Whether you want to be scared so badly that you can’t sleep at night, or you’re looking for some festive fun this Halloween season, you will find lots of both in Kingston and environs. Pick your poison!

Parades & Parties

The YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County and MyKingstonKids (MyKK) will host a free Halloween Fest & Parade' on October 30 from 3 to 8 p.m. This Ghostbusters-themed event will include a MyKK Dance Party, children's costume fashion show, vendor trick or treating, live performances, family games and activities, music, food and a special live Ghostbusters performance. Parade lineup will last from 1 to 3 p.m., at the Kingston Plaza parking lot, and will kick off at 3 p.m. To participate in the parade, contact Krystal at kbulluck@mykingstonkids.com. To register for this event, visit Bit.ly/3izca21.

The Murder Cafe is hosting the Halloween dinner party classic “A wedding in Transylvania,” on October 27 at 7 p.m., at the Best Western in Kingston, located at 503 Washington Avenue. “Witness the marriage of your distant cousin Frankie Alucard to Jane Dough, a mysterious girl from the mortal side of the tracks. You'll join Count Alucard, his monstrously medicated wife Elsa, and Frankie's brother Jekyll (or is it Hyde?) as they celebrate this cursed event. Beware Renfield, the caterer to the undead, and Vampira, who spills the family’s secrets,” the event page read. Make sure to come in costume and get ready to dance, dine and solve this thrilling mystery. The event includes a three-course dinner and a cash bar. You can choose from either chicken, fish and a vegetarian dish for the entrees, and all meals include salad and desert. You can visit Bit.ly/2YoolY0 to buy tickets and email murdercafe.ny@gmail.com to pick your meal. For extra questions, call 845-475-7973.

Join the Kingston Elks Lodge for its annual “Germanfest,” showcasing German foods, desserts and drinks. The event will take place on October 16, from 1 to 5 p.m., and 143 Hurley Avenue in Kingston. To grab tickets, visit Bit.ly/3lcxwnt.

The Rosendale Theatre Collective is hosting a number of Halloween-themed screenings and parties towards the end of the month at the Rosendale Theatre, located at 408 Main Street. On October 29, at 7:30 p.m., BeetleJuice will be shown, followed by a teens-only dance party until 10 p.m. The movie and dance for teens will cost $10 if they are in costume or $15 if they are not. Adults can see the screening for $8 if they wear a costume and $12 if not. On October 30, at 8:30 p.m., Rocky Horror Picture Show will be screened, with $10 general admission tickets and $8 for theater members and those in costume. Prop bags will be sold for $5. On October 31, at 2 p.m., Kiki’s Delivery Service will play, with $8 general admission tickets and $5 tickets for members and those in costume. There will also be a costume parade and a photo booth at this event. That same day, at 7:30 p.m., Creepshow will play, with $10 general admission tickets and $6 tickets for members. Visit Rosendaletheatre.org for tickets and more information.

Haunted Attractions

You can’t talk about haunted excursions in Ulster County without mentioning Headless Horseman Hayrides and Haunted Houses, located at 778 Broadway, off Route 9W, in Ulster Park. Instead of its acclaimed hayride, this year the company is hosting the Haunting of Pumpkin Jack walking tour on its grounds. Local folklore says that Pumpkin Jack is summoned by witches each fall to seek vengeance for his companion the Headless Horseman. Visitors will tread down the eerie Horseman’s Trail, where Jack and the Horsemen wait in the darkness to claim their next victim. Folks can enjoy a few more haunted houses, including The Lunar Hotel, Glutton’s Diner, and Mama Rose’s Swamp Shack, each with their own terrifying delights inside. For tickets and a schedule of events, visit Headlesshorseman.com.

Trunk-Or-Treating

The Town of Marbletown will host a drive-thru trick-or-treating session at the town park, located at 350 Tongore Road on October 31 from 3 to 5 p.m. Cars will be festively decorated and folks can grab their candy stash without leaving the car. To sign up for this free event, you can call 845-687-7500, extension 170, or send an email to Youthandrec@marbletown.net.

The Rosendale Youth Program will hold a Haunted Pavilion and Playground event on Halloween Day, from 3 to 6 p.m. Stop by the Rosendale Recreation Center, located at 1055 Route 213, for some trick or treating, walk through the haunted pavilion, and receive your trick or treat bag. For more information you can call the Rosendale Youth Commission at 845-658-8982 or send an email to Youth@townofrosendale.com.

Walks & Runs

Murder Cafe is hosting “Boom Town” living history cemetery tours at The Old Dutch Church, located at 272 Wall Street in Kingston, on Saturdays in October at 7 p.m. There, visitors meet seven influential characters who made Kingston “roar” during the 1920s. Murder Cafe will also host a few “Tales from the Underground'' living history cemetery tours, at the same church, where folks will walk with six characters who contributed to Rhinebeck’s rich past. This walking tour will take place at 3 p.m. on October 9, 10, 23 and 24, with an accessible tour at 1:30 p.m. on October 9 as well. Visit Friendsofrhinebeckcemetery.org for more information and to buy tickets.

UlsterCorps is hosting its 11th annual Zombie Escape at Williams Lake, located at 424 Williams Lake Road in Rosendale, starting at 11 a.m. The event includes a 5K timed trail run, 2K walk, and a free 1K “fun run” for kids. Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage on the beautiful trails of this historical resort site, while passing socially distanced zombies and other spooky surprises lurking in the wilderness. Top finishers will receive awards in gender and age group categories, while all kids will receive a prize. The team rate is only $17 per person if you sign up with a team of five or more by October 27. For more information you can contact the organizers via email at Zombies@ulstercorps.org or call 845-481-0331.

Festive Farms

At Seed Song Farm, located at 160 Esopus Avenue in Kingston, there are plenty of fall fun activities through October. You can pick pumpkins, enjoy live music, hayrides, farm food and refreshments. The farm also offers a “hay bale scramble activity,” a farm scavenger hunt, and more games. A corn maze and haunted trail will be open (weather permitting) on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit Seedsongfarm.org to RSVP and for more information.

Maynard Farms & Orchards, located at 342 River Road in Ulster Park, offers another apple and pumpkin picking opportunity. The pick-your-own end of the business is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit Maynardfarms.com for more information.

Wishing a festive and spooky season to all!