The spookiest time of the year is upon us, and there are plenty of ways to get into the spirit — and maybe even dress like one. Here’s a rundown of Halloween-related events for all ages, by date.
Oct. 25
An early celebration of Halloween will take place at 7 p.m. at the Montauk Library when Loretta Orion and Hugh King of Amagansett discuss her new book, “It Were as Well to Please the Devil as Anger Him,” about the witchcraft trial of Goody Garlick in East Hampton and Hartford in the 1650s. The talk will be followed by a Q&A and book signing.
Oct. 26
Calling all “wiener dog” Halloween costumes! The annual pet parade will be on Saturday. Little Lucy’s Canine Couture Boutique on Job’s Lane will hold its 19th annual parade starting from Agawam Park at 1 p.m. This year, Little Lucy’s will honor the Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons. There will be refreshments, live music, a raffle, and costume prizes awarded by celebrity judges. The fee to enter is $10 per dog. A rain date will be announced later.
The East Hampton Ladies Village Improvement Society is getting into the spooky spirit too, with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. The premises and dollhouse have been decorated in keeping. There will be treats for all, and some of the society’s more theatrical members will take turns telling creepy stories.
The Clubhouse on Daniel’s Hole Road in Wainscott will throw a costume party and contest from 9:30 to 11 p.m. for those 21 and older. It will feature a fire and snake show by Samantha Slithers, an open bar with passed food, and music from JR Inventor. Entry is $35 at the door.
Also on Saturday, the East Hampton Library’s Haunted Library returns from 7 to 9 p.m. for ages 10 and up. Free reservations have been requested at the library’s young-adult desk or at easthamptonlibrary.org. Costumes have been encouraged.
The Southampton Museum will host a ghost-hunting fair at the Rogers Mansion and Halsey House. The evening, which will continue from 7 to midnight, includes a one-hour ghost investigation, tarot and rune readings, an in-depth look into theories and technology associated with paranormal investigating, and light refreshments. Admission is $60 per person or $50 for museum members and past participants. Tickets, which can be bought for the one-hour ghost investigations, are available online at southamptonhistory.org or by calling the museum.
The Southampton Arts Center will celebrate Halloween with its final outdoor silent dance party for 2019 on Saturday night from 7 to 11. Two D.J.s will be at the turntables, food and beverages will be available for purchase, and prizes will be awarded for best individual and group costumes. Headphones can be rented at the event, but the center has suggested advance reservations to guarantee a set and to avoid the long line. Tickets are $10, $8 for members, $6 for those 12 and under.
Union Cantina in Southampton will hold a Day of the Dead Halloween Bash at 7 that night. There will be complimentary passed hors d’oeuvres, a tasting of Espolon Tequila, and a costume contest with prizes. Souliztik will perform. If you’re hungry, there will be a prix fixe dinner special for $29.
In Montauk, Solé East will mark Halloween and the end of its season with a Halloween closing party at 8 p.m. Saturday. There will be free food, drink specials, and live music. Those who come in costume will be entered to win a weekend stay at the resort. Admission is free, and special room rates will be offered for the weekend.
Oct. 27
The Sag Harbor Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Ragamuffin costume parade at 1 p.m. The parade will start at Nassau and Main Streets and head to the Custom House, where there will be a fair with games, activities, and music.
Children in costumes are expected to be out in full force in Southampton Village for the 29th annual Rag-a-Muffin parade and pumpkin trail sponsored by the Southampton Chamber of Commerce. Children 9 and under have been invited to join in for festivities beforehand in Agawam Park, including games and other activities set up by the Southampton High Student Council, from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. If it rains, the council will set up in the Morris Room at the Rogers Memorial Library at 12:30. The parade will begin at 1 p.m. The trick-or-treat pumpkin trail follows, with merchants posting a paper pumpkin in their windows to let children in costume know they have treats for them. Businesses have donated prizes to be awarded for best costumes.
Also on Sunday, the Kiwanis Club of East Hampton will host its annual Family Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in Amagansett. The day will feature pumpkin painting, pony and train rides, bounce houses and slides, a Halloween costume parade, face painting, a magic show, live music, and food.
Oct. 28
Pumpkin carvers best get to work for the annual Bridgehampton Lions Club Carving Contest, coming up on Monday on the grounds of the Bridgehampton Community House, on the corner of Montauk Highway and School Street. The fun begins at 5 p.m., when the jack-o’-lanterns will be on display for all to see. There is no admission fee to check out the pumpkins on display. Categories this year include Area 51, Prehistoric, Creepy Carnival, Asymmetric Jack, Glow-bal Warming, and Compost Zombie. It is free to enter. Liz Joyce and Goat on a Boat Puppet Theatre will put on a puppet show that night, and the Milk Pail will provide cider and doughnuts. The Lions Club website, bridgehamptonlions.org, has more rules, event details, and prize information.
Oct. 30
The Sag Harbor Historical Society will celebrate Halloween with a parade through the Annie Cooper Boyd House at 5 p.m. Guests have been invited to take jack-o’-lanterns with battery-operated lights. Refreshments will be served, and Nancy Remkus will play Halloween music. A donation of $5 has been requested.
Oct. 31
Shops in the commercial district in Sag Harbor Village will hand out treats to kids from 3 to 5 p.m. Participating stores will have pumpkins in their windows.
WLNG Radio will hold a Halloween dance and costume party at Marine Park in Sag Harbor at 6 p.m. Kids who participate in a group performance of the dance from “Thriller,” the Michael Jackson music video, will get free candy and a T-shirt. Cash prizes will be awarded for best costumes, and food trucks will be selling various treats.
Rowdyween, the annual costume party at Rowdy Hall in East Hampton, is 20 this year (almost old enough to legally order a drink). The Halloween celebration and contest begins at 7:30 p.m. Those attending must come in costume. The cost is $30 in advance or $35 at the door, which entitles customers to one drink, free snacks, $5 draft beers, and $6 well drinks. There will be live music, and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.