A coven of witches takes to the Hudson — and you can watch from the shore or paddle with them.
Once a year, the water off Kingsland Point Park fills with witches, warlocks, and wizards on stand-up paddleboards, brooms raised, hats strapped down against the wind. The SUP Witches Festival has become one of Sleepy Hollow’s signature Halloween traditions — written up by the New York Times and Smithsonian, and folded into Sleepy Hollow’s national reputation as one of the best small towns to visit in the fall.
You don’t have to paddle to enjoy it. On shore, “Witches Hollow” fills Kingsland Point Park with live music, food, local brews, and vendors, while the main spectacle plays out on the river: a mass costumed paddle with a group photo taken on the water. It’s a festival first and a paddle second, and the two halves make a full afternoon.
Organized by Rivertowns SUP & Yoga in partnership with the Village of Sleepy Hollow, the festival benefits the local community and draws a costumed, good-natured crowd of families, spectators, and paddlers alike.
For spectators and festival-goers
The festival runs noon to 5 pm. The costumed paddle itself launches in the early afternoon, so aim to be in position on the shore by around 1:00–1:30 pm for the group launch and on-water photo — the highlight of the day. Before and after, the shoreline festival is yours to explore.
- Tickets: $8 per person in advance (early bird), $10 on the day. Children under 8 are free with a paying adult.
- Two entrances: North Gate via Palmer Avenue, South Gate via the RiverWalk. Tickets can be bought at either gate on the day, but advance tickets are cheaper.
- Ages: All ages; family-friendly.
For paddlers
Paddling is a costumed, pre-registered event with real safety requirements — this is the Hudson River, not a pond. Previous paddle experience is required, and you must be comfortable and able to swim.
- Registration: Required in advance; the deadline is Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Registered paddlers get free festival admission.
- Two options: “Witch with a Broom” (bring your own board or kayak), $35. “Witch without a Broom” (SUP rental), $50 — rentals are limited and available to Rivertowns SUP & Yoga customers only.
- Required gear: Costumes are mandatory. SUP leashes and PFDs (life vests) are required and checked at launch — waist and inflatable PFDs are acceptable. Wear quick-drying clothing or a wetsuit; you’ll be knee-deep at launch and the river is cold in October. Secure your hat with a strap.
- Arrive early: Park gates close to vehicles at 11:30 am for paddlers unloading equipment. Paddler check-in is 11 am–noon.
Know before you go
- When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, 12–5 pm. Rain date Sunday, October 11.
- Where: Kingsland Point Park, 299 Palmer Avenue, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591
- Getting there: Sleepy Hollow’s Halloween-season traffic is heavy and parking fills fast. Consider arriving by Metro-North to the Tarrytown or Philipse Manor stations — see our guide to visiting Sleepy Hollow without a car. Festival parking details are released closer to the date on the organizer’s site.
- Tickets and paddler registration: supwitchfest.com
Make a day of it
The SUP Witches Festival is one of three consecutive Saturdays of festivals at Kingsland Point Park each fall — following Sleepy Hollow Oktoberfest and the Sleepy Hollow Music Festival. And yes — the Headless Horseman has been known to appear. For everything else happening this season, see our guide to Halloween in Sleepy Hollow.
The Headless Horseman Files