, seemed almost alive with blood still red in her heart and liver. Surely, they thought, supernatural powers were to blame: Mercy was a vampire, and she was the one behind her brother’s poor health. The natural solution was to cut out her heart, burn it, and feed its ashes to Edwin. Despite the precautions, the youngest Brown succumbed to the disease two months later. For a chance encounter with Mercy’s sad soul, which some say manifests in the form of a glowing blue orb, you can still visit the cemetery where her body was stored, buried, disturbed and re-laid to rest.
Downtown Westerly Ghost Tour: Fall Frights
This image of Main Street in Westerly may be vintage, but what if some of the souls who once called South County home never truly left? Step into a world of mystery and folklore as you hear spine-tingling tales of deadly shipwrecks, cursed pirate treasure, and real-life witches woven into the town’s past. Discover the story of the Devil’s rumored visit to Westerly, the eerie spectral light said to rise from one of New England’s deadliest maritime disasters, and unsettling accounts of two souls trapped within a single body. From paranormal happenings in beloved local establishments to legends born during Westerly’s 19th-century industrial boom, this hamlet on the Pawcatuck River holds no shortage of dark secrets waiting to be told.
Trick-or-Treat at the Ocean House
Trick-or-Treat with one of the largest pumpkins in the country! Celebrate the season with a festive drive-through experience at Ocean House! Don’t miss your chance to snap a photo with one of the largest pumpkins in the country, beautifully displayed and perfect for capturing fall memories. Guests of all ages — even furry, four-legged ones — are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes for this spirited Halloween event. Drive through the front drive for your photo and treat!
Spooky Views - A Halloween Stargazing Experience
Join the Frosty Drew Astronomers for a night under spooky Halloween skies with views of Saturn, Jupiter, and more in the telescopes. On the campus activities will celebrate astronomy and Halloween. Loads of candy will be available, and as the witching hour approaches the telescopes will point towards planetary nebulae, the ghostly remnants of dying stars, to celebrate the departure from the lighter half of the year and plunge into the darker half. The Observatory will be in full out Halloween mode with frightful sights, spooky sounds, and candy available for all who visit. Dig out that old costume, put on your mask and head out to the creepy woodlands and dark night skies of Ninigret Park to celebrate the Eve of All Hallows... If you dare...
Witch Please A Drag Spooktacular
Witch, Please is a spellbinding drag show where campy meets creepy hosted by Providence drag comedian, Nervous, and featuring Queens – Shakaren, Shania Taint, Bast, and Lucy Diamonds. Join a coven of fierce queens as they brew up a cauldron of laughs, glamor, and enchantment, turning the UNITED stage into a haunted runway of high heels, hexes, and hilarity. Get ready for a wickedly fun night where the magic is real, and the shade is spellbinding!
