ENTERTAINMENT

Fall Guide: Haunted houses just the start of wicked Halloween fun

Lauren Long Journal Staff Writer
Boo at the Zoo Family Overnights are scheduled for Oct. 22 and 29 at Rogers Williams Park Zoo.

ONGOING

Through Oct. 22: "A Shocking Shower," Marley Bridges Theatre Company, Newport Art Museum, 76 Bellevue Ave., Newport. 324-9436; NewportMurderMystery.com. Guests play a role and are part of the intrigue in this interactive whodunit set in 1891. Oct. 1, 15, 22 at 7 p.m. $30, 65+/active military $25, youth 17 and younger/students $15.  

Through Oct. 30: Confreda Scary Acres RI: Confreda Greenhouses and Farms, 2150 Scituate Ave., Cranston (Hope). 827-5000, www.scaryacresri.com. Featuring a haunted hayride aboard a rickety wagon along a haunted trail where zombies and werewolves are lurking, and a haunted corn maze. Sept. 25; Sept. 30-Oct. 2; Oct. 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30. Dusk until 10 p.m. $20; VIP speed pass $30 (skip the line). Children 15 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. No costumes; no flip-flops, sandals, high heels; no metal objects. 

Through Oct. 30: Factory of Terror, Pearl and Spring streets, Fall River. factoryofterror.com. Featuring Bloodworth Dungeon, 4D Blackout, Phobia Mayhem. Sept. 30, Oct. 23, 27, 30: 7-10 p.m. Oct. 1, 7, 8, 9, 14, 21, 28: 7-10:30 p.m. Oct. 15, 22, 29: 7-11 p.m. Two-location general admission hopper pass (with Factory of Terror in West Warwick): $29.99. Admission online price: $19.99. At the door: $22. Adult or child VIP (skip the line) $34.99. At the door: $40. (508) 324-5944 or (774) 847-7745.

Through Nov. 12: Providence Ghost Tour. providenceghosttour.com. Guided, lantern-led tour through the darkened streets of the East Side, with spine-tingling tales. Meet tour guide at Prospect Terrace Park, 60 Congdon St., Providence, at 7 p.m. (be prompt; tours leave on time). Nightly through Oct. 31 plus Nov. 4-5 and 11-12. 7 p.m. $18 online, $20 cash day of tour. 484-8687. 

SEPTEMBER

30-Oct. 29: Fright Night in the Park, Slater Park, Armistice Boulevard, Pawtucket. 728-0500, ext. 251. Featuring The Haunted Tunnel at Daggett Farm, an interactive "terror" tour Fri-Sat, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; $8 (not recommended for children 12 years or younger). Pumpkins in the Park, festivities for young children, includes a jack-o-lantern display, a witch’s house and funny face houses, and is located across from the park's carousel in the Slater Park Pavilion, Fri-Sat 6:30-9 p.m. (carousel open until 8 p.m. during these events); $4, preschool age free. All events are weather dependent; see Facebook's Slater Park Haunted Tunnel page. Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 7-8, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29. 

30-Oct. 30: Fear Town Haunted House, located in the woods just off Seekonk Speedway, 1710 Fall River Ave., Seekonk. (508) 296-0661; fear-town.com. Outdoor haunted attraction deep in the woods takes guests on a journey through rundown buildings, with monsters along the wooded trail. Haunted house not recommended for children under 12. Attraction is indoors and outdoors and requires walking on uneven ground. Proper footwear is required. Sept. 30-Oct. 1, Oct. 7-9, 14-15, 21-23, 27-30. 7-10 p.m. $18, speed pass $28. 

30-Oct. 30: Trails to Terror, Highland Farm, 4235 Tower Hill Rd., Wakefield. 792-8188; trailstoterror.com. Delamorte’s Haunted Hayride ($13). Forest of Fear Walkthru, a series of dark mazes, sets and an underground crypt ($13). Sept. 30-Oct. 1, 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-30. 7-10 p.m. Ticket booth opens at 6:30 p.m. $20 for both attractions (about one hour) with free off-site parking and shuttle service on busiest nights; VIP Pass $30 (skip lines, access to VIP lounge, free refreshments). Discounts, upgrades, additional information on website. Outdoor attraction; wear proper footwear and clothing. 

30-Oct. 30: Factory of Terror, 3 Bridal Ave., West Warwick. (508) 324-5944 or 774-847-7745. factoryofterror.com. Featuring Ghost Cemetery at Centerville Falls, Psycho Alley, Dracula's Hideaway and Asylum of Screaming Souls. Sept. 30: 7-10 p.m. Oct. 1, 7, 8, 9, 14, 21, 28: 7-10:30 p.m.; Oct. 15, 22, 29: 7-11 p.m.; Oct. 23, 27, 30: 7-10 p.m. Two-location general admission hopper pass (with Factory of Terror in Fall River): $29.99. Admission online price: $19.99. At the door: $22. Adult or child VIP Admission (skip the line): $34.99. At the door: $40. 

30-Oct. 31: Haunted Labyrinth, Rejoice in Hope Youth Center, 804 Dyer Ave., Cranston. 943-8686; hauntedlabyrinth.com. Sept. 30-Oct. 2, Oct. 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, 28-31. 7-10 p.m. $12. Indoor waiting.

30-Oct. 31: Haunted Hayride: Seven Cedars Farm, 10 John Mowry Rd., Smithfield. 837-7153. A night of fright. Fri-Sat 7-10 p.m., Sun. 7-9 p.m. $10. Rain or shine.

30-Oct. 31: Field of Screams, Big John Leyden’s Tree Farm, 179 Plain Meeting House Rd., West Greenwich. 397-2600; hauntedhayride.net. Featuring Dungeon of Doom, Dead River Haunted Hayride and 4-D Cirque Du Souls. Also, Zombie Paintball, interactive attraction with participants boarding a military truck to hunt "live" zombies. zombiepaintball.net. Weekends Sept. 30 through Oct. 31. 6:30-9 p.m. $20 for Field of Screams; $20 for Zombie Paintball; $40 combo ticket. 

OCTOBER

1: Eaglesclaw School for Witchcraft & Wizardry, Mastermind Adventures Special Event, First Unitarian Church, 71 8th St., New Bedford, Mass. $50; ages 10-16. Inspired by Harry Potter, spend the day at an American version of Hogwarts, take classes, learn spells and solve a mystery. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more info and tickets, visit http://bit.ly/eaglesclaw16 or email krysten@mastermindadventures.com.

6-Nov. 6: Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular, Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. 785-3510; rwpzoo.org. This year's theme is "American Treasures," celebrating the nation's history through intricate pumpkin carvings of commemorative stamps that represent key events, places and people. The display of 5,000 illuminated jack-o-lanterns is enhanced with light and image projections. The popular Laughing Tree is back. Tickets for prime nights (Fri-Sun) are timed-entry only beginning at 5:30 p.m. and are sold exclusively online. Weekend ticket prices for adults are $18; $15 children 2-12. Value nights (Mon.-Thurs.) from 6 to 11 p.m., with last admission at 10:30 p.m. Adults $15; $12 children 2-12; sold online and at Zoo Admissions. Children under age 2 free. To purchase tickets online, go to rwpzoo.org/jols. 

7-29: Paranormal Events at Slater Mill, Old Slater Mill, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket. Oct. 7: Edgar Allan Poe lecture by Carl Johnson, 7:30 p.m. $5. Oct. 13: Paranormal realities lecture and book signing by Keith Johnson, 8:30 p.m. $5. Oct. 14, 21, 27, 28: Paranormal investigations with Carl Johnson, 7:30 p.m. $20, ages 15 and up. Oct. 20: Mills and Mysteries, special family paranormal investigation with Carl Johnson, 6:30 p.m. Parents with children ages 8 and up. $10. Oct. 29: Lecture, book signing and paranormal investigation with Tom D'Agostino, 8 p.m. $28. To reserve a spot, call 725-8638, ext. 100. 

7-29: Davis Mega Maze Halloween Fright Night, 145 Redstone Hill, Sterling, Mass. (978) 422-8888; DavisMegaMaze.com for daily weather decisions. After dark, family-friendly corn maze transforms into “Fright Night,” a terrifying haunted experience. Bring a flashlight. Geared for adults. Food, beverages available at the halfway point in the maze and in the courtyard. Oct. 7-9, 14-15, 21-22, 28-29. 6:30-10 p.m. (last admission at 9 p.m.). $24.95 adults, children 5-12 $19.95.

15: Friends of Ballard Park Halloween Event, Ballard Park, Hazard Road entrance (use One Ocean Heights Rd.), Newport. 619-3377; ballardpark.org. Costume parade and contest for children, 1-3 p.m. Rain date Oct. 16. Free.

15-30: “Gone But Not Forgotten: Victorian Mourning and Funeral Customs,” Hearthside House, 677 Great Rd., Lincoln. 726-0597; hearthsidehouse.org. Each room in the 10-room museum is transformed to re-create a typical wake and funeral in the 19th century. The solemn occasion for the household is the passing of Hearthside owner Simon Thornton, who died there in 1873. Docents in mourning attire will lead visitors through the house as they hear about early funerary customs and view the exhibits. Traditional funeral music will fill the house, and visitors will be offered special Victorian “funeral cookies.” Sat, Oct. 15: 4-7 p.m. (candlelight tour). Sun, Oct. 23: 1-4 p.m. Sat, Oct. 29: 4-7 p.m. (candlelight tour). Sun, Oct. 30: 1-4 p.m. Candlelight tours are held at 4, 5 and 6 p.m. Advance reservation is recommended. $10. Tours on Sunday afternoons are held every half hour from 1 to 4 p.m. with the last admission at 3 p.m. Daytime Sunday tours: $8. Email kathy.hartley@hearthsidehouse.org for reservations. For more information, go to hearthside.org or call hearthside at 726-0597.

17-23: FLICKERS: Vortex, Sci-Fi, Fantasy and Horror Film Festival. 861-4445; rifilmfest.org. Sci-Fi, horror, murder, mayhem, and madness independent films from around the globe; costume parties; symposium on film imagery; H.P. Lovecraft Walking Tour. Screenings at AS220 Blackbox, Providence; the Greenwich Odeum, 59 Main St., East Greenwich; the Museum of Work and Culture, Woonsocket; Providence Public Library, 150 Empire St.; Roger Williams University; Johnson & Wales University; Providence College; and the University of Rhode Island. Check website for times. $10; group discounts.

18-30: Providence Children’s Museum Halloween programs, 100 South St., Providence. 273-5437; childrenmuseum.org. Activities free with museum admission ($9, babies younger than 12 months free). Oct. 18-28, Spooky Studio: families investigate slime, dress up, create spooky creatures and have frightful Halloween fun, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.Oct. 29, Creepy Critters: children meet prickly, hairy, but not-too-scary critters, including furry friends and slithering snakes, and learn fascinating facts about them from animal expert Dave Marchetti of Animal Experience, noon-2 p.m. Oct. 30, Boo Bash:children come in costume and play bewitching games, participate in imaginative arts and “witch crafts,” explore an eerie environment and mix it up in the mad scientist’s laboratory, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

21: Charlie the Butler Ghost Party, Governor Sprague Mansion Museum, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston. 944-9226; cranstonhistoricalsociety.org. 7-9 p.m. With mentalist Rory Raven, evening will include "future" readings and light refreshments with many of the mansion rooms open for viewing, and a possible appearance by the ghost of Charlie the Butler. For ages 12 and older. Halloween dress optional; no masks. Advance reservations. Seating limited. Send a check for $15 per person payable to Cranston Historical Society, 1351 Cranston St., Cranston, RI 02920. 

21-30: Fortress of Nightmares, Fort Adams State Park, 90 Fort Adams Drive, Newport. 841-2400; fortadams.org. Four frightening attractions in one; check website for details, prices. Oct. 21-23, 28-30. 7-10 p.m. 

22-23: H.P. Lovecraft Walking Tour and Film Screening. Led by the Rhode Island Historical Society, tour departs from John Brown House, 52 Power St., Providence, at noon, and celebrates the Providence author's stories “The Thing on the Doorstep" and “The Call of Cthulhu.” Tour explores the College Hill neighborhood where Lovecraft drew literary inspiration and the area he called home. See the city through the legendary author's eyes as passages from his work are connected with locations around the East Side. Film screening after tour. $19. 

22-31: Wickford Village Wicked Week & ½, Wickford Village, North Kingstown, wickfordvillage.com. Family-friendly free events. Oct. 22, Pumpkins in the Park: children can decorate a free pumpkin at Updike Park, Brown Street, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 23, "Graveyards of Wickford." Walking tour led by local historian Tim Cranston begins at Updike Park, Brown Street, 2 p.m. Oct. 27, Ladies' Night/Harbor Lights. Fall evening of boutique shopping, with many shops offering free demonstrations, refreshments, and specials, 5-8 p.m. Oct. 27, Wicked Bingo. A festive fundraiser for the North Kingstown Food Pantry by the North Kingstown Chamber Charitable Foundation, 7 p.m. For details and location, go to northkingstown.com or call 295-5566. Oct. 29, Ghost Tours: Join Victoria McNally for a graveside chat about historic cemeteries, ghost hunting and more, 1 p.m. Oct. 30, Horribles Parade: Costume parade for children of all ages begins at noon at St. Paul’s Parish House, Main Street, and ends at the Town Dock. Oct. 30 and 31, trick-or-treat throughout the day at participating village businesses.

22 and 29: Boo at the Zoo: Family Overnights, Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. 785-3510; rwpzoo.org. 6:30 p.m.-10 a.m. Snooze at the Zoo for the wildest family overnight adventure in town. Pizza and ice cream before educators present an owl pellet dissection and animal encounters, followed by VIP access to the Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Also includes popcorn and a movie, and a light breakfast before a morning zoo tour. Members $100 per parent/child pair; $50 per additional participant. Non-members $110 per parent/child pair; $55 per additional participant. Advance registration required. For more information, to go rwpzoo.org or call 785-3510, ext. 358. 

28: A tribute to Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Stadium Theatre, Monument Square, Woonsocket. 762-4545; stadiumtheatre.com. Joby Rogers will perform Jackson's signature moonwalk. Accompanying Rogers will be 10 dancers wearing costumes re-created from the 1983 music video "Thriller." $26, $31, and $36. 8 p.m.  

29: Pawtuxet Village Halloween Happenings, Pawtuxet Village, Cranston/Warwick. friendsofpawtuxetvillage.org. Halloween parade; participants will meet at 1:15 p.m. at the Pawtuxet Park Gazebo and walk through the village by 1:30 p.m. Parade ends at the village playground on Commercial Street, in Cranston. Children should wear a costume and bring an empty goody bag to trick-or-treat through the village. Adults are encouraged to wear a costume.

29: Perfect Pumpkin Party, Audubon Environmental Education Center, 1401 Hope St., Bristol. 949-5454; asri.org. Pumpkin celebration features pumpkin golf, pumpkin ring toss and pumpkin art. Pumpkin patch with pumpkins available to purchase and decorate with provided art supplies. Children in costume receive a prize. Art activities are messy; dress appropriately. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free with center admission; $6 adults; $4 children 4-12; children 3 and younger/ASRI members free.

29-30: Spooky Zoo, Roger Williams Park Zoo, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. 785-3510; rwpzoo.org. Outdoor autumn family activities including trick-or-treat stations, pumpkin treats for the animals, creepy crawly animal encounters, pumpkin carving demonstrations, games area, roaming costumed characters, live music. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Activities are free with zoo admission, half-price for children ages 2-12 in costume. Costumes encouraged. 

29-30: Creepy, Crawly Family Fun Weekend, Museum of Natural History and Cormack Planetarium, Roger Williams Park, 1000 Elmwood Ave., Providence. 785-9457; providenceri.com/museum. Spooky fun crafts, Halloween museum quest, museum vault tours (additional fee), creature features and a free trick-or-treat bag. Noon-3 p.m. Free museum and planetarium admission for costumed visitors. Museum Vault Tours explore museum's basement vaults, which house items not on exhibit, including bats, mini-beasts, vultures, spiders and other creatures; 1 and 3 p.m.; $5 (includes museum admission/does not include planetarium admission). Children under age 4 are not permitted on the tour. Strange and Distant Worlds Planetarium Show: Presentation about the newest discoveries in the cutting-edge science of exoplanet astronomy, 2 p.m. Free admission for costumed visitors or $3 (includes museum admission fee); children under age 4 are not permitted in the planetarium. 

29: Children's Halloween Party, Pawtucket Public Library, 13 Summer St., Pawtucket. 725-3714. Family Halloween celebration with science educators performing "Dragons and Dreams" program. Costumes encouraged. 2-3 pm. Free.

29: Halloween Movie Spookathon, Zeiterion Theatre, 684 Purchase St., New Bedford, Mass. (508) 994-2900; zeiterion.org. "ParaNorman," 1 p.m. "Beetlejuice," 3 p.m. $10 for both movies. "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde," 6:30 p.m. $7.50. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,”with the RKO Army live cast. 9:30 p.m. $15. 18+. Toast, rice, candles, lighters, food or open flames of any kind strictly forbidden.