Witch Paddle & Coat Drive at Adventure Mystic
Registration is closed.
At a Glance
What: 8th annual Halloween-themed paddle, community coat drive, costume contest, and after-party
When: Sunday, October 18, 2026, 2–6 p.m. (rescheduled due to weather)
Location: Adventure Mystic, 15 Holmes Street, Mystic, CT 06355
Witch Paddle: Bring your own boat; experienced paddlers only
Coat Drive: Donate a new or gently used coat
Costume Contest: Prizes for the three best costumes
After-Party: Halloween celebration with DJ and barbecue
Registration: Available through Adventure Mystic
Existing Registrations: Automatically carry over to the new date
Event Description
Witch Paddle & Coat Drive at Adventure Mystic returns for its eighth year on Sunday, October 18, combining costumed paddling on the Mystic River with a community coat collection and Halloween after-party. Originally scheduled for an earlier date, the event has been moved to Sunday because of the weather, with festivities now taking place from 2 to 6 p.m.
The premise is simple: put on your best witch costume, bring your paddlecraft, and join other Halloween enthusiasts for an afternoon on the water. Along the way, participants can help neighbors prepare for colder weather by donating a new or gently used coat.
Organized by Adventure Mystic, the event has become a seasonal celebration that combines outdoor recreation, Halloween creativity, and community giving.
Witches Take to the Mystic River
The centerpiece of the afternoon is the Witch Paddle, when costumed participants take to the water dressed in witch hats, capes, and other Halloween attire.
The sight of witches paddling along the Mystic waterfront offers a playful twist on the traditional Halloween parade, replacing streets and sidewalks with the river.
Participation in the paddle is restricted to experienced paddlers, and participants must bring their own boats.
Those who prefer to remain on dry land can still enjoy the Halloween atmosphere and participate in the coat drive and other activities.
A Coat Drive With a Community Purpose
Beyond the costumes and festivities, the event includes a collection of new and gently used coats.
Attendees are encouraged to bring a coat to donate, helping provide warm clothing as southeastern Connecticut moves into the colder months.
The drive adds a practical charitable element to the celebration. Even visitors who are not participating in the paddle can contribute.
Costume Prizes and Halloween Fun
Costumes are an important part of the Witch Paddle tradition, and participants are encouraged to get creative.
Prizes will be awarded for the top three costumes, giving attendees an incentive to go beyond the familiar pointed hat and black cape.
The event is open to a range of Halloween looks, and organizers encourage participants to arrive in their best witchy or seasonal attire.
DJ, Barbecue, and an After-Party
Following the paddle, the celebration continues with a Halloween after-party featuring a DJ and barbecue.
The gathering provides an opportunity for paddlers and other attendees to socialize, enjoy the costumes, and celebrate the afternoon together.
The combination of an on-water Halloween spectacle and a land-based party makes the event a distinctive addition to Mystic’s October calendar.
Rescheduled for Sunday, October 18
Organizers announced that the eighth annual Witch Paddle & Coat Drive was rescheduled because of the weather.
The new date is Sunday, October 18, from 2 to 6 p.m., at Adventure Mystic, 15 Holmes Street.
Anyone who registered for the original date does not need to register again. Existing registrations automatically carry over.
New participants can still register through Adventure Mystic.
With its combination of witches on the water, Halloween costumes, music, food, and charitable giving, the afternoon offers a festive way to celebrate the season while supporting the local community.
Featured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people, location, or activities shown.