GREATER BOSTON
Frog Pond Pumpkin Float – Boston Common hosts its annual Frog Pond Pumpkin Float on Friday night, setting afloat hundreds of illuminated jack-o’-lanterns accompanied by music and plenty of family-friendly spooky season activities. Bring an 8-inch or smaller carved pumpkin that will be lit and then floated on the pond, or just check out jack-o’-lanterns carved by people way more creative than you. FREE.
Hanson’s Haunted Hayride – Friday and Saturday nights in October Hanson’s Haunted Farm, Framingham. Over 100 volunteers come out to thrill and scare you in an exciting hayride through our farm. We do group rates and discounts.
Zoo Howl at Franklin Park Zoo – October 26-27. Franklin Park Zoo 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston Children throughout New England are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals. Thrills, chills, and animals lurk around every corner on the Trick-or-Treat Trail! Other haunted happenings offered throughout the day include: creepy crafts, ghoulish games, howling costume contests and a haunted maze! Be sure to take a hay ride at Zoo Howl! Hay rides will be provided by Pine Meadow Farm and will cost $2.00 per person or three for $5.00.
Boo at the Zoo at Stone Zoo! – October 19-20 Stone Zoo 149 Pond Street, Stoneham Children throughout New England are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals. Thrills, chills, and animals lurk around every corner on the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Other haunted happenings offered throughout the day include: creepy crafts, ghoulish games, howling costume contests, and a haunted maze!
Ghosts and Gravestones Tours of Boston – Through October. Come hear Boston’s real history – the stories you won’t hear before the sun goes down. What do you get when you combine a cursed privateer, a pyromaniac circus ringleader, a demon spat out of the pits of Hades, a homicidal opera diva, and a deranged nanny? An experience unlike anything else in Boston! Those are just a few of our guides who will drag you kicking and screaming through Boston’s sordid past. Never was there a more treacherous lot of characters – each one dying to tell you tales of Boston’s dead in their own unusual way. There are so many of us that each time you take our tour, you’ll have a startling new experience. So join us again and again! You will never know with whom you will be trapped. – 80 Dorchester Avenue, South Boston
Haunted Boston Ghost Tours – Step through the shadows and discover the chilling and ghastly tales of murder, revenge, lust, and heartache… The best way to see Historic Boston is by foot. This 90-minute walking tour takes you through the historic and haunted streets in search of the countless ghosts rumored to haunt the city. Daily Central Burying Ground Boston
Frightful Friday Ghost Stories and Tour at The Gore Mansion – Gore Place 52 Gore Street Waltham. October 11, 18 & 25. Guides lead visitors through the 1806 Governor Gore mansion where they hear stories from New England and beyond–A great way to celebrate the Halloween season and enjoy this beautiful historic house! $15, $10 members and children ages 5-12.
Beacon Hill With a Boo! – October 31. Boston By Foot, Inc. 77 North Washington Street Boston. Beacon Hill With a BOO! is the Halloween walking tour of Beacon Hill featuring the murders, executions, ghosts and politicians of this seemingly quaint neighborhood.
Halloween Happenings– October 19 & 20 – Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary – Fun, family-friendly, non-scary events for families with children ages 4-10.
Downtown Trick or Treat – In both Hudson and Maynard, the Chamber coordinates Annual Downtown Trick or Treats on the Thursday before Halloween from 4 to 6 pm. This event draws approximately 2000 kids in Hudson and 1500 kids in Maynard. The event features dozens of stores to visit for treats, a Boys & Girls Club Haunted House, storytelling at the Unitarian Church and middle school marching bands. In Hudson, Main Street is closed, and in Maynard, Nason Street is closed.
Ghost Tour in Harvard Square – What better way to welcome fall than listening to dark tales of the ghastly deeds and wandering spirits that haunt the brick buildings and gravestones of Harvard Square? This 90-minute guided walking tour, conducted by experts attired in period costume, will send shivers down your spine as you listen to stories of gruesome murders, untimely deaths, dismemberments and other things that go bump in the night.
Freaky Funk: A Haunted Halloween Costume Cruise – Northern Lights, Boston – A graveyard bash is brewing aboard the haunted Northern Lights this Halloween. Join Classic Harbor Line in Boston for a spooky-good cruise when their house funk band rises from the dead to deliver you some groovy and thrilling vibes. Come dressed as your best zombie or werewolf to win best Halloween costume of the night. Best-dressed wins four complimentary tickets on a Brunch Cruise through Classic Harbor Line.
Boston 3-Day HalloWeekend Bar Crawl – Hard Rock Cafe – Imagine Boston’s best party crowd dressed in ridiculously wild costumes, getting together, having amazing drinks, and roaming the streets of Beantown, with you and your crew right in the middle of the action. Faneuil Hall will be transformed into the center of nightmare nightlife for all those who seek thrills and chills this Halloween weekend. Start out at the Hard Rock Cafe and hit the best bars in Boston on the most exciting weekend of the year, creating memorable moments over three full days of frightfully fun partying.
7th Annual Halloween Pet Parade and Costume Contest – Faneuil Hall Marketplace – October 26 – Pet owners are invited to dress their pets in Halloween costumes and parade around Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Participants will then walk the “catwalk” in front of a panel of judges. Pet owners are invited to join in the fun and dress in costumes as well. Prizes will be awarded for “Best in Show,” “Best Owner & Pet Combo,” “Best Local Representation,” “Most Creative,” “Best Group” and “Spookiest.” Prize baskets featuring gift cards will be provided by Faneuil Hall Marketplace merchants.
NORTH OF BOSTON
Haunted Happenings – Through October 31. A month-long celebration of Halloween and fall in New England , Haunted Happenings features more than 130 events for all ages. In addition to special events in October, most Salem attractions and museums have extended hours and most restaurants will feature special programming including parties and live music.
Salem Witch Museum – 19 ½ Washington Square North, Salem The Salem Witch Museum presents one of the most tragic and enduring events in American history… THE WITCH HYSTERIA of 1692. Interest in what happened 300 years ago remains high and in fact keeps growing. Their exhibit: Witches: Evolving Perceptions traces the myths of this mysterious religion. From midwives and healers to witch hunts and Wiccans… Do you believe in witches? Don’t answer until you see Salem’s Most Visited Museum.
Witch’s Woods – Opens September 27. Nashoba Valley Ski Area, Westford, Greater Merrimack Valley’s original Halloween Screampark. Climb aboard Witch’s Woods most popular attraction, the Haunted Hayride, and visit the Keeper’s Crypt, Castle Morbid and Nightmare Mansion.
Halloween Radio Theatre
Saturday, October 26 from 7:00pm-9:00pm. Chelmsford Center for the Arts.
Sleepy Hollow-een Tour
Sunday, October 27th from 3:30pm-5:00pm
Join us for this special Halloween event! Take a tour through historic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery with a Concord Museum guide. Learn about the lives and deaths of past Concordians through stories passed down through the generations.
Eerie Stories on Salem Sound – Salem – Join us aboard our boat Naumkeag for an evening of storytelling on the Salem Sound, where your crew will entertain you with history and folklore from Salem’s dark past! Escape the crowds and take to the sea, haunting tales and harbor views await! Departing from the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, this one hour boat tour allows guests to experience Salem in October like never before.
Corn Maize & Haunted Attractions – Connors Farm, Danvers – Our Annual Corn Maze, Haunted Cornfield and Woods, and Zombie Safari Paintball Return for Another Season! A Great Way to Spend an Autumn Day or Night! Come for Family Fun! The Corn Maze is 7 acres of fun to explore! Try the interactive activities – some to provide clues, some just for fun. This year’s theme is ‘It’s the Great Corn Maze, Charlie Brown!’ Experience the feel of the country only minutes from your home. With over 50 daytime attractions, there is something for all ages.
Downtown Trick or Treat – October 24 – Beverly – Annual Downtown Trick or Treat event is a fun way for little ones in costumes to get their treats! Stop in at businesses on Cabot and Rantoul Streets that have an orange flyer displayed in their windows and receive a fun treat. Street closure – Cabot Street and some side streets will be closed to cars from 3:30-6:30pm from Dane Street to Railroad Ave.
Tales of the Night – Drumlin Farm, Lincoln – A frightfully fun evening for the whole family Put on your favorite costume, grab a flashlight, and join us for the silliest, spookiest, and most family-friendly Halloween tradition.
Salem Horrorfest – Acclaimed suspense director John Carpenter once said, “Horror is a reaction, not a genre.” Salem Horror Fest is the ultimate tribute to everybody’s favorite reaction, with a stellar slate of cinematic horror classics for your edge-of-the-seat entertainment. From slashers to specters, creepers to creature features, Salem Horror Fest at Cinema Salem is a silver screen smorgasbord of scares — just in time for Halloween!
Castle Hill Halloween – Ipswich – October 26 – Meet the infamous Dr. Caligari and his Somnambulist, a man who has been sleeping since birth or so Caligari claims. As the story unfolds someone will die and another will be abducted. Based on the 1920 silent film, our theatrical cocktail party will thrill and delight.
Boos and Brews: An Adult Pumpkin Trail – Stevens-Coolidge Place – North Andover – October 25 – Our Nocturnal Animal Pumpkin Trail is so much fun for the kiddos, we thought the adults would like to join in with a special night (or two) just for them! Boos & Brews will include a 400 jack-o-lantern lit trail through the gardens, as well as food and drink vendors to supplement the season’s candy haul.
Don you finest costume and bring your celebratory spirit, because Halloween at the Stevens-Coolidge Place isn’t just for the kids anymore!
Outside food and beverage prohibited.
SOUTH OF BOSTON
Factory of Terror – 33 Pearl St., Fall River
Factory of Terror is New England’s premier haunted house. When you visit us, be prepared to be scared out of your mind! A well-known haunted attraction in the Boston area, The Factory of Terror lures fear seekers from all over New England, including Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire.
Winslow Farm – Open Fri/Sat nights 6-8pm and Sat/Sun days 12-4pm. Kid-friendly haunted trails, warm fire to sit by, animals to visit with during the daytime hours, refreshments, and pumpkin painting. Admission is $10 adults, $5 children, under 2 is free.
Not So Spooky Halloween – Edaville Family Theme Park’s first annual “Not So Spooky Halloween.” October 2-25. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their favorite costumes and head on over for a full day of kid friendly, parent approved trick or treating at every ride! FEATURING big kid rides, little kid rides, family rides, COME HAVE THE TIME OF YOUR LIVES! Admission includes Thomas Land, Dino Land, all rides & attractions.
Sheep Pasture SPOOKTACULAR – October 26 – North Easton – *Rain date Sunday, October 29, 2017. A great family-friendly event that will have special fall activities for visitors of all ages. To make sure everyone has a good time, please no costume weapons or extremely frightening costumes at the event. Activities scheduled for the SPOOKTACULAR include: Family hayrides, fire pit, night hikes, face painting, skull station, pumpkin decorating, and arts and crafts!
Dead of Night Ghost Tours
Walking tour
Water St., Plymouth
Plymouth Night Tours
Walking Tour
Main St., Plymouth
Buriel Hill Tours
School St., Plymouth
Halloween on Main Street
October 30
Plymouth
CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS
Sandwich Halloween Festival – Heritage Museums and Gardens. October 25-26. Join the Halloween dance party with DJ Ooch, go on a hayride, get a temporary tattoo, join in the fun in Hidden Hollow, and enjoy themed drinks and snacks from the Magnolia Café. Come in costume and be part of the fun! New this year: Meet characters from the movies, craft your own fantastic mask, and navigate your way through a burlap maze! Participants are advised to wear comfortable shoes to walk to all of the activities.
Halloween Parade – October 31 – Nantucket – Costumed adults and children are asked to begin arriving downtown around 4:30 pm in preparation for the 5:00 pm start of the parade at the fountain at the base of Main Street. Prior to the parade, a costume contest will be held on the steps of the Methodist Church, where the best-dressed family will be awarded the top prize! After judging, the parade will proceed to the church, where every child will also receive a ribbon and a goodie bag. Most downtown businesses are open for trick-or-treaters!
Vineyard Ghost Walking Tours: Hear spooky stories, learn about Island history and tour many landmarks. Call for more information
774-563-0762 or 508-627-9445
Happy Haunting: For a family-friendly Halloween experience, this year, Happy Haunting will be held on Sunday, October 27 in Edgartown from noon until 4 p.m. Kids can dress up and trick-or-treat at downtown businesses.
Haunted Martha’s Vineyard Buildings
When your town’s oldest building dates to 1672, you almost expect a supernatural presence around every corner. Martha’s Vineyard’s history, along with its fair share of strange occurrences, makes it a major hub for ghost hunters and local storytellers alike. Whether you’re fully in touch with the spirit world or you’re a little skeptical, these locations make for a fun and spooky Halloween adventure. Happy ghost hunting!
Haunted Buildings in Edgartown
The Vineyard Gazette Building
Though the ghosts haven’t made headlines, some say this beloved island establishment is haunted. According to the Gazette, the building dates to the 1760s — its builder would go on to serve in the Revolutionary War. Rumor has it that the building served as an almshouse more than a century before the newspaper moved in, and that a fight between two men over a lover turned deadly there. If you’re hoping to connect with these spirits, the Gazette offers building tours year-round. For us, seeing the in-house offset press in action is an even bigger highlight.
59 N. Water Street – Former Daggett House Inn
Barely a block from Vineyard Square, the former Daggett House Inn is now a private residence. When it was an inn, this 18th-century building featured a secret room adjacent to the dining area. Those familiar with Martha’s Vineyard ghosts say you can still feel the presence of two brothers and their dog even walking by.
The Vincent House
The island’s oldest residence is owned by the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust, whose mission to preserve historic properties doubles as a pretty solid perk for local ghosts. The Vincent House is furnished with artifacts from four centuries of island life, making it a fun and interactive stop on your Martha’s Vineyard ghost tour — if you dare.
Oak Bluffs Ghosts
Corbin-Norton House – Ocean Park
This house has burned down twice—first in 1894 then again in 2002—and ghost hunter extraordinaire Holly Nadler says it’s no coincidence. Sisters Julie and Loulou Danzell were behind the well-documented string of 1894 Oak Bluffs arsons, and their spirits still linger on the island. For more of the ghostly details, check out the Gazette’s account of these mysterious events.
Martha’s Vineyard Ghosts in Aquinnah
The Vanderhoop Homestead
Widely considered Martha’s Vineyard’s most-haunted house, the Vanderhoop Homestead is now the Aquinnah Cultural Center. Spirit hunters identify its ghost as a little girl screaming at night, but former residents of the house say they’ve never heard her.
Vineyard Haven
Renear House
The Vineyard Gazette notes that some people have reported hearing doors and windows slam in empty rooms at the Renear house on Church Street in Vineyard Haven, though the house’s owner denies any spiritual presence.
CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
Factory of Terror – 344 Franklin Street, Worcester
Factory of Terror is New England’s premier haunted house. When you visit us, be prepared to be scared out of your mind! A well-known haunted attraction in the Boston area, The Factory of Terror lures fear seekers from all over New England, including Rhode Island, Connecticut and New Hampshire.
Zoo Boo Days – Southwick’s Zoo
Celebrate Halloween at Southwick’s Zoo with this non-spooky, family friendly event! We’re offering free general admission to kids ages 3-12 in costume, and kids can trick or treat around the zoo. Our animals will even join the fun when we give them pumpkins to eat and play with!
The Sleepy Hollow Experience – September 27-November 3. Old Sturbridge Village
After last year’s sold-out run of The Sleepy Hollow Experience at Old Sturbridge Village, the museum is again joining forces with Brian Clowdus Experiences to bring the immersive theatrical experience back to the Village. At The Sleepy Hollow Experience, guests will be ghoulishly guided through the Village,s countryside where they will encounter Ichabod Crane, Katrina Van Tassel, Brom Bones and quite possibly the Headless Horseman. Please note that each outdoor performance is approximately 1.5 hours long, and requires standing and walking. Performances are rain or shine. If the evening is a rainout, a modified version of The Sleepy Hollow Experience will take place in Old Sturbridge Village’s Stephen M. Brewer Theater.
Davis Mega Farm Festival – Lots of great events and attractions including the corn maze, zip lining, food, drink and family events.
Haunted Speakeasy: Music, Spirits & More – October 18-19. Bull Mansion New American Bistro – Worcester – Come party like it’s 1929, as Bull Mansion turns into the Haunted Speakeasy this Halloween season. The veil lifts at this historic spot in downtown Worcester to reveal scenes from the town’s ghostly past. Dance and enjoy spirits (booo) and spirits (*wink*) as 1920s music (and a few contemporary songs reVAMPed for that flapper feel) fill the ballroom, thanks to resident Speakeasy Spectacle Niki Luparelli and the Gold Diggers, interspersed with just the right amount of floor performances by some of New England’s best burlesque and variety acts.
The SK Pierce Mansion – Gardner
This attraction is not for the faint of heart. There is a good possibility that you will witness paranormal activity. The entities in this mansion are extremely advanced and have demonstrated a unique ability to impose their will “physically” on guests. For this reason, a detailed injury waiver must be signed by each guest prior to experiencing “the SK Haunted Victorian Mansion”.
Halloween Costume Party and Ghost Hunt – Winchendon History & Cultural Center – October 26
This is a great opportunity to soak up all the spooky Halloween atmosphere you can, while you head out with experienced paranormal investigators to see what you can find.
Tower Hill Botanic Gardens, Ghouls in Gardens – Boylston
Join us for Tower Hill’s haunted Halloween spectacular. Kick the day off with a children’s costume parade full of tricks and treats. Stay for Pumpkin Painting and our haunted hounds doggy parade in the afternoon. Children’s Parade at 11am and Dog Parade at 1pm.
Hillside Halloween – Fruitlands Museum – Harvard – October 26 – This Halloween weekend, Fruitlands Museum will be alive with Halloween family fun!Bring a goodie bag and collect treats at all the museum buildings. Take a museum scavenger hunt and search for natural items with a Fall Hike-and-Seek on the trails. Play historic games at the Fruitlands Farmhouse and enjoy seasonal crafts in the Family Learning Center.
Canalloween – Water Street in Worcester – Celebrate Halloween in the historic Canal District of Worcester, MA with Wicked Wagon Rides, Zombie Walk, and
Parties all night! Bars & clubs on Water St will host Halloween parties, costume contests, live music and more!
Halloween Happening at the Farm – Douglas Farm in Douglas – Oxen plowing our fields. We welcome back “Merlin” to talk about Whispering Witches, where they come from and what they do on Halloween. Bring your dog dressed up in a halloween costume! Douglas Dog Orphans will be awarding prizes for best costume! Farm scavenger hunt for Halloween candy!
WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
13 Nights at Jiminy – Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. Descend into the depths of the mountains’ past as a haunted holdout, where Villagers from the Plantation of Jericho lived in terror of disfiguring diseases, deranged creatures and impending doom. Are you scared yet?! (ages 10+)
Ghost Tours at The Mount – Fridays & Saturdays through October – Creaking floors, slamming doors, ghostly footsteps… are these tricks of the imagination or something (or someone) else? When Ghost Hunters visited The Mount, Edith Wharton’s beloved country estate in Western Massachusetts in 2009, their findings were inconclusive. Join us on a ghost tour and decide for yourself! If you have your own Mount ghostly experience, please share it with us at info@edithwharton.org. For more information including dates and times of ghost tours and other Halloween events, visit EdithWharton.org.
Frightfest at Six Flags New England – Check website for dates. Six Flags New England Agawam. Check out all Six Flags New England in Agawam has to offer for your Halloween celebrations. Thrills and frills you can’t get enough of. Call (413) 786-9300 ext 3241 for more information and times.
Naumkeag Haunted House – Naumkeag’s Haunted House returns with more scares, bigger haunts and new surprises that are not for the faint of heart! This year, we’re moving things into the mansion itself in addition to a new, frightening path through our historic gardens. Don’t miss the Southern Berkshire’s only Haunted House! Recommended ages 12 and up. For all updates and weather-related changes, check our Trustees West Region Facebook page.
Halloween at Hancock – Hancock Shaker Village – Make slime. Decorate pumpkins. Bob for donuts. Trick or treat in costume. Head to the Round Stone Barn for spooky story time and visit a fortune teller in the Brick Dwelling to learn your fate.
Guided Tour of the Old Burying Ground – October 19, 11 AM – 12 PM
Historic Deerfield
Fear on the Farm at McCray’s Farm and Monster Mash Haunted Hayride – October 18 – 20
McCray’s Farm, South Hadley
Northampton’s Zombie Pub Crawl – October 19
Downtown Northampton
Pumpkin Festival – October 12
Look Memorial Park, Florence
Haunted Train and Light Display –October 18-20 and October 25-27
Look Memorial Park, Florence
Homestead Haunted House – October 18-19, 25-26
William Cullen Bryant Homestead, Cummington
Halloween ‘n History Event – October 27
Stone House Museum, Belchertown
Hicks Family Farm
1255 / 1299 Route 2
Charlemont
Corn Maze open August 31 (Weekends only) 10:00 am -5:00 pm
Flashlight Friday – Friday September 20 – come enjoy the corn maze by moonlight or flashlight!
Haunted Nights Opening October 12 (weekends only) 7:00pm -9:00pm
Mike’s Maze
23-25 South Main Street
Sunderland
https:..facebook.com/mikesmaze
Opens September 7th – November 3 – Saturdays, Sundays & Columbus Day 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Open Fridays starting September 20 – noon- 5:00 pm
Friday Night Fright – The Mount Ghost Tours
It starts with the sounds—creaking floors and slamming doors, fading footsteps down empty halls—a feeling of being watched, tingling taps on the shoulders, spectral shapes crouched in corners or gathered in front of fireplaces long gone cold. Tricks of the imagination in an old house once inhabited by a skilled writer of ghost stories … or something else? Take a ghost tour and decide for yourself. Not for children under 12. Late September – October
Haunted Storrowton – October 18 – Haunted Storrowton visitors will meet in the Union Meeting House for a short video presentation then get to tour the museum buildings on their own. Staff and volunteers will be on hand to share paranormal experiences they have had in the museum buildings and the “ghosts” of Storrowton’s past will be portrayed, including Helen Storrow, Captain John Potter and more. The gift shop will also be open during the event.
Legend has it that both The Hoosac Tunnel and Houghton Mansion, North Adams are both haunted!
