Celebrate Halloween in the Laurel Highlands: Fun Spooky Activities for All Ages
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Get in the Halloween spirit in the Laurel Highlands. The region of southwestern Pennsylvania, comprising Westmoreland, Fayette, and Somerset Counties, provides plenty of autumnal natural scenery, rich history, and folktales that create the perfect setting for spooky celebrations.
Please note that some of these programs require preregistration and payment. Check with each organization to be sure you can participate!
HallowBoo, Idlewild Park
HallowBoo, weekends from September 24 – October 30
The oldest amusement park in Pennsylvania, located in Ligonier, is open for a limited time with a spooky twist. The classic rides, themed areas, and entertainment programs are given a family-friendly Halloween makeover and visitors are encouraged to dress in costume. Special activities include kids’ mazes and trick-or-treating through Story Book Forest, an area of the park inspired by fairytales and classic children’s stories.
Haunted Battlefield and Haunted History Hayride, Bushy Run Battlefield
The site of an important battle during Pontiac’s Rebellion and now a state park near Jeannette, Bushy Run Battlefield offers two history-inspired Halloween-themed events.
Haunted Battlefield – Friday, October 7, 2022
Take a haunted walking tour of 18th century history around Bushy Run Battlefield. This event is open to guests ages 12 and up.
Haunted History Hayrides – Saturday, October 8, 2022, 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Hop on a hay wagon to travel back in time on this haunted hayride at Bushy Run Battlefield. Travel down the trails to encounter reenactors portraying 18th century characters. But beware! Ghosts and goblins are lurking in the woods. Recommended for children over 4 years of age.
Advanced reservations are required for these events. Additional details to be announced.
Creepy Caboose, Ligonier Valley Rail Road Museum
Creepy Caboose – Saturday, October 8, 2022, 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Visit this historic railroad depot in Ligonier and tour the 1905 Bobber Caboose decked in spooky decorations. Hear ghost stories, warm up by a campfire, observe blacksmithing demonstrations, and enjoy face painting, food, music, and more. This event is free!
Haunted Keystone, Keystone State Park
Haunted Keystone, Saturday, October 15, 2022, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
The spooks and spirits are wandering the trails and campgrounds of Keystone State Park during this family-friendly program. Once a site of a coal mining operation, Keystone State Park, located in Derry, has conserved the landscape for recreation. However, spirits from the time of the coal patch town, or even as far back as the French and Indian War, may pay a visit on this spooky evening. Dress in costume for a festive trick or treat around Keystone Lake. Sign-in for trick or treat will start at the boat launch at 5:30 and will close at 6:45.
Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular, Uptown Somerset
Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular, Saturday, October 15, 2022, 12:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Visit Uptown Somerset for pumpkin carving, a hay maze, carriage rides, fall photo ops, Halloween yoga, and entertainment. Halloween treats include apple cider and kettle popcorn. Stay into the evening for a spooky movie. This event is free!
Historical Halloween, Somerset Historical Center
Historical Halloween – Saturday, October 22, 2022, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Stroll through the Somerset Historical Center grounds along lantern-lit paths, visit historic structures and talk to costumed interpreters, and take a tractor-drawn wagon ride through the woods. “Catch” the infamous Robber Lewis for a special treat! The Somerset Historical Center will offer fresh-pressed apple cider, maple kettle corn, and hot chocolate refreshments in the pavilion when you’re done trick-or-treating!
Hobgoblin Hikes, Mammoth Park and Northmoreland Park
Hobgoblin Hikes, Saturday, October 22, 2022, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Venture onto the trails if you dare! Mammoth Park in Mount Pleasant and Northmoreland Park in Apollo will by haunted by more than 100 ghouls, goblins, and monsters during this family-friendly program, recommended for ages 8 and over. This program offers an alternative to conventional trick-or-treating and is offered for free and regardless of weather conditions.
“It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” Halloween Party, Latrobe Art Center
Art Center Halloween Party – Saturday, October 22, 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Paint a favorite scene from “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and watch the film while enjoying some sweet Halloween treats! Also a great opportunity to visit downtown Latrobe. Pre-registration required.
Hair-Raising History Stories, Compass Inn Museum
Hair-Raising History: Frightfully True Stories From The Ligonier Valley – October 28-30, 2022, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. each night
Tour the historic grounds of Compass Inn Museum as docents guide you through the past, immersing you in the eerie fables of those that lived, worked, and stopped at early 19th-century Compass Inn, a stagecoach stop in Laughlintown, not far from Ligonier.
Halloween Weekend at Nemacolin Resort
Halloween Weekend – October 28-30, 2022
At Nemacolin Resort, an all-seasons resort in Farmington, enjoy creepy movie marathons with Halloween classics, festive face painting, eerie crafting workshops, and more. On Saturday night, all young creatures will be summoned to the costume contest and trick-or-treat parade. Show off your terrifying costume as you skulk across the resort, collecting treats along the way. Halloween-themed art classes, spooky spa specials, and some adults-only fun, too!
Ligonier Scarecrow Contest, Ligonier Diamond
Scarecrow Contest – October 21 – November 6, 2022
Take a stroll through downtown Ligonier and enjoy 25 homemade spooktacular scarecrows! Visitors are welcome to for their favorite creation. Make a day of it by stopping by the shops and restaurants in town, too.
Owling at the Moon, Powdermill Nature Reserve
Owling at the Moon – Saturday, November 5, 2022, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Powdermill Nature Reserve, the research center for the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, will share the wondrous world of owls through family-friendly activities. Visit the reserve after dark for a bonfire, craft, owl pellet dissections, and other activities. Scientists will even try to catch an owl and explain their research on these nocturnal birds. Open to participants of all ages, and children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is requested but not required.