October in the Boston area means there are lots of opportunities to get out and about, enjoying the fall foliage and family time. Looking for some awesome opportunities and family friendly Halloween Events in Boston that your kids will love and not be scared of? Look no further, here are some fun, maybe even magical opportunities for your kids to dress up, collect candy, and have lots of fun!
This list was originally compiled in 2015, but we have it current and updated for 2018!
Affiliate links included for your convenience.
Kid Appropriate Halloween events in and around Boston
All family friendly Halloween Events in Boston listed below are in Date order. However, ones that continue through the entire month are listed at the top. Don’t see an event you love? Go ahead and comment on this post with it! We will update and add as needed.
So grab the biggest trick or treating bag you can find and fill it up by going to these great events!
Jack o’ lantern Journey at Franklin Park Zoo
Date: October 5-November 4, 2018
Address: 1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston, MA 02121
Notes: Parking at the zoo is limited. Ride the MBTA with these options:
- Orange Line: Ruggles Station > Route 22, 28, 29, or 45 bus to Franklin Park Zoo
- Orange Line: Forest Hills Station > Route 16 bus to Franklin Park Zoo.
- Red Line: Andrew station > Route 16 bus to Franklin Park Zoo
- Purple Line: Four Corners/Geneva > walk (Approx. 15 minutes)
This is a NON-scary event for people of all ages where there’s an entire 1/2 mile trail of carved Jack O’ Lanterns and huge structures! Kids 2 and under get in free. It’s a fun time to take the family out for about an hour or two. But more than just the pumpkin trail, learn to carve pumpkins, get some food, and have some fun while you’re there.
Boston Frog Pond Pumpkin Float and Festival
Date: TBA Estimated to be October 26, 2018
Address: 38 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108
Notes: Access from MBTA: Green & Red Lines: Park Street
Bring a small carved pumpkin to be lit and set afloat on the frog pond. Wear your Halloween costumes and join in on the “spooky” parade. Magic tricks, stories, and tons of kids activities are planned for the evening of the event.
Winslow Farm Animal Sanctuary Octoberfest
Date: October 2018 Weekends
Address: 37 Eddy Street, Norton, MA 02766
Bring your own flashlight and enjoy a bonfire, children friendly haunted trails, music, storytelling, and magic! Enjoy the time as a family and snack on popcorn while sipping some apple cider. Lots of fun for all ages.
Edaville Pumpkins Aglow
Date: October 2018 Fridays-Sundays
Address: 5 Pine Street Carver, MA 02330
From 6pm-10pm, families can arrive in costume to enjoy the jack-o-lanterns, go trick or treating, and even go on a Thomas ride. While they are also having their first ever Halloween Party, if you can’t make it on the 31st, join in on the weekends throughout the month.
Haunted Happenings Carnival
Date: October 2018
Address: 1 New Liberty Street, Salem, MA (Will get you to museum parking)
Notes: MBTA Commuter Rail connects to Salem form North Station via both the Newburyport and Rockport lines.
Whether you’re free during the day or need a ay to unwind with family fun in the evenings and at night, check out this carnival all month long and every day during the month of October.
Boo at the (Stone) Zoo
Date: TBA Estimated to be October 20-21, 2018
Address: 149 Pond St, Stoneham, MA 02180
Creepy crafts, Ghoulish games Costume contests, a Haunted maze, and lots of fun all while walking around the zoo with animals all around!
Monster MashUp
Date: TBA
Address: Somerville Ave between Hawkins & Spring Street
Notes: Access via MBTA
- Red Line – Porter Square + 14 minute walk
- Orange Line – Sullivan Square + 11 minute walk
Somerville Arts Council is hosting an amazing family friendly halloween event that includes a little bit of everything — safe business trick or treating, street performers, a bouncy house, power tool pumpkin carving, live music, costume contests, and more.
Spooktacular event & Trick or Treat Parade in Natick
Date: October 27, 2018
Address: 3 East Central Street, Natick, MA 0176
An annual event with two different children’s trick or treating parades where children can walk through town collecting candy from local businesses along the route and from other businesses with tables handing out candy to participants.
Children’s Magical Halloween Castle at Castle Island
Date: TBA
Address: 2010 William J Day Blvd, Boston, MA 02127
Go out to Castle Island in South Boston to enjoy a Halloween celebration that’s all for kids in the afternoon during the weekend! This event is typically put on by the Andrew Square Civic Association.
Franklin Park Zoo Howl
Date: TBA, Estimated October 27-28, 2018
Address: 1 Franklin Park Rd, Boston, MA 02121
Notes: Parking at the zoo is limited. Ride the MBTA with these options:
- Orange Line: Ruggles Station > Route 22, 28, 29, or 45 bus to Franklin Park Zoo
- Orange Line: Forest Hills Station > Route 16 bus to Franklin Park Zoo.
- Red Line: Andrew station > Route 16 bus to Franklin Park Zoo
- Purple Line: Four Corners/Geneva > walk (Approx. 15 minutes)
Go trick or treating while watching animal enjoy pumpkins! There are lots of events planned including crafts, handing out candy, costume contests, hayrides, and more.
PRU Boo at Prudential Center
Date: TBA, Estimated October 27-28, 2018
Address: 800 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02199
Notes: Access from MBTA:
- Green Line: Prudential
- Orange Line: Back Bay
Trick or treat the businesses at Prudential Center and even enjoy a kids’ concert! NECCO is sponsoring the event with lots of fun opportunities including face painting, cookie decorating, and other activities. 50 or more shops are getting involved, so come dressed up and even have a chance to win a costume contest!
Drumlin Farm Tales of the Night
Date: TBA, Estimated October 27-28, 2018
Address: 208 S Great Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773
A short drive to Lincoln will get you a fun opportunity to learn about animals and nocturnal wildlife, to see some amazing jack-o-lanterns, and to go on hayrides & nursery rhyme trails. It’s probably one of the most unique family friendly Halloween events in Boston by far!
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary Halloween Happenings
Date: October 19-20, 2018
Address: 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA 01983
Visit the magical forest at sundown for cider, cupcakes, and a show. In fact, come dressed up, just make sure you’re warm!
Harvard Scare
Date: TBA, Estimated October 26-28, 2018
Address: 18 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Notes: Access from MBTA: Red Line – Harvard Square
Go trick or treating and have a blast as a family! Live Music and magical fun await you at Harvard square. The businesses there have many opportunities to have fun for literally people and children of all ages. Some stores are opening up for face painting and trick or treating for the kids while others are offering food and wine for adults. See the link above for more detailed info about each business’ participation.
Edaville Halloween Party
Date: October 31, 2018
Address: 5 Pine Street Carver, MA 02330
It’s the first year for the Edaville Halloween Party and it’s going to be so much fun! How magical it must be for kids to not only get to see Thomas the Tank Engine that day, but also to trick or treat at rides, costume contests and loads of excitement and fun.
Haunted Halls at the Boston Museum of Science
Date: October 27-28, 2018
Address: 1 Science Park Boston, MA 02114
Notes: Access via MBTA, Green line – Science Park
While there is more to offer if you’re a member like scavenger hunts and raffles, even the general public can enjoy Halloween themes exhibits and a live DJ.
Neighborhood Business Trick or Treating – various times & places
Many of the neighborhoods and cities around town have safe trick or treating events for families to come get candy from the local shops. Some include, but not limited to:
- Brighton Business Trick or Treat
There is even a pizza party following trick or treating at the YMCA, but get out and about to collect candy and have fun. - Medford Square Business Trick or Treat
Like many of the surrounding towns and neighborhoods of Boston, Medford square, just north of the city is holding a fun and safe trick or treating event for kids. - Jamaica Plain
Usually has something on the day of Halloween and a small celebration at the JP Branch library sometime in the week. - Trick or Treat Arlington
- AND MORE – Just check with the local chamber of commerce or community action page.
What’s your favorite Family Friendly Halloween Event in Boston?
Don’t forget to see a list and map of fall festivals in Massachusetts.
Halloween Block Party, West Medford Municipal Parking Lot.
Sat, October 32 (2 pm to 11 pm)
Lots of family fun, food, adult libations,
Music & dancing! Check out details on facebook event page