Gory Daze 2025: A Halloween Tradition in White River Junction
The Gory Daze Parade and Events began in 2002 as a modest Halloween pastime among friends — a few costumes, a walk, and a bit of music. Twenty-two years later (we’ll forgive the pandemic gap year), it’s become White River Junction’s biggest night of the year, drawing over a thousand costumed revelers to the streets each fall. What was once a quirky neighborhood idea is now an institution — equal parts parade, concert, art happening, and candy-fueled fever dream.
If you’ve never been, think of it as a small-town Halloween parade with big-city personality: Klezmer bands, Dracula’s rock ensemble, donuts on strings, and people who genuinely believe “October 32nd” is a real date.
Schedule: Saturday, October 32nd (aka November 1, 2025)
Downtown White River Junction, Vermont
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6:00 PM: JAM Halloween-o-thon Competition — “Till Death Do Us Part”
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6:30 PM: Pre-Parade Party at the Main Street Museum with Western Terrestrials
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8:00 PM: Gory Daze Parade departs the Museum, led by Brass Balagan, Burlington’s own Klezmer street band (yes, really).
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9:00 PM: The Cornball at the Briggs Opera House featuring Dracula & His Band, The Draculas, and Populace. Admission $10 at the door; cash bar with ID.
What to Expect
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Museum Madness: A family-friendly pre-parade gathering at the Main Street Museum (58 Bridge Street), with candy, dancing, and possibly a bonfire — depending on the mood of Mother Nature.
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The Parade: A .09-mile stroll through downtown White River Junction that somehow takes 40 minutes, depending on costume density and general enthusiasm. Costumes and hand-pushed floats are encouraged; cars are not.
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The Cornball: Part dance, part Halloween experiment in community endurance. Dracula provides the music.
Date and Time
Saturday Nov 1, 2025
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM EDT
November 1st (October 32nd), 2025, 6:00PM - 10:00PM
Fees/Admission
Free, Donations Encouraged
