Celebrating Halloween in Syracuse: Parties, Costume Contests, Trick-or-Treating, and More

The month of October is easily my favorite of the year. Apple picking, pumpkin carving, hayrides, colorful leaves, crisp Autumn mornings… It’s when Upstate New York truly shines. Plus, it ends with one of the best holidays! Halloween in Syracuse is full of parties, haunted houses, specialty drinks, costume contests, trick-or-treating, and fall festivals. There is so much to do and only a few weekends to do it all. So I’ve put together a list of the best Halloween events in Syracuse throughout the rest of the month. How will you be celebrating?

This list is for all the one-time events happening this month. If you are looking for information about Syracuse’s haunted houses, click here!

Friday, October 21

FULL BOAR Halloween Party

Full Boar Craft Brewery kicks off the season with their annual Halloween Party on Friday, October 21. Festivities include beer releases, live music with Caleb Liber, and mulled cider. Guests are encouraged to dress up in costumes, and prizes will be raffled off.

Saturday, October 22

93Q Pet Costume Contest

Ted & Amy‘s famous pet costume contest is back! This year the event takes place at Billy Whittaker Cars & Trux in Central Square. Entries start at 10am and judging begins at 11. The grand prize winner takes home $500!

LOCK 1 DISTILLING COMPANY Halloween Party

Starting at 7pm, Lock 1 will be offering Halloween-themed food and drink specials. Live music provided by Frank & Esce, and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes.

MARCELLUS Haunted Park

Together with the Marcellus Chamber of Commerce, photographer Lisa Bardou is hosting the first annual Haunted Park at Marcellus Park. Admission is FREE and there are activities for all ages. A haunted trail, food trucks, children’s costume contest, fireside stories, and more will entertain you all day.

ORANGE & OLIVE Spooky Hollow Festival

Saturday from 3-9pm, Orange and Olive will be hosting their first annual Halloween festival in Baldwinsville’s Lysander Park. Admission is $2 per person. Each family gets a FREE pumpkin from Reeves Farm (first come, first served). There will be face painting, vendors, a haunted house, raffles, and more.

SYRACUSE SPORTS ASSOCIATION Kickball Tournament

Put on your best athletic costume, grab a group of friends, and play kickball! The Syracuse Sports Association is hosting a kickball tournament with raffles and a costume contest. Teams can register for $350.

WILLOW ROCK Halloween Party

There’s an entire spooky weekend planned at Willow Rock Brewing Company. The fun starts Saturday with a costume contest and live music from Keep Up.

Sunday, October 23

WILLOW ROCK Pet Costume Contest

Bring your pets over to Willow Rock on Sunday from 2-5 for a pet costume contest. Donations for a local animal shelter are being collected.

Monday, October 24

Tuesday, October 25

Wednesday, October 26

THREE LIVES & PARTHENON BOOKS Spoooks & Boooks

There’s nothing better than a creative collaboration between two local businesses. Especially when it’s holiday themed! Three Lives Bar has teamed up with Parthenon Books to bring a horror & sci-fi book fair at the bar.

Thursday, October 27

THREE LIVES Pumpkin Carving

Drinks and pumpkins? Two of my favorite things. Head over to Three Lives from 6-8pm on Thursday the 27th for some creative pumpkin carving. $15 gets you your first drink and a pumpkin to carve.

Friday, October 28

THE PALACE THEATRE Rocky Horror Picture Show

The Palace Theatre is bringing back it’s favorite Halloween event: Rocky Horror Picture Show. The famous interactive performance is back for two nights, guests must be 18 to attend. Tickets and prop bags available in advance, or with a price increase at the door. Doors open at 6:30, the band starts at 7, and the movie starts at 9. There will also be a costume contest for cash prizes.

SHARKEY’S Halloween Dance Party

It’s party time at Sharkey’s in Liverpool. The party starts at 9pm and the night will be filled with dancing, prizes, and fun. Must be 21+ to attend; $10 cover charge.

Saturday, October 29

BEAK & SKIFF Halloween Bash

Everyone’s favorite local apple orchard presents their annual Halloween Party. Tickets for Beak & Skiff‘s Halloween Bash include a 1911 Halloween cocktail, a buffet dinner, live music, and a costume contest. The fun begins at 6:30pm and is for guests 21+.

CRAZY DAISIES Halloween Costume Party

Head to the hills of Syracuse for some Halloween festivities at Crazy Daisies. Kids and furry friends are welcome. Drop off your pumpkin by Friday for a chance to win the pumpkin carving contest. Live music by The Shylocks and a haunted house round out the evening.

MIDDLE AGES Halloween Party

Brews and boos, the classic Halloween combination. And Middle Ages is celebrating with a day full of festivities. A special beer release – pumpkin spice coffee stout – kicks off the party. Phokouttahere food truck will be serving up food all day. There’s a costume contest at 6pm and Chris Eves brings the live music at 6:30.

THE PALACE THEATRE Rocky Horror Picture Show

This is the second night of the Palace’s Rocky Horror Picture Show. Guests must be 18 to attend. Tickets and prop bags available in advance, or with a price increase at the door. Doors open at 5:30, the band starts at 6, and the movie starts at 8. There will also be a costume contest for cash prizes.

SHARKEY’S Halloween Draw 4s Volleyball Tournament

In the Halloween spirit, but feeling sporty? Sign up for Sharkey’s annual Halloween volleyball tournament. Registration is $30 per person, teams are randomly assigned, and lunch is included. Be sure to dress up in your best sport-friendly costume!

SPILL THE TEA CAFE Halloween Boogie Bingo

This one’s for the kids! On Saturday the 29th at 6pm, Spill the Tea Café/Infusion Yoga Studio are bringing the Halloween fun. $15 for kids gets them an evening filled with bingo, a costume contest, a popcorn bar, and a drink. Adults get in for just $5, which includes their first drink.

SYRACUSE FOOD TRUCK ASSOCIATION Truck-or-Treat

Join all your favorite local food trucks for their last big event of 2022. Kids can collect candy from each of the trucks. Plus there will be a paint party with Right Mind Syracuse, a DJ bringing the tunes, and a costume contest. It’s all happening at Great Northern Mall from 12 til 6.

Sunday, October 30

DOMINIQUE’S DANCE CREATIONS Horror Story Performance

The local dance crew performs their special Halloween show at The Palace Theatre on Sunday the 30th at 7pm. VIP tickets are available and include drinks and appetizers before the show. And yes, it’s kid-friendly!

FULL BOAR Pints & Pumpkins

Join fellow craft beer lovers and Halloween fanatics at Full Boar. Pre-sale tickets required; $15 gets you your first pint of beer, a pumpkin to carve and take home, and carving tools.

SALT CITY MARKET Trick-or-Treat Celebration

Bring out the whole family and do some trick-or-treating at Salt City Market from 11am til 5pm. All 13 market vendors will have treats for the kids. Plus, there will be cookie classes in the kitchen, family-friendly Halloween movies playing, and children’s book readings. And you know there will be plenty of delicious goodies!

Monday, October 31 – Halloween 🎃

LIVERPOOL LIBRARY Haunted History Trail of New York Lecture

It’s me! I will be the one hosting the talk about the Haunted History Trail of NY at the Liverpool Public Library. The session is technically part of their 55+ program, but it will be available virtually as well.