Halloween in Massachusetts: Parties & Attractions 2024
From Witch City to Beantown—hear all of New England's dark stories
Dates: late September–October
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 19-20, 2024)
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, arts and crafts stations, as well as haunted happenings for the little ones. Activities like creepy crafts, ghoulish games, costume contests, and a haunted maze keep everyone entertained. The event will run from 9 am to 4 pm.
Hanson's Farm Corn Maze and Hayride (October 2024, every Friday and Saturday night)
Hanson's Farm Corn Maze and Hayride have been a beloved Massachusetts tradition since 1993. Embrace the Halloween spirit with a thrilling and spooky hayride through the farm, an essential experience during the season. Available every Friday and Saturday night throughout October, from 7 pm to 10 pm, this event promises eerie fun for all who dare to join.
Official Halloween Bar Crawl (October 19, 25, 26, & 31, 2024)
Get ready for the ultimate Halloween experience in Boston with the official Halloween Pub Crawl! As one of North America's top bar scenes, Boston transforms into a vibrant hub where partygoers in scary, sexy, and wild costumes hop from bar to bar, enjoying drinks and creating unforgettable memories. The event spans over 4+ venues with free entry, including a thrilling after-party. Tickets are $11.99 and include a pub crawl wristband, a custom digital map, and access to generously low drink specials and holiday-themed drinks. Food specials, live music, DJs, and a photographer/videographer ensure every moment of this festive night is captured in style.
Northampton Zombie Pubcrawl (October 2024, TBA)
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 27–October 31, 2024, on selected dates)
Thirteen Nights at Jiminy Peak is one of New England's most terrifying attractions, held at Jiminy Peak, MA. Experience the fear of the Jericho Valley, explore haunted base area attractions, and ride through the darkness to the summit. The Mountain Coaster, reaching speeds of up to 23 mph, operates from 6:30 pm to 10 pm, while the rest of the attraction runs from 6:30 pm to 10:30 PM. Visitors will use flashlights to navigate haunted houses and traverse the woods in complete darkness. The Mountain Coaster is $15 per ride, and the Scare & Scream Package, priced at $49, includes one trip through 13 Nights and two rides on the Mountain Coaster.
Halloween in Salem
Salem is renowned for its infamous witch trials, which unfolded in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693, resulting in dozens of accusations of witchcraft and 20 executions. Since then, Salem has embraced its eerie reputation as the Witch City. Many of its establishments, from bars and shops to restaurants, feature a witch-themed ambiance, including The Coven's Cottage, Moon Baby, Hex Old World Witchery, Vampfangs, and Witch City Wicks. Salem's Horrorfest pays homage to those prosecuted during the trials and invites horror film enthusiasts to escape from reality by delving into the supernatural world.
Halloween in Cape Cod
Cape Cod offers a plethora of family-oriented events during the fall season, and one standout is the Sandwich Halloween Festival in Sandwich, MA. Beginning around 5 pm, this festival features games, face painting, a cake walk, a dance party with DJ Ooch, and plenty of photo opportunities. Visitors can explore a haunted house at the Special Exhibitions Gallery, enjoy rides on the carousel, and dine at The Magnolia Café. Additionally, Heritage Museums & Gardens hosts spooktacular activities, adding to the festive atmosphere of Halloween on Cape Cod.