Halloween events for kids in New Castle County
Halloween with kids is its own season — trick-or-treats, not-so-spooky trails, and costume parades that don't cross into nightmare territory. Halloween is a Saturday this year. The list below is pulled from our live calendar and grouped by area, Wilmington first.
Our picks
The ones we'd plan around. Dates and prices come from each listing.
Haunted Trails at Rockwood
Fri, Oct 23 · 7:00 PM–11:00 PM + 9 more dates through Nov 1
Rockwood Park & Museum · Wilmington
Free spooky lights along Rockwood's 1800s trails, opening Sat, Oct 10, dusk to 11 PM; the county says it runs most of October. Uneven ground at night, so wear real shoes.
Sat, Oct 24, 11 AM–3 PM. Daytime trick-or-treating on the museum grounds, free for kids 14 and under and Hagley members; other adults pay regular admission. Enter off Route 141.
Registration required
Sat, Oct 24, 10 AM–3 PM at Coverdale Farm Preserve in Greenville. Costume parades at 11 AM and 2 PM, plus a hayride around the farm. Some activities have a small fee.
Enchanted Meadows Trick or Treat Trail
Fri, Oct 23 · 6:00 PM–8:00 PM + 1 more date through Oct 24
Brandywine Creek State Park · Wilmington
Registration required
Fri–Sat, Oct 23–24, from 6 PM. An evening walk through the Brandywine Creek meadows collecting candy from costumed characters. $8 a person, adults included; register online.
Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA: Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
YMCA of Delaware - Bear-Glasgow · Newark
Registration required
Decorated trunks, crafts, carnival games, inflatables and a costume contest. Trunk-or-treat runs 11 AM–1 PM and the festival until 3; registration required.
Town trick-or-treat hours and related events
Only what a town has posted for this year, with the link. Towns usually post in October; we add each one as it's announced.
| Town | When |
|---|---|
| Newark | Halloween Parade & Trick or Treat Main Street: Sun, Oct 25, 3–4 PM on Main Street (city calendar). These are parade hours, not door-to-door trick-or-treat hours. source |
| Elsmere | Town Trunk-or-Treat at Town Hall (11 Poplar Ave): Sat, Oct 24, 4–6 PM. Attendees do not need to register. Door-to-door hours not confirmed in this check. source |
| Middletown | Door-to-door trick-or-treating Sat, Oct 31, 6–8 PM; the town asks kids in costume to be off the streets by 9 PM. Also Trick-or-Treat on Main Block Party on West Main St, Sun, Oct 25, 4:30–6:30 PM. source |
2026 hours not confirmed — check your town’s official updates: Wilmington, New Castle, Newport, Bellefonte, Arden, Ardentown & Ardencroft, Delaware City, Odessa, Townsend.
33 events, Oct 23 – Oct 31, grouped by area.
Wilmington, New Castle & Elsmere (10)
Registration required
Registration required
The quiet, low-traffic setting may help children who are sensitive to noise or crowds feel more comfortable exploring the zoo.
Spooky Science Show with The Science Guys of Baltimore
Mon, Oct 26 · 4:00 PM–5:00 PM
Wilmington Public Library · Wilmington
Registration required
The combination of crafts, games, and candy makes it a short, engaging outing that fits well within a young child’s attention span.
Trunk or Treat with NCCPD
Wed, Oct 28 · 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Route 9 Library & Innovation Center · New Castle
4 more in Wilmington, New Castle & Elsmere
Downtown YMCAs: Trunk or Treat
Thu, Oct 29 · 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
YMCA of Delaware - Walnut Street · Wilmington
The indoor setting and variety of activities make it a good fit for younger children who may not tolerate long outdoor waits.
Registration required
The mix of outdoor trick-or-treating, crafts, and music makes it a well-paced option for younger children during the Halloween season.
Glow Painting & A Movie Halloween Party
Sat, Oct 31 · 1:00 PM–2:30 PM
New Castle Public Library · New Castle
Sold out
North Wilmington & Claymont (3)
Brandywine YMCA Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat
Fri, Oct 23 · 6:00 PM–8:00 PM
Brandywine YMCA · Wilmington
The variety of activities makes it easy to find something enjoyable for every child in the family.
Haunted Trails at Rockwood
Fri, Oct 23 · 7:00 PM–11:00 PM + 9 more dates through Nov 1
Rockwood Park & Museum · Wilmington
Not-Too-Scary Halloween Storytime & Celebration (W.E.L.L.S.)
Sat, Oct 31 · 10:15 AM–10:45 AM
Brandywine Hundred Library · Wilmington
Newark & Bear (8)
Bear-Glasgow Family YMCA: Fall Festival & Trunk or Treat
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM–3:00 PM
YMCA of Delaware - Bear-Glasgow · Newark
Registration required
Halloween Parade & Trick or Treat Main Street
Sun, Oct 25 · 3:00 PM–4:00 PM
Main Street Newark · Newark
Newark Trunk or Treat at Newark High School
Wed, Oct 28 · 5:30 PM–8:00 PM
Newark High School · Newark
Registration required
The short duration and active format may fit well within a morning nap window for younger children.
Monsters in the Archives: Special Collections Halloween Open House
Thu, Oct 29 · 3:00 PM–5:00 PM
University of Delaware - Newark Campus · Newark
Registration required
2 more in Newark & Bear
The raffle adds a fun incentive for kids to participate, and the family-friendly focus makes it suitable for a variety of ages.
Registration required
Hockessin, Greenville & Pike Creek (6)
Enchanted Meadows Trick or Treat Trail
Fri, Oct 23 · 6:00 PM–8:00 PM + 1 more date through Oct 24
Brandywine Creek State Park · Wilmington
Registration required
The evening timing and themed trail make it a good fit for families looking for a short, festive outing before bedtime.
Registration required
The mix of outdoor activities and seasonal crafts makes it a good fit for families looking for a low-pressure, hands-on fall outing.
Registration required
Storybook Saturday with Terry Colonna - Not-So-Spooky Stories
Sat, Oct 31 · 11:00 AM–11:45 AM
Kirkwood Library · Wilmington
Registration required
The costume element adds a festive touch to a classic wagon ride experience, making it a fun seasonal outing.
Middletown, Delaware City & south (3)
Registration required
Trick or Treat on Main (Middletown)
Sun, Oct 25 · 4:30 PM–6:30 PM
Downtown Middletown — Main Street · Middletown
The walkable downtown route and multiple stop points make it a manageable outing for young children with short attention spans.
Trick or Treat at the Library!
Sat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
Delaware City Public Library · Delaware City
The indoor setting makes it a convenient option for a quick Halloween outing, especially if weather turns unpredictable.
Worth the drive (over the state line) (3)
Registration required
Spooky Season Nature Crafts: All About Carnivorous Plants
Thu, Oct 29 · 11:00 AM–12:00 PM
Morris Arboretum · Philadelphia
The combination of seasonal theme and hands-on crafting makes it a short, engaging activity that fits well within a morning outing.
See everything on the full calendar →
Questions parents ask
When do Halloween events start in Delaware?
Most land across October, with the busiest stretch in the two weekends before Halloween. This list updates from our live calendar as those dates are posted.
Are these Halloween events appropriate for little kids?
We aim this list at family-friendly, not-too-scary events — trick-or-treats, costume parades, and daytime fall fun. Always check the event's own page if you're unsure about the scare level.
Get the good ones before they fill up
One countywide shortlist every Friday morning, with ages, cost and logistics on each pick. Free.
More guides
Dates refresh from each organizer’s listing twice a day.
Event dates come straight from our live calendar and refresh automatically. Last reviewed October 1, 2026. Confirm anything dated on the source before you go.