Newfields will usher in the Halloween season when Harvest Nights presented by Everwise Credit Union returns to The Garden from September 25 through November 1. Now in its seventh year, the popular fall festival will once again transform the grounds into a glowing world that is more spooky than scary, offering an enchanting experience for visitors of all ages.

This year’s celebration combines returning favorites with a new interactive installation, seasonal food and drinks, special events and seemingly endless displays of pumpkins.

“Harvest Nights is one of our most popular events of the year, and I am so happy that we can provide our community with another exceptional experience at Newfields,” said Newfields President and CEO Le Monte G. Booker Sr. “Being a part of so many families’ traditions during this special season is such an honor. Whether they’re coming for the first time or are loyal Harvest Nights fans, we’ve got something amazing in store.”

Visitors can begin their adventure among the 50 larger-than-life handmade mushrooms of the Fungi Forest, created by Cara Kent and local fabricators Expo Arts, LLC. Farther along the route, the Pumpkin Path of Peril leads guests through foggy forests as the Ghost Train rumbles beneath their feet.

The season’s Garden Monsters presented by Corteva Agriscience will also emerge from the foliage. Created by local artists, the eerie yet endearing sculptures draw inspiration from The Goth Garden: The Mystery, Beauty, and Lore of Dark Gardening by Felicia Feaster.

Inside Lilly House, Mischief Manor presented by Tiffany Skilling Interiors blends nostalgic trick-or-treat charm with playful thrills. Guests can explore rooms decorated for Halloween, watch as moss overtakes the dining room and uncover surprises inside the Witch’s Kitchen. Adults can venture upstairs to the Harvest Nights Lounge presented by Cutwater.

The journey through Lilly House concludes in the Great Hall, where 30 handmade jack-o’-lantern sculptures by Katie Lloyd-Jones will illuminate the historic space.

A new attraction will add an interactive element to this year’s festivities. Boo Shoo by Lightborne invites guests to chase away ghosts with their shadows and movements in The Garden, creating an experience where visitors become part of the show.

The Beer Garden will serve a selection of seasonal dishes, including chili made with Fischer Farms beef, bratwursts from Old Major, parmesan-and-garlic vampire fries, cream-filled churros and maple-sage sweet potato fries. Beverage options include whisky applejack, spooky campfire cocoa and draft beers from Elysian Brewing Co., including Night Owl Pumpkin Ale.

“Newfields has created a truly special fall experience that brings people together from across our community and beyond,” said Trisha Smith, vice president of marketing at Everwise Credit Union. “Everwise is honored to continue our partnership as presenting sponsor of Harvest Nights, helping make this beloved tradition possible while supporting an organization that enriches our communities through art, nature and shared experiences.”

Several special events will add even more Halloween fun throughout the festival’s run. Ghouls Night Out: 21+ takes place Friday, October 9, featuring drag performances, dancing with a local DJ, costume contests, a candy apothecary, photo opportunities and other activities inside the Harvest Nights Lounge. Advance tickets are required and include admission to Harvest Nights.

Art or Treat returns October 15 and 16, giving children and adults the opportunity to trick-or-treat beneath The Garden’s illuminated displays. Each visitor will receive a special bag to fill along the treat trail. Allergen-friendly options will be available at tents marked with a Teal Pumpkin as part of the Teal Pumpkin Project. Costumes are encouraged, although full-face masks are not permitted.

The Tobias Theater will also host Spooky Screenings, a Harvest Nights film series featuring Halloween favorites ranging from family-friendly movies such as Casper to crowd-pleasing thrillers such as Scream. Screening tickets include admission to Harvest Nights after the film.

General admission tickets start at $25, with prices varying by date and availability. Visitors can receive the lowest available price by purchasing tickets in advance, while Newfields members receive preferred pricing. Children ages 5 and younger are admitted free.

Guests will enter through the Efroymson Family Entrance Pavilion. Reserved parking is available through the 38th Street entrance for $20, while free parking is accessible through the Michigan Road entrance. New this year, guests parking off-site can use a complimentary shuttle to reach the Newfields campus.

For tickets, event schedules and additional information, visit discovernewfields.org/harvest-nights