Long Island Children’s Museum Invites Families to their annual Ghostly Gala.

Which brings costumes, crafts, dancing, creatures, treats and a new Uncle Vlad theater adventure to families October 24th, 2026 6pm to 9pm

Halloween gets a playful, family-friendly twist at Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM), where the annual Ghostly Gala returns Saturday, October 24 from 6 to 9 pm.

Designed especially for young children, Ghostly Gala is spooky—but not scary. Families can enjoy all the fun of Halloween in a welcoming, kid-friendly environment without haunted houses or jump scares. Costumes, creativity, dancing, animals, treats and hands-on play take center stage during this special after-hours celebration.

Throughout the evening, families can make Halloween-themed crafts, dance along at the Monster Mash Dance Party, go gallery trick-or-treating, meet creepy-crawly animal friends and explore LICM’s hands-on exhibits after hours. There will be plenty of opportunities for children to get into the Halloween spirit while playing, creating and discovering together.

Costumes are encouraged, but not required, and families can enjoy the festivities at their own pace.

“Ghostly Gala is all about giving young children a chance to experience the fun and excitement of Halloween without the scares,” said Jessica Boccio, Long Island Children’s Museum Director of Marketing and Communications. “It’s a special evening when the Museum comes alive with families in costume, children creating and playing, and lots of playful Halloween surprises. We want families to leave with happy Halloween memories—not nightmares!”

Adding to the evening’s entertainment, LICM Theater will present special performances of “Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch: The Vladuation,” the newest chapter in the Museum’s annual Halloween theater tradition. The puppet-filled performance follows Uncle Vlad and his kooky crew as they help young Chad complete his final spooky merit badge tests at Boo-niversity.

Special performances will take place at 6:15, 7, 7:45 and 8:30 pm. A separate theater ticket is required in addition to Ghostly Gala admission.

Now in its fifth year, Ghostly Gala has become a special Halloween tradition for families looking for a fun way to celebrate the season together. With hands-on activities, festive costumes, music, animals and plenty of opportunities to explore, the event offers a Halloween experience created with little ghosts and goblins in mind.

Ghostly Gala and theater admission require separate tickets. Advance ticket purchase is recommended. Visit LICM.org for current pricing, tickets and event information.

Ghostly Gala, and all October programming, is sponsored by FourLeaf Federal Credit Union.

Ghostly Gala

Saturday, October 24, 2026
6 – 9 pm
Long Island Children’s Museum
11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530

Activities include:

• Halloween-themed crafts
• Monster Mash Dance Party
• Gallery trick-or-treating
• Creepy-crawly animal encounters
• After-hours exploration of LICM’s exhibits
• Special performances of Uncle Vlad’s Pumpkin Patch: The Vladuation at 6:15, 7:45, & 8:30 pm (separate ticket required)

About Long Island Children’s Museum

Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM) is a 40,000-square-foot, hands-on learning space dedicated to inspiring imagination and fostering joyful learning for children and families. With 14 interactive exhibits, live theater, art spaces, educational programs, and special events, LICM welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year to explore, create, and discover together. Located in Garden City on Museum Row, LICM is chartered by the New York State Board of Regents as a museum and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to museums in the United States.