31 Ways to Celebrate Halloween in Greater Boston, From Mildly Spooky to Absolutely Terrifying

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KEY
Barely Spooky 1 |  Actual Adrenaline 2 |  Sleep With Lights On 3

October 1

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

7 p.m., Emerson Colonial Theatre, Theater District, Boston

WHAT IT IS: For the 50th anniversary tour of the cult Halloween classic, the original Brad Majors—Barry Bostwick himself—hosts a screening with a live shadow cast, audience participation—and even a costume contest, inevitably featuring way too much leather.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: Fans can extend the midnight-movie madness with a VIP meet-and-greet with Bostwick, plus an after-party where they can bond with the shadow cast over shared Time Warp memories. emersoncolonialtheatre.com.

SCARY RATING: 2

October 2

Haunted Happenings Grand Parade

6:30 p.m., Salem

WHAT IT IS: What better way to kick off the spooky season than a parade of pageantry, music, and over-the-top costumes in the capital of all things Halloween?

WHAT TO KNOW: With 15,000 people expected to attend the festivities, stake your claim early for a roadside viewing spot along the route, from Shetland Park to Salem Common—or risk watching from behind a witch hat. salem-chamber.org.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 3

Ghosts & Gravestones Tour

Various times
Downtown

WHAT IT IS: Climb aboard a haunted trolley or take a stroll into Boston’s darkest history with a costumed 17th-century gravedigger guiding you through centuries-old burying grounds, the eerie Omni Parker House hotel, and dark local legends for 90 minutes of spine-tingling storytelling. Runs April through October.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: No kids under six are permitted (loud ghost noises, apparently), and those under 13 need to be accompanied by a parent. ghostsandgraveyards.com.

SCARY RATING: 2

Sean McNamara

October 4

Haunted Hillando Halloween Maze

6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Hebert’s Candy Mansion, Shrewsbury

WHAT IT IS: What was once an over-the-top Halloween maze in someone’s yard has morphed into a must-see production on the lawn of Hebert’s with plenty of kid-friendly tricks outside—and yummy treats inside. Runs select Fridays and Saturdays (plus one Sunday) in October.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: The $10 admission feels less painful knowing all proceeds benefit Shrewsbury Youth & Family Services.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 5

The Good Witch of Salem’s Magical Children’s Tea party

10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Hawthorne Hotel, Salem

WHAT IT IS: Trade orange and black for shades of pink at this sweet Salem soiree in the Hawthorne’s Grand Ballroom, where the Good Witch of Salem presides over story time, a dance party, games, coloring, and a tea party with tasty treats.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: Hit the on-site pop-up shop for witch hats, capes, and whatever other costume essentials your little ones suddenly decide they cannot live without. goodwitchofsalem.com.

SCARY RATING: 1

Matt Tetrault

October 6

Feast of Hungry Ghosts at Wusong Road

12 p.m. to 10 p.m., Cambridge

WHAT IT IS: During Halloween season, this elaborately decorated tiki bar and restaurant is decked out with evil pumpkins and more, plus themed food and drink specials. Runs throughout the month of October.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: Get patio seats for haunted-graveyard vibes or first-floor seats for a haunted jungle, with other assorted immersive spookiness on the second floor. Don’t be afraid to bring the kids, especially during the afternoon/early evening. wusongroad.com.

SCARY RATING: 1

Courtesy of the Roger Williams Park Zoo

October 7

Jack O’Lantern Spectacular

6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, RI

WHAT IT IS: Providence gets a ghoulish glow at this all-ages nighttime spectacle showcasing thousands of carved pumpkins lining a self-guided trail with a brain-teasing trivia theme. Runs from September 26 through November 2.

INSIDER TIP: Elevate the experience on the Soaring Eagle Zip Ride—if you dare. rwpzoo.org.

SCARY RATING: 1

Wikipedia

October 8

Guilty! A Salem Witch Trial

7:15 p.m. to 8:15 p.m, Gallows Hill & The Lost Museum, 7 Lynde St., Salem

WHAT IT IS: It’s 1692, and you’re charged with witchcraft. Will audience members and a local Puritan help save you from the gallows? Or will you become Salem’s latest metaphorical casualty? Runs September 28 through November 2.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: The venue requires stairs and can’t accommodate wheelchairs, so factor that into your escape plans, gallowshillsalem.com.

SCARY RATING: 1

Carlin Stiehl / The Boston Globe

October 9

Halloween on the Hill

5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Long Hill, Beverly

WHAT IT IS: Wander the gardens, trails, and orchard of the 114-acre Long Hill estate at this family-friendly celebration of autumn. Pumpkins, music, and treats keep the little ones entertained, while the beauty of nature may be just enough to help parents chill out. Runs Wednesday to Sunday, October 3 to 30. thetrustees.org.

WHAT TO BRING: Comfy walking shoes for traversing several acres of outdoor terrain.

SCARY RATING: 1

Adam Currie

October 10

Phantoms by Firelight

4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., Old Sturbridge Village, Sturbridge

WHAT IT IS: The Cyrkus Vampyr returns to this living-history museum for tantalizing evenings featuring fire dancers, acrobats, and spooky tales told around a crackling bonfire. Runs Friday to Sunday from October 10 to October 26.

INSIDER TIP: This is the production’s swan song, so schlep out west before these vampyrs vanish into the mist forever. osv.org.

SCARY RATING: 2

October 11

Hysteria at Connors Farm

7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Danvers

WHAT IT IS: On the banks of a historical burial ground, this haunted field is home to a heart-pounding, gore-filled evening hike, where actors wearing bloody masks and wielding chainsaws lurk in the shadows. Enter at your own risk. Runs Fridays and Saturdays in October.

INSIDER TIP: The gore fest is 13-plus, but parents can still spook younger kids at the “family-friendly” flashlight corn maze on the grounds. hysteriaatconnorsfarm.com.

SCARY RATING: 3

Al Liptak of Kirby Productions

October 12

DementedFX Haunted House

7 p.m. to 11 p.m., Holyoke

WHAT IT IS: Navigate 20,000 square feet of Hollywood-quality horror, blood-curdling corridors, and immersive effects during this indoor, self-guided viral apocalypse experience. Choose between general or VIP admission (with bar/lounge perks). Runs Thursday to Sunday in October.

INSIDER TREAT: The upgraded lobby isn’t just a waiting room—it’s part of the show, complete with 360-degree sound, lighting effects, and live performers who may or may not be in character, dementedfx.com.

SCARY RATING: 3

Courtesy of King Richard’s Faire

October 13

King Richard’s Faire

10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Carver

WHAT IT IS: New England’s biggest Renaissance faire, where every day is Halloween, just with more chainmail and turkey legs. Expect knights, princesses, minstrels, acrobats, and jousting—everything you need to forget you live in 2025, ideally with a tankard of mead in hand.

INSIDER TIP: Become part of the fantasy yourself at the faire’s Highland Games, held at 4 p.m. on Columbus Day. kingrichardsfaire.net.

SCARY RATING: 1

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October 14

Haunted Warren Tavern

11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Charlestown

WHAT IT IS: One of the country’s oldest taverns (Paul Revere drank here) is supposedly home to a couple of restless souls. Staff and customers report seeing a woman in Victorian clothing and a man in a Colonial-style wig at this Charlestown watering hole—which makes it prime real estate for ghost hunting over clam chowder.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: Request a seat in the front room for the best chance of spotting ghosts, warrentavern.com.

SCARY RATING: 1

See also: Six Haunted Restaurants You Need to Try Near Boston

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October 15

I Know What You Did Last Summer Screening

8 p.m., Charles River Speedway, Brighton

WHAT IT IS: The Coolidge Corner Theater is bringing peak ’90s paranoia to the Charles River Speedway for a free (yes, free!) one-night-only screening of the slasher classic I Know What You Did Last Summer.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: No ticket purchase or reservation is required, so get there a bit early to make sure you snag a prime seat, coolidge.org.

SCARY RATING: 2

October 16

Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy

6 p.m., 8 p.m., and 10 p.m., Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Yarmouth

WHAT IT IS: From a brooding Victorian scholar to Poe’s maiden Annabel Lee, costumed actors reenact four of Poe’s literary works in this 75-minute pop-up performance, then serve cocktails and puns inspired by the author’s twisted imagination. Runs October 16 to 18; arrive early for first-come-first-served seating.

WHAT TO WEAR: Funeral attire isn’t required, but when else will you get to wear that corset you bought during your Goth phase? edgarallanpoebar.com.

SCARY RATING: 2

October 17

Play It by Fear

6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., The Rocks at Harbor Way, Seaport

WHAT IT IS: Ghost host Ashlee Feldman, of JAM’N 94.5, presides over a Halloween bash like only the Seaport could throw. Get ready for a gratis spooky concert from the Glass Artists string quartet and beers from Castle Island Brewing.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: Caricature artists and tarot readers will predict your dating future while you scope out the crowd, bostonseaport.xyz.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 18

Kids Fun Fest

10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Salem

WHAT IT IS: A less-frightful way to enjoy Salem with your littlest witches and wizards, this family-friendly event—free to enter!—features rides, games, slides, and much more. Runs Saturday and Sunday from October 18 to October 26.

WHAT TO BRING: Your patience—there will be a lot of candy-fueled kiddos here, salem.org.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 19

Sweet Halloween

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cider Hill Farm, Amesbury

WHAT IT IS: Trick-or-treat in the cornfield, hop on a hayride, and groove to live music at this fun farm event. Runs Saturday and Sunday from October 18 to October 26.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: Prizes will be awarded for best family or group costume, so grownups should deploy those matching family costumes that seemed like such a good idea online. ciderhill.com.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 20

Ghosts and Legends Trolley

Various times, Salem

WHAT IT IS: Black Widow Mary and Jack—your costumed 17th-century tour guides—dish the dirt on Salem’s greatest hits: murder, mayhem, and witch trials, all from the comfort of a trolley. Runs from September 26 through November 2.

INSIDER TIP: Stick around for the live performance, where you’ll get the full Crucible experience with ghost stories of Salem. gallowshillsalem.com.

SCARY RATING: 1

Mayhem at the Mansion

October 21

Mayhem at Barrett’s Mansion

7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Abington

WHAT IT IS: Thrill seekers 18-plus plunge into pitch-dark terror for this immersive, one-night-only experience. With just a single lantern to clutch, walk through total darkness while physical scares make this intense experience a disorienting and hair-raising delight.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: This is Barrett’s most unhinged version of its popular yearly haunt. Signed waivers required, duh. bhmansion.com.

SCARY RATING: 3

October 22

Spooky Sweat Crawl

6 p.m. to 8 p.m., The Street, Chestnut Hill

WHAT IT IS: Forget the traditional Halloween pub crawl—this one actually won’t make you regret your choices come morning. For $10 (benefiting the Ellie Fund), you can enjoy mini sessions at fitness studios Barry’s and Solidcore, cold plunges at SweatHouz, and (healthy!) treats from Pink Carrot to fuel up after your workout.

WHAT TO BRING: Your water bottle, naturally—even sweaty goblins need to stay hydrated. thestreetchestnuthill.com.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 23

Ghost Tour of the Charles River

5:30 p.m., Lechmere Canal, Cambridge

WHAT IT IS: A spine-tingling 90-minute cruise through the Charles’ most terrifying lore, led by a Boston History Company costumed guide—think ghost sightings, haunted spots, and untimely demises along the waterway.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: No tricks, just treats when it comes to parking: Get a validated $4 rate at the Cambridgeside Galleria next door. charlesriverboat.com.

SCARY RATING: 2

October 24

Candlelight Halloween at Temple Ohabei Shalom

7 p.m. and 9 p.m., Brookline

WHAT IT IS: “Thriller,” “Ghostbusters,” and “Time Warp” performed by a string quartet in a fully candlelit synagogue? The most unexpectedly perfect Halloween mashup you never knew you needed.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: Book Zone A ($54.50 per ticket) to soak up the action closest to the stage.

SCARY RATING: 1

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October 25

Halloween Ball: A Vintage Hallowe’en

7 p.m. to 11:55 p.m., Hawthorne Hotel, Salem

WHAT IT IS: Vintage vibes meet ghostly glamour at this 1920s-themed costume ball. Expect live music, DJs, hors d’oeuvres, photo backdrops, and plenty of interactive experiences.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: The Hawthorne celebrates its spooky centennial in 2025. Costume contest prizes are up for grabs—which means your Amazon flapper dress won’t cut it. hawthornehotel.com.

SCARY RATING: 2

October 26

PruBoo

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Prudential Center, Back Bay

WHAT IT IS: Dress up those little pumpkins and get the camera ready: At this free mall takeover, kids will trick-or-treat around the Pru, with pumpkin painting, face painting, magic shows, a concert, and more not-so-scary fun.

WHAT TO BRING: A big pillowcase, because 40-plus stores will be dispensing sugar highs—enough candy to fuel nightmares through Thanksgiving. prudentialcenter.com.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 27

Spooky Science Weekend

9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Museum of Science, Science Park

WHAT IT IS: For one weekend only, the Museum of Science goes full mad scientist with creepy crawlies, brains, and skeleton demos that somehow count as educational. It’s basically Halloween for science lovers—and their enthusiastic kids.

WHAT TO BRING: Your costume—this is a dress-up event with a DJ dance party, and there will be prizes. mos.org.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 28

Hollowed Harvest

5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Salem

WHAT IT IS: It’s double double with little toil and trouble at this festival, where one ticket delivers two experiences: the Wicked Labyrinth, a glowing maze of animated gourds, and the new Madam FlimFlam’s Psychic Emporium, where haunted entertainment takes center stage. Runs select dates in mid-September and October.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: While you’re there, check out the hands-on pumpkin carving and the Salem Haunted Walking Tour’s debut. hollowedharvest.com.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 29

Saw the Musical

7:30 p.m., Ames Hall, Salem

WHAT IT IS: Direct from New York, this musical parody of the first Saw movie brings Jigsaw to Salem for an evening of campy frights—expect plenty of fake blood and maybe even an unexpected love story. Runs select dates from October 9 through November 9.

WHAT TO KNOW: This is decidedly grownup fun—16 and over only—so find a babysitter or risk explaining why people are harmonizing about death games, sawthemusical.com.

SCARY RATING: 2

October 30

Boston Pops: Disney’s Hocus Pocus

7 p.m., Symphony Hall, Back Bay, Boston

WHAT IT IS: It wouldn’t be Halloween without the classic film Hocus Pocus—this version comes in orchestral form from our own Boston Pops, led by conductor Keith Lockhart in all their spooky glory.

ESSENTIAL INTEL: There’s an encore performance on October 31—witch hats not required. bso.org.

SCARY RATING: 1

October 31

Beacon Hill With a BOO!

Various Times, Beacon Hill

WHAT IT IS: Find out what lurks beneath the charming façades of one of Boston’s swankiest neighborhoods on this 90-minute walking tour, from the truth about a famous doctor’s dismembered body to morbid tales of serial killers.

WHAT TO WEAR: Walking shoes are a must—Beacon Hill’s cobblestones are scarier than any ghost story, and twice as likely to trip you. bostonbyfoot.org.

SCARY RATING: 2

First published in the print edition of the October 2025 issue with the headline, “31 Days of Halloween.”