Things to do at New England Halloween Fest

Gather round, Halloween lovers, and watch a true professional turn ordinary pumpkins into jaw-dropping works of art right before your eyes. Each carve is a live performance, where sharp tools and creative vision transform simple gourds into detailed, spooky masterpieces. From the first cut to the final reveal, the process is just as exciting as the finished pumpkin, making it impossible not to stop, stare, and soak in the Halloween spirit.

As the carving unfolds, the artist keeps the crowd engaged by interacting with the audience, chatting about all things Halloween, and sharing helpful carving tips along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned pumpkin carver or picking up a knife for the first time this season, you’ll walk away entertained, inspired, and ready to bring a little professional-level magic to your own jack-o’-lanterns.

Star of Syfy Channel’s Haunted Collector and the nephew of legendary paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, John Zaffis has become one of the most respected figures in the world of the supernatural. With decades of experience investigating haunted locations and cursed objects, Zaffis is known for his deep knowledge of the paranormal and his commitment to preserving dangerous artifacts rather than destroying them. His work has taken him across the country, uncovering chilling histories and unexplained phenomena that continue to fascinate and unsettle audiences.

At the show, John Zaffis will be bringing over 30 of his most haunted items for fans to see up close and learn about firsthand. Each object carries its own dark history, and Zaffis will share the stories behind them, explaining why these artifacts are considered so dangerous—and why they must be handled with extreme care. This rare opportunity allows fans to step into the world of The Haunted Collector, hear true paranormal accounts directly from Zaffis himself, and experience an unforgettable, spine-tingling encounter with the unknown.

Do you have a passion for witch history and early American folklore? Step inside our Witch History Museum, a powerful and immersive exhibit dedicated to the story of Alse Young of Windsor, Connecticut. Long before the infamous Salem witch trials, Alse Young became the first person executed for witchcraft in the American colonies, tragically hanged in Hartford on May 26, 1647. Her story offers a sobering look at fear, superstition, and injustice in colonial America.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of local historian Beth Caruso, who authored a book titled One of Windsor, detailing Alse Young’s case, her legacy was revisited centuries later. On February 6, 2017, the Windsor Town Council passed a resolution symbolically exonerating Alse Young, restoring her name and acknowledging the grave injustice she suffered.

Visitors to the museum can relive Alse’s remarkable journey through evocative paintings, artwork, and historical displays that bring her story to life—honoring her memory while shedding light on a crucial, often overlooked chapter of American history.

Ready to wander through a space overflowing with intricately carved pumpkins? Prepare to be amazed by an immersive display that illuminates every side of Halloween. Mischief makers like Beetlejuice, The Ghostbusters, and the Hocus Pocus witches mingle with horror legends such as Ghostface, Dracula, and Freddy Krueger. You’ll see glowing symbols of the season, like black cats, grim reapers and The Headless Horseman, appearing alongside modern favorites from Terrifier, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and Stranger Things.

Presented by the talented team at Zombie Pumpkins, every pumpkin is carved using their signature hand-drawn patterns, pulled from a massive collection of hundreds of designs dedicated to horror, fantasy, and Halloween culture. Whether playful, nostalgic, or terrifying, these pumpkins transform simple jack-o’-lanterns into true centerpieces of the season.

Discover a lively marketplace filled with dozens of one-of-a-kind vendors, each bringing their own spooky flair and festive creations. Wander through rows of creatively curated booths featuring haunting decorations, scary collectibles, and delightfully dark treasures.

Whether you’re a seasoned Halloween enthusiast or simply love a touch of the unusual, this marketplace promises a fun and festive shopping experience around every corner.

We’ll even have some celebrities from your favorite Halloween-themed films hanging out all weekend long, ready to snap photos and sign autographs. Fans can meet their horror heroes up close, share a laugh, and capture spine-tingling moments they’ll treasure long after the weekend ends.

Pricing varies depending on the celebrity. We will keep our Celebrity Guests page updated as soon as we get that information.

No Halloween celebration is complete without a chilling dose of fear—and our scare zone delivers it in full. Dare to enter if you have the nerve, because once you step inside, there’s no telling what awaits. From sudden shocks to lurking terrors, frights are waiting around every corner, turning each moment into a pulse-pounding thrill you won’t soon forget.

What’s Halloween without amazing costumes of every kind? We’re inviting guests of all ages to join the fun with two separate costume contests—one especially for kids and one for adults. It’s a celebration of imagination and Halloween spirit, where creativity takes center stage and every participant becomes part of the magic.

Information about time and prizes will be announced in the upcoming months.

In addition to everything else happening at New England Halloween Fest, we’re excited to announce that Tyler Green will be hosting two demonstrations at his booth on the show floor. On Saturday from 1:00-2:30 he’ll be giving a mask painting demonstration of his Mummy Mask Making Kit. Then, the next day at 1:00-2:30, he’ll be showing off his Voodoo Doll and show first-hand how to create your own one of a kind Voodoo Doll!

Calling all mini ghosts, ghouls, witches, and superheroes! Bring the little ones to show off their Halloween spirit at the New England Halloween Fest Kids Costume Contest! Whether it’s handmade, spooky, cute, or totally hilarious, we want to see the best kids’ costumes New England has to offer. This fun, family-friendly event gives kids a chance to strut their stuff on the main stage and strike a pose  for the crowd!

It’s time to show off your hard work, terrifying creations, and incredible craftsmanship! New England Halloween Fest is calling all cosplayers, FX artists, and Halloween fanatics to the main stage for our Adult Costume Contest! Whether you’re debuting a screen-accurate horror icon, an original nightmare creature, or a jaw-dropping group costume, step into the spotlight and compete for cash prizes, and ultimate bragging rights at New England Halloween Fest! Plaques for 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd place!

Are you the ultimate authority on all things spooky season, autumn lore, and scary cinema? Test your brainpower at the New England Halloween Fest Trivia Challenge at Mohegan Sun! Hosted by the ultimate dynamic duo—John Amenta (The Pint Pop Culture Podcast) and “Scary” Larry Dwyer—this fast-paced game will challenge your knowledge of everything from cult horror classics to spooky Halloween traditions, monster lore, and seasonal favorites. Register ON-SITE at the convention (Spots are limited to 40 SOLO entrants —sign up early at the main desk!).

Before Salem, there was Windsor, Connecticut. Long-buried history takes center stage at New England Halloween Fest for a powerful and eye-opening panel discussion on America’s first recorded witch execution and the movement to restore justice to the accused. Join author Beth Caruso (One of Windsor: The Untold Story of America’s first Witch Hanging) alongside retired Connecticut police officer Tony Griego, and Sarah Jack—one of the hosts of the acclaimed podcast The Thing About Witch Hunts; all key leaders in the Connecticut Witch Trial Exoneration Project. Also joining them will be Lauren Cavanaugh who is a playwright who just wrote a play about Alice Young. Together, they will explore the tragic story of Alse Young, the history of 17th-century witch trials in New England, and the essential modern advocacy work that led to Connecticut’s historic exoneration resolution.

From Mothman and the Jersey Devil to local New England legends lurking in the woods, our fascination with mysterious creatures runs deep. But what if these monsters are telling us something vital about who we are? Join Stephen Gencarella, Professor of Folklore Studies at UMass Amherst, for a captivating presentation and Q&A titled “Our Cryptids, Ourselves: How Folk Stories about Strange Creatures Might Just Save Humanity.” Professor Gencarella dives into the rich cultural history of cryptids, exploring how the strange creatures of regional folklore reflect our deepest fears, desires, and connection to the natural world—and why keeping these stories alive might be key to our shared future.

Step into the shadows with one of the most experienced voices in the realm of modern spiritual warfare! New England Halloween Fest is honored to welcome acclaimed author, paranormal investigator, and demonologist Jason McLeod to the main stage. With over three decades of field experience—having worked alongside legendary investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren—McLeod has dedicated his life to helping families deal with severe hauntings, inhuman entities, and demonic activity. Author of the gripping books like Dark Siege: A Connecticut Family’s Nightmare, Jason brings real-world insight into the reality of dark hauntings. Join us for a thrilling session as Jason shares eye-opening accounts from his most harrowing cases, breaks down the signs of residual vs. attachment hauntings, and discusses the spiritual tools needed to face the darkest corners of the unknown.

With over fifty years of investigating the unknown, John Zaffis—star of Syfy’s Haunted Collector and nephew of famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren—joins us for a thrilling dive into the supernatural! Known worldwide as the “Godfather of the Paranormal,” Zaffis has spent his life studying hauntings, demonology, and collecting hundreds of infamous, cursed items housed in his private Museum of the Paranormal in Connecticut. Join John as he shares chilling stories from his most notorious cases, discusses the dangers of handling cursed artifacts, and answers your burning questions about spirit encounters, hauntings, and the unexplained!

Calling all Outcasts, Normies, and Addams Family fans! New England Halloween Fest is thrilled to bring the creepy and kooky magic of Netflix’s smash-hit series Wednesday right to Mohegan Sun! Join us for an exclusive, fan-favorite Q&A featuring Isaac Ordonez (Pugsley Addams)! From life on set in Nevermore Academy to bringing the iconic character to life alongside Jenna Ortega, get the behind-the-scenes scoop on one of the biggest pop-culture phenomena in recent history.

10:00AM Classic Halloween TV commercials
11:00AM MOVIE: Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
12:15PM Classic Halloween cartoons
12:30PM MOVIE: House on Haunted Hill (1959)
1:45PM Classic Halloween cartoons
2:00PM MOVIE: Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954)
3:30PM MOVIE: Night of the Living Dead (1968)
5:00PM Classic Halloween TV commercials
6:00PM CLOSE FOR VIP PARTY SETUP

Calling all mini ghosts, ghouls, witches, and superheroes! Bring the little ones to show off their Halloween spirit at the New England Halloween Fest Kids Costume Contest! Whether it’s handmade, spooky, cute, or totally hilarious, we want to see the best kids’ costumes New England has to offer. This fun, family-friendly event gives kids a chance to strut their stuff on the main stage and strike a pose  for the crowd!

It’s time to show off your hard work, terrifying creations, and incredible craftsmanship! New England Halloween Fest is calling all cosplayers, FX artists, and Halloween fanatics to the main stage for our Adult Costume Contest! Whether you’re debuting a screen-accurate horror icon, an original nightmare creature, or a jaw-dropping group costume, step into the spotlight and compete for cash prizes, and ultimate bragging rights at New England Halloween Fest! Plaques for 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd place!

Invoke the corners and welcome a true 90s cult icon to the stage! New England Halloween Fest is thrilled to host a special conversation with actress, author, and lifelong esoteric practitioner Rachel True! Best known for her legendary role as Rochelle in the timeless supernatural classic The Craft—as well as fan favorites like Half Baked and Half & Half—Rachel has been practicing tarot long before she ever stepped onto the set of a witchy movie. Join us as Rachel opens up about the making and legacy of The Craft, her journey in Hollywood, and her hit deck and memoir, True Heart Intuitive Tarot! She’ll discuss how she uses tarot as an intuitive tool for self-reflection, mindfulness, and navigating life’s twists and turns.

Before Salem, there was Windsor, Connecticut. Long-buried history takes center stage at New England Halloween Fest for a powerful and eye-opening panel discussion on America’s first recorded witch execution and the movement to restore justice to the accused. Join author Beth Caruso (One of Windsor: The Untold Story of America’s first Witch Hanging) alongside  Sarah Jack—one of the hosts of the acclaimed podcast The Thing About Witch Hunts; playwright Lauren Cavanaugh and Dr. Katherine Hermes who is professor emeritus from Central CT State University and editor-in-chief of CT Explored Magazine. Together, they will explore the tragic story of Alse Young, the history of 17th-century witch trials in New England, and the essential modern advocacy work that led to Connecticut’s historic exoneration resolution.

From Mothman and the Jersey Devil to local New England legends lurking in the woods, our fascination with mysterious creatures runs deep. But what if these monsters are telling us something vital about who we are? Join Stephen Gencarella, Professor of Folklore Studies at UMass Amherst, for a captivating presentation and Q&A titled “Our Cryptids, Ourselves: How Folk Stories about Strange Creatures Might Just Save Humanity.” Professor Gencarella dives into the rich cultural history of cryptids, exploring how the strange creatures of regional folklore reflect our deepest fears, desires, and connection to the natural world—and why keeping these stories alive might be key to our shared future.

With over fifty years of investigating the unknown, John Zaffis—star of Syfy’s Haunted Collector and nephew of famed paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren—joins us for a thrilling dive into the supernatural! Known worldwide as the “Godfather of the Paranormal,” Zaffis has spent his life studying hauntings, demonology, and collecting hundreds of infamous, cursed items housed in his private Museum of the Paranormal in Connecticut. Join John as he shares chilling stories from his most notorious cases, discusses the dangers of handling cursed artifacts, and answers your burning questions about spirit encounters, hauntings, and the unexplained!

10:00AM Classic Halloween TV commercials
11:00AM MOVIE: The Craft (Followed by Rachel True Q&A in Panel Room)
12:30PM Classic Halloween cartoons
12:45PM MOVIE: Dementia 13 (1963)
2:00PM Classic Halloween cartoons
2:10PM MOVIE: Spider Baby (1967)
3:30PM Classic Halloween movie trailers
4:30PM CLOSE FOR WEEKEND