Top Halloween Festivals in the US 2025 for Families and Travelers

Last Updated: September 18, 2025

October in the United States is more than falling leaves and pumpkin spice. It is a time when cities and towns transform into stages for history, folklore, and creativity. Halloween has become one of the most celebrated seasons in the country, with more than 73 percent of Americans taking part in 2024, according to the National Retail Federation. Spending reached over 12 billion dollars last year, not just on costumes and candy but also on travel, tickets, and events. The upward trend means that 2025 is expected to draw even larger crowds to the country’s best Halloween festivals.

What makes Halloween special is how differently each destination interprets it. Some embrace their haunted past, others turn entire streets into parades, while some blend family fun with theme park magic. If you are planning your next autumn trip, here are the top destinations for Halloween festivals in 2025, along with insights into what to expect and how to get there.

Salem Massachusetts Haunted Happenings

Few destinations capture the Halloween imagination like Salem. The city’s history of witch trials in 1692 has shaped its identity, and every October it leans into this past with a month-long series of events known as Haunted Happenings. More than half a million visitors explored Salem during October 2024, and the numbers are predicted to rise in 2025.

Events to Look Out For

The Grand Parade fills the streets with floats and costumes, while psychic fairs, haunted houses, and guided ghost tours run throughout the month. The Salem Witch Museum and Peabody Essex Museum provide an educational angle, while the waterfront transforms into a carnival atmosphere in the evenings.

How to Reach Salem

The closest airport is Boston Logan International, located about 25 miles from Salem. From Boston, travelers can reach the city by commuter train or rental car. Early flight bookings to Boston are recommended as demand spikes during October weekends.

Also Read: Best Time to Buy Christmas Flights 2025

Sleepy Hollow New York Halloween Season

The Hudson Valley village of Sleepy Hollow is the birthplace of one of America’s most enduring ghost stories, Washington Irving’s tale of the Headless Horseman. Today, the town embraces its literary fame with one of the most atmospheric Halloween celebrations in the country.

Events to Look Out For

The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, featuring more than 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins arranged into glowing displays, is a highlight. Cemetery lantern tours, haunted hayrides, and dramatizations of Irving’s story keep the legend alive for new generations. Families especially enjoy the combination of folklore and community celebration.

How to Reach Sleepy Hollow

Fly into New York City’s major airports—John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, or Newark—and continue north by train or rental car in under an hour. Many travelers combine a visit to Sleepy Hollow with New York City’s own Halloween parade, making it a two-in-one autumn trip.

New York City Village Halloween Parade

New York City’s Village Halloween Parade is the country’s largest and most extravagant Halloween street celebration. More than 50,000 participants and an estimated 2 million spectators fill Greenwich Village every year. The event is broadcast internationally, reinforcing its reputation as one of the biggest Halloween festivals in the US.

Events to Look Out For

Expect giant puppets, costumed dancers, live music, and an atmosphere that only New York can deliver. Beyond the parade, the city offers themed theater shows, haunted house attractions, and Halloween cruises along the Hudson River.

How to Reach New York City

New York is one of the most accessible destinations in the world with three major airports—JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark. Competition for flights is high in late October, so early reservations often mean better fares and preferred time slots.

New Orleans Voodoo Music and Arts Experience

Halloween in New Orleans is as much about culture as it is about costumes. The city is home to the Voodoo Music and Arts Experience, one of the most distinctive Halloween music festivals in the United States. In 2024, it attracted more than 200,000 attendees.

Events to Look Out For

Major artists headline the festival in City Park, while art installations and local food stalls add to the sensory experience. Away from the park, haunted walking tours of the French Quarter, voodoo shops, and river cruises give visitors a deeper connection to the city’s mystical reputation.

How to Reach New Orleans

Louis Armstrong International Airport connects to most major US hubs. Securing flights and accommodations well in advance is key, as the city’s hotel occupancy rates climb significantly during Halloween week.

Orlando Florida Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party

For families with children, Orlando is the ultimate Halloween destination. Disney’s Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party, which transforms the park into a family-friendly celebration with a seasonal twist.

Events to Look Out For

Children can trick-or-treat at designated stops throughout the park, while costumed Disney characters add to the excitement. Themed parades and special fireworks shows are designed to entertain both children and adults. Unlike some other events, this one emphasizes fun without fear, making it ideal for families.

How to Reach Orlando

Orlando International Airport serves as the main entry point. Many families opt for travel packages that combine flights, park tickets, and hotel stays for convenience and savings. Booking early ensures access to popular dates that often sell out quickly.

Los Angeles West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval

Los Angeles is known for creativity and spectacle, and its West Hollywood Halloween Carnival is one of the largest Halloween street parties in the world. Nearly half a million people attend each year, filling Santa Monica Boulevard with costumes, music, and open-air entertainment.

Events to Look Out For

The Carnaval showcases some of the most elaborate costumes anywhere, from Hollywood-inspired designs to avant-garde art pieces. The city also offers immersive theater productions, film screenings, and theme park attractions such as Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, which is a destination in itself.

How to Reach Los Angeles

Los Angeles International Airport is one of the busiest in the country, offering direct flights from almost every major US city and numerous international hubs. Because demand is high for late October, booking flights and accommodations early is essential to securing the best value.

Why Traveling for Halloween is Worth It

Halloween festivals across the United States offer more than entertainment. They are cultural expressions of history, folklore, and creativity. Salem and Sleepy Hollow connect travelers to America’s haunted past, New York and Los Angeles deliver unmatched spectacle, New Orleans fuses music with mysticism, and Orlando brings family-friendly magic.

Travel demand around Halloween continues to rise. Expedia reported a 20 percent increase in October bookings to Halloween-focused destinations in 2024, and trends indicate 2025 will surpass those figures. The combination of unique festivals and rising interest means early planning is crucial.

Plan Your Halloween Trip in 2025

Halloween is no longer a single night; it has become a season worth traveling for. Whether you want to follow the lantern glow of Sleepy Hollow, dance to world-class music in New Orleans, or watch Disney transform into a magical Halloween wonderland, there is a destination for every type of traveler.

Flights to these cities fill quickly, and hotel prices climb as the holiday nears. Booking now not only secures the best airfare and accommodation but also ensures you will be part of the celebrations rather than watching them from afar.

This October, let Halloween be your reason to travel. The United States offers an extraordinary range of festivals that bring the season to life, and the journey begins with choosing your destination. Book your Halloween trip for 2025 today and make this autumn one to remember.

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FAQs: Top Halloween Festivals in the US 2025

1. What is the biggest Halloween festival in the US?

The Village Halloween Parade in New York City is considered the largest, attracting millions of participants and spectators every year.

2. Are Halloween festivals suitable for children?

Yes, many festivals such as Sleepy Hollow’s lantern displays and New Orleans’ Krewe of Boo parade are designed to be family-friendly.

3. When should I book flights and hotels for Halloween festivals?

Ideally, travelers should book at least three to six months in advance, especially for high-demand destinations like Salem and New York.

4. Which Halloween festivals include live music?

Events in New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles often feature live jazz, DJs, and themed concerts, making them popular among music lovers.

5. What are the best Halloween festivals for families?

Sleepy Hollow, Salem, and Disneyland’s Halloween celebrations in Los Angeles are especially suited for children and families.

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