Press

Media Contact: JP O’Hare
(518) 474-1201
Press@nysed.gov
www.nysed.gov

Sunday, October 27, 2024, Marks First Spooktacular Since COVID

Event Will Feature Hair-Raising Halloween Thrills and Frightfully Fun Family-Friendly Festivities

The New York State Museum is thrilled to announce the return of its beloved Halloween Spooktacular, marking the first celebration of this event since 2020. The spooktacular will take place on Sunday, October 27, 2024, offering visitors a day of spooky, safe, and family-friendly activities for every young goblin and ghoul to enjoy.

This year’s event continues the Museum’s ongoing commitment to expanded programming that enhances the interactive experience for guests of all ages. Museum staff have worked diligently to create a broad offering of Halloween-themed activities, ensuring this year’s spooktacular is fun for the whole family. Note: This program does not provide any candy or snacks.

New York State Museum Director of Education and Visitor Services, Kathryn Weller said, “After a hiatus since the pandemic, we are excited to welcome families back to the Museum for our annual Halloween Spooktacular. This year, we’ve conjured up new activities with something for everyone to enjoy. The Spooktacular has always been a fangtastic event for the museum, and we can’t wait to celebrate with our community once again. Come out for a spooktacular time...if you dare!”

Highlights of the Halloween Spooktacular Include:

• Creepy art projects
• Ghoulish games
• Spooky science specimens
• Dance floor and so much more. 
• Costumes are encouraged—there will be a children’s costume parade at 2 p.m. to end the festivities. 

For more information on the Halloween Spooktacular, please visit the New York State Museum’s website. 

About the Cultural Education Center

Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. Home to leading scientists, historians, archeologists, and anthropologists, its collections represent the State’s rich cultural and natural heritage from the past and present, including a staggering 20+ million artifacts spanning 480 million years ago to today. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website.

The New York State Library is part of the Office of Cultural Education within the New York State Education Department. Visit the New York State Library website for a complete list of upcoming programs. To receive news, resources, and other updates, please subscribe to the quarterly newsletter.  

The New York State Archives holds many of the oldest and most important archival treasures in the nation. The Archives preserves and makes accessible over 250 million records of New York’s State and colonial governments dating from 1630 to the present. The State Archives provides free access to photographs, artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and other materials that tell the story of New York’s history via its Digital Collections on the Archives website.  

The Archives Partnership Trust was founded in 1992 to build an endowment and provide project support to enhance humanities programs, increase access to these outstanding treasures, and continue the preservation of New York's historical records. Since its founding, the Partnership Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has supported exceptional projects and programs. These include the Research Residency Program, the Student Research Awards Program, history conferences, special exhibitions, public education programs, book signings and lectures, publications, teacher training institutes, preservation projects, and more. 

The State Museum, State Library, and State Archives are programs of the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or by visiting the Office of Cultural Education website.