Are you looking for some Halloween fun at Rogers Gardens this year? You’ll find plenty of spooky excitement with their 17 special events. The Enchanted Hollow Night Tour offers a magical evening walk with twinkling lights and gentle surprises. You can also experience the thrilling Haunted Greenhouse where animated plant monsters lurk in the shadows. These events combine both family-friendly activities and more atmospheric experiences for adults. The seasonal festivities begin next week, and several events require advance tickets.
The Enchanted Hollow Night Tour
When darkness falls over Rogers Gardens, the Enchanted Hollow Night Tour transforms into a magical adventure for visitors of all ages.
You’ll wander through twinkling pathways lined with carved pumpkins and spooky decorations. The tour guides share fascinating stories about Halloween traditions and garden folklore.
Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking for about 45 minutes. Children under 12 should be accompanied by an adult. The tour isn’t too scary, but some sections feature gentle surprises.
You can take photos, but please turn off your flash to preserve the magical atmosphere. Tours run hourly from 6-9 PM.
Botanical Séance Under the Stars
For three magical nights in October, the Botanical Séance Under the Stars offers a unique Halloween experience at Rogers Gardens. You’ll gather at the moonlit garden where psychic mediums help you connect with plant spirits. The séance combines spooky fun with botanical education, creating an opportunity to transform your space through the enchanting ambiance of the garden.
| Time Slot | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 PM | $35 | Limited |
| 8:30 PM | $35 | Filling Fast |
| 10:00 PM | $40 | VIP Access |
Don’t forget to bring a light jacket for the evening chill. You can purchase tickets online or at the garden’s main entrance. This event sells out quickly, so we recommend booking at least two weeks in advance.
The Haunted Greenhouse Experience
Moving from plant spirits to physical frights, Rogers Gardens presents “The Haunted Greenhouse Experience” for brave visitors.
You’ll walk through transformed glass rooms where ordinary plants become something sinister. The experience runs nightly from 7-10 PM throughout October.
What you’ll encounter:
- Animated plant monsters that react to your presence
- Fog-filled corridors with motion-activated surprises
- Interactive puzzles you must solve to escape each room
- Special effects using light and sound to create eerie atmospheres
Don’t worry if you’re easily frightened. You can request a “scare-free” lantern that signals actors to tone down the frights for you and your group.
Midnight Pumpkin Carving Contest
The annual Midnight Pumpkin Carving Contest takes center stage as Rogers Gardens’ most competitive Halloween event.
You’ll want to register early because spots fill up quickly each year. The contest begins at 10pm and you’ll have two hours to transform your pumpkin into a masterpiece.
Bring your own carving tools for best results. Judges look for creativity, technical skill, and spooky factor when selecting winners.
You’ll receive a medium-sized pumpkin upon arrival, but you can bring your own design ideas.
Prizes include gift cards, exclusive garden merchandise, and the coveted golden carving knife trophy.
Spellbinding Floral Arrangement Workshop
While pumpkin carving celebrates the art of sculpting, our Spellbinding Floral Arrangement Workshop invites you to create beauty with flowers instead.
You’ll learn how to craft eerie yet elegant bouquets perfect for Halloween décor. Our expert florists guide you through each step of the process.
Workshop highlights include:
- Creating arrangements with black roses and orange lilies
- Learning preservation techniques for longer-lasting displays
- Using spooky accessories like spider webs and tiny skulls
- Taking home your completed arrangement in a decorative cauldron
Incorporating elements of autumnal centerpieces in your designs can enhance the seasonal spirit.
Sign up today for this popular workshop.
Spaces fill quickly because everyone loves taking home their own haunting creation.
The Great Garden Monster Hunt
The Great Garden Monster Hunt invites you to explore our haunted pathways with a special monster-tracking map. You’ll discover hidden creatures lurking among the plants and flowers. Kids can collect stamps at each monster station they find. The experience is designed for all ages with gentle scares for little ones. You’ll need comfortable shoes and a sense of curiosity to enjoy this 45-minute activity. Bring your camera to capture memories with our friendly garden monsters. Encourage creativity through nature crafts that can be enjoyed during the hunt. The hunt runs daily from 10am to 4pm throughout October.
Trick-or-Treating Through the Rose Maze
Once you’ve finished meeting our garden monsters, something even sweeter awaits in our stunning rose gardens.
Our rose maze transforms into a trick-or-treat paradise where you’ll find hidden treasures at every turn. Children and adults alike will enjoy this fragrant adventure.
During your journey through the maze, you’ll discover:
- Treat stations hidden among autumn-blooming roses
- Friendly staff dressed as garden fairies
- Photo opportunities with our giant pumpkin throne
- Complimentary trick-or-treat bags for children under 12
Wear comfortable shoes for this walking activity.
The rose maze remains open until 8pm, giving you plenty of time to collect treats.
Ghostly Garden Photography Session
After exploring the rose maze, you’ll want to capture some spooky memories at our Ghostly Garden Photography Session.
Professional photographers will help you pose among our haunted flower displays and eerie decorations. You’ll receive five digital photos to share with friends and family.
The session takes place every hour from 4-8pm near the stone fountain. Props like witch hats, spider webs, and glowing pumpkins are available for your use.
Our photographers know exactly how to capture the garden’s spooky lighting and shadowy corners. Enhance your experience by posing near our rustic wooden arch, which adds a charming backdrop to your photos.
Reservations aren’t required, but sessions fill up quickly. Simply check in at the photography tent upon arrival.
Twilight Tales: Storytelling by Moonlight
Everyone gathers on the moonlit lawn for our most enchanting Halloween tradition: Twilight Tales.
You’ll be captivated by skilled storytellers who bring ghostly legends to life. Grab a blanket and find your spot before the tales begin at 8 PM.
The garden’s nighttime backdrop creates the perfect atmosphere for these spine-tingling stories.
This year’s storytelling features:
- Local folklore about the haunted greenhouse
- Tales from Rogers Gardens’ 100-year history
- Interactive ghost stories where you become part of the narrative
- Traditional Halloween legends from around the world
Don’t worry if you’re easily spooked. The stories aren’t too scary for families with children over eight.
Witches’ Brew Tasting & Mixology Class
When the storytelling ends, our popular Witches’ Brew Tasting & Mixology Class begins in the garden conservatory.
You’ll learn how to create three seasonal drinks using fall spices and fresh herbs. Our expert mixologists show you proper techniques while sharing the history behind these spooky concoctions.
Each drink features ingredients you can easily find at home or in local stores. You’ll receive recipe cards to take home, so you can impress your guests at your own Halloween gathering. Additionally, you can complement your drinks with healthy dinner recipes that are quick and easy to prepare, perfect for your Halloween gathering.
The class runs for 90 minutes and includes all supplies needed. Space is limited to 25 participants, so we recommend booking early.
Paranormal Plant Exhibition
Our Paranormal Plant Exhibition opens daily at 10 AM in the east greenhouse.
You’ll discover plants with mysterious qualities and strange growth patterns. Our botanists have curated a collection that will make you question what you know about the plant kingdom.
Don’t miss these exhibition highlights:
- Venus flytraps that respond to whispers
- Glowing mushrooms that illuminate in synchronized patterns
- “Jumping” cacti that seem to move when you’re not looking
- Carnivorous pitcher plants with unusual digestion cycles
You can take guided tours every hour on the half-hour.
Children love the interactive station where they can safely touch the harmless varieties. Remember to bring your camera!
The Macabre Marketplace Weekend
The Macabre Marketplace Weekend transforms the west garden area into a shopper’s paradise filled with Halloween-themed treasures.
You’ll find handcrafted decorations from local artisans and unique gifts you won’t see elsewhere. The marketplace runs from 9am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday, so you have plenty of time to browse the spooky selections.
Don’t miss the special corner featuring vintage-inspired Halloween collectibles. These items sell out quickly because they’re limited edition.
Bring a shopping bag and wear comfortable shoes, as you’ll want to explore every booth. The marketplace vendors accept credit cards and cash for your convenience. Additionally, you can get inspired by floating ghosts that create a whimsical ambiance for your own Halloween celebrations.
Costume Parade Through the Topiary Trail
Visitors of all ages can join the enchanting Costume Parade Through the Topiary Trail on Halloween afternoon.
You’ll love strolling among sculpted shrubs that transform into spooky creatures after sunset. The parade begins at 4:30 pm and winds through the garden’s most decorated areas.
Don’t forget to prepare for the event by:
- Wearing your costume (prizes awarded for most creative garden-themed outfits)
- Bringing a small flashlight for the darker sections
- Arriving 15 minutes early to register your group
- Collecting your complimentary treat bag at the welcome station
Staff members will guide you along the route.
You’ll encounter surprise characters and photo opportunities throughout the journey.
Haunted History Walking Tour
Once darkness falls upon the gardens, you’ll step back in time with our Haunted History Walking Tour. Our guides will share spine-tingling tales about the property’s mysterious past. You’ll learn why certain spots in the garden have reported strange occurrences over the years. Many visitors often feel an increased sense of real-time alerts as they explore the eerie atmosphere of the gardens.
| Time Slots | Tour Guide | Meeting Point |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 PM | Ms. Raven | Main Entrance |
| 8:30 PM | Mr. Graves | Gazebo |
| 10:00 PM | Ms. Shadow | Rose Garden |
| 11:30 PM | Mr. Specter | Old Oak Tree |
Don’t forget to bring a flashlight and wear comfortable shoes. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and covers a half-mile of garden paths.
Halloween Terrarium Building Workshop
Get your hands dirty and create a spooky miniature world in our Halloween Terrarium Building Workshop!
You’ll learn how to craft a hauntingly beautiful terrarium using seasonal elements. Our expert gardeners will guide you through each step of the process.
Your registration includes:
- Glass container and all planting materials
- Choice of spooky figurines (ghosts, pumpkins, zombies, or bats)
- Specialty soil and mosses
- Take-home care instructions
The workshop runs for 90 minutes and is perfect for beginners. Raised beds improve soil quality and fertility, making them ideal for your terrarium plants.
You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind creation that will last throughout the season. Space is limited to 15 participants per session, so register today!
Spectral Symphony: Live Music Among the Mums
While you’re creating your spooky terrarium, another enchanting experience awaits at Rogers Gardens.
The Spectral Symphony brings live music to the garden’s mum display every Friday evening in October. You’ll hear haunting melodies that perfectly complement the autumn atmosphere. Local musicians perform classical pieces with a spooky twist that’s enjoyable for all ages.
The music starts at 6pm and continues until 9pm. You can wander through rows of colorful chrysanthemums while the gentle notes follow you. This event not only showcases beautiful flowers but also provides a unique sensory experience that enhances the seasonal spirit.
Bring a light jacket because evenings can get chilly. The combination of beautiful flowers and atmospheric music creates a Halloween experience you won’t forget.
Mystical Tea Party in the Secret Garden
Enchantment awaits at the Mystical Tea Party in Rogers Gardens’ Secret Garden area.
You’ll step into a whimsical wonderland where fallen leaves and twinkling lights create a magical atmosphere. Reserve your spot early because this popular event sells out quickly every year.
At the tea party, you’ll enjoy:
- Specialty brews served in vintage Halloween-themed teacups
- Seasonal treats with spooky decorative touches
- Character hosts dressed as friendly garden spirits
- Take-home charm bracelets as keepsake souvenirs
Bring a light jacket for comfort as the garden cools in the evening.
The tea party runs from 4pm to 6pm on weekend nights throughout October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the Halloween Events at Rogers Gardens Suitable for Young Children?
Yes, they’re suitable for young children. You’ll find family-friendly decorations and activities that aren’t too scary. Your kids will enjoy the festive atmosphere without nightmares afterward.
Is There Parking Available On-Site During the Special Events?
Yes, you’ll find parking available on-site during special events. Come early, stay late, and enjoy the festivities without worrying about where to leave your car. Overflow lots are also provided.
Can I Bring My Dog to the Halloween Festivities?
Unfortunately, you can’t bring your dog to the Halloween festivities. Rogers Gardens only allows service animals during special events for safety and comfort of all guests.
Are Tickets Refundable if There’s Unexpected Bad Weather?
Weather shouldn’t ruin your plans! Tickets are non-refundable, but we’ll reschedule events during severe conditions. You’ll receive email notifications about any changes to your Halloween experience.
Do I Need to Bring My Own Tools for Workshops?
No, you don’t need to bring your own tools. All necessary supplies and equipment are provided for the workshops. Just bring yourself and your creativity to enjoy the experience.
Conclusion
Rogers Gardens transforms from tranquil oasis to spirited playground this Halloween season. You’ll find both spine-tingling frights and family-friendly delights waiting around every corner. The 17 events offer something for everyone, from creative workshops to eerie tours that will spark your imagination. Don’t miss this chance to make magical memories while celebrating the spooky season in a uniquely botanical setting. Your perfect Halloween adventure awaits!
