‘Tis the season to dress up like a demon or princess and not get judged for it.
In fact, people will celebrate you for your costume if it’s clever enough.
No matter which outfit you prefer to wear, or if you’re just into wearing cute fall fashions this time of year, there are 13 spooky (and no-so-spooky) events where you can celebrate Halloween in style in Delaware and Maryland.
Frightland, near Middletown
Delaware’s premier haunted attraction is now in its 26th season and seeks more victims to terrorize. The venue features eight evil attractions. Frightland’s popular venue has a lot of prestige, having generated a buzz from media outlets such as Travel Channel, Huffington Post and Forbes. A portion of ticket proceeds as well as 100% of parking fees benefit the Leukemia Research Foundation of Delaware.
Frightland (309 Port Penn Road, near Middletown) from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays; 6 to 10 p.m. Saturdays. Last day of the season is Saturday, Nov. 5. General admission is $40. VIP passes are $75. For more info, visit frightland.com.
Salisbury Zoo’s Halloween affair
One Not So Scary Halloween Happening is Salisbury Zoo’s spooky-themed afternoon of fun across two weekends. Kids will have a chance to play Halloween games, trick-or-treat (1 to 4 p.m.) and learn about animals. There also will be dancing and a family costume contest (2:30 p.m.)
Salisbury Zoo (755 S. Park Drive, Salisbury, Maryland) from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15, and Saturday, Oct. 22. Advance tickets are $10 per child with one free adult ticket per child. Children at the gate are $12 per kid and $2 for each adult. For more info, visit salisburyzoo.org or (443) 944-0636.
Paranormal Adventure, Fort Delaware State Park, near Delaware City
You can tag along with the real ghostbusters when the Diamond State Ghost Investigators conduct a three-hour paranormal investigation of Fort Delaware State Park.
Participants must be age 13 or older because it can get really eerie out here. In fact, Fort Delaware was featured in an episode of SyFy’s “Ghost Hunters.”
Diamond State Ghost Investigators will check out areas of the fort that have been suspected of ghostly activity. Guests will get to see real ghostbuster equipment such as electronic magnetic field data recorders, detectors and temperature sensors.
Participants are required to wear a face covering at all times, except during the break period. Guests are also asked to socially distance.
Fort Delaware State Park (45 Clinton St., near Delaware City) at 6:30 and 9:30 p.m. every Friday and Saturday in October (except on Saturday, Oct. 29). Tickets start at $50. For more information, visit destateparks.com or (302) 834-7941.
Zombie Infested 5K Dash, Salisbury
Folks can pretend to run for their lives alongside other zombies while dressed like the undead in the seventh annual Zombie Infested 5K Dash. Victims/survivors will get a chance to compete in a costume contest while munching on treats.
All proceeds will benefit United Way of the Lower Eastern Shore.
Outside Maggs Gym (1101 Camden Ave., Salisbury) on Sunday, Oct. 23. Registration begins at noon. The race is at 1 p.m. and the 1 Mile Zombie Walk starts at 1:15 p.m. Tickets are $10 to $25. Free for children age 10 or under. For more info, visit Salisbury University United Way on Facebook.
Cemetery House, Laurel
The home of the dead isn’t a place where the living should be hanging out after dark unless you’re a brave soul.
The Cemetery House is self-proclaimed as “wickedly scary” and it features “ghouls, zombies, the undead and creatures galore.”
There’s also a haunted corn maze that will lead you first to underground tombs and then a house, or house and then the tombs if you prefer it that way.
No matter which path you take, it’s going to be freaky.
Laurel Fire Department (205 W. 10th St., Laurel) from 7 to 11 p.m., starting Friday, Oct. 14. The event is held every Friday and Saturday through Saturday, Oct. 29. Tickets are $10. For more info, visit Cemetery House on Facebook.
‘A Haunted Victorian Walk,’ near Wilmington
Ghost stories galore will be on tap for victims who dare to stroll the grounds of Rockwood Park and Museum this season.
Poplar Hall and New Castle County have teamed up to present “The Revisionists: A Haunted Victorian Walk,” a theatrical experience with a history lesson that will shine a light on the Wilmington-area gothic mansion.
The haunted tour will last 90 minutes and will be led with a lamp by a “revisionist,” a person who is said to have the ability to speak with the undead and sometimes reveal what led to their death, according to press materials.
Folks also can enjoy a bit of wine, beer or a custom cocktail at the Revisionist Speakeasy, brought to you by the Rockwood Park Preservation Society.
The tour starts each night at 6:15, with the final tour of the night ending at 10:15. Call or visit the website to book your time ahead.
Rockwood Park & Museum (4651 Washington St. Extension, near Wilmington) starting Friday, Oct. 14. Tours are held every Friday and Saturday through Saturday, Oct. 29. Tickets start at $28. For more info, visit poplarhall.us or (302) 598-3087.
Boo at the Zoo, Wilmington
Don’t worry, because this family-friendly event is not likely to rattle your kids.
Your little ones are encouraged to wear their favorite costumes while visiting their furry friends at the zoo. There are going to be a lot of fun activities and treats in store.
Tickets are available at the door and online; online purchases are recommended.
Brandywine Zoo (1001 N. Park Drive, Wilmington) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21; Saturday, Oct. 22; and Sunday, Oct. 23. General admission is $10 ($9 at the door) and free for members and children under age 3. For more info, visit brandywinezoo.org or (302) 571-7747.
Haunted Ghost Ship, Wilmington
It’s not every day you can board a ghost ship. But that’s the case this season with the Kalmar Nyckel.
Guests will tour the 141-foot-long Delaware tall ship for a maritime-themed Halloween affair.
There will be deck tours, pumpkin painting and more.
Kalmar Nyckel (1124 E. Seventh St., Wilmington) from 10 to 4 p.m. Saturday Oct. 22. For more info, visit kalmarnyckel.org or (302) 429-7447.
Biggs After Dark, Dover
Everybody’s tough until the lights cut off.
The Biggs Museum of American Art will test your courage when it goes dark for a spooky experience.
The event, intended for ages 16 or older, starts in the museum at 6:30 p.m. After that guests will go on a 45-minute walking tour into darkened galleries. Participants will use flashlights to explore the museum.
Biggs Museum of American Art (406 Federal St., Dover) at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29. Tickets are $18 members, $20 nonmembers. For more info, visit biggsmuseum.org or (302) 674-2111.
Seacrets’ Halloween party, Ocean City
What costume gives you the best chance to win a trip to Jamaica?
You have a little bit of time to figure this out for the Halloween contest at Seacrets. The grand prize is a trip for two to Jamaica, while the two runner-ups win cash prizes. Live entertainment will also be on tap.
Seacrets (117 49th St., Ocean City, Maryland) from 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, to 2 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. For more info, visit seacrets.com or (410) 524-4900.
Wicked R Western, Wyoming
The haunted trail always has an appetite for fresh meat. And there’s no telling what kind of weirdo creatures you’ll find here, too, so play at your own risk.
Wicked R Western (2621 Sandy Bend Road, Wyoming) from 7 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday until Saturday, Oct. 29. Admission is $20. For more info, visit Wicked R Western Productions on Facebook or call (302) 492-3327.
Newark Halloween Parade
Everyone from Spiderman and witches to the not-so-good-guy Chucky are invited to trick-or-treat on Main Street and enjoy the Newark Halloween Parade, which begins Oct. 30 at 3 p.m.
Treats will be available from participating area businesses. If you’re daring, you and your kids can have your photo taken in the Pumpkin Patch.
Downtown (Main Street, Newark) from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. For more info, visit newarkde.gov or (302) 366-7000.
Sea Witch Festival, Rehoboth Beach
The fall festival with the most clout in Sussex County is a witchy one.
This year’s 31st annual Sea Witch Festival brews up a good time for Halloween lovers on Rehoboth Avenue and the surrounding area, from Friday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Oct. 30.
The most popular attraction is the costume parade, set for 11 a.m. Saturday. Another crowd pleaser, the adorable pet parade is at 1 p.m. Sunday
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand (Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach) from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29; and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30. Admission is free. For more info, visit beach-fun.com or (302) 227-6181.
Andre Lamar is the features/lifestyle reporter. If you have an interesting story idea, email Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com.
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