Are you looking for new ways to celebrate Halloween in Boston? With pumpkins, costumes, and trick-or-treating at the ready, October is a magical time of year with children! Check our list of Boston-area Halloween events below!
If you’re looking for info on trick-or-treating in Boston’s best neighborhoods on Halloween night, we’ve got details right here! Or, if you’d like to bring your little ones to local businesses for trick-or-treating fun, check out this list!
The Great Jack O’Lantern Journey
September 26-October 31
6-9 p.m.
Southwick
Southwick Zoo invites visitors to this after-hours spooky event! Featuring live performances as well as fun fall treats, this is sure to get you in the Halloween spirit.
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show
September 27-October 27 (Wednesdays through Sundays)
5-8:30 p.m.
Stockbridge
Take a stroll through the Naumkeag gardens to immerse yourself in a pumpkin extravaganza. It takes about an hour to wander through the carved pumpkin displays, and although it is not stroller friendly due to uneven terrain, it is a great way for all ages to enjoy the holiday!
Halloween on the Hill
September 27-October 27 (Wednesdays through Sundays)
5:30-8:30 p.m.
Beverly
This jack-o-lantern display spans across the beautiful grounds of Long Hill. See pumpkin displays that both delight and spook you at this all-ages event. Halfway down the trail, hot cider and cider donuts can be purchased to make this a full fall experience.
Salem Haunted Happenings
October 1-31
Salem
Enjoy all things Halloween, from witch museums to tarot readings to themed shops. Salem offers a variety of events and offerings all month long. Be sure to park at a satellite parking lot and use shuttles to get around during this busy time. Alternatively, the Commuter Rail has a stop just a few hundred feet from downtown Salem.
Phantoms by Firelight
October 4-27 (Fridays through Sundays)
4:30-9 p.m.
Sturbridge
Part history and full entertainment are on display at Old Sturbridge Village. With ghost stories by the fire, spooky games, lessons on the history of the holiday, and fire dancers, this is a great family-friendly event.
Sensory Friendly Boo in the Barnyard
October 5, 12, 19, and 26 (Saturdays in October)
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Hingham
Weir River Farm in Hingham invites families to enjoy a friendly “boo in the barnyard” event. Wear your costume and meet animal friends! There will be a festive scavenger hunt, a seasonal craft, and sweet treats. There are sensory-friendly time slots with decreased capacity and limited noise, as well as typical offerings during other times of the day.
Frightful Fridays: Scary Tales in the Mansion
October 11, 18, and 24
6:30 pm
Waltham
Enjoy some not-too-spooky stories told in the Gore Place Mansion. This program runs for 45 minutes, and visitors will explore four different rooms in the mansion and be told four unique stories. Capacity is limited, and this event is best for children aged 6 and up.
Pumpkin People in the Park
October 12-31
Chatham
Local organizations and businesses try their hand at creating pumpkin people! All around Kate Gould Park in Chatham, visitors can see pumpkins as the heads of witches, pilgrims and even farmers! This free event is a great addition to a visit to Chatham.
Into the Woods: Guided Halloween Hike
October 18
4:30-7:15 p.m.
Ipswich
Mass Audubon invites you to join a guided Halloween hike at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary! Learn about nocturnal animals along a lantern-lit trail. More activities are offered inside the barn, and costumes are welcome.
Fall-O-Ween Children’s Festival
October 18
5-8 p.m.
Boston Common
Enjoy kids dance parties, a spooky maze, a gaming truck, pumpkin bowling, a scarecrow slide, and so much more as Mayor Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department host a free Halloween party! With crafts, games, activities, and train rides, this is sure to be an exciting event.
Tricks and Treats
October 19
4-7 p.m.
Pembroke
This event includes bouncy houses, face painting, balloons, games, and treats for children of all ages. The first hour of this event is great for sensory-sensitive visitors, as strobe lights and fog machines will be halted.
Boo at the Zoo at the Stone Zoo
October 19-20
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Stoneham
Free with admission to the zoo, this event brings a love of animals and the joy of trick-or-treating together for one fun weekend. Children can visit tables for treats, learn about animal care from zoo keepers, and dance the day away with a kid-friendly DJ!
Sweet Halloween at Cider Hill Farm
October 19, 20, 26, and 27
10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Amesbury
Grab your tickets for a fun trick or treat event at Cider Hill Farm! In addition to ticketed trick or treating, enjoy free tractor rides, costume contests, and live music. Food trucks and a hot cider bar make it a great way to spend a day.
Sensory Friendly Trunk-Or-Treat Bash
October 19 and 26
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Bedford, Needham, Randolph, and Warwick, RI
Bierman Autism Centers runs a few sensory friendly trunk-or-treat events at their various locations. These free events are full of excitement and enchantment and allow children to experience magical trunks full of treats and surprises designed to be sensory-friendly and full of fun. With games, treats and, of course, trick or treating, it’s a great time for all.
Trick-or-Treating SPOOKtacular
October 24
11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Foxborough
Go trick-or-treating at Patriot Place! Trick-or-treating includes treats from Snickers as well as non-food treats. After trick-or-treating, stay for some music and show off your costume.
Tales of the Night
October 24 and 25
6:30 pm
Lincoln
Visit Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary after hours — experience the farm in a new way! Ride a haunted hayride, meet creepy crawly residents of the sanctuary, and hear a spooky story or two.
Wicked at Wicks
October 25
4-5:30 p.m.
Falmouth
Falmouth Museum on the Green hosts this family fun Halloween event. Enjoy pumpkin painting, a costume parade, and storytelling while exploring the historic property.
Halloween Family Festival at the Heritage Museum
October 25-26
4:30-8:30 p.m.
Sandwich
This event is sold out for 2024. Try again next year!
Ghosts and Graves of Lexington
October 26
6:30-8:15 p.m.
Lexington
The spirits of the Old Burying Ground are eager to bring Lexington’s past back to life and share the tales of what brought them to the grave! This special candlelight tour is a great event for children interested in history. It is a 45-minute half-mile walk and is best for ages 5 and up — note that more the passing of children is discussed. Tours depart every five minutes from Buckman’s Tavern.
Spooky Science Weekend at the Museum of Science
October 26-27
9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Boston
Enjoy Halloween-themed live presentations, hands-on activities, and a costume dance party! Be sure to get a passport and have it stamped at activities to win a special take away.
Zoo Howl at the Franklin Park Zoo
October 26-27
9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Boston
Wear your costume to this trick-or-treat trail. Learn about sustainable treats and be sure to check out the arts and crafts area. Don’t forget to get your boogie on with the family-friendly DJ!
Science Tricks & Animal Treats at the Ecotarium
October 26-27
10 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Worcester
Enjoy both scheduled activities as well as all-day trick-or-treating and scavenger hunts. Participate in a costume parade and meet with animal keepers as they share animal facts and fun science experiments.
PruBoo Trick-or-Treating at the Prudential Center
October 27
11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Boston
Trick or treat at the Pru! At this 30th anniversary Halloween event you’ll find a magic show, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and a concert with Vanessa Trien and the Jumping Monkeys. This free event is great for all ages, and mall stores will be open during the event for shopping.
Halloween Hullabaloo
October 28, 29, and 31
Acton
The Discovery Museum will be offering some spooky fun, included with admission. Try your skills at pumpkin putt putt and other outdoor games. Costumes are welcome!
