Mystic events around Halloween

October 26, 2026

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Spooky Season along the Shore: Weekend Events in Mystic (Oct 23 – Oct 25, 2026)

With Halloween just around the corner, late October brings an enchanting blend of cozy harvest traditions and spooky celebrations to the Mystic shoreline. Whether you are craving an adults-only vineyard movie night, an evening ghost tour aboard historic tall ships, or family-friendly illuminated pumpkin trails through the woods, this weekend has something special for everyone. Here is your curated guide to weekend happenings from Friday through Sunday, gathered from the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce Event Calendar and local community partners.

A coastal vineyard lawn at golden hour in late October with guests relaxing at picnic tables and wooden wine barrels decorated with heirloom pumpkins and potted chrysanthemums, shaded by vibrant autumn trees strung with warm glowing lights overlooking a vineyard and distant tidal inlet.

Weekend Event Highlights

Friday, October 23

  • Practical Magic Adults-Only Movie Night at Stonington Vineyards

    • When: Friday, October 23, 2026 | Evening screening starting around dusk

    • Where: Stonington Vineyards, 523 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT

    • Details: Grab your cozy blankets and gather your friends for a seasonal outdoor movie screening of the nineties classic Practical Magic. Savor estate-grown wines by the glass or bottle, enjoy local artisan snack pairings, and relax on the vineyard lawn as twilight falls.

  • What Lurks Beneath: GHOST SHIP at Mystic Seaport Museum

    • When: Friday, October 23, 2026 (also Saturday, Oct 24 & Sunday, Oct 25) | Timed entries from 6:00 PM

    • Where: Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT

    • Details: Embark on an eerie, theatrical Halloween walking tour through the 19th-century seafaring village. Step aboard darkened wooden vessels and encounter legendary ghost sailors, eerie sea shanties, and maritime folklore. Advance online booking is strongly advised.

Saturday, October 24

  • Halloween Family-Friendly Celebration at Stonington Vineyards

    • When: Saturday, October 24, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM

    • Where: Stonington Vineyards, 523 Taugwonk Road, Stonington, CT

    • Details: An afternoon designed for all ages out among the vines. Put on your favorite Halloween costumes, take part in lawn games and festive trick-or-treat stations, and enjoy seasonal wine tastings and non-alcoholic autumn refreshments on the patio.

  • GHOST SHIP Maritime Night Tours (Night Two)

    • When: Saturday, October 24, 2026 | Timed entries starting at 6:00 PM

    • Where: Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT

    • Details: Saturday night offers another chance to brave the docks after dark. Pair your museum visit with an early seafood dinner in downtown Mystic before heading over for the evening tour.

Sunday, October 25

  • 8th Annual Pumpkin Passage at The Dinosaur Place

    • When: Sunday, October 25, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Lighted trails illuminate at 5:00 PM)

    • Where: The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village, Montville / Oakdale, CT (Greater Mystic Area)

    • Details: Walk through a whimsical woodland wonderland featuring thousands of glowing hand-carved pumpkins, friendly illuminated dinosaurs, a bounce house, fire pits, and seasonal food trucks. A family-favorite shoreline Halloween tradition.

  • Fresh Pressing & Cider Donuts at B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill

    • When: Sunday, October 25, 2026 | Open daily 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

    • Where: B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill, 129 North Stonington Rd, Mystic, CT

    • Details: Experience the aroma of warm spiced donuts and watch the historic steam cider press in operation. Pick up half-gallons of fresh cider, pumpkin bread, local cheeses, and sample hard ciders in the tasting room.

Featured Fall Stops & Ongoing Exhibits

If you are exploring the village by day, make sure to check out these featured destinations from the Greater Mystic Chamber Exhibits and Ongoing Events:

  • Daytime Heritage Campus at Mystic Seaport Museum

    • Location: Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave, Mystic, CT

    • Highlights: Tour the tall ship Charles W. Morgan, watch preservation shipwrights restore historic wooden watercraft, and enjoy unobstructed late-fall views along the Mystic River.

  • Downtown Mystic Boutiques & Bascule Bridge Strolls

    • Location: Water Street and Main Street, Downtown Mystic

    • Highlights: Stroll across the iconic counterweight drawbridge, explore local coastal apparel shops and bookstores, and cozy up with a cup of hot clam chowder at a downtown tavern.

Weekend Visitor Tips

  • Bundle Up for Outdoor Screenings: Coastal temperatures drop quickly after sunset into the 40s. Bring camp chairs, thick blankets, and warm outerwear for Friday’s vineyard movie night and evening ghost tours.

  • Arrive Early for Pumpkin Passage: Sunset takes place around 5:50 PM. Arriving between 4:15 PM and 4:45 PM allows families with young children to enjoy daylight activities before the pumpkin lights turn on at dusk.

  • Cider Mill Traffic: Sunday afternoons at B.F. Clyde’s can see steady lines. For the freshest donuts with minimal waiting, visit before 11:00 AM or after 3:30 PM.

Have a safe and festive weekend exploring Mystic, and check back on Monday morning for our upcoming weekday events digest on visitmystic.info!

VisitMystic.info is presented by Bridget Morrissey Realty, LLC.

Bridget Morrissey is a Connecticut Broker/Realtor based in Mystic and Ledyard, Connecticut, specializing in helping homeowners sell residential properties throughout southeastern Connecticut. She works with sellers in Mystic, Groton, Stonington, Ledyard, Pawcatuck, North Stonington, Preston, Norwich, Old Lyme, East Lyme, Niantic, Waterford, and Montville. Having previously lived in Rhode Island, Bridget also assists sellers in Westerly, Watch Hill, and Misquamicut.

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