Waterbury preps for Halloween
October 27, 2025 | By Lisa Scagliotti Correction: The photo caption below was updated to note the correct location of the skeleton display on Railroad Street.
Some pre-Halloween decorations on Railroad Street. Photo by Gordon Miller
As sure as geese are flying south for wintertime, Waterbury is once again preparing for Halloween tricks and treats this week.
Residents along Elm and Randall streets and Park Row have been decorating, and there’s even a countdown calendar on the block, marking the days until Friday’s spooky holiday. There’s a community candy collection through Thursday, and the Waterbury Public Library also has some Halloween fun planned this week. Here’s a rundown:
Spooky scene along South Main Street. Photo by Gordon Miller
Candy collection: Volunteers from the neighborhood have placed candy collection boxes at both Brookside Primary and Crossett Brook Middle schools, as well as the Waterbury Public Library, for residents from elsewhere in the community to help with the candy supply. They will collect the boxes on Thursday, Oct. 30, to distribute the donated candy in the neighborhood.
Friday on Elm/Randall/Park Row: On Friday—Halloween— Elm and Randall streets will be closed to traffic beginning at 4 p.m. for trick-or-treaters. Families are encouraged to park at the State Office Complex and to leave dogs at home. The holiday typically sees hundreds of trick-or-treaters of all ages converge on the neighborhood and along South Main Street.
Fire station treats: Also getting into the spirit will be the Waterbury Fire Department. Members will get out their large supply of decorations and welcome trick-or-treaters at both the Main Street fire station downtown and the Maple Street station in Waterbury Center, according to the department. Both stations plan to have volunteers between 5 and 7 p.m. handing out candy and glow necklaces. The crew on Main Street also will be serving up free hot dogs.
For kids: The Waterbury library has a special program on Tuesday, Oct. 28, at 4 p.m. with Halloween songs, stories, puppets and more for youngsters ages 6 and under. Costumes are encouraged, and siblings are welcome. On Friday morning at 10:30 a.m., there will be a special Halloween song and story time for little ones up to age 5. Costumes are encouraged, and families are welcome to bring snacks. The library also will welcome trick-or-treaters on Friday between 4 and 7 p.m. to visit for a break from whatever the weather brings.
Halloween for adults at the library: Two special programs happen on Thursday, Oct. 30, for older teens and adults. Check out this post with October library programs for details on a special session of the game Blood on the Clocktower, 6-8 p.m. There’s also a guest presentation by former Savoy co-owner Rick Winston titled, “Haunted Cinema: Films about Ghosts and the Supernatural,” at 6:30 p.m. in the Steele Community Room.
If you know of other Halloween celebrations to share with the community, email waterburyroundabout@gmail.com with details and we will update this post.