Don’t look now, but Halloween is already right around the corner.
While the actual holiday isn’t until Oct. 31, there are a few Halloween events in Concord that can’t wait that long and will be held next week. The events really run the gamut – there are things going on outside and inside, for kids and adults, scary and not scary. Basically, if you’re looking for anything to do around Halloween, there are plenty of options.
Enchanted Forest
New Hampshire Audubon’s McLane Center is ready for another year of the Enchanted Forest, and this year should be better than ever.
There will be new skits, more indoor activities, extra pumpkins and, as always, lots of enchanting fun. This is a family-friendly event for ages 4 to adult and is not intended to be scary. Scout and youth groups are also invited.
Follow the enchanted trail into the nighttime forest (early tours are during the daylight, later tours are on dark trails in the woods, illuminated by real jack-o-lanterns) and encounter larger-than-life creatures and characters as they present skits about mysterious activities in nature. Then, gather around a campfire for engaging stories. The trail tour lasts about an hour.
The Enchanted Forest will be held next Friday and Saturday (Oct. 20-21) from 5 to 8:45 p.m. at the McLane Center.
Registration is $6.50 for members and $9.50 nonmembers. Register online at nhaudubon.org. Call 224-9909 for questions or email rsmith@nhaudubon.org.
Haunted Mansion
Kimball Jenkins will open up for another Haunted Mansion this year, featuring plenty of fun for those 18 and older.
Some of the highlights will be a haunted tour of the mansion, costume contests, an escape room, board and card games, a sketching workshop with a live model, tarot readings and refreshments. There will also be plenty of dancing opportunities, for those who can’t get enough of “Monster Mash.”
Also, once you’re inside, nothing will cost any additional money – all of the festivities and treats are included in the ticket price, so you don’t have to worry about where you’ll stash your cash in your werewolf costume or anything like that.
The event will be Oct. 20 from 7 to 11 p.m. at Kimball Jenkins. Tickets are $15 and can be bought at kimballjenkins.com or at the door. Call 225-3932 for more.
Haunted Hunt
Those who prefer to get their Halloween festivities in a little earlier might want to check out Granite State Independent Living’s Haunted Hunt next Saturday (Oct. 21) from noon to 5 p.m.
Team up with your friends and family as you solve clues, take selfies and earn points on a one-day scavenger hunt through downtown Concord. Dress up and harness your inner Halloween hero for superhuman speed and you might just find yourself in the running for group and individual costume contests.
Registration is $20 per adult ($25 day of) and $10 per child. Children under 5 are free when accompanied by a registered adult (let’s hope all children under 5 will be accompanied by an adult for this downtown walk). Online registration (at gsil.org/hunt) closes at noon this Friday. Visit Granite State Independent Living’s website or call them at 228-9680 for more information and to register.
Kids’ Costume Tea Party
Despite having a party strictly for legal adults, Kimball Jenkins hasn’t forgotten about the little ones, either.
Anyone between the ages of 2 and 12 is welcome to head to the estate next Sunday for the Halloween Kids’ Costume Tea Party, a Halloween version of the tea parties regularly held at Kimball Jenkins. Kids should show up in costume for some tea, juice, refreshments and craft projects.
The event will run from 2 to 4 p.m. Advance registration at kimballjenkins.com is required and admission will be $10 per person.
