10/29/2026
There's something so sweet about Halloween weekend in the 518. Little costumes, glowing lanterns, and neighbors gathering in the crisp air. I rounded up a few cozy, family-friendly ways to celebrate, the kind that send you home happy, a little sugared up, and grateful for the warm place waiting for you. 🎃
🚗 Fri 4–6 PM – Trunk or Treat at Clifton Common | Clifton Park
Hosted by Starpoint Church with the Town of Clifton Park: decorated trunks, a bounce house, pony rides and hot dogs. Free, and such a joyful way to kick off the weekend with your little ones.
👻 Sat 10 AM–1 PM – Halloween Spooktacular | New York State Museum, Albany
Spooky art projects, games, science specimens and a kids' costume parade at 1. Free, creative, and a little bit of everything I love: making things with your hands.
🧡 Sat 2–4:30 PM – Hudson Halloween Festivities | Warren Street, Hudson (about 45 min south)
Trick-or-treat along one of the prettiest historic streets in the Hudson Valley, then the parade at 4:05 ending at Hudson Hall. Those storefronts and old brick facades are pure design inspiration.
🏮 Fri–Sun 6:30–10 PM – Autumn Glow Lantern Festival, Closing Weekend | Mabee Farm, Rotterdam Junction
Hundreds of hand-painted silk lanterns glowing on a historic farm. Your last chance this season. Tickets from $20; kids 2 and under free.
🌍 Sun 11:30 AM–5 PM – 55th Festival of Nations | Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany
Music, dance, food and crafts from cultures around the world. A beautiful reminder of how many stories make our community home.
🕯️ Sun 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM - Albany Lantern Parade | Washington Park Lakehouse, Albany
Carry a lantern around the lake at sunset with jazz from the Albany High School Jazz Ensemble. Free, peaceful, and my kind of Sunday evening.
Links for this weekend's picks 👇
🚗 Trunk or Treat, Clifton Common: https://www.albany.com/event/trunk-or-treat-222328/
👻 Halloween Spooktacular, NYS Museum: https://www.albany.com/event/halloween-spooktacular-280083/
🧡 Hudson Halloween Festivities: https://www.albany.com/event/hudson-halloween-parade-104381/
🏮 Autumn Glow Lantern Festival: https://autumnglowfestival.com/schenectady/
🌍 Festival of Nations: https://www.festivalofnationsalbany.org
🕯️ Albany Lantern Parade: https://www.albany.com/event/albany-lantern-parade-235022/
𝐵𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 ℎ𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑐𝑒 𝑏𝑒𝑔𝑖𝑛𝑠.