New England is one of the best places to be during Halloween featuring dozens of festivals, haunted happenings, and pure horror. Salem, Massachusetts, known as Witch City, offers the most chills and thrills. So don't hesitate about the Haunt and History Guided Night Tour. Also, don't miss Hanson’s Haunted Hayride on Framingham, famous pub crawls in Boston and Northampton, and also Boston's Ghosts and Gravestones Tour.
Boo at the Zoo, Stone Zoo (October 21–22, 2023)
Stone Zoo in Stoneham, Massachusetts, attracts hundreds of kids from all over New England. What can be better than trick-or-treating among the animals at Stone Zoo? There are many thrills, chills, and animals on the trick-or-treat trail as well as haunted happenings for the little ones. Activities like creepy crafts, ghoulish games, costume contests, and a haunted maze keep everyone entertained. Special attractions include Brick Safari with over 40 life-size animal sculptures made from LEGO bricks.
Hanson's Farm Corn Maze and Hayride (October 2023)
Hanson's Farm Corn Maze and Hayride have been a Massachusetts tradition since 1993. A thrilling and scary hayride through the farm is a must-do during the Halloween season.
Boston Official Halloween Bar Crawl (October 21, 27, 28, 31, 2023)
Boston Halloween Pub Crawl is one of the most vibrant events of Halloween. Impressive party crowds move from bar to bar dressed in scary, sexy and wild costumes, getting drinks, and having the time of their lives. Participating bars include Hard Rock, Mija Cantina, Son’s of Boston, Finn McCool’s, Howl at the Moon, Wild Rover, Side Bar, Koy, Durgin Park, and others. More information on Halloween celebrations in Boston is available here.
Northampton Zombie Pubcrawl (October 21, 2023)
Once a year downtown Northampton sees dozens of crawling zombies dragging their rotten limbs from bar to bar. The walking dead visit the best venues and eateries throughout the city until 2 a.m. with the undead's last haunt at the World War II Club. The highly popular Halloween event started in October of 2006. Participating venues include Sam's Pizza, Toasted Owl, One Bar & Grill, The Watering Hole, Diva's Nightclub and more.
13 Nights at Jiminy (September 30–October 31, 2023, on selected dates)
Thirteen nights at Jiminy is one of the scariest attractions in New England located at Jiminy Peak, MA. Experience the terror of the Jericho Valley, explore the base area haunts, ride through the darkness to the summit of Jiminy Peak and experience the Mountain Coaster that speeds up to 23 mph. Visitors will have flashlights and will have a chance to meander through haunted houses and a ride up the chair lift and make their way through woods in complete darkness.
Halloween in Salem
Salem is famous for its witch trials that occurred in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. Dozens of people were accused of witchcraft, 20 people were hanged. Since then, Salem has required a creepy reputation of the Witch City. Many of its bars, shops and restaurants have the witch theme: including The Coven's Cottage, Moon Baby, Hex Old World Witchery, Vampfangs and Witch City Wicks. Horrorfest in Salem commemorates those who were prosecuted and invite horror film fans to enjoy the distractions from the horrors of reality by immersing in the world of supernatural.
Halloween in Cape Cod
Cape Cod has plenty of family-oriented events during the fall season. Sandwich Halloween Festival in Sandwich, MA, is one of them. Starting at about 5:00 p.m. the festival offers Games, Face Painting, Cake Walk, Dance Party with DJ Ooch and Photo Op. There is a haunted house at the Special Exhibitions Gallery, The Carousel, and The Magnolia Café. Heritage Museums & Gardens also hosts spooktacular activities.
For the tickets and latest updates, please check with the official websites (see External Resources below.) Also, take a look at the map suggesting the best accommodations nearby.
