Spooky Events on the Hudson

Historic Hudson Valley, creator of the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, is expanding its portfolio of Halloween inspired experiences to include a professionally produced haunted attraction: Horseman’s Hollow. It joins another new experience, Jonathan Kruk’s ‘Legend,’ and two returning classics: Blaze and Legend Celebration, to round out a full complement of classic fall events in Sleepy Hollow Country.

Washington Irving’s macabre tale The Legend of Sleepy Hollow inspires the brand new Horseman’s Hollow, an interactive haunted attraction at Philipsburg Manor recommended for ages 14 and up. Stocked with professional actors and state-of-the-art special effects, Horseman’s Hollow has a very high fear factor and is not for the faint of heart.

Jonathan Kruk’s ‘Legend’ brings the master storyteller into the historic, candlelit interior of the circa-1685 Old Dutch Church, where he will offer a dramatic re-telling of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow accompanied by live organ music.

By popular demand, the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, the tri-state area’s biggest Halloween extravaganza, is expanding to 20 evenings, including the first weekend in November. An Egyptian scene with mummies and giant pyramid, shrunken heads, and a pumpkin “cornfield” with crows are some of the new jack o’lantern installations included in this massive display of Halloween-inspired creativity. A team of artists come together to carve more than 4,000 jacks, many of them fused together in enormous and elaborate constructions, all lit up throughout the wooded walkways, orchards, and gardens of historic Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y.

Also returning is Legend Celebration at Washington Irving’s Sunnyside, a daytime event perennially popular with young children, where visitors are encouraged to come in costume.

All events are held rain or shine. All proceeds support Historic Hudson Valley, the Tarrytown-based non-profit educational organization which owns and operates the historic sites that host these events.

Ticket and date information:

For Blaze, Horseman’s Hollow, and Jonathan Kruk’s ‘Legend,’ all admissions are by timed ticket, which must be purchased in advance.

Blaze dates are Oct. 2-3, 8-11, 15-17, 21-24, 28-31, and Nov. 5-7. The first reservation is 7 p.m. on Oct. 2-3 and 8-11, and 6:30 p.m. for the other dates. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for children 5-17, free for children under 5.

Horseman’s Hollow dates are Oct. 15-16, 22-24, and 28-30, with the first reservation at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20.

Jonathan Kruk’s ‘Legend’ dates are Oct. 15-16 and 29-30. Seating is limited, and there are four performances each evening on the hour, beginning at 6pm. Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for children under 18.

Legend Celebration dates are Oct. 23-24 and 30-31, from 10-4 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children 5-17, and free for those under 5.

Buy tickets online at www.hudsonvalley.org or by calling 914-631-8200 ($2 per ticket surcharge for phone orders).