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Top Free October Events in Boston: Free Halloween Events and More!

The Best free activities in Boston this October will make you dance in the streets! Honk! photo by Captive Moment
The Best free activities in Boston this October will make you dance in the streets! Honk! photo by Captive Moment
10/8/22 - By N Ferreira

Looking for the top free October events in Boston? Halloween brings plenty of family activitiess to Boston and New England. Parents can save their money for candy because (woo-hoo!) a lot of October's best events also happen to be free. Here are our picks for seasonal fun that won't break the bank.

For more October activities, see our Halloween Fun Guide for Boston Kids. It has everything from Pumpkin Festivals and Jack-O'-Lantern Displays to 30 Best Kids' Halloween Movies. And check out our Events Calendar for all the best family activities (and fun free events) in Boston every month.

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October has plenty of (free) fun in store for kids! Breakheart Fall Family Festival photo courtesy mass.gov
October has plenty of (free) fun in store for kids! Breakheart Fall Family Festival photo courtesy mass.gov

Free Things to Do in Boston in October

Return of the Pumpkin People

Jackson, NH— October 1 - 31, 2022
It's the 40th anniversary of the Pumpkin People! Take a self-guided tour of a variety of Pumpkin People at more than 50 different displays. See Pumpkin People doing all kinds of things from flying across yards to deep-sea diving.  READ MORE

Breakheart Fall Family Festival

Saugus —October 1 , 2022
Come celebrate this first of its kind fall festival at Breakheart Reservation! This FREE event will include lawn games, a petting zoo, storytellers, music, and family-oriented activities. READ MORE

Cambridge Science Festival

Cambridge—October 3 - 9, 2022
The Cambridge Science Festival is a celebration showcasing the leading edge in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM).  READ MORE

Damariscotta Pumpkinfest

Damariscotta, ME—October 7 - 9, 2022
This family-oriented festival showcases the pumpkin growers in the area and beautifully decorated pumpkins. Giant Pumpkins on Main St., all decorated by local artists, will be on display. A parade takes place on Saturday, with a regatta on Sunday.   READ MORE

HONK!

Somerville —October 7 - 9, 2022
This annual three-day free festival bringing brass bands from all over the United States and the world to Somerville for a celebration of music, community and activism. READ MORE

Fall Fest Weekend Trunk-or-Treat

Norwood—October 8, 2022
Put on by the Norwood Recreation Department, the fall celebration returns to its original location at the Department of Public Works' parking lot. Pre-register for kids goodie bags. READ MORE

Songs of Japan - Children's Music Class

Somerville—October 8 - 22, 2022
Visit the Rock and Roll Daycare Winter Hill for "Songs of Japan", a free children's music class for children ages 0-6 featuring musical selections from the Land of the Rising Sun.  READ MORE

Indigenous Peoples Day at the MFA

Boston—October 10, 2022
Explore Native American art in the Art of the Americas Wing, listen to traditional music, and celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day with free general admission to the MFA. READ MORE

Unlearning Ableism: Action Allyship, & How to Talk to Children about Disability

Virtual—October 13, 2022
Ashley Harris Whaley from Disability Reframed is hosting a Zoom event for a conversation on “Unlearning Ableism: Action, Allyship, and How to Talk to Children about Disability.” It is a wonderful opportunity for parents/guardians, grandparents, educators and allies of the disability community to come together to learn and ask questions. READ MORE

Fort Point Open Studios

Boston—October 14 - 16, 2022
FPAC artists welcome visitors into their live-work studios annually to share the arts, industry and creative culture of this unique community with the public. READ MORE

Watertown Fall Festival

Watertown—October 15, 2022
Savor the beauty of New England in the Fall by carving out some time to connect with friends, and neighbors to enjoy fall activities. READ MORE

Newton Harvest Fair

Newton—October 15 & 16, 2022
For over 40 years Newton has celebrated the change of seasons and gathered as a community at the Harvest Fair in Newton Centre. READ MORE

Make Cards Using Handwoven Fabrics

Waltham—October 15, 2022
Create cards for the fall season, birthday cards or notecards. Kids will make the cards using scraps of woven fabrics, yarns, stickers, cutouts and more. These cards are great to send or give to family and friends to celebrate special occasions. Participants can make multiple cards. READ MORE

The Rashi School Traveling Petting Zoo

Dedham—October 16, 2022
The Rashi School will bring the popular and beloved Farm Visits —Traveling Petting Zoo to area families on Sunday, October 16 at The Rashi School playground. Children and family members will have the opportunity to get “up close and personal” with a variety of baby farm animals. READ MORE

Art Ramble: Geo-Metric

Concord—Through November 13, 2022
The Eigth Annual Exhibition in Hapgood Wright Town Forest features 11 diverse works set up throughout the woods. This year's theme “Geo-Metric” is an ode to the changes, seen and unseen, in our environment. The Art Ramble is both child and dog friendly, so bring the entire family.  READ MORE

Head of the Charles Regatta

Cambridge—October 21 -23, 2022
Since 1965, rowers have come from far and near to the banks of the Charles River to take part in the world's largest regatta. READ MORE

USS Constitution 226th Birthday Celebration!

Charlestown—October 22, 2022
Happy Birthday, USS Constitution! On October 21, 1797, the USS Constitution slipped into the waters of Boston Harbor and began service to the country. Now 226 years later, celebrations have begun to honor the Ship’s historic career in true birthday fashion with a Birthday Bash. Expect birthday-themed activities and events throughout the day, including cake.   READ MORE

Trunk or Treat

Newton—October 22, 2022
We are so incredible excited to be announcing our second annual, Trunk or Treat! It's going to be an afternoon of spooktacular Halloween fun! Our team members will be going all out, decorating the trunks in their vehicles and showcasing their creepy crawly creations! You'll get to collect some candy & you'll even get to decorate your own pumpkin to take home! READ MORE

Howloween Pet Party

Hingham—October 29, 2022
Weston Nurseries in Hingham is hosting a Howloween Pet Party. READ MORE

Boston Book Festival: Copley Square

Boston—October 29, 2022
Boston Book Festival hosts author presentations, panels, and hands-on demonstrations at outdoor venues throughout the Copley Square area, from Trinity Church to the Boston Public Library.  A street fair in the square features exhibitors and live music throughout the day.  READ MORE

The Anchor of Hull Trunk-or-Treat

Hull—October 29, 2022
Anchor of the Hull's trunk-or-treat event is the weekend before Halloween, with treat collection across the parking lot. Families can also enjoy cider and donuts, pumpkin painting, Halloween crafts, and more on the front lawn. READ MORE

Tricks and Treats: Spooky Science at the Waterworks Museum

Boston—October 30, 2022
Drop in for a ghoulishly good time to explore some water-based science that seems like magic! READ MORE

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