Boston–Cambridge–Newton · MA / NH
Things to do with kids in Boston — October 2026
138 family events in October 2026, 103 still to come. Every listing links to the organizer’s own page. Dates are in Eastern Time.
What’s on now in Boston →Still to come
Oct22ThuOutdoorsThrough Nov 8
Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience at Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo
PaidAll ages
- STEM & discovery
Tue, Oct 27 · 4:00 PM
Feed the Beach Creatures at Joppa Flats
Joppa Flats Education Center
From $12Ages 4–12
Oct22ThuOutdoorsThu, Oct 22 · 5:30 PM
Halloween on the Hill at Long Hill
Long Hill
From $15
- Community
Thu, Oct 22 · 5:30 PM
Greenway Fall Movie Nights (Jumanji, 10 Things I Hate About You, Casper)
Color Commons on The Greenway (between Milk Street and India Street)
- Oct22ThuPumpkins and patches
Thu, Oct 22 · 5:30 PM
Jack-O'-Lantern Nights at Stone Zoo
Stone Zoo
PaidAll ages
- Spooky and haunted
Fri, Oct 23 · 6:00 PM
Spooky Night Rides at Smolak Farms
Smolak Farms
- Outdoors
Fri, Oct 30 · 5:30 PM
Family Night Hike and Owl Prowl at Drumlin Farm
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
From $22Ages 5–12
- Outdoors
Fri, Oct 30 · 5:30 PM
Family Owl Prowl at Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
From $22Ages 5–12
- Spooky and haunted
Fri, Oct 23 · 5:00 PM
Ghosts on the Banke at Strawbery Banke Museum
Strawbery Banke Museum
From $17
Oct24SatOutdoorsSat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM
Applecrest Farm Fall Harvest Festival Weekends
Applecrest Farm Orchards
Free
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Boo in the Barnyard at Weir River Farm
Weir River Farm
From $10
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM
Discovery Cart at the MFA
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (Liberty Mutual Gallery, Gallery 136)
With admissionAll ages
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Drop-In Art Making at the MFA
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
With admissionAll ages
- Outdoors
Sun, Nov 8 · 2:00 PM
Early Birders: Birding with Young Ones at Broadmoor
Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
From $18Ages 2–8
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM
Fall Fun at Powisset Farm
Powisset Farm
From $15
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Learning with Livestock at Appleton Farms
Appleton Farms (Carriage Barn)
With admissionAll ages
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Sweet Halloween at Cider Hill Farm
Cider Hill Farm
From $19
- Costumes and parades
Sat, Nov 14 · 10:30 AM
Elephant & Piggie Costumed Character Meet and Greet
Boston Children's Museum (KidStage, 1st floor)
With admission
- STEM & discovery
Sun, Nov 15 · 9:00 AM
Sensory-Friendly Sunday at the USS Constitution Museum
USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard
With admissionAll ages
- Arts & crafts
Tue, Nov 3 · 10:30 AM
The Loose Caboose by Harry LaCoste at Puppet Showplace
Puppet Showplace Theater
From $18.50
Nov18WedSTEM & discoveryWed, Nov 18 · 4:30 PM
STEM Experiments after-school series (Honan-Allston Branch): Boat Race Challenge, Bottle Rockets, Lava Lamp DIY
Boston Public Library, Honan-Allston Branch
Ages 6–12
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Oct 31 · 2:00 PM
Nature Center Open House: Nocturnal Animals (Boston Park Rangers)
Jamaica Pond Nature Center
Free
- Oct22ThuSTEM & discovery
Thu, Oct 22 · 9:10 AM
Carnivore Enrichment Day at Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo
With admission
Oct22ThuSTEM & discoveryThu, Oct 22 · 2:00 PM
Exploring Hand Tools in the da Vinci Workshop
Discovery Museum
With admission
Oct22ThuArts & craftsThu, Oct 22 · 6:30 PM
River Spirit | GhibIi Movie and Paint
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $39All ages
Oct22ThuArts & craftsThu, Oct 22 · 10:00 AM
Threading Things
Discovery Museum
With admission
- Trick-or-treat
Thu, Oct 22 · 5:30 PM
Trunk or Treat at the Ingram Senior Center (Salem, NH)
Ingram Senior Center
- Sports & play
Fri, Oct 23 · 1:30 PM
Backyard and Beyond: Treehouse Yoga
Discovery Museum
With admission
Oct23FriSpooky and hauntedFri, Oct 23 · 6:00 PM
Beyond Spooky: Discover Why Bats Are Cool and Important
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $22Ages 5–17
- Trick-or-treat
Fri, Oct 23 · 4:00 PM
Downtown Trick or Treat 2026 (Newburyport)
Downtown Newburyport shops
Oct23FriArts & craftsFri, Oct 23 · 6:30 PM
Fall Trees Reflected
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $39All ages
Oct23FriArts & craftsFri, Oct 23 · 7:00 PM
Harvest Moon Glow
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $37All ages
Oct23FriOutdoorsFri, Oct 23 · 5:15 PM
Moose Hill's Halloween Prowl
Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary
From $13
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Boston Birding with Family at Boston Nature Center
Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
From $10All ages
Oct24SatCostumes and paradesSat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM
Costume Walk and Halloween Party — Brighton Common to Faneuil Library
Boston Public Library, Faneuil Branch
Oct24SatOutdoorsSat, Oct 24 · 4:30 PM
Creatures of the Night Hike in Whitney and Thayer Woods
Whitney and Thayer Woods (parking at Weir River Farm)
From $15All ages
- Community
Sat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM
Day of the Dead Celebration at the Harvard Peabody Museum
Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology
With admissionAll ages
Oct24SatOutdoorsSat, Oct 24 · 9:00 AM
Fall-oween on the Farm at Drumlin Farm
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary
From $12
Oct24SatOutdoorsSat, Oct 24 · 6:30 PM
Family Night Hike: Moon Magic at Habitat
Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
From $22Ages 5–12
- Oct24SatOutdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Fruitlands Fairy Forest
Fruitlands Museum — outdoor trails
FreeAll ages
- Festivals and parties
Sat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM
Hallow-Marini Party at Marini Farm
Marini Farm
From $19.99
Oct24SatSpooky and hauntedSat, Oct 24 · 5:00 PM
Halloween Spooktacular at Boston Children's Museum
Boston Children's Museum
Paid
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Oct 24 · 11:00 AM
Halloween STEM Saturday
Dover Public Library
- Spooky and haunted
Sat, Oct 24 · 6:00 PM
Haunted Woods at Pine Banks Park (Malden)
Pine Banks Park
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 24 · 12:00 PM
Horse-of-Course: Meet the Park Rangers' Mounted Unit
Hunnewell Visitor Center, Arnold Arboretum
FreeAll ages
Oct24SatArts & craftsSat, Oct 24 · 1:00 PM
Moon River
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $41All ages
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:30 AM
National Chemistry Week: Chemistry Under Construction!
Discovery Museum
With admission
Oct24SatPumpkins and patchesSat, Oct 24 · 2:00 PM
Pumpkin Party Puppet Show — Grove Hall Library
Boston Public Library, Grove Hall Branch
- STEM & discovery
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Salem Sound Coastwatch Program: Recycled Reef
Beverly Public Library, Main Library
Ages 4–8
- Oct24SatSpooky and haunted
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:30 AM
Saturday Story Hour: Not-Too-Spooky Storytime at North River
North River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $10Ages 0–6
Oct24SatSTEM & discoverySat, Oct 24 · 3:30 PM
Science Exploration with MIT (Ages 6-12)
Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
Ages 6–12
- Oct24SatSTEM & discovery
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:00 AM
Snow Leopard Day at Stone Zoo
Stone Zoo
With admission
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Oct 24 · 10:30 AM
The Four Seasons by Drama of Works at Puppet Showplace
Puppet Showplace Theater
From $18.50
- Oct25SunArts & crafts
Sun, Oct 25 · 2:30 PM
Bright Autumn Bouquet
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $37All ages
- Oct25SunArts & crafts
Sun, Oct 25 · 2:00 PM
Concert with Project STEP Students at Boston Children's Museum
Boston Children's Museum (KidStage, 1st floor)
With admission
- Oct25SunOutdoors
Sun, Oct 25 · 5:30 PM
CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes
Crane Beach on the Crane Estate
From $45
Oct25SunOutdoorsSun, Oct 25 · 10:00 AM
Halloween in the Morning Mist at deCordova
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
From $10All ages
- STEM & discovery
Sun, Oct 25 · 2:00 PM
Mass STEM Week Games (date changed to Oct 25)
Needham Free Public Library
Ages 4–12
- Arts & crafts
Sun, Oct 25 · 10:00 AM
Nature Process Art in Discovery Woods
Discovery Museum
With admission
- Trick-or-treat
Sun, Oct 25 · 1:30 PM
Trunk or Treat at the Bike Kitchen (Malden)
Bike Kitchen
- Oct26MonOutdoors
Mon, Oct 26 · 5:30 PM
CraneExplorer: Family Full Moon Hike in the Dunes — October26
Crane Beach on the Crane Estate
From $45
- Oct26MonOutdoors
Mon, Oct 26 · 4:00 PM
Full Moon Guided Nature Journaling at Geneva Avenue Cliffs (teens and adults)
Geneva Avenue Cliffs (Boston Urban Wild)
FreeAges 14+
Oct26MonFestivals and partiesMon, Oct 26 · 6:00 PM
Teen Halloween Party
Waltham Public Library
Oct27TueCommunityTue, Oct 27 · 6:00 PM
Family Loteria Night (ages 6+)
Medford Public Library
Ages 6+
Oct27TueCommunityTue, Oct 27 · 3:30 PM
Family Movie Night: Monster House — Lower Mills Library
Boston Public Library, Lower Mills Branch
Oct27TueCommunityTue, Oct 27 · 5:00 PM
Grove HALL-oween Party
Boston Public Library, Grove Hall Branch
All ages
- Oct27TueSpooky and haunted
Tue, Oct 27 · 10:30 AM
Monster Mash (Halloween dance party)
Medford Public Library
All ages
Oct27TueNot-so-scaryTue, Oct 27 · 9:00 AM
Not-So-Spooky Spectacular at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire
Children's Museum of New Hampshire
With admission
Oct27TueArts & craftsTue, Oct 27 · 10:30 AM
The Urban Nutcracker with City Ballet of Boston — Jamaica Plain Library
Boston Public Library, Jamaica Plain Branch
Ages 3–8
Oct28WedCommunityWed, Oct 28 · 10:00 AM
Autumn Adventure's Tricks & Treats Track Stroll (Derry, NH)
Astro Stadium (Pinkerton Academy outdoor track)
Free
Oct28WedNot-so-scaryWed, Oct 28 · 9:00 AM
Baby's First Halloween at Wenham Museum
Wenham Museum
From $14
Oct28WedArts & craftsWed, Oct 28 · 10:30 AM
Ben's Trumpet: A City Ballet of Boston Performance
Boston Public Library, Roslindale Branch
Oct28WedCommunityWed, Oct 28 · 4:00 PM
Here Come the Monarch Butterflies: A Dia de Muertos Celebration
Boston Public Library, West End Branch
Oct29ThuArts & craftsThu, Oct 29 · 9:30 AM
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom: The Musical at The Music Hall
The Music Hall, The Historic Theater
From $8
Oct29ThuPumpkins and patchesThu, Oct 29 · 1:30 PM
Early Release: Pumpkin Palooza (Grades K-8)
Danforth Art Museum and Art School at Framingham State University
From $45
Oct29ThuFestivals and partiesThu, Oct 29 · 11:00 AM
Halloween Puppet Show with Tom Knight
Boston Public Library, Lower Mills Branch
- Spooky and haunted
Thu, Oct 29 · 7:00 PM
Spooky Stories Around the Campfire (West Branch)
Peabody Institute Library, West Branch
Free
- STEM & discovery
Thu, Oct 29 · 6:00 PM
STEAM It Up! K-8 Family STEAM Night (Cambridge)
Cambridge Street Upper School
- Community
Thu, Oct 29 · 5:00 PM
Truck O' Treat at Somerville City Hall
Somerville City Hall
Free
- Trick-or-treat
Fri, Oct 30 · 3:00 PM
22nd Annual Halloween Trick or Treat on the Plaza (Malden)
Malden City Hall Plaza
Up to 12
Oct30FriCommunityFri, Oct 30 · 10:30 AM
Baby Masquerade (Ages 0-5)
Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square (McKim Exhibition Hall)
Ages 0–5
Oct30FriFestivals and partiesFri, Oct 30 · 10:30 AM
Bitty Boo Bash (Coolidge Corner)
Public Library of Brookline, Coolidge Corner Branch
Oct30FriTrick-or-treatFri, Oct 30 · 4:00 PM
Citywide Trick-or-Treat (Rochester, NH)
Citywide, Rochester, NH (residential neighborhoods)
- Not-so-scary
Fri, Oct 30 · 10:30 AM
Halloween Concert for Preschoolers with Little Groove — South End Library Park
Boston Public Library, South End Branch (South End Library Park)
Oct30FriSports & playFri, Oct 30 · 10:00 AM
Halloween Hullabaloo at Discovery Museum
Discovery Museum
With admission
- Festivals and parties
Fri, Oct 30 · 3:00 PM
Halloween Slime Party — Jamaica Plain Library
Boston Public Library, Jamaica Plain Branch
Oct30FriCommunityFri, Oct 30 · 10:30 AM
Halloween Storytime (Wellesley Main Library)
Wellesley Free Library, Main Library (Wakelin Room)
- Oct30FriSpooky and haunted
Fri, Oct 30 · 6:00 PM
Kids' Night Out: Spooky Snake Tote Bags (Grades K-8)
Danforth Art Museum and Art School at Framingham State University
From $45
- Spooky and haunted
Fri, Oct 30 · 10:00 AM
Monster Mash Dance Party (ages 0-5)
Watertown Free Public Library
Ages 0–5
- Not-so-scary
Fri, Oct 30 · 5:00 PM
Sensory-Friendly Halloween (Especially for Me) at Discovery Museum
Discovery Museum
Free
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 31 · 11:00 AM
Boo in the Barnyard at Powisset Farm
Powisset Farm
From $15
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Oct 31 · 3:30 PM
Día de los Muertos Story and Craft (Ages 4-12) — Central Library
Boston Public Library, Central Library in Copley Square
Ages 4–12
- Sports & play
Sat, Oct 31 · 10:00 AM
Family Dance with The Suite Studio (Halloween edition)
Dover Public Library
All ages
- Pumpkins and patches
Sat, Oct 31 · 10:00 AM
Family Halloween Party & Pumpkin Stroll at Boston Public Market
Boston Public Market
- Costumes and parades
Sat, Oct 31 · 3:00 PM
Halloween Costume Parade & Dance Party at Central
Somerville Public Library, Central Library (Auditorium)
All ages
- Costumes and parades
Sat, Oct 31 · 10:30 AM
Halloween Parade & Costume Contest (Exeter, NH)
Swasey Parkway
Oct31SatCostumes and paradesSat, Oct 31 · 2:00 PM
Halloween Party and Parade (Connolly Branch)
Boston Public Library, Connolly Branch
Oct31SatSTEM & discoverySat, Oct 31 · 11:00 AM
Halloween Planetarium Shows (Oct 31)
Brockton Public Library, Main Branch
Free
- Arts & crafts
Sat, Oct 31 · 10:30 AM
Lisa the Wise: A Baba Yaga Story by Puppet Motion
Puppet Showplace Theater
From $18.50
Oct31SatFestivals and partiesSat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM
Maplewood Halloween Festival at Trafton Park (Malden)
Trafton Park
Oct31SatFestivals and partiesSat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM
Salem Halloween Night 2026: downtown live music and 400-drone finale
Downtown Salem stages; drone show over the North River
Oct31SatSports & playSat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM
SaturPLAY at Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park
Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park, Rose Kennedy Greenway
- Outdoors
Sat, Oct 31 · 12:00 PM
Wicked Plants: A Botanical Halloween at the Arnold Arboretum
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, Hunnewell Lawn
FreeAll ages
Already happened
- Spooky and haunted
EndedPast · Oct 13 · 4:00 PM
Framingham Spooktacular 2026
Framingham City Hall (Nevins Hall and department offices)
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 12:00 PM
90 Minute Witch Hat Design Session
Witch Pix
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 3:00 PM
90 Minute Witch Hat Design Session
Witch Pix
- STEM & discovery
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 12:04 PM
Boston Common Tree Lighting
Official event venue
- Arts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 1:30 PM
Early Release: Apple Prints (Grades K-8)
Danforth Art Museum and Art School at Framingham State University
From $45
- Arts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 6:00 PM
Hat Making Workshops – Hands-on Experience
Witch Pix
- Spooky and haunted
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 5:00 PM
Haunted Happenings Marketplace at Charlotte Forten Park
Charlotte Forten Park
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 5:30 PM
Monthly Meat Raffle (Cheese Edition!)
Notch Brewing
- Arts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 3:30 PM
Salem Supper
Boston Marriott Peabody
- Arts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 11:30 AM
Tim Burton Day
Witch City Hibachi
- Arts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 15 · 6:00 PM
Witch Broom Making Class
East Regiment Beer Company
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 16 · 4:00 PM
Fall-o-Ween Children's Festival 2026
Boston Common Frog Pond
Free
- Sports & play
EndedPast · Oct 18
Head of the Charles Regatta 2026 (spectating)
Charles River course, Boston and Cambridge (Weld Exhibition at Riverbend Park, Cambridge)
- STEM & discovery
EndedPast · Oct 16 · 4:00 PM
Nature@Nite at Seacoast Science Center (Portsmouth Public Library outreach)
Seacoast Science Center
FreeAll ages
- Spooky and haunted
EndedPast · Oct 16 · 3:30 PM
Science Squad: Spooky Slime (October session)
Beverly Public Library, Main Library
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 12:00 PM
100 Years in the 100 Acre Wood: Winnie-the-Pooh 100th Anniversary
Framingham Public Library, McAuliffe Branch
All ages
- Outdoors
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 10:00 AM
Choate Island Day at the Crane Wildlife Refuge
Choate Island, Crane Wildlife Refuge on the Crane Estate
From $30
- Costumes and parades
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 11:00 AM
Halloween Costumes for Stuffies (West Branch)
Peabody Institute Library, West Branch
FreeAges 5+
- Outdoors
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 3:30 PM
Halloween Hoot and Howl at Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
From $21
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 12:00 PM
Harvest Your Energy Festival (Medford)
Riverbend Park (behind the McGlynn School)
- Pumpkins and patches
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 10:00 AM
Pumpkin Carving (Friends of the Lower Mills Branch)
Boston Public Library, Lower Mills Branch
- Pumpkins and patches
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 11:00 AM
Pumpkin Fest at Boston Nature Center
Boston Nature Center and Wildlife Sanctuary
From $15All ages
- Outdoors
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 1:00 PM
Secret Garden Harvest Party
Portsmouth Public Library (Library Garden)
- Arts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 2:00 PM
Sweater Weather Fest on City Hall Plaza
Boston City Hall Plaza
FreeAll ages
- Trick-or-treat
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 10:00 AM
Trick-or-Treat Hayrides at Marini Farm
Marini Farm
From $19.99
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 17 · 11:00 AM
Witch Hats on the Wharf (Salem 400th anniversary photo)
Derby Wharf
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 3:00 PM
Forestdale Halloween (Malden)
Forestdale School (cafeteria)
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 10:30 AM
Open Streets Roslindale
Roslindale Square (Belgrade Avenue to Washington Street)
Free
- Arts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 18 · 3:00 PM
Purr-anormal activity
Painting with a Twist - North Andover, MA
From $27All ages
- Costumes and parades
EndedPast · Oct 19 · 6:00 PM
Family Costume Maker Night (ages 5+)
Medford Public Library
Ages 5+
- Arts & crafts
EndedPast · Oct 20 · 4:00 PM
Halloween Magic with Bonaparte the Magician
Needham Free Public Library
Ages 5–12
Oct21WedOutdoorsEndedPast · Oct 21 · 10:30 AM
Backyard and Beyond: Working in the Garden
Discovery Museum
With admission
- Oct21WedSTEM & discovery
EndedPast · Oct 21 · 9:30 AM
Carnivore Enrichment Day at Stone Zoo
Stone Zoo
With admission
- Community
EndedPast · Oct 21 · 6:00 PM
Family Movie Night: The Sheep Detectives
Malden Public Library
All ages
Check?datesArts & craftsEndedPast · Oct 21 · 1:00 PM
MakeMobile: After School at deCordova
deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum
From $10