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Poconos lake region events
Halloween and holiday events around Lake Wallenpaupack: your 2026 guide
From the Hawley Halloween parade to Winterfest weekend, here's what's happening in and around the lake from late September through mid-December.
Fall and early winter might be the best-kept secret of living near Lake Wallenpaupack. The summer crowds thin out, the hillsides turn color, and small towns like Hawley put on the kind of community events people drive in from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia to see.
I pulled together the events I'd put on the calendar this season, starting close to the lake and branching out to a few Pocono attractions worth the drive. Dates and times below were current as of mid-September 2026, so please double-check with each organizer before you go.
Halloween and fall events
Late September through October 31
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North Pocono Place Haunted House
106 South Main Street, Moscow, PA | Friday, September 25, 7:00 p.m.
A walk-through haunted house promising dark hallways, creepy encounters and plenty of jump scares. Check the event listing for tickets and any added nights.
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Hotel of Horror and Altered Nightmares
5105 Cherry Valley Road, Saylorsburg, PA | Weekends, September 25 through November 1
Two haunted attractions inside the historic Lake House Hotel, with one combo ticket covering both. Everything is indoors and runs rain or shine. Timed tickets online are the way to go, especially on late-October weekends. Details at hotelofhorror.com.
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Waldorf Estate of FEAR
Lehighton area, Carbon County | Fridays and Saturdays, September 26 through October 31
This one does double duty: daytime visits lean toward family-friendly fall fun, while weekend nights turn up the scares. See the Pocono Mountains event page for hours.
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Hawley Harvest
Downtown Hawley | Saturday and Sunday, October 3–4
A weekend of fall fun right in town, and a great excuse to stroll Main Avenue, visit local shops and grab lunch while the leaves are turning. Updates are posted on the Hawley events page.
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Spooky Days on the Farm
Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, 347 Quiet Valley Road, Stroudsburg, PA | 6:00–8:30 p.m.
Instead of a haunted house, you get a guided evening murder mystery on a historic farm. Talk to suspects, gather clues and try to solve the case. It's a fun change of pace for groups who want atmosphere without nonstop screaming. More at quietvalley.org.
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Annual Hawley Borough Halloween Parade
Downtown Hawley | Line-up 5:00 p.m. at Church Street and Main Avenue, parade steps off 5:45 p.m.
This is the one locals look forward to all year. The parade travels up to Bingham Park for costume judging, music and refreshments. Suggested trick-or-treating hours in Hawley are 4:00–8:00 p.m., and Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, so expect a big turnout. Event details via Discover NEPA.
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Grown-up Halloween nights
Scranton and Wilkes-Barre | Saturday, October 31
Once the kids are home with their candy, adults heading toward the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area have two options: the Scranton Official Halloween Bar Crawl starting at 3:00 p.m., or The Hustle: 70s Disco Halloween at Clubhouse 315 starting at 8:00 p.m. Please plan a safe ride home.
Staying at Woodloch this fall? The resort in Hawley goes all out for Halloween, with themed packages that have included a haunted nature trail walk, pumpkin painting, scavenger hunts and trick-or-treating across the grounds. These activities are for resort guests, so check Woodloch's Halloween page for 2026 dates. Community groups and schools around the lake also host trunk-or-treat events in late October and early November, so watch local school and church announcements.
Thanksgiving and holiday events
November through mid-December
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Fall Candle Making
Tri-State Mercantile, 89 Jersey Avenue, Port Jervis, NY | 2:00 p.m.
A cozy hands-on workshop where you pour your own fall-scented candle. A nice way to ease out of Halloween weekend. Tickets on Eventbrite.
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Make Your Own Christmas Ornaments
Craft Into Art, 106 Dingmans Place, Unit 2, Dingmans Ferry, PA | 6:00 p.m.
Get a head start on the season by making one-of-a-kind ornaments for your own tree or for gifts. Tickets on Eventbrite.
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Holiday Cookie Decorating
8 Silk Mill Drive, Hawley, PA | 2:00 p.m.
A hands-on cookie decorating party right in Hawley. Bring your creativity and your sweet tooth. Tickets on Eventbrite.
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Festival of Lights at Woodloch
Woodloch Resort, Hawley, PA | Traditionally debuts on Black Friday
Woodloch's holiday wagon rides roll past light displays set to holiday music, and the team builds new scenes every year. The rides have traditionally started on Black Friday. Confirm 2026 dates and who can ride directly with Woodloch.
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Hawley Winterfest
Downtown Hawley | Parade Saturday, December 12, 11:00 a.m.
Winterfest is Hawley at its most festive. The Saturday parade steps off from Spring Street, travels along Main Avenue and ends at Bingham Park, where Santa meets with kids after the procession. The weekend also features a craft and artisan market, and past years have included horse-drawn carriage rides, a cookie walk, live music and a live nativity. Follow the Winterfest page and the Downtown Hawley Partnership for the full 2026 schedule.
Living where the traditions happen
Events like these are a big part of why people fall for the lake region. Whether you're thinking about a year-round home, a weekend place near Hawley, or selling a property you've enjoyed for years, the calendar here doesn't stop when the boats come out of the water.
If you're curious about what's available around Lake Wallenpaupack, or what your home might be worth heading into the new year, I'm happy to talk it through with no pressure.
Event information was gathered from public event listings and organizer websites and was believed accurate as of September 2026. Dates, times, locations, pricing and eligibility are set by each organizer and may change without notice; please confirm directly before attending. Anne McCausland is not affiliated with the events or venues listed. Each Keller Williams office is independently owned and operated. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed.