LI Halloween season kicks off with Spooky Fest in Rockville Centre

Families and young people from across Long Island flocked to opening weekend for the

Center for Science’s Spooky Fest, which began on Oct. 4 at the center’s Tanglewood Preserve in Rockville Centre. 

All proceeds from the event go toward funding the nonprofit’s mission of fostering youth STEM education programs.

“This week, we welcomed hundreds of families who enjoyed thrilling jump scares in the Haunted Woods, new beautiful displays in our family-friendly Enchanted Garden and so much more,” said Ray Ann Havasy, executive director for the Center for Science. “We welcome attendees to enjoy the sights and sounds of the fall season and share their Halloween spirit with us every weekend in October.”

This year’s new Mystic Garden offers an alternative to the frightening quarter-mile ‘Haunted Woods’ Walk through Tanglewood Preserve. The attraction immerses families in a fantasy garden with colorfully lit Halloween displays and features friendly characters, including butterflies, friendly ghosts, happy scarecrows, dinosaurs, aliens, Cinderella, and good witches, greeting children with candy, stickers and other festive surprises.  

Spooky Fest takes place every weekend (Friday through Sunday) in October at the Center for Science’s Tanglewood Preserve at 1450 Tanglewood Road in Rockville Centre. Each night the event is open from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., rain or shine.

Tickets are $22 for non-scary attractions only, and $27 for all inclusive (non-scary attractions plus admission to the Scary ‘Haunted Woods’ Walk). Ages 2 and older must have a purchased ticket. To purchase tickets online, more details, information and directions visit: https://www.cstl.org/spooky-fest/ or call (516) 764-0045.