After a recent recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to avoid traditional trick-or-treating, Halloween may look a little different this year. With that in mind, we compiled a list of some socially-distanced events in Central New York. You can also click here for some games and movies that you can enjoy with your family – from home. Happy Halloween!
- Beethoven’s Ghost – Get in the Halloween spirit with music by Beethoven. During this virtual Symphoria performance, families can enjoy music from the famous composer and learn about the influence of his music during a visit from his ghost.
When: October 31 at 10:30 a.m.
Where: The concert will be livestreamed.
Cost: $15/adults; $10/senior citizens; $5/college students; free/age 18 and under.
More information: ExperienceSymphoria.org. - Daytime Trick or Treat, The Wild Animal Park – Visit candy stations around the zoo and enjoy a bounce house. Don’t forget to also check out Flashlight Safari & Halloween Nights every weekend through Halloween.
When: October 31 from 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: The Wild Animal Park, 7621 Lakeport Road, Chittenango.
Cost: Adults $13.99; Seniors/$11.99; Children (up to age 12) $11.99; free/age 2 and under.
More information: thewildpark.com. - Drive-thru Trick or Treat, Oswego Speedway – Families can drive around the track and collect candy from local businesses and organizations – more than 75 will be in attendance, according to the event’s Facebook page. Families can also enjoy inflatables and Halloween-themed music. Make sure to arrive early; the event only lasts as long as the candy.
When: October 31 from 1-4 p.m.
Where: Oswego Speedway, 300 E. Albany St., Oswego (enter at City Line Road).
Cost: Free.
More information: facebook.com/events/680893379166738. - Halloween at the Park, Jamesville Beach Park – This October, local families can visit a spider forest, pumpkin patch, skeleton graveyard, and more – all from the comfort of their car. Held nightly at Jamesville Beach Park, the drive-thru event will feature light displays, characters and more. Tickets must be purchased in advance on Halloween in the Park’s website.
When: 7-10 p.m. daily
Where: Jamesville Beach Park, 3992 Apulia Road, Jamesville.
Cost: $10/car Monday-Thursday; $15/car Friday-Sunday.
More information: halloweenatthepark.com. - Trick or Treat in the Corn Maze, Wagner Farms — Children ages 16 and under and their parents can walk through the farm’s corn maze and collect candy. Costumes are encouraged. From 7-10 p.m., Wagner Farms will also offer a haunted corn maze for those 17 and older ($10).
When: October 31 from 12-4 p.m.
Where: 5841 Old Oneida Road, Rome
Cost: Free.
More information: wagnerfarmseventcenter.com. - Wicked Woods, Green Lakes State Park – Wicked Woods is returning this fall as a drive-thru event. Families can view more than 40 decorated sites at Green Lakes’ campground, according to the event’s Facebook page.
When: October 24 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Green Lakes State Park, 7900 Green Lakes Road, Fayetteville.
Cost: Free. The donation of an unperishable food item is encouraged.
More information: facebook.com/Wicked-Woods-at-Green-Lakes-275390629246429.
By David’s Refuge
Local non-profit David’s Refuge has joined hands with Symphoria to provide a live streamed Halloween performance for families who have a child with special needs or with a life-threatening medical condition.
With the help of Sun Auto Cicero, Northridge Church in Rochester, and Sound Right Audio Visual, guests will be treated to a ‘drive in’ family-friendly Beethoven concert followed by a Halloween-themed event on Saturday October 31 starting at 10:30 a.m. Families interested in learning more can go to davidsrefuge.org/events. Registration is required.
“Symphoria is honored to share the joy of music with the wonderful families who are a part of David’s Refuge,” says Pamela Murchison, Executive Director of Symphoria. “We are grateful to be able to bring smiles to faces through this event. Music is for sharing and for brightening lives, and we couldn’t be more proud of this partnership!”
