If you’re hunting for the best things to do in New Haven this Halloween, you’ve come to the right place. To celebrate the spooky season, the city is filled with haunted happenings. From paranormal ghost tours on hallowed grounds to mysterious ancient cemeteries, here’s the ultimate guide to where to get spooked in New Haven this Halloween.
Join ‘Ghosts of New Haven’ for an evening walking tour with an expert guide who shares haunting tales while visiting some of the spookiest sites throughout the city. While visiting spooky sites such as the Skull and Bones Society, New Haven City Hall, New Haven Public Library, Grove Street Cemetery, and the Green, you may even experience supernatural and paranormal activity. Truth be told that the ghost of Benedict Arnold still haunts the Green to this day. Interested in a ghost tour? Visit ghostsofnewhaven.com to book an hour-and-a-half-long group tour or private tour ahead of Halloween.
The Cushing Center – Brain Exhibit
Dubbed New Haven’s ‘brain exhibit,’ pay a visit to The Cushing Center at Yale’s Whitney Medical Library for an eye-opening yet eerie look into Dr. Cushing’s, the “Father of Modern Neuroscience,” pioneering efforts to treat patients with brain disorders and tumors. On permanent display, The Cushing Center features real human brains donated by nearly 400 of his patients with the entire collection still remaining in its original jars along with patient photographs. It is open free of charge to the general public; however, visitors must check in at the Circulation Desk to get a Yale Proximity ID card for access to the collection.
Center Church on the Green Crypt
Ready for a chilling fun fact? The Crypt, which contains the identified remains of about 137 people and unidentified remains of over 1,000 people, lies just below the Center Church on the Green. Even the city founder Theophilus Eaton; the first wife of Benedict Arnold, Margaret Arnold; one of the founders of Yale College, James Pierpont; and the grandparents of U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes are all buried here. Protected by the church for over 200 years, Center Church on the Green Crypt offers visitors a mysterious glance into its storied ancient past.
For ultimate chills and thrills, urban legend has it that Evergreen Cemetery is home to its own resident ghost, known as Midnight Mary, who continues to haunt the area after she was accidentally buried alive in 1872. Although no evidence exists that this ever happened (or did it?), the long-standing story eerily stems from her epitaph that reads “The people shall be troubled at midnight and pass away.” Feeling brave? Visitors can find Midnight Mary’s tombstone at the back of Evergreen Cemetery on the path that parallels the iron wrought fence.
Ready for the ultimate Halloween event? Join the Shubert Theatre on Saturday, October 12 at 8pm for screenings of the unedited cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show. Spend time with the original ‘Columbia,’’ Nell Campbell, with a live shadow cast and audience participation. Make sure to wear your best dress for the costume contest and get ready for an afternoon of classic Halloween delights.
Free Family Fun Day at Shubert Theatre
Join the Shubert Theatre on Sunday, October 13 from 10am to 1pm for a day of free fun-filled activities for the whole family. Visitors can explore the ins and outs of this iconic theater with backstage tours filled with trick-or-treating and arts and crafts stations along the way. Children under 12 are welcome to wear Halloween costumes to the theater, but please no prop weapons. Registration is requested but not required.
Orginially Published on October 26, 2022
Updated on October 11, 2023
Updated on September 25, 2024
