According to the Ouija Board, These Are the Best Halloween Events in Boston
Plus, fun things to do in Salem, MA.
Since we're all about that tingling feeling when Halloween's frights lurk around every corner, we Bostonians are a lucky bunch this time of year, considering the city dates to 1630 and is (obviously) riddled with ghosts and apparitions of days of yore. That aside, we also proudly double down on the dark allure of witchcraft with the quintessential Halloween treat known as good ol' Salem, Massachusetts.
To dive into this fright-fest, we’ve got the intel on everything from a 3-day Halloween bar crawl at Fenway, costume parties, underground crypts, and where your fur baby can show off its cute costume.
Whether you play it safe or long for the wicked, here are the best Halloween events in Boston and Salem all throughout October.
Drinking in Boston
October 7, 11 am
Everett, Free
Short Path Distillery is closing down Kelvin Street in Everett for its annual Apple Booze Bash. Admission is free but bring your wallet for the food vendors and limited-release bottles of Apple Pear Brandy. Grab a spiked cider flight, a snack from Bonetown Burgers, and freshly fried apple cider donuts and fritters. There's also an apple bobbing competition with apple brandy-soaked apples hanging from strings—are you the next to be crowned Apple Booze Bash Master Bobber?
Halloween Themed Drinks
Month-long
Citywide, Prices Vary
Pop into Bambara's Kitchen for a spine-tingling Freddy Krueger-inspired cocktail—aptly named the One, Two, Freddy's Coming For You, with visuals giving a nod to Kruger's iconic red-striped sweater. Not to be outdone, the tropical oasis, Shore Leave, transforms into its month-long haunted seasonal alter ego, Scare Leave. Enjoy live music, karaoke, and drag events for the Nautical Nightmares cocktail menu with options like the Selkie's Scream with vodka, raspberry, and elderflower in a classic Scream movie mug.
Also, on October 12, Night Shift Brewing is hosting a night of theater under the stars dedicated to the Hocus Pocus, enjoy the flick with their seasonal Pumpkin Skyscraper beer.
October 21, 12 pm
Chestnut Hill, Free
'Tis the season for howls, so unleash the hounds. Wait, we got carried away on that one. Please keep your pups leashed, of course, but scurry them over to Notch Brewing's Howl-o-ween Yappy Hour on The Green at The Street Chestnut Hill. There will be brews for the humans and goodies from Bond Vet and Polkadog Bakery for the furry trick-or-treaters. Enjoy live entertainment and pup-tastic photo opportunities in the pumpkin patch. Costumes? But, of course—bust out your most creative dog-turned-lion and donut costumes.
October 27–28 & 31
Fenway, Starting at $9.99
Get ready for three days of sinister shenanigans as Fenway's Haunted Halloween Bar Crawl gets underway. Popular Lansdowne Street bars such as Game On, Lansdowne Pub, Kings Back Bay, Loretta's, and more are teaming up for non-stop sips, howls, and laughs. Each bar offers a variety of themed drinks, costume contests, and entertainment. Costumes—especially group costumes—are encouraged. Choose a venue, grab a ticket, and let the ghoul times roll.
Sports in Boston
October 21, 7 pm
Cambridge, $10
Spend the night hurling dodgeballs at zombies with the folks at Fun Dodgeball. These monthly—all are welcome—game nights are non-competitive and raucously fun. Obviously, this is a Halloween-themed game, so costumes are welcome. Just be sure to choose a comfortable costume and take advantage of the $10 early-bird pricing, which ends on October 8. Games are played at Andrew Peabody School Gymnasium and afterwards, players usually head over to Joe Sent Me in Cambridge.
October 21, 5 pm
Wilmington, Starting at $16
Costume planning for an evening of Roller Derby chaos should definitely involve a stunning amount of tulle fabric—as a skirt (duh) or any creative creepy configuration you come up with. Add a few cobwebs to complete the fit. The doors open at 4 pm, with a New England Skateriots junior roller derby exhibition, followed by the first match at 5 pm.
October 22, 12 pm
Somerville, Pay what you can
Calling all powerlifting ghouls and goblins! Halloween revelers looking for a unique way to combine queer joy, strength, and community-minded outreach are invited to the inclusive Queer Powerlifting Workshop at Rx Strength Training. The pay-what-you-can event is a fundraiser for the Transgender Law Center and is open to all experience levels. The vibe is all about empowering the queer community and gathering LGBTQ+ friends for a wicked day of connection.
Music in Boston
October 6, 6:30 pm
Cambridge, Free
Dueling DJs and supernatural beats are on hand for Starlight Square's Dance of the Dead. Get your ghoulish groove on outside, under the mystical moon, and see what spells take hold—or just dance your butt off and eat a bunch of candy corn. The night is yours; lean into it with your A-game costumes and beguiling dance moves. The dance party is free, so you'll have an extra few dollars in your pocket (er—Venmo account) to get extra jazzy with your costume—or splurge on a late-night drink at nearby Brick & Mortar.
October 28, 9 pm
Beacon Hill, Starting at $95
This all-out Halloween Barbie Extravaganza is giving glamour. Join the costume-clad fun as The Liberty Hotel morphs into a Boston Barbie Dreamhouse. The pink cocktails will be on repeat as DJ Frank White and DJ Joshua Carl get all the Barbies and Kens on the dance floor. Reserve VIP tables with top-down views from the CATWALK and 4th-floor rotunda. The hotel's ready with a pre-party Barbie Dinner in CLINK or post-party Barbie Hangover Brunch and Barbie Halloween Room Packages.
October 28, 11 am
Back Bay, $25, à la carte menu
This event at Citrus & Salt is nothing short of the perfect seasonal potion, in fact, and a fabulous way to close out the weekend. Seats for this shindig are in high demand, so grab your tickets soon. There will be limited, first come, first served seating at the bar. Get ready to fiesta grim reaper Gordita-style; this drag brunch is all about sips, songs, and good ol' holiday fun.
Arts & Culture in Boston
Visit Real Life Graves and Tombs
Month-long
Citywide, Prices Vary
Do you dare wander into the underground shadows of Boston’s first colonial cemetery, King's Chapel? Follow the candlelight into the chambers under the church to see one of the few church crypts still remaining in New England. The 18th-century crypt includes 21 tombs, and you'll learn who is buried there—and how. The Tales from the Crypt: Candlelit Crypt Tours at King's Chapel tours are available throughout the month on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
Being buried alive was a common fear for Bostonians of the 1600s, and you'll get all the gruesome details on the Tinggly Ghosts and Gravestones tour of Boston. The walking tour leads guests down the side streets and alleys to visit some of Boston's oldest burial grounds. Hear 400-year-old stories of dark magic and blood-chilling tales and those searching for the spirits among us will be delighted to get the down-and-dirty on specter sightings at the Omni Parker House, including the exact rooms said to be haunted.
Halloween-themed Dinners
Month-long
Citywide, Prices vary
Halloween isn't all just creepy vibes; there are also plenty of refined evenings of mystery and delight. Trade the mummies for elegant menus at A Nightmare on Mass Ave on October 28 in Cambridge where thirteen area restaurants will line the eerie streets; Brattle Street's Harvest restaurant for A Taste of Harvest: Chef Spotlight Dinner on October 29; and Rebel's Guild's Legend of Sleepy Hollow Dinner on October 31.
Month-long
Citywide, Prices Vary
Something wicked this way comes, and it's a handcrafted Halloween gingerbread house. The professional artists and craftspeople at Studio by Garden Streets will share an hour of their expertise—and all the gingerbread and candy necessary—so that you can put together an epic Halloween gingerbread house. Go for creepy or cute, but the most critical feature is—that darn thing will actually stand upright (is it supernatural or just really strong royal icing? Hmmm).
October 31, 7:30 pm
Somerville, Starting at $40
Somerville's Bow Market Upstairs knows some are looking for more than mini candy bars and delightfully themed cocktails. Welcome to The Poetry Brothel, billed as "an immersive literary cabaret that fuses poetry, activism, vaudeville, burlesque & magic with 1-on-1 poetry readings." Some of the evening's artists are also sex workers, and a portion of the event’s profits will be donated to the Massachusetts Sex-Worker Ally Network.
Halloween Events in Salem, MA
Month-long
Salem, $15
The City of Witches—otherwise known as Salem—percolates with the buzz of witchcraft all year, but Halloween is unapologetically gruesome and utterly fabulous. Whether you're craving a bit of campy humor or downright terror, Salem does not disappoint. For starters, dabble in vampires, zombies, and werewolves at Count Orlok's Nightmare Gallery, where Hollywood special effects artists have recreated a menagerie of madmen and ghastly creatures from unspeakable places. Presented as a walk-through museum-style exhibit, it's oozing with creepy vibes, but within the comfort zone of most.
Month-long
Salem, $18
How about solving unsettling mysteries of evil intent? If that sounds like a hoot, The Lost Museum at Gallow Hill awaits you, but you must brave the underground tunnels. A guide—you know, someone schooled on evil etiquette and such—will lead (lure?) you through the various rooms—each a mind-bending scene of special effects—and you must solve the mystery before moving on. Beware the cursed objet d'art—so necessary to the tale but risky, nonetheless.
Month-long
Salem, $13
We have to admit, $13 to potentially pee your pants is a bargain. Witch Mansion is a traditional house of terror, designed as a walk-through haunted house. It's legit nightmare fuel—the kind of place where you'll clutch the back of the shirt of whoever's in front of you—friend, partner, or stranger alike. This is for the heartiest Halloween enthusiasts, who thrive on the adrenaline rush of absolute terror. Rotting corpses, spiders, and ghastly visitors from the underworld, it's got it all. Bring a post-haunted house throat lozenge, folks; you'll need one to soothe your vocal cords after the screams.
October 31, 6 pm
Salem, $150
Bewitching New England's burlesque and drag artists haunt Salem's Hamilton Hall, and an alluring evening of 1920s fantom flappers awaits. The 218-year-old hall will overflow with prohibition-era cocktails, music by Niki Luparelli and The Gravediggers, and irresistible appetizers. Guests are invited to dress in Ghastly Gatsby attire, with all the fringe and opulence of the 1920s and '30s scene. Upon arrival, speakeasy guests are handed a glass of champagne but plan ahead because the dress code is strict.