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Halloween Events Haunt Every Corner of New Castle County

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Halloween Events 2005 include something for everyone.  (Hagley Museum photo enhanced AI for Halloween)

Halloween in New Castle County features something for everyone, from Trunk-or-Treat to Haunted House Tours.

By Staff Writer

WILMINGTON, Del. (Oct. 23, 2025) — From haunted mansions and costumed parades to bonfires and bar crawls, New Castle County is celebrating Halloween in every way imaginable this weekend. With community open houses, historic ghost tours, and plenty of treats for all ages, there’s no shortage of ways to get into the spooky spirit.

Families can start Saturday’s festivities at the Brandywine Hundred Fire Company Halloween Parade & Open House on October 25 from noon to 3 p.m. at the firehouse on Brandywine Boulevard in Wilmington. The free event features a children’s costume parade, candy, games, and a chance to tour fire trucks and meet local firefighters. Organizers hope the celebration will also help recruit new volunteers and highlight community fire safety.

Families can also head to the Bear-Glasgow YMCA Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat (11 a.m.–3 p.m.), where thousands gather for bounce houses, pumpkin painting, and a costume contest. The Winterthur Museum’s “Tram & Treat” (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) lets kids trick-or-treat through the gardens, while Hagley Museum offers its own day of Halloween crafts and activities.

For those who prefer chills to candy, the Amstel House “Hauntings in History” tours in Old New Castle return on Friday, Oct. 24, with candlelit walks through the 18th-century mansion. Guides recount Delaware’s ghostly legends, including the mysterious “Lady in Blue.”  Literary fans can enjoy Shakespeare, Poe & Fiends at Old Town Hall in Wilmington on Saturday, Oct. 25, featuring dramatic readings of gothic classics in an atmospheric, candlelit setting.

On Sunday, Oct. 26, Main Street in Newark will fill with floats, marching bands, and costumed families for the beloved Newark Halloween Parade & Trick-or-Treat (3–5 p.m.). Neighborhood favorites like the Shellcrest Trunk or Treat and Read Middle School’s Trunk or Treat in New Castle will round out the weekend for families looking to keep the fun local.

For adults, the Boo & Brew 5K and Wilmington Halloween Bar Crawl (both on Saturday, Oct. 25) mix fitness, fun, and festive spirits, while the Spooky Soirée Dinner Party at Cabernet Candles in New Castle and Docklands Riverfront Costume Party on Nov. 1 offer lively late-night options.

Festivities continue through Oct. 30, when the Delaware Art Museum hosts Día de Muertos: Walking Among the Ancestors — a colorful celebration with altars, art, and traditional music honoring loved ones.
And for a classic autumn backdrop, Ramsey’s Farm in North Wilmington remains open through Halloween weekend for pumpkin picking, a corn maze, and Bonfire Nights with hayrides and s’mores under the stars.

Editor’s Fact Box: Halloween Events in New Castle County

Event Name Date Sponsor / Host Short Description
Brandywine Hundred Fire Co. Halloween Parade & Open House Sat, Oct. 25 (12–3 p.m.) Brandywine Hundred Fire Company No. 1 Children’s costume parade, candy, tours, and safety demos.
Brandywine YMCA Fall Fest Fri, Oct. 24 Brandywine YMCA Family night with games, crafts, and trunk-or-treating.
Hauntings in History: Amstel House Tours Fri, Oct. 24 New Castle Historical Society Guided candlelight ghost tours of the historic Amstel House.
Winterthur “Tram & Treat” Sat, Oct. 25 (10 a.m.–2 p.m.) Winterthur Museum & Library Trick-or-treat through gardens with crafts and live music.
Halloween at Hagley Sat, Oct. 25 Hagley Museum Trick-or-treating and children’s activities on historic grounds.
Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat Sat, Oct. 25 (11 a.m.–3 p.m.) Bear-Glasgow YMCA Bounce houses, pumpkin painting, DJ, and contests.
Shakespeare, Poe & Fiends Sat, Oct. 25 Old Town Hall Dramatic readings of gothic classics by candlelight.
Boo & Brew 5K Sat, Oct. 25 Catherine Rooney’s Wilmington Halloween 5K followed by live music and beer garden.
Wilmington Halloween Bar Crawl Sat, Oct. 25 (4–11 p.m.) Wilmington Downtown Venues Multi-venue bar crawl with drink specials and prizes.
Newark Halloween Parade & Trick-or-Treat Sun, Oct. 26 (3–5 p.m.) Newark Parks & Recreation Floats, marching bands, and community trick-or-treating.
Annual Shellcrest Trunk or Treat Sun, Oct. 26 Shellcrest Neighborhood Family trunk-or-treat with decorated cars and candy.
Trunk or Treat at Read Middle School Sun, Oct. 26 Read Middle School, New Castle Free community trunk-or-treat with local families.
Teal-o-Ween Pumpkin Bash Thu, Oct. 30 Hope Lutheran Church, New Castle Allergy-friendly games, treats, and pumpkin fun.
Día de Muertos: Walking Among the Ancestors Thu, Oct. 30 Delaware Art Museum Cultural celebration with altars, music, and art.
Spooky Soirée Dinner Party Sat, Nov. 1 Cabernet Candles, New Castle Themed dinner with spooky décor and cocktails.
Docklands Halloween Costume Party Sat, Nov. 1 Docklands Riverfront DJ, dancing, and prizes for best costumes.
Ramsey’s Farm Bonfire Nights Fri & Sat Evenings thru Oct. Ramsey’s Farm, North Wilmington Hayrides, corn maze, and s’mores under the stars.

Editor’s Note:
Most events are free or low-cost. Check host websites for updates, parking information, and accessibility details.

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