There are many Halloween-happenings in and near Sleepy Hollow, a historic Westchester County neighborhood located on the east bank of the Hudson River about 25 miles north of Manhattan. Halloween is such a major celebration in Sleepy Hollow that it is considered one of the “most haunted places in the world.” The following activities will entice, enchant and spook you … and your children. (Most are recommended for ages 10 and older).
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
It’s been 200 years since Washington Irving wrote “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” a short story about Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman. Irving, who lived at Sunnyside (1839–1859) in a part of Tarrytown now called Irvington, and is buried nearby in Sleepy Hollow cemetery, is himself a local legend. This season, the village will celebrate the anniversary within the Old Dutch Church through Nov. 3, with master storytellers repeating the classic tale accompanied by spooky organ music.

Legend of Sleepy Hollow at the Old Dutch Church in Sleepy Hollow. Photo: Westchester County Tourism & Film, by Tom Nycz
The Sleepy Hollow Experience
The Sleepy Hollow Experience, an outdoor theatrical, musically accompanied walking-tour version of the ghost story takes place at Sunnyside, where Washington Irving lived. There are seasonal drinks and tasty treats (but no seats) for this performance, sold out for seven years while touring the country.
Horseman’s Hollow
Horseman’s Hollow will also return for 15 terrifying evenings throughout October, when visitors can tour a transformed and fearsome landscape on the grounds of The Philipsburg Manor House (c. 1693), a National Historic Landmark since 1961. The scary scenes are portrayed by professional actors as vampires, witches, undead soldiers, ghouls, ghosts and the Headless Horseman.

Horseman’s Hollow at Philipsburgh Manor in Sleepy Hollow. Photo: Westchester County Tourism & Film, by Tom Nycz
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
About ten miles up river, The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Croton-on-Hudson is considered one of the most unique and electrifying Halloween experiences. The magnificent display of more than 7,000 illuminated jack o’lanterns — hand-carved by 1,000 volunteers — fills Van Cortland Manor’s historic 18th-century grounds through Nov. 30. Check out the new Museum of Pumpkin Art, a pumpkin windmill, carousel and a 25-foot Statue of Liberty. Historic Hudson Valley recommends that to get the most out of a short visit, schedule evening performances for all three, one after another.
Halloween Parade
The 18th annual Tarrytown Halloween Parade takes place Oct. 26.
Haunted Hayrides
The village hosts haunted hayrides Oct. 25 and 26.
Cemetery Tours
And, there are kerosene lantern tours and day tours of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the Musical
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the musical by William Allen Jones, made its debut in 2018 and will play at the Irvington Theater Oct. 19, 20, 24, 25, 26.
And, throughout the year…
Sleepy Hollow fascinates from May to November; there are timed tours of Philipsburg Manor House, where the interior is decorated with 17th- and 18th-century period furnishings. Costumed interpreters re-enact life in pre-Revolutionary times, when the family’s 23 household slaves did the chores. (The Philips family transported slaves from Africa and supported the British. Loyalists seized their home in 1789, after the Revolution; later, the British compensated the family.) Kykuit, in Sleepy Hollow — where four generations of the Rockefeller family made their home — is listed as a historic site on the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It’s a historic mansion to visit, with elegant sculpture-studded gardens, an amazing art collection and incredible river views. In 1921, John D. Rockefeller built the beautiful stone structure — the Union Church of Pocantico Hills — where they worshipped and for which he asked Henri Matisse to design the rose window. His children commissioned Marc Chagall to create nine stained glass windows in his honor, including the “Good Samaritan.”

Sleep Hollow Cemetery tour. Photo: Westchester County Tourism & Film
Read This Next
Where to Go on a Family Vacation in Ecuador
Destinations / Latin America
Sep 25, 2023#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedTravel Tips
Sep 8, 2023How Can Disney Vacation Club Work for Your Family?
Can joining Disney Vacation Club help you save on family travel? Well, David’s Vacation Club Rentals, a source for Disney Vacation Club rentals, can provide some insight. Disney travel experts like Melissa Mullett, director of operations, David’s Vacation Club Rentals, provided some tips and insider knowledge on how Disney Vacation Club works.
Sponsored Content
United Airlines Celebrates its First Class of United Aviate Graduates
As the only major U.S. airline to own a flight school, United Airlines already hit a major milestone, and now the carrier celebrates another important — and historic — step as the inaugural class of United Aviate Academy pilots graduates, leading the next generation of aviators. The 51 students in the graduating class were majority, at 80 percent, women and people of color — another stride toward United’s goal of training 5,000 new pilots by 2030 with half women or POC.
Kids
Sep 6, 2023Bright Stripes Activities for Car Travel with Kids
Does your road trip crew include young kids? We’ve been there, too, and know keeping everyone busy and entertained makes those long stretches of interstate much more peaceful.
Multigenerational
Sep 1, 2023Atlantic and Target Now Offer New Family-Friendly Luggage Line
In the market for new luggage? If you’re outfitting your entire family of travelers, you may want to check out some new offerings available at Target from travel brand Atlantic. Atlantic’s new line focuses on making travel more convenient with kiddos, and includes seven pieces to choose from, all made with durable, lightweight, sustainable materials (each item is made from up to 27 recycled plastic bottles).
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Cruising
Aug 24, 2023Sail Into Family Fun with NCL’s Newest Ship, “Viva”
Norwegian recently launched the newest addition to its fleet, Viva, with a spectacular debut earlier this month. The ship, launched from Trieste, Italy, and finishing its inaugural run in Lisbon, Portugal, is the second in its Prima Class of ships, set to give family travelers the ultimate vacation experience.
ShareThis