Spooky Trail – Family-Friendly Halloween Trail in Saratoga Springs

The Spooky Trail returns to Artisanal Brew Works in Saratoga Springs for Halloween 2026, transforming the wooded trail into an evening Halloween experience with glowing jack-o’-lanterns, eerie scenes, lights, sounds and spooky surprises among the trees.

The Soft Opening is Saturday, October 3. New scenes and features will be added during the first week of October, leading up to the Grand Opening on Saturday, October 10, during Artisanal Brew Works’ 10-Year Anniversary celebration. After opening weekend, the trail is open Tuesday through Sunday evenings through Halloween. It is closed Mondays.

Key dates:
- October 3: Soft Opening
- October 10: Grand Opening and Witch Way Wanderers
- October 24: Night of the Jack-o-Lanterns
- October 31: Closing Night Celebration

On October 10, the Witch Way Wanderers will perform their friendly witch dance from 4–5 PM, between live music from the Sean Lippin Trio from 1–4 PM and Tiny Planet from 5–7 PM. After their performance, the witches will visit the trail for friendly interactions and photo opportunities. They are playful witches, not scare actors.

The trail offers different experiences for different comfort levels:
- 5:30–6:30 PM: Tamer experience intended for younger children and guests who prefer things less spooky.
- 6:30 PM–close: Spookier nighttime experience, as the lights, sounds and atmosphere become more noticeable.

The Spooky Trail is an atmospheric outdoor experience, not an intense haunted attraction. There are no actors jumping out to scare guests during the regular nightly trail.

Hours and admission:
- Season: October 3 through Halloween
- Open Tuesday through Sunday evenings; closed Mondays
- Location: Artisanal Brew Works, 617 Maple Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY
- Admission is free for guests joining Artisanal Brew Works for food and/or drinks. Trail-only admission is $5 per person.
- No advance ticket is required for the regular Spooky Trail.

Night of the Jack-o-Lanterns is Saturday, October 24. Guests can carve or paint a pumpkin at Artisanal Brew Works from 2–5:30 PM, bring one made at home, or purchase a pumpkin at ABW. At 5:30 PM, guests’ creations will be placed along the trail. The illuminated trail runs from 6–7:30 PM; battery-operated lights only, please. Prizes will be awarded at 7:30 PM for Most Creative and Most Spooky designs in three age groups:
- Youth: up to age 10
- Teen: ages 11–18
- Adult: ages 19+

Participants may take their pumpkins home after the awards. More details will be available on the dedicated Night of the Jack-o-Lanterns event page.

On Saturday, October 31, the Closing Night Celebration will include candy for trick-or-treaters, fresh apple cider and Saratoga Apple cider donuts for children. The regular trail schedule applies: the tamer experience runs from 5:30–6:30 PM, followed by the spookier nighttime experience from 6:30 PM to close. Costumes are welcome.

Before you go, bring a flashlight or use your phone’s light for darker parts of the trail. The forest trail has natural, uneven terrain, so wear suitable outdoor footwear. Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.