Photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
America's Thanksgiving Celebration and More Fun Things To Do in Boston This Weekend
GUIDE
Holiday and Christmas Activities Guide for Boston Kids
Polar Express trains are coming to towns all over New England for Christmas 2024! Essex Steam Train Railroad photo courtesy of Mommy Poppins.
Polar Express Train Rides and Christmas Trains in New England 2024
Usher in the holidays this November with the Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park. Photo by Mike Mejia, courtesy of the City of Boston Mayor's Office.
15 Best Things To Do in Boston November 2024 with Kids
The fun is popping out from everywhere with these top attractions and kid-friendly things to do in Boston! Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum photo by the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism
Best Attractions and Things To Do in Boston That Are Kid-Friendly
Fun things to do in Boston with teens include seeing priceless works of art at Boston's museums. Photo courtesy of the Museum of Fine Arts
25 Fun Things To Do in Boston with Teens
Jump into fun with the top indoor playgrounds and play spaces in Boston! Photo courtesy of Boston Playground
Top Indoor Playgrounds and Play Spaces in Boston
Family Travel Guide
Indoors and out and about, there are so many thing to do in Boston with kids before they grow up! Photo courtesy of the Rose Kennedy Greenway website
100 Things To Do in Boston Before Kids Grow Up
Teatime meets playtime in Beverly. Photo courtesy of the Children's Piazza
GUIDE
Guide to Indoor Play Spaces and Fun for Boston Kids
Big league fun awaits at Boston's top attractions for kids. Photo courtesy of Fenway Park
Top Attractions in Boston: Best Things To See and Do with Kids
New England Family Travel Guide
Don't sweat the weather, because the best indoor water parks in New England are waiting for year-round fun! Photo courtesy of Jay Peak Resort
Best Indoor Water Parks in New England for Easy Family Getaways
We've launched a partnership with Care.com to bring background-checked nannies and sitters to the Mommy Poppins Directory.
Find Trusted Babysitters and Nannies Now on Mommy Poppins–Powered by Care.com
Take flight at Story Land in New Hampshire, one of the top New England theme parks for kids and families! Photo courtesy of the park.
Best New England Theme Parks for Kids and Families
Playing in fall foliage is one of the most beautiful and fun things to do with kids in Boston in the autumn
GUIDE
Boston Fall Day Trips Guide: Orchards, Farms, Festivals, and Family Getaways 2024
GUIDE
Guide to Boston Classes and Activities for Kids
Explore a new area on a weekend trip with the kids from Boston
GUIDE
Day Trips and Weekend Getaways from Boston Guide
Free, fun activities can be as simple as blowing bubbles on a sunny day
GUIDE
Free Things To Do in Boston with Kids Guide
Hiking is just one of many things to do in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire, but it sure delivers great views!
25 Things to Do in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with Kids
10 One-Mile-or-Less Hikes to Take with Your Preschooler Around Boston
Pizza and bowling are up everyone's alley in Somerville and Salem. Photo courtesy of Flatbread Pizza Salem/Facebook
15 Boston-Area Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While You Eat (and Relax)
Step into family fun in the Merrimack Valley. Photo courtesy of the Salisbury Beach Partnership.
25 Things To Do in the Merrimack Valley with Kids
These boredom-busting activities turn a stuck-at-home day into a lasting memory.
75 Indoor Activities for Kids on a Rainy Day
Peek inside a rainforest at Providence's Roger Williams Park Zoo.
Boston Zoos: There's More Than Just the Franklin Park Zoo!
The Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial. Photo courtesy of the National Parks Service
Black-Owned Restaurants, Shops, and Landmarks to Discover in Boston
Who you lookin' at?! The Tropical Forest at Franklin Park Zoo. Photo by Don Crasco/Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo: Top Tips for a Great Visit with Kids
Try a little freeze dancing, robot style! Photo courtesy of Pavel Danilyuk via Pexels
30 Exercise Games and Indoor Activities to Get Kids Moving
Science experiments and STEM activities for kids entrance children with their
GUIDE
Guide to Science Experiments for Kids and Fun STEM Activities
New England sleepaway camps get kids out into nature. Photo courtesy of Night Eagle Wilderness Adventure Camp
New England Sleepaway Camps Where Kids Completely Unplug
No messy, dripping fingers when you eat watermelon on a stick.
15 Amazing Mom Hacks That Make Everything Easier
Photo by Liz Baill
GUIDE
Crafts & Games Guide: 100s of Activities for Kids
GUIDE
Guide to Online and Virtual Family Fun
GUIDE
Homeschool & Online Learning Resources for Families
A water park, beach activities, and more await at Coconut Bay's all-inclusive resort in St. Lucia.
Best All-Inclusive Resorts in the US, Caribbean, and Mexico for Kids
These family-friendly Marriott hotels and resorts are packed with on-site water parks, kids camps, oceanfront rooms, and more top-notch amenities.
Best Family Fun Summer Vacations for 2024

Top Free Halloween Events Near Boston for 2024

Get out and about to see some great Halloween events for free in 2024! Frankenstein on Essex Street in Salem, photo by Kate Fox.
Get out and about to see some great Halloween events for free in 2024! Frankenstein on Essex Street in Salem, photo by Kate Fox.
9/27/24 - By Lucie T

October brings free Halloween events to Boston! With decorations, costumes, and candy on our shopping lists, we're all in the market for some free Halloween events kids will love. And the Boston area hosts plenty of free Halloween activities through October 31 that won't break the bank! 

Our Halloween Fun Guide has more ideas for things to do. Families can find plenty more seasonal activities in our list of free October activities. Or, curl up on the couch with the kids and watch one of our picks for best Halloween movies for kids. 

OUR LATEST VIDEOS

From Boston to the White Mountains, there is plenty of free Halloween fun! Return of the Pumpkin People at the Inn at Jackson photo courtesy of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce
From Boston to the White Mountains, there is plenty of free Halloween fun! Return of the Pumpkin People at the Inn at Jackson photo courtesy of the Jackson Area Chamber of Commerce

Free Halloween Events near Boston

Haunted Happenings Grand Parade

Salem–October 3, 2024
This time honored kick off to the Halloween season is full of color, pageantry, music and the enthusiasm of thousands of Salem’s students from kindergarten to college and local business owners. READ MORE

Return of the Pumpkin People

Jackson, NH–October 1 - October 31, 2024
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

Pumpkin People in the Park

Chatham–October 12 - October 31, 2024
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

Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival

Boston–October 18, 2024
The third annual Fall-o-Ween Children’s Festival returns to the Boston Common Frog Pond. READ MORE

Bierman Autism Centers Annual Trunk-or-Treat

Randolph–October 19, 2024
  Join Bierman Autism Centers for a magical morning of fun and excitement at the Annual Trunk-or-Treat event. This sensory-friendly celebration is designed for everyone to enjoy, featuring whimsical trunks full of treats and surprises, ensuring a safe and engaging experience for all. READ MORE

Revere Beach Pumpkin Dash & Pumpkin Patch

Revere–October 19, 2024
The Revere Beach Pumpkin Dash brings together runners of all ages for a scenic 5K along Revere Beach. The event features a family-friendly atmosphere, with activities like a free Kids Fun Run, pumpkin picking, cookie decorating, and live giant pumpkin carving.  READ MORE

Fall Festival at the Arnold Arboretum

Boston–October 19, 2024
Celebrate autumn at the Arboretum at the first Fall Festival since 2008! Explore the eeriest elements of the Arboretum landscape for Halloween: poisonous plants, creepy insects, and oozing mushrooms, and learn how to identify poison ivy once and for all. READ MORE

Truck or Treat at Suffolk Downs

East Boston–October 19, 2024
The annual touch-a-truck event is getting a spooky upgrade. Wear a costume and go trick-or-treating at tractors, trucks, diggers, fire engines and more!  READ MORE

Trunk or Treat at CareOne Newton

Newton–October 19, 2024
Join CareOne for a day filled with Pumpkin Decorating, Trick-or-Treat Bag Decorating, Spooky Games, and more spine-tingling fun!. READ MORE

SomerStreets: Monster Mash

Somerville–October 20, 2024
The last SomerStreets festival of the season, Monster Mashed Up is a Halloween block party for all ages. The street is closed to traffic and is loaded with kids' activities, food vendors, and live music. READ MORE

New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival

Laconia, NH–October 22 - October 31, 2024
An annual tradition in New Hampshire's Lakes Region, this free, family-oriented festival is known for its pumpkin tower, built with donated pumpkins carved at home or on site, as well as rides, activities, music, and food.  READ MORE

Hocus Pocus Recreation at Historic Ropes Mansion

Salem–October 25- October 31, 2024
Salem's historic Ropes Mansion will be decorated in the style of the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. The grounds will be open for self-guided tours. READ MORE

Sensory-Friendly Halloween

Acton–October 26 FREE with pre-registration
The Discovery Museum is hosting a special Halloween event for children and adults with disabilities or sensory sensitivities, including those who are deaf, blind, or autistic. READ MORE

Tricks and Treats at the Waterworks

Chestnut Hill–October 26, 2024
Calling all werewolves, zombies, and mad scientists! Join us at the Waterworks Museum for a ghoulishly good time at this Tricks and Treats event. Decorate a treat bag and then collect candy while exploring some spooky science and trying special crafts and activities.  READ MORE

Kids and Paws for a Cause - A Halloween Parade

Framingham–October 27, 2024
FREE with food donation
Join the fun on November 3rd for a Costume Parade for kids and pets! Enjoy vendors, music, and raffles while supporting the community by bringing nonperishable food or pet food items to help combat food insecurity. READ MORE

Trick-or-Treat At Hammond Castle

Gloucester–October 30 FREE for kids; $10 for adults
This enchanting adventure leads young ghosts and goblins across a real drawbridge, through winding corridors, and into the majestic Great Hall. With multiple stations, spooky music, and crafts, it’s the perfect way to spark a child’s imagination. READ MORE

Places featured in this article: