5th Annual Witch Walk & Dance 2026 in Saratoga Springs NY

The Witches are gathering in Saratoga Springs for a night filled with cackles, dancing, & fun for the 5th annual animal fundraising event. The 5th Annual Witch Walk & Dance organized by Witch Walk SOSA will take place in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY on Saturday, October 17th 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Ongoing for 20 years and in Saratoga for its 5th year, a not for profit Animal Organization Benefit Event. Registration: Wristband Presale until 10/14 $25 After 10/14 $30 or Venmo Witch Walk SOSA@witchwalksosa The Witches Are Back in Saratoga! Mark your calendars—on Saturday, October 17, 2026 (2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.), the 5th Annual Witch Walk & Dance Animal Benefit returns for its 5th year in Downtown Saratoga Springs, NY. This one-of-a-kind fundraiser brings together 500+ participants, raising thousands for animal charities while supporting local businesses. Witches of all kinds take to the streets in their most imaginative attire—decorated hats, flowing costumes, and broomsticks in hand—to dance, wander, and celebrate for a great cause. Event Highlights • Witch Way Wanderers Dancers – Inspired by Germany’s Wolfshager Hexenbrut, our troupe performs joyful, flash mob-style dances throughout the day, often teaching a few spectators along the way. • The Witch Way Market in Congress Park 10:00 a.m- 2:00 p.m. by Jessica owner of The Dark Gem Shoppe • Registration & Basket Raffle – 2:00–4:00 p.m. at 37 High Rock Ave (City Center Parking Garage, lower level). Pick up your wristband, exclusive 2025 enamel pin, and browse raffle baskets donated by local businesses and talented witches. • Citywide Dancing – Performances begin in the new High Rock Park and continue at downtown locations until 9:00 p.m. With an early performance in Congress Park during the Market. • Dance Practices – Open to all, held every Wednesday, 5–7 p.m. (see FB page Witch Walk SOSA for updates). Final dress rehearsal: October 14, City Center High Rock Park. A Growing Tradition What began in Ballston Spa in 2005 has become an annual tradition, now thriving in Saratoga Springs. Each year, the Witch Walk grows more colorful, inclusive, and creative adding new features like a Basket Raffle, the Witch Way Market vendor event organized by The Dark Gem Shoppe, and Witch Dancing for all with our evergrowing group the Witch Way Wanderers! Why We Love It Participants explore local businesses, join in the dances, and enjoy a spirited night out with friends old and new. The witches bring a unique charm to downtown celebrating fall, Halloween, and everything October is meant to be. 2026 Updates Stay tuned, new event additions will be announced leading up to the event. For updates and information, follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Stay connected with the official Witch Walk SOSA event updates: • Facebook: @witchwalksosa https://www.facebook.com/witchwalkSOSA • Instagram: @witchwalksosa https://www.instagram.com/witchwalksosa/ & @witchwaywanderers https://www.instagram.com/witchwaywanderers/ • Webpage:https://www.discoversaratoga.org/witch-walk-sosa/ • Eventbrite: https://5th-annual-WitchWalk-Dance.eventbrite.com • Venmo: https://www.venmo.com/u/witchwalksosa • https://witchwalksosa.squarespace.com/ Not active yet Registration: Wristband Presale until 10/14 $25, After 10/14 $30 Donations and Wristband sales by: Venmo WitchWalk SOSA@witchwalksosa or Eventbrite https://5th-annual-WitchWalk-Dance.eventbrite.com Witchy Pub Crawl Specials (Final list of participating venues will be confirmed by ticket sales date) With your official Witch Walk wristband, enjoy special drinks, discounts, and surprises at some of Saratoga’s favorite spots: Caroline Street • The Misfit – 1 Caroline St • Saratoga Tin & Lint Co. – 2 Caroline St • Lucy’s Bar – 5 Caroline St • Saratoga City Tavern – 19–21 Caroline St • Desperate Annie’s – 12 Caroline St • Bourbon Room – 8 Caroline St • Spa City Tap & Barrel – 13 Caroline St • Soundbar – 6 Caroline St • Clancy’s – 43 Caroline St • Trotters – 45 Caroline St Putnam Street • The Ice House – 70 Putnam St • Putnam Place – 63 Putnam St Phila Street • Bailey’s – 37 Phila St • Harvey’s – 14 Phila St • Fillies- 39-41 Phila Street Lake Ave • Parting Glass Pub 40-42 Lake Ave • Whitman Brewing Co. 39-40 Lake Ave Extra Witchy Perks TBD 2026 • Magic Moon – 17 Phila St • • First 75 participants showing their wristband receive a free gift • Plus 10% off all purchases all day with a wristband. Animal Charities for 2026 include: Whispering Willow Wild Care https://www.whisperingwillowwildcare.org/ Operation At Ease http://operationatease.org Alfie's Rescue https://alfiesrescue.com Homes for Orphaned Pets Exist http://hopeanimalrescue.org Whiskers Animal Benevolent League (518)458-CATS (2287) https://www.ewhiskers.com/ Past Animal Charities Adirondack Chapter of North Shore Animal League Therapeutic Horses Of Saratoga Estherville Animal ShelterLucky Puppy Rescue Old Friends at Cabin Creek ADK Spay and Neuter North Shore Animal League Saratoga County Animal Shelter | Adopt a Dog or Cat in Saratoga NY! Mr. Mo Project - Donate Foster and Fundraising for Senior Dogs Animal Welfare League of the Capital District AnimaLovers Animal Shelter of Schoharie Valley | Troy NY - Operation Snip Witches Kittens Kitten Angels Cat Rescue Upstate New York German Shepherd Rescue of NY, Inc. North Country Wild Care Estherville Animal Shelter Good Shepherd K9 Rescue https://k9adopt.org/ PLEASE READ: Wristbands, Donations & Participation Info Each year, we receive many questions asking: “Do I need a wristband to participate in The Witch Walk and Dance?” The answer is YES please. A $25/$30 donation ($35 at the door) is strongly encouraged to participate in the Witch Walk SOSA events including the walk, the dance, and any related activities. This donation also allows you to claim that you are officially participating in this charitable event supporting the animals in need. Why is there a donation required? Because this is not just a costume outing or a night at the bars, it’s a fundraising event to benefit animal rescues and nonprofit organizations. There are some necessary costs (advertising, insurance, wristbands, and annual enamel pins), but the majority of your donation goes directly to the charities we support. For over 20 years, Witch Walk SOSA and our dance troupe, The Witch Way Wanderers, have participated in and organized this event entirely through volunteer time, effort, and personal contributions. No one asks, “What do I get out of it?” because it's all about giving back to those who have no voice: the animals. What do you get for your $25? You get the satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped a worthy cause and you become part of a magical tradition that makes a real difference. Just like you wouldn’t run in an Alzheimer’s or Breast Cancer Walk without donating, this is no different. It’s a cause-driven event. For those who prefer not to do the pub crawl, we also offer witch dance practices as another fun and meaningful way to participate and contribute. Even if you purchase a wristband and are unable to attend, your donation still goes directly to the animals in need and for that, we thank you. Transparency Matters: All donations and beneficiaries have been posted publicly on our Facebook and Instagram (@witchwalksosa) since 2021. Thank you for your understanding, your support, and your belief in the magic of giving. Witch Walk SOSA & The Witch Way Wanderers Founded in 2005 in Ballston Spa, NY, Witch Walk SOSA (Southern Saratoga) began as a small fundraiser and has since grown into a vibrant annual tradition raising thousands of dollars for animal organizations. Today, the event calls Downtown Saratoga Springs home, drawing over 500 witches each year and featuring the lively Witch Way Wanderers Dance Troupe.