Family event
Fall-o-Ween Children's Festival
Boston, MA
The city's 6th annual free family Halloween festival on Boston Common, with a zombie maze, inflatables, crafts and music for young kids.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026
- Hours
- 5pm-8pm
- Price
- Free
Get early access
Family Halloween Events Near Boston 2026
9 family Halloween events near Boston with 2026 dates confirmed on their official sites, across 4 towns. The earliest to open is The Salem Glass Pumpkin Patch, on September 26. 7 list free admission.
Family event
Halloween Night Finale: Drone Show
Salem, MA
400-drone light show over the North River closes out Haunted Happenings, marking Salem's 400th anniversary; replaces the traditional fireworks.
- When
- Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Hours
- 10:00 PM
- Price
- Free
Family event
Haunted Happenings Grand Parade
Salem, MA
29th annual costumed parade through downtown Salem from Shetland Park to Salem Common, presented by the Salem Chamber of Commerce.
- When
- Thursday, October 1, 2026
- Hours
- 6:30 PM-8:30 PM
- Price
- Free
Family event
Howl-o-ween Pet Parade
Salem, MA
Costumed-pet parade along Salem's historic Derby Wharf waterfront, part of the official Haunted Happenings calendar.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Hours
- 10:30 AM
- Price
- Free
Family event
SomerStreets: Monster Mash
Somerville, MA
Somerville closes a stretch of Somerville Avenue for a free Halloween street festival with performances, vendors and a costume parade.
- When
- Sun, Oct 18, 2026 (rain date Oct 25)
- Hours
- 1–5pm
- Price
- Free
Family event
Witch Hats on the Wharf
Salem, MA
Mass witch-hat gathering on Derby Wharf with drone photography, part of Salem's 400th-anniversary Haunted Happenings programming.
- When
- Saturday, October 17, 2026
- Hours
- 11:00 AM
- Price
- Free
Fall festival
Salem Night Faire
Salem, MA
Evening market and entertainment faire held two weekends in October as part of Haunted Happenings.
- When
- Fridays & Saturdays, Oct 16-17 and 23-24, 2026
- Hours
- 5:00 PM-10:00 PM
Fall festival
The Salem Glass Pumpkin Patch
Salem, MA
Outdoor art market selling handblown glass pumpkins on Salem Common - not a real pick-your-own patch, but a signature Haunted Happenings craft event.
- When
- Saturday & Sunday, September 26-27, 2026
- Hours
- 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
- Price
- Free to browse; glass pumpkins for purchase
Fall festival
Topsfield Fair
Topsfield, MA
America's oldest continually-running agricultural fair, featuring a giant pumpkin weigh-in alongside rides, livestock and fall harvest programming.
- When
- October 2-12, 2026
- Hours
- See daily program on official site
- Price
- See official ticketing
Quick Answers
What family Halloween events are open near Boston in 2026?
Fall-o-Ween Children's Festival, Halloween Night Finale: Drone Show, Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, Howl-o-ween Pet Parade, Salem Night Faire, SomerStreets: Monster Mash, and 3 more. Each has its 2026 dates, hours and prices on its own page.
When do family Halloween events open near Boston in 2026?
The earliest in this guide is The Salem Glass Pumpkin Patch on September 26, 2026.
What Halloween events near Boston are not scary at all?
Fall-o-Ween Children's Festival, Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, SomerStreets: Monster Mash and Topsfield Fair are rated 1 of 5 ghosts: not scary.
Are there free family Halloween events near Boston?
Yes: Fall-o-Ween Children's Festival, Halloween Night Finale: Drone Show, Haunted Happenings Grand Parade, Howl-o-ween Pet Parade, SomerStreets: Monster Mash, and 2 more list free admission on the official site.
All Boston Halloween eventsPumpkin Patches & Corn Mazes near BostonHalloween for Kids near BostonHaunted Houses near BostonBoston trick-or-treat timesFamily Halloween Events in every city