Expanding Sensory-Friendly Events: Celebrating Holidays for Everyone

Sensory-friendly events have traditionally been hosted in controlled environments—community centers, quiet rooms, or specially designed spaces. While these events provide essential support, they can also unintentionally limit participation in everyday celebrations. Many individuals with sensory needs miss out on holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and other community traditions because of these typical restrictions.

At The Perception Foundation, we’re changing that. We’re expanding our sensory-friendly events to include holiday celebrations, making it possible for everyone to participate in the joy, fun, and community of these special days. From trick-or-treating and pumpkin patches to Thanksgiving gatherings, our events are designed to be inclusive, accessible, and enjoyable for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences and their families.

By broadening the scope of sensory-friendly experiences, we aim to ensure that no one has to miss out on the holidays—because inclusion shouldn’t be seasonal, it should be everywhere.