Explore York County Pennsylvania this Halloween

Halloween in York County, PA, is less about being scared and more about finding your kind of fun. Whether your ideal October weekend involves a costume, a cocktail, a parade, a train ride or a little outdoor adventure, York has plenty of ways to get into the spirit.

For the little goblins—and the grown-ups who love a good costume—climb aboard the Northern Central Railway of York’s Halloween Express on October 24. Ghosts, superheroes, princesses and all manner of creatively costumed passengers can ride the rails to Glen Rock, with departures at 10 a.m. and noon. Once back in New Freedom, kids can keep the festivities going with a trunk-or-treat at Vortex Brewery, weather permitting.

Then, on October 25, head downtown for York’s Halloween Parade, where creative costumes, festive floats and plenty of community spirit take over the streets. It’s a classic York County tradition and a great excuse to make a day of your Halloween weekend.

Prefer your Halloween with a cocktail in hand? The King George is getting weird on October 24. The downtown York speakeasy is dimming the lights, cranking up the Halloween playlist and serving up eerie cocktails, late-night bites and plenty of haunted vibes. Costumes are encouraged, so consider this your invitation to impress—or distress. Tapas and small plates are available until 9 p.m., while the bar stays open until 11 p.m. or later, if the spirits are feeling generous. Best of all? No cover. 21+ only.

And because not every October adventure needs a costume, the Keystone Hiking and Outdoor Weekend takes over the Susquehanna Riverlands October 23–25 with guided hikes, biking, water activities, ecological restoration events and more.

So grab your favorite people, your best costume—or your best excuse not to wear one—and make a weekend of it. In York County, Halloween comes with plenty of ways to celebrate, play and live your best spooky-season life.