Having nothing to do for Halloween can be a scary thing, but fear not, here is your go-to-guide for Halloween parties, carving contests, and more. Whether you are looking for a night out on the town or an event for the kids, we’ve got you covered.
Friday, October 21 – Sunday, October 23
Downingtown Ghost Walk 2011
Oct. 21, 7 p.m.; Oct. 22, 4:30 – 9 p.m.; Oct. 23, 4 – 8:30 p.m.
Downtown Downingtown
Downingtown Area Paranormal Investigators (DAPI) will host their annual ghost walk through historic Downingtown for the third year running! Join in on the spooky fun with the lesiurely 100-minute stroll through downtown, featuring entertaining storytelling and the detailing of paranormal evidence found throughout the Borough of Downingtown. Tickets are $7 per person and may be purchased at Bud N Bloom Florist, Downingtown Country Gifts, and Downingtown Borough Hall. This event sells out very quickly, so it is suggested that you purchase your tickets in advance.
Saturday, October 22
Kennett Lions Fright Feast
7 to 10 p.m.
Northbrook MarketPlace,1805 Unionville-Wawaset Road, West Chester
Join the Kennett Lions Club for an evening of ghoulish delight, beer, wine, light fare, costume contests, silent auctions, tarot card readings, live music and door prizes. Tickets are $50 and more information can be found here. The evening benefits Camp Dreamcatcher, Canine Partners for Life and Kennett Lions Club.
Friday, October 28
Kildare’s Haunted Happy Hour and Zombie Prom
18 W. Gay Street, West Chester, 610-431-0770
Kick off your ghoulish weekend with a haunted happy hour from 6 to 8 p.m. Stick around for a zombie prom with music by DJ B-Smooth at 10 p.m. Guests are encouraged to come dressed as the prettiest or fanciest walking dead. Sip on some tantalizing spirits including $8 Voodoo Buckets!
Boxcar Brewing Company’s Ride the Rails
7 to 11 p.m.
230 E. Market Street, West Chester, 484-887-0538
After a 35-minute journey on the West Chester Railroad; Boxcar beer, food and live entertainment will be waiting as you step off the spooky cars at the Glen Mills Train Station. Feel free to bring your own blankets or chairs. Prizes will be awarded to passengers in the finest costumes in the following categories: “Scariest”, “Funniest”, “Sexiest” and “Most Original”. Tickets are $40. Tickets for designated drivers are $25. These tickets go fast, so get them before they vanish!
Saturday, October 29
Black Walnut Winery Halloween Spooktacular
Noon to 6 p.m.
3000 Lincoln Highway, Sadsburyville, 610-857-5566
260 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 484-924-8740
Both of the Black Walnut Winery locations will be slashing prices on select wines and murdering tasting fees with any wine purchase. Complimentary Halloween goodies and warm Spiced Apple wine will be lurking at both locations. At Sadsburyville, Holt 45 will be playing from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., tickets are $12 and include a glass of wine. Whichever location you visit, you won’t find yourself in a terrifying situation of having to drink mediocre wine!
Brickside Grille Monster Mash
9 p.m.
540 Wellington Square, Exton, 610-321-1600
Skip bobbing for apples or haunted hayrides and head over to Brickside for a Halloween bash.
Brickside’s bartenders will be mixing up a special “witches’ brew” for the evening. “Bad Habit” will be performing at 9 p.m. Judging for the costume party is at 11 p.m. and the grand prize will be brunch for four. Party guests won’t be the only ones adorning costumes, guests can vote for their favorite staff costume.
Iron Hill’s Annual Gathering of the Gourds
3 West Gay Street, West Chester, 610-738-9600
Pumpkin picking. Check. Pumpkin carving. Check. Drank more pumpkin lattes than you can count. Check. Now it is time for the best way to consume pumpkins–through eight different pumpkin beers from Iron Hill, Elysian Brewing Company and Cambridge Brewing Company. The pumpkin won’t be the gourd at this gathering, Iron Hill will be serving up squash-inspired culinary creations throughout the day. Searching for the Great Pumpkin Beer has never been so easy.
Kildare’s Costume Contest
18 W. Gay Street, West Chester, 610-431-0770
Break out your best costume and you just may be $500 richer! At 10 p.m., DJ Bash hits the floor without the Monster Mash. Capture your favorite memory of the evening with their free photobooth! Drink specials are out of this world and include $8 Voodoo Buckets all day and jello shots galore. No creepy covers will be found lurking at any of Kildare’s Halloween festivities!
Kiwanis Club Halloween Party
1:30 to 3 p.m.
Colonial Theater, 227 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-917-1228
Doors open at 1 p.m. Following a costumed children’s parade across the stage will be a viewing of two “Fraggle Rock Scared Silly” episodes. Children will receive a goodie bag at the end of this free party and must be accompanied by an adult. Dance your cares away, down at the Colonial Theatre!
Molly Maguire’s Annual Mollyween Party
10 p.m to 2 a.m.
195 Bridge Street, Phoenixville, 610-933-9550
Spend the witching hour with the Jagerettes at Molly Maguire’s and “Hot Sauce Junkies” on stage at 10 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. Best overall costume wins $500 and prizes will be awarded to winners of scariest, funniest, and best duo. Carve out some fun at this annual gathering.
Paradocx and Schmidt’s Tree Farm A-Maize-ing Night!
6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Paradocx Winery, 1833 Flint Hill Road, Landenberg, 610-255-4159
Grab your flashlight and head over to Paradocx Winery to weave your way through their seven acre corn maze. Afterward, warm up with a roaring campfire or sip on one of their magnificent wines. Cost is $8 a person and wine will be available to purchase by the glass, bottle or paint can.
Phoenixville Pumpkin Fest
2-7 p.m.
Reeves Park, 2nd Ave. & Main St.
Celebrate gourds galore with Phoenixville’s first pumpkin festival hosted by Iron Works Church. This free event includes a pumpkin carving contest, pumpkin derby race, moon bounce, pumpkin & gourd painting, pumpkin carving demonstrations, free carving kits and patterns (while supplies last), face painting, local food vendors, live music, fall crafts, games, prizes, and raffle.
PJ Whelihan’s Halloween Costume Party
10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
853 Lancaster Ave, Downingtown, 610-873-1311
Break out your scariest, sexiest, funniest or best costume and you may just be named the winner in PJ Whelihan’s masquerade contest. PJ Whelihan’s will be giving away $250 worth of gift cards for the best costumes. PJ’s DJ will take over at 10 p.m. and Coors Light and Coors are $2 all night.
Sunday, October 30
Brickside Grille Halloween Brunch Buffet
10 am to 2 pm
There will be plenty of tricks and treats for the kids at this bountiful brunch–Kevin the Magician will perform tricks, make balloon animals and each child will receive a treat-filled bag to take home. Parents will be in for a treat too, kids under 10 as well as children in costume eat free! Cost for the breakfast buffet is $18.95 per adult.
Kildare’s Show Your Bones Party
Kildare’s wants to protect you from things that go bump in the night with free sugar skull face painting with UV paint and glow in the dark black lights. Looking for another reason to spend your Sunday having a glowing good time? Drinks are half-price from 9 to 11 p.m.!
Monday, October 31
Kildare’s Halloween Bash
Test out your trivia knowledge during a haunted quizzo from 8 to 10 p.m. Starting at 10 p.m., partygoers can have their fortunes told and the dance party with music by DJ Dan Green gets underwraps. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes.
Kitchen Workshop’s “The Great Pumpkin and Friends” Cooking Class
6 to 9 p.m.
21 Plank Ave, Suite 204, Paoli, 610-993-2665
Spend All Hallow’s Eve learning how to cook up the best of season’s offerings. Cost is $54 per participant and includes instruction, copies of each recipe, food, beverages and complimentary wine. Reservations are recommended.
