Halloween is here and fall foliage has almost peaked in Boston! Our historic city truly comes alive at this time of year, with a great number of festive events taking place in the coming week. Whether you live in driving distance, or your travels will take you to the area in the upcoming couple of weeks, we have gathered a fun list of suggestions for you to check out!
Magical Halloween Castle on Castle Island, Fort Independence, Boston
A family-friendly event, Fort Independence will be transformed into a Halloween showcase with magic tricks, storytelling, popcorn, and treats. Costumes encouraged! Admission is free.
Saturday & Sunday, October 28-29
Boston’s Annual Halloween Gala: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief, Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC)
Come enjoy the scariest and most exclusive event of the year in the South Boston Waterfront! Costumes required, the $95 admission gets you access to an experiential production with elaborate haunted theme décor, live music (by DJ Liz Ladoux and Natalie Joly Band), fashion (by Samual Vartan Collections), and world-class prizes for the best costumed guests (including a chance to win an all-inclusive VIP trip to the Dominican Republic). Proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross.
Saturday, October 28
Boston Costume Dash 5K, Copley Square, Boston
Thousands of costumed runners will participate in the third annual Boston Costume Dash 5K, starting at Copley Square and finishing at Boston Common. Post-race, the party continues at the Common with a costume contest, free sponsor schwag, and Harpoon-sponsored after-parties at various local bars. PS – prices go up after today, so get your $45 ticket now!
Saturday, October 28
Pumpkin Palooza, The Lawn On D, Boston
Join us for the last special family event of The Lawn On D’s 2017 season, complete with Halloween-themed activities for all ages. Enjoy loads of free activities like pumpkin carving, a costume contest, face painting, train rides, and more… followed by live music and a variety of spooktacular evening performances! See the full schedule of events >>
Saturday, October 28
Boston Fall Foliage Cruises, Rowes Wharf, Boston
Classic Harbor Line is hosting two different fall foliage cruises on weekends, ending November 5. With tickets starting at $55 ($40 for children), they are offering both brunch and luncheon options depending on your taste. Grab a hot cider and put on your autumn sweaters as you embark on a relaxing cruise of the Boston Harbor featuring the colorful trees of fall!
Saturdays & Sundays through November 5
Haunted Happenings, Salem
The ultimate Halloween destination, Salem’s Haunted Happenings brings together hundreds of thousands of people, from all over the world, each year throughout the month of October. This historic city is famous for the Salem Witch Trials and is located just 15 miles north of Boston, with easy access by the MBTA Commuter Rail. Salem hosts a great number of events and things to do during this month-long celebration, culminating in a huge party on Halloween night.
Enjoy activities such as a series of chilling tours at the iconic House of Seven Gables (drawing on the characters of Nathaniel Hawthorne’s well-known novel); the Haunted Happenings Carnival with fun for all ages; the Hawthorne Hotel’s famous annual Halloween Party (which sells out early each year); Mahi Mahi Lighthouse & Foliage Cruises ($25 gets you a 1.5 hour cruise viewing 5 lighthouses and foliage along the shores of Salem, Beverly, Manchester-By-The-Sea, and the Isolated Misery Islands); a Halloween-night free outdoor concert; and much, much more. Check out hauntedhappenings.org for a full schedule of events.
October 1-31
Looking for more things to do in Boston? Check out our guide of What To Do for shopping, dining, arts & music, historic landmarks, and sports & entertainment suggestions. To give you a better idea of Boston’s make-up, also check out our guide to all the neighborhoods of Boston.