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Top Halloween Events in Boston: Family Fun This Halloween

The amazing Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is one of Greater Boston's top Halloween events every year. Photo by Anne McDonough for the Roger Williams Zoo
The amazing Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular is one of Greater Boston's top Halloween events every year. Photo by Anne McDonough for the Roger Williams Zoo
9/22/23 - By N Ferreira

Grab your glow sticks and get ready for the top Halloween events in Boston! Halloween is just around the corner, and Greater Boston is the perfect place to celebrate the spooky season. Communities are organizing family-friendly Halloween events like pumpkin displays, story times, moonlit walks, haunted tours, and more. There's something for everyone—from an amazing 1,500 jack-o-lantern display to a frightful evening of spooky storytelling, howling fright nights, and some boos in the zoo. Read on for our picks for the best Halloween events in Boston and New England.

Our Halloween Guide has more ideas for making the most of the holiday this year, including the best pumpkin patches in Boston and some seriously sweet and scary hayrides. For more seasonal fun, explore our Boston Fall Fun Guide.

 

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Tower Hill's gardens light up every weekend through Halloween. Photo courtesy of the Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Tower Hill's gardens light up every weekend through Halloween. Photo courtesy of the Tower Hill Botanic Garden

Top Halloween Events in Boston - Attractions

Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show

Stockbridge - Wednesdays through Sundays in October 2023
Naumkeag's famous gardens in the Berkshires are adorned with 1,500 jack-o-lanterns, hundreds of mums, and exciting gourds. There will be hot cider and treats. READ MORE

Phantoms by Firelight at Old Sturbridge Village

Sturbridge - Fridays through Sundays in October 2023
This locally beloved living history museum comes to life after dark and puts a Colonial-times spin on Halloween with a haunted outdoor experience. Explore the wooded grounds and village green after hours to discover bats, bonfires, ghosts, hidden candy, and even a headless horseman. READ MORE

Pumpkintown USA

East Hampton, CT - Daily through Halloween 2023
Note: Open from 10-5p only on Friday, October 20, 2023. One of New England's premier non-scary Halloween villages, Pumpkintown USA annually draws about 25,000 visitors. The Village at Pumpkintown USA is home to more than 70 Pumpkinhead people and their pets. The unique village includes a fast food restaurant called MacPumpkins, a saloon, a jail, a church, barbershop, country store, farm, and a fire station. Dogs are welcome at Pumpkintown. READ MORE

Halloween On The Hill

Beverly - Wednesdays through Sundays in October 2023
Explore this beautiful property as they transform Long Hill into a celebration of autumn and the Halloween season. Follow their seasonal-themed trail that will feature over 1,000 jack-o'-lanterns, hundreds of mums and pumpkins, elaborate Halloween sets, light displays, music, and more.  READ MORE

Frightful Fridays at Gore Place

Waltham - Fridays, October 13, 20, and 27, 2023
Take your kids to Gore Place for their annual tradition of spooky (but not too scary) storytelling—strolling through the beautiful 1806 Mansion.  Best for ages 6 and up. READ MORE

Ghosts and Graves of Lexington

Lexington - Saturday, October 28 - Sunday, October 29, 2023
Bring the family or social bubble to a ghostly outdoor adventure! 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 on this special candlelight tour. READ MORE

Science Tricks & Animal Treats at the EcoTarium

Worcester - Saturday, October 28 - Sunday, October 29, 2023
Grab your cloak: the EcoTarium is in disguise this Halloween. Why choose between tricks and treats when they’re both so exciting? Join educators for sneaky science programs about animal camouflage, invisible forces, and secret powers; then join wildlife keepers to learn about the treats and training that enrich resident animals' lives. READ MORE
Franklin Park's animals join the Halloween fun at Zoo Howl. Photo courtesy of Zoonewengland.org
Franklin Park's animals join the Halloween fun at Zoo Howl. Photo courtesy of Zoonewengland.org

Top Halloween Events in Boston - Farms, Parks, and Zoos

Sweet Halloween at Cider Hill Farm

Amesbury - Saturday, October 21 - Sunday, October 22, 2023
Put on a Halloween costume and head to the farm for some sweet fun. Little monsters can roam the farm and trick or treat from Cider Hill staff dressed up in fun costumes giving out little goodies at various stations. Treats include mini versions of kettle corn, caramel apples, stickers, tattoos, and more. READ MORE

Stone Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo

Stoneham - Saturday, October 21 - Sunday, October 22, 2023
Children are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals at Stone Zoo. Thrills, chills, and animals lurk around every corner on the trick-or-treat trail, while other haunted happenings include mystery animal encounters, costume contests and a scavenger hunt with prizes! READ MORE

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

Providence, RI - Daily Sept. 28 - Oct. 31, 2023
Celebrate the Halloween season with a visit to Roger Williams Zoo's Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular. Stroll through a path that features thousands of intricately carved pumpkins.  READ MORE

Fall Festival Weekends at Smolak Farms

North Andover - Saturdays & Sundays through October 29, 2023
Every weekend during September and October, the farm hosts a fall festival featuring weekly themes, live entertainment, carnival games, storytime, hayrides and more.  READ MORE

Sensory-Friendly Boo in the Barnyard

Southborough - Saturdays, October 14, 21, 28, 2023
The farm animals love to see you dressed up for Halloween! Halloween activities for children include ghost, pumpkin, and candy corn crafts, mask making, and a special take on trick-or-treating.  READ MORE

Zoo Howl at Franklin Park Zoo

Dorchester - Saturday, October 28 - Sunday, October 29, 2023
Thrills, chills, and animals await at Franklin Park Zoo’s annual Zoo Howl! During this popular Halloween event, children are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals at the Zoo. Other haunted happenings include mystery animal encounters, costume contests and a scavenger hunt with prizes. READ MORE
Chatham's Pumpkin People in the Park has fun with Halloween displays. Photo courtesy of the Shannon Door Tavern
Chatham's Pumpkin People in the Park has fun with Halloween displays. Photo courtesy of the Shannon Door Tavern

Top Halloween Events in Boston - Walks and Tours

Pumpkin People in the Park

Chatham - Daily Saturdayday, October 14 - Halloween 2023
This annual tradition down the Cape brings together local businesses that craft clever, funny, or awe-inspiring displays of people and activities out of pumpkins. READ MORE

Tales and Tombstones Tour of Salem

Salem - Most Thursdays - Sundays through October 27, 2023
See the spookier side of Salem in these one-hour nighttime trolley tours past graveyards, haunted houses, underground passageways, and more. READ MORE

Halloween Glow in the Park at TreeTop Adventures

Canton - October 28, 2023
Wear a costume and enjoy colored lights and music while climbing through the tree tops on this zip-line obstacle course. READ MORE

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