A Spooktacular Guide to Halloween in Newport

Trinity Pumpkin Patch

Trinity Church’s Pumpkin Patch is ablaze for fall with thousands of pumpkins and gourds of every shape, size and color, richly-hued mums, and ornamental cabbages. The setting is the perfect backdrop for photos, and there are family-friendly activities planned for each weekend – live music, baked goods, lunch, and a “pumpkin-smashing” center. Open daily through Halloween, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. There will be an costume parade on Oct. 28 at 1 p.m.

Fortress of Nightmares

Historic Fort Adams is transformed into a spooky cavern of twisting tunnels haunted by ghosts and ghouls for seven nights each October. This year’s dates for the eerie event are Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20 and 26-28. “Tunnels of Terror” is open each of those nights from 6 to 9 p.m. Tickets ($10) may be purchased at the Fort or in advance online at www.fortressofnightmares.com.

This year, there’s also a “Zombie Apocalypse” shooting range, where you can practice your skill at sharp-shooting using biodegradable BBs in an airsoft target area on the grounds of the Fort ($5 per half-clip, with safety gear provided.) Tickets for the shooting range must be purchased in advance online. Children younger than age 12 are not encouraged at the Fortress.

Haunted Trail at Carr Point

The Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Department will open its popular Haunted Trail at the Carr Point Recreation Area in Portsmouth on Saturday, Oct. 13, 20, and 27 from 6 – 9 p.m. Visitors can walk the spooky haunted trail with witches, pirates, mad scientists and much more.

Come join your favorite heroes as they rescue Gotham Point from the grip of the sinister villain in an entertaining, interactive hayride. For children the Mystery Squad has been called on again! Come help them as they search for clues to solve the puzzle. There will be concessions, arts and crafts and nightly entertainment is included. On Oct. 13 – Toe Jam Puppet Band Pirate Show from 6 – 8 p.m.; Oct. 20 – Toe Jam Puppet Band Spooktacular Halloween Show from 6 – 8 p.m.

Admission for military & DoD personnel with ID is $5 per person, general public is $8 per person and children 3 and under are free. For more information, call MWR Special Events at 841-3127. 

Spooky Special Effects and Sci-Fi Fun

Interested in learning how special effects for horror and science fiction movies are made? Children ages 9 – 12 are invited to attend a 1-hour presentation by professional movie special-effects creator and costume designer Alex Ezorsky-Lie of Awespark Productions. See a demonstration of how the green screen works and how movie magic makes horror and science fiction scenes look real. See computer special effects and some creepy costume creations. No registration is required for this free program, just drop in. Held in the lower level program room on Thursday, Oct. 25 at 3:30 p.m. 

Genie's Halloween

Oct. 26, 6 p.m. - 2 a.m. Tickets: $75 for two, $40 for one, 94 William St. 2nd Annual Halloween costume party includes: Soup or Salad, Entree, Tea or Soft Drink, Dessert or Basic Hookah. Costume prizes for scariest, funniest and sexiest. BYOB: First Cork No Charge.

Horror Fest

Friday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. Frightfully fun films: Apple, Baby-Sitting, Chilly, Grace, Harmony, Nursery Grimes, Rotting Hill, Shhh, The Stolen, Worm. $10 donation at the door, Jamestown Arts Center, 18 Valley St., Jamestown, www.jamestownartscenter.org.

Savor the Spooky

At Vanderbilt Grace’s signature restaurant, Muse, chefs have created a special spooky menu for Friday, Oct. 26, 7 p.m. to start with a “Bleeding Heart Martini.” $55 per person, $25 per Gremlin (6-11 years) Prizes will be given for the best costumes. RSVP is necessary. 846-6200.

Carved in Stone

Walking tour through the Common Burial Ground, Newport's colonial cemetery, tour departs from Newport Visitors Center, 23 America's Cup Ave., Saturday, Oct. 27, 4 p.m., $17 adults, $16 military/senior, $10 child, 841-8600, ghostsofnewport.com.

Halloween Dog Parade

Join fellow dog lovers and dogs for this festive fall event on Saturday, Oct. 27, 3 p.m. Dogs of all sizes and ages are welcome to show off their cool costumes as they parade around the Potter League grounds. The event will include door prizes, photos, costume awards and, of course, Tricks and Treats! $8 per dog. Rain or shine event. Dogs must be dog- and people-friendly and must be leashed. Dog-safe and comfortable costumes are encouraged but not mandatory. Pre-registration is not required. www.PotterLeague.org.

The Halloween Party at Belcourt Castle

Saturday, Oct. 27 from 8 p.m. – midnight. All beverages included. Decorations, “creepy” food. Costume contest with prizes: The Honky Tonk Knights “electrify” the night. Music also by DJ Butch. Bar & Ghostly nutrition provided by Blackstone Caterers. Reserve tickets. $100 per person (payable by check to Belcourt Castle, no charge cards accepted); $120 after Oct. 22, cash at the door if space is available. For reservations or information visit BelcourtCastle.org or 846-0669. 

“Late Night” Ghost Tour with owner Harle Tinney at 8 p.m. on Oct. 24 & 30, 31 , Full Moon Ghost Tour at 8 p.m. on Oct. 29. 

Children’s Halloween Party

Emmanuel Church will sponsor a Children’s Community Halloween Party on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 4-6 p.m.  Parents and children are encouraged to wear costumes. There will be games, activities and refreshments. Free and open to the public. Free parking is available in the Dearborn St. lot. For more information, call 847-0675.

A-Maizing Halloween Party

All ages old-fashioned Halloween costume party for the entire family. Fun and games, plus trick-or-treating in the corn maze. Come in costume and receive $1 off admission. Saturday, Oct. 27, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Escobar’s Highland Farm, Middle Rd., Portsmouth. Rain date Oct. 28.

Wag Nation Pet Parade

Join the folks at the Wag Nation pet shop for a stroll with your furry friends along Bellevue Avenue. The third annual Howl-o-ween Stroll for the Dogs begins at noon on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the William Street shop. There will be treat-or-treating for the dogs at Bellevue shops, and prizes will be awarded for best canine costume and best human/dog coordinated costume. (Costumes are optional for the stroll.) Treats for all at Wag Nation afterwards.

Costume Party at Middletown Library 

Saturday, Oct. 27 from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Drop-in Halloween Craft and Dress Up Party. Come in costume or come as you are for Halloween crafts and treats. Free, no registration required and all ages welcome. 

The Devil in Literature

Redwood Library’s annual Halloween Costume Party. See the Redwood transformed into a haunted library! Enjoy light fall fare and cocktails, costume contests, and dancing with DJ Butch on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 7 p.m. until the witching hour. For more information, or to reserve tickets, call Mary Spotts at 847-0295 ext. 115. 

Halloween Cookie Decorating

Decorate pumpkin or ghost sugar cookies, The Newport Sweet Shoppe, 82 William St., 1-3 p.m. COmplimentary with a canned food donation for the Martin Luther King Center, 619-4600, www.newportsweetshoppe.com.

Creepy Carousel 

On Sunday, Oct. 28 from 2 – 5 p.m. at the Easton’s Beach Rotunda and Carousel. $5 per child includes a goodie bag, two free rides on the carousel, light refreshments and crafts. This event is not scary and is suitable for young children. 

The Wizarding World of the Middletown Library 

Harry Potter Halloween Costume Party and Movie – Thursday, Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. Dress up in your favorite wizard or witch costume for a party and screening of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” on the big screen. Food and drink will be provided. Ages 6 and up. 

Pumpkin Decorating in Jamestown

Halloween Spooktacular Pumpkin Decorating on Tuesday, Oct. 30 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Come in costume and decorate a Halloween pumpkin. Paint, stickers, and all other decorations will be provided. Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume (boy and girl) and Best Pumpkin (boy and girl). Space is limited to 40 children; sign up by Oct. 25 at 423-7280 or jamlibkids@gmail.com.

Halloween Extravaganza

"Ghost Tours" Halloween party on Tuesday, Oct. 30, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Thompson Middle School for middle school students only. There will be a talent contest, dancing, prizes, food and music. Chaperones needed, contact Officer Winters 845-5863, or Officer Salter 845-5865.

Trick or Treat at the Library 

Children of all ages are invited to wear their costumes and visit the Children’s Desk at the Newport Public Library to receive a free Halloween treat on Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 9:30 a.m. – 8:45 p.m. One treat bag per child, while supplies last.

Washington Square Halloween Parade

Children, pets and parents are all invited to take a stroll around Washington Square for a family-friendly outing of trick-or-treating on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 4 – 6 p.m.

The Big Big Big Halloween Bash

One of the biggest Halloween parties in Newport, the Halloween Bash takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 9 p.m. – 1 a.m. for the 21+ crowd at One Pelham East and upstairs at Studio 3. Over $500 in prizes for most interesting and worst costume contests. Local favorite reggae band The Ravers will perform two sets. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at The Music Box, 160 Thames St. and at Holy Smokes, 9 Broadway. 

Fright Fest

Third Annual Fright Fest on Halloween, Oct. 31, at the Newport Blues Café with DJ Face and Felix Brown. Two cover options for the night: $20 includes cover and open car from 8:30 – 10 p.m. or $10 cover. Costume contests include: $200 best costume, $100 for second place, and a $50 gift card for worst costume.

Hilarious & Haunted Halloween

The Bit Players will host a special Halloween show at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31. Come see this high energy, fast-paced group on improvisation master-minds. BYOB. Candy, treats, and of course plenty of improv comedy. Call ahead to reserve your seats. Wear a costume & get in for only $5, all others $10 prize for best costume. Firehouse Theater, 4 Equality Park Place, Newport, 849-3473.