Each October, a quiet corner of Margate comes alive with eerie lights, ghostly figures and the laughter of visitors filling the night. What appears as a stately home by day transforms after dark into a full-blown haunted mansion, creating an immersive Halloween experience that brings neighbors and visitors together.
The home sits at the corner of Ventnor and Pembroke avenues, where passersby slow down or stop entirely to take in the spooky transformation. The creative force behind it all is local attorney Ari Goldberger, who has lived in the house since 2011. What started as a few simple decorations in his yard has evolved into a large-scale Halloween experience that takes weeks to complete. Over time, Goldberger has filled his property with towering skeletons, animatronic clowns, glowing gravestones and carefully timed sound effects that turn his front lawn into a display of fright and fun.
A 13-foot-tall Jack Skellington figure greets guests from the front yard. Ghosts drift across the porch, clowns appear in a haunted circus scene and skeletons seem to cling to the roofline. There are even moments of humor, such as a bust of Abraham Lincoln wearing an eye patch near a bubbling water feature. Every detail is intentional, creating an atmosphere that feels more like a performance than a static display.
Preparing for the haunted mansion begins well before October. Goldberger starts organizing decorations and setting up lights in early fall, spending more than a month assembling the pieces and testing every prop. Many of the decorations are reused each year and stored under his deck or in his basement, while others are newly purchased or custom-made. Over the years, his investment has grown into a massive collection, and the display has become one of Margate’s most talked-about Halloween traditions.
For Goldberger, the haunted mansion is about more than scares. He believes Halloween has a special ability to unite people. Families, friends and strangers gather outside his home each year to enjoy the creativity and share in the excitement. He often leaves out boxes of candy for trick-or-treaters and encourages everyone to stop, take photos and be part of the fun.
Each season brings a new theme to keep visitors guessing. One year’s display, called “Mischief Night in Margate,” mixed eerie circus elements with playful touches inspired by classic Halloween movies. Music, lighting and motion effects all come together to create an experience that feels different every time.
The haunted mansion also carries personal meaning for Goldberger. He has shared that the project is a tribute to his late sister, who loved all things spooky. Through his work, he honors her memory while bringing joy to others. The display has become a way to celebrate both life and creativity, showing how something once meant to frighten can instead connect and inspire.
Following the recent coastal nor’easter, some of the displays needed to be repaired or put back in place. Goldberger has already begun the work and expects the haunted mansion to be back up and running soon, ready to welcome visitors for another unforgettable Halloween experience. Go check it out yourself to see what this year has in store.
