Arts & Entertainment

Halloween Weekend: Parties, a Night at the Museum and More

Looking for Halloween and autumn events this weekend? Check out this roundup of things to do across Massachusetts this Thursday through Sunday.

This is Halloween! 'Tis the season when happy haunts begin to materialize and grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize. Of course there's plenty to do in Salem, the Halloween Capital of the World, but there's plenty of local events happening, too.

Here's a roundup of local Halloween and autumnal events taking place in and around Hamilton and Wenham on Thursday, Oct. 25, Friday, Oct. 26, Saturday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 28 plus some events that could make a day trip.

SALEM

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Fangtasm: A True Blood Bash: This Halloween, Bon Temps is coming to Salem! Join Go Out Loud in dressing up as your favorite True Blood folklore character: vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches, shapeshifters, zombies, annoying white girl or obligatory shirtless male in celebration of Salem’s biggest gay Halloween experience since Bette Midler put a spell on us. Spun by DJ Mark Barry, this exclusive dance party will have limited admittance and feature specialty drinks, passed appetizers, munchies, sexy macabre decor, music and costume contests for great prizes to die for including $500 cash. Saturday, Oct. 27, 8 p.m. $55.

WENHAM

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Night at the (Wenham) Museum: Characters from the museum’s collections come to life in a magical evening of mystery and surprise. Have a frightfully fun time on moon-lit tours of the museum’s 17th century house, find clues on a treasure hunt and enjoy spooky treats. Friday, Oct. 26, 6:30 p.m. $8 per person or $26 per family.  

HAMILTON

Harvest Fest and Costume Dance Party Fundraiser: The party will include dancing, sweet and savory treats, open bar from 7-8 p.m., pumpkin carving and lots of other fun activities. Costumes are a must!  Children with disabilities in Kenya die every day due to neglect, abuse and even murder. Of those that live only 10 percent attend any kind of school. Kupenda for the Children is non-profit working hard to change this through advocacy, education and medical intervention. This party is a fun way to help these children who are in dire need of assistance. Saturday, Oct. 27, 7-11 p.m. $40 if purchased online, $50 at the door. Kids 12 and under are free.

PEABODY

Halloween Jump: Join Pump It Up for their "Not So Scary Jump." Play in huge inflatables followed by pizza, beverage and a special goodie bag. Suggested ages 2-10.  Don't forget to bring your costume. Advance tickets available by phone.  Please no makeup, swords, or sharp objects. Friday, Oct. 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. $12 per child and $6 per adult.

READING

Trick or Treat on TV: Head to RCTV's Halloween Party in costume and be Live on TV. Visit the Haunted Studio, play some games, enjoy snacks and more.Saturday, Oct. 27, 5-9 p.m. Free.

WOBURN

Halloween Fundraiser for Breast Cancer: It's the 11th annual Halloween Fundraiser to raise money for Breast Cancer at the Woburn Moose Lodge. This year's donations will go directly to Tanner Ta Ta's. There will be a DJ, food and prizes for best costumes. Saturday, Oct. 27, 7-11:30 p.m. $10 donation at the door.

MALDEN

7th Annual FOOGI 5K Haunt Jaunt: 5K Fun Run/Walk starting at 10 a.m. and ending at Oak Grove Community Building. 1-mile walk for kids. Wear your costumes and win the best costume award. Medals awarded to top three overall and top three finishers in each age category, male and female categories. Portion of proceeds to benefit the new METC (Malden Teen Enrichment Center). Sunday, Oct. 28, registration starts at 8:30 a.m. $20 in advance, $25 on race day.

BOSTON, NORTH END

The Slater Foundation Presents Halloween for Hope: Stir up some mischief and join the Ellie Fund in celebrating Halloweenwith a costume party at The Living Room. Enjoy two complimentary drink tickets for beer or wine, delicious appetizers, free airbrush tattoos, DJ and dancing, a costume contest and giveaways. Thanks to the generosity of The Living Room and The Slater Foundation, 100 percent of the event proceeds will benefit the Ellie Fund and help local families fight breast cancer. Friday, Oct. 26, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets: $30 before Oct. 19, $40 thereafter, if available.

BOSTON, BACK BAY

Pru Boo Trick-or-Treat for Charity: Bring your children to trick-or-treat from store to store throughout the Prudential Center, and enjoy face painting, magic tricks, pumpkin decorating, a kids concert with Vannessa Trien and other spooky fun along the way. This year's non-profit partner this year is Room to GrowBring any new and gently used baby items appropriate for newborns to age three. For a $4 donation to Room to Grow, your child gets a trick-or-treat bag to use for collecting candy at participating stores. You can purchase a bag in advance at the Customer Service Desk and beat the crowd, or buy the day of the event starting at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. $4.

BROOKLINE

The Which Who Wasn't: Wayne Martin Puppets presents a delightful tale about a little witch who can't do anything the least bit scary. Based on a story by author Jane Yolen and brought to life by a bewitching cast of hand and rod puppets our little witch dreads attending her first Halloween witches convention where she is expected to cast terrible spells. To the surprise of all, not only does she brew up a hilarious surprise but wins the blue ribbon in the process. This short piece is followed by a selection of Martin's award winning marionettes with Punky Punkin (The Happy "Juggling" Pumpkin) and a compliment of scarecrows, witches, ghosts and monsters all performing unique tricks for your treat in this hilarious Halloween theme variety revue. Friday, Oct. 26 at 10:30 a.m.; Saturday, Oct. 27 at 1 and 3 p.m.; Sunday at 1 and 3  p.m. $12 per person, $8 for members.

Worth Driving To

WESTFORD

Greg Hill at Witches Woods: Greg Hill, host of WAAF’s Hill-Man Morning Show, will be at Witches Woods in the Nashoba Valley Ski Area. Join WAAF for Trick or Treat night and your chance to win basketball tickets and great sports memorabilia. Thursday, Oct. 25, 7-9 p.m. Free.

CONCORD

Halloween Fun at Barefoot Books: Get your money's worth from those Halloween costumes when your little ones come (dressed in their spooky best) to this fun story time with Halloween craft time. Craft best for ages 2 and up.Saturday, Oct. 27, 10:30 a.m. Free.

SUDBURY

Halloween 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run/Senior Stride: Join Sudbury for the town's first Halloween 5K, Fun Run/Senior Stride. The 5K will be a timed event starting at 11 a.m., followed by a 1-Mile Fun Run/Senior Stride around the paved Haskell Field loop. Free refreshments available for race participants. Costumes are encouraged, so get in the spirit! Volunteers of all ages needed. Online registration is strongly recommended. Sunday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m. $25 for 5K, $10 for Fun Run/Senior Stride.

MARLBOROUGH

Special Olympics Massachusetts Trick or Trot: This event offers something for everyone—a 5k run, 1-mile walk, halloweenactivities and games, a costume contest, and some breakfast and goodies at the party. The Trick or Trot supports over 13,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities who choose to live a happier and healthier life by participating in programs offered by Special Olympics Massachusetts. Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m-1 p.m. $35 minimum donation.

NATICK

Creepy Crawlies at Mass Audubon's Broadmoore Wildlife Sanctuary: How do you hiss without using your mouth? Breathe without lungs or gills? Move if you don't have legs? This program features some of the strange and creepy critters from our wild and wacky world of animals. You'll meet tarantulas, amphibians, snakes and even some cool cockroaches. Pre-registration required. Online registration available. Sunday, Oct. 28, 1 p.m. Adults: $13 for non-members, $11 or members. Children: $8 for non-members, $6 for members.

WALTHAM

Poultry 'n Pumpkin Day: Celebrate the harvest season and our feathered friends at the Gore Place Society. Take a wagon ride to the farm, meet the chickens and enjoy fun activities on a fall afternoon. Live music. Refreshments for sale. Free parking. Sunday, Oct. 28, 1-4 p.m. $5.

WALPOLE

JWCW Magic Show: Join the JWCW for their annual Magic Show. This year's magician will be John Henry's World of Magic. Tickets include admission and a snack. Kids can wear a Halloween Costume and receive a prize. This event is to benefit "The Night Before the Fourth" in Walpole.Friday, Oct. 26, 2:30 p.m. $7, children under two and adults are free.

MILFORD

4th Annual Trick or Treat Down Main Street: From 9 a.m.-1 p.m there will be games, crafts and treats at Creative Community Childcare, and from 10 a.m.-12:30pm there will be trick or treating down Main Street with a guide & a map (handed out at the party with the names and addresses of the participating businesses.) Tooth brushes, tooth paste, toiletries & non-perishable food items will be collected and donated to the Daily Bread Food Pantry. Monetary donations will be collected and donated to the Crop Walk. Saturday, Oct. 27, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Free.

EASTON

Easton Lions Club Halloween Parade: Look out! Lots of creepy and scary things will be seen on this day.....lots of fun for the whole family. Sunday, Oct. 28, 4:30 p.m. Free.

ATTLEBORO

4th Annual Spooktacular Halloween Bubble Party: Join Kidz Wurld for their 4th Halloween spooktacular. Wear your costumes and head down for a night of music, bubbles, games, goodies and fun. Friday, Oct. 26, 6:30-8:30 p.m. $12 per child includes all the festivities and play time, $10 for Kidz Wurld members (must have membership at time of event). Please limit adults to two per family, additional adults are $3 each.

PLYMOUTH

Jeff Cohen's 16th Annual Halloween Benefit: This Costume Benefit for people 21 and older raises money for a scholarship fund in the name of Chad Kierstead. There will be a cash bar, raffles, auction items. There will be costume contest at midnight and surprises thruout the evening. Early ghouls and gals will have a chance at free give aways from 7-9 p.m. donated by area businesses. Card readers Cara Russell and Dottie Grant Cohen will be available for readings. Music by local DJ Gene DuPuis and live music featuring Full Circle. Friday, Oct. 26, 7-12 p.m. $15 in advance, $20 at the door.


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