If you go out into the neighborhoods doing the traditional door-to-door treating, and tricking, we can't really tell you where to go. You've got your tradition. We can tell you it's pretty rare to be handed an apple or a homemade popcorn ball these days, and parents probably would toss them.
But we can tell you where some of the public trick-or-treating events in the region are, as well as haunted houses and anything else that is full of spookiness, surgar or pumpkiny fun.
Dedham
What: Trick-or-Treat Halloween Event at Legacy Place to Benefit the Greater Boston Food Drive
When: Oct. 20 from 12-5 p.m.
Where: Legacy Place
Cost: Free
The Deets: Adults and kids alike will enjoy psychic readings, face-painting, glitter tattoos, pumpkin shakes from b.good, hot apple cider from Whole Foods, Cadillac test drives and so much more! Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Greater Boston Food Bank and receive a trick-or-treat bag along with a list of participating stores.
What: Halloween Parade
When: Oct. 30 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Endicott Branch Library, 257 Mount Vernon St., Dedham
Cost: Free
The Deets: Come in costume, create a craft and join in the parade around the library. A witches brew and snack will be provided.
Hopkinton
What: Halloween Spooktacular
When: Oct. 26 from 6:30-9:30 p.m.
Where: MetroWest YMCA, 45 East St., Hopkinton
Cost: $10 per family
The Deets: Includes hayrides, haunted trail walks, a haunted house, indoor rock wall, campfire ghost stories and s’mores, crafts, games and prizes, a costume contest and refreshments.
What: It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
When: Oct. 27 and 28 at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m.
Where: Weston Nurseries Garden Center
Cost: $5 tickets (can be purchased at Weston Garden Center)
The Deets: Featurs 30-minute renditions of Charles Schultz’s Halloween story. Kids are welcome to arrive in costume, have their faces painted, and then participate in a Halloween parade. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at the Weston Nurseries Garden Center.
What: Haunted Trail Walk sponsored by the Woodville Trailbusters 4H Club
When: Oct. 27 and 27, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: 25 Winter St., Hopkinton
Cost: $3 per child, $5 per adult
Additional Info: admission includes guided trail walk, hay ride and games. An adult must acompany children (no drop-offs).
Marlborough
What: Haunted Woods Food Drive
When: Oct. 18-21 and Oct. 25-28 and Oct. 31 from dusk until 10 p.m.
Where: Marlborough Moose Lodge, 67 Fitchburg St., Marlborough
Cost: Non-perishable food item
The Deets: "Beware of zombies" and "enter at your own risk."
What: Trick-or-Treating at the Mall
When: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 3-5 p.m.
Where: Solomon Pond Mall
What: The Horribles Parade and Trick-or-Treating in Downtown Marlborough
When: Friday, Oct. 26, with the parade taking place 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Where: Downtown Marlborough
The Deets: Downtown businesses give out candy and adding to the Halloween atmosphere. The Horribles Parade with the Middle School Band starts at 5:30 p.m. from the Old Fire Station.
Medfield
What: New N Towne Halloween Party
When:Oct. 27, 2-5 p.m.
Where: Wheelock School, 17 Elm St., Medfield
Cost: $10pp, $40 family max
More Deets: Games, prizes, pizza, snacks, Cake Walk. Visit www.newntowne.org
What: Haunted House
When Oct. 27, 7-9 p.m.
Where: Medfield Public Library, 468 Main St., Medfield
Cost: Free
More Deets: For ages 6 and up. Visit www.medfieldlibrary.org
Milford
What: Milford Pumpkin Stroll
When: Oct. 27 at 6 p.m.; Rain Date Oct. 28
Where: Plains Park, Milford, 60 Cedar St.
Cost: Free
The Deets: Pumpkin carvers are asked to drop off their creations at Plains Park between the hours of 4:30-5:30 p.m. at the Lions Club Pavilion. Everyone who brings a pumpkin will receive a free gift–a lightweight, high intensity LED flashlight, perfect for Trick or Treating-compliments of Charles River Bank. Three Grand Prizes will be awarded to the carvers who create The Scariest Pumpkin; The Funniest Pumpkin and the Most Creative Pumpkin. Each Grand Prize winner will receive $100 in cash.
Children are then invited to dress up in their Halloween costumes and enjoy Trick or Treating in the Park from 6-7:30 p.m. Local businesses will be setting up tables to hand out treats, so don’t forget to bring your Trick or Treat bag! The creatively carved pumpkins will illuminate a path of walkways in Plains Park for everyone to enjoy safely. A collection box for local food pantries will be set up for anyone who wishes to make a donation of a non-perishable food item.
What: Trick or Treat Down Main Street
When: Oct. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Where: Main Street, Milford (Map handed out at party at Creative Community Childcare, 23 Pine St., Milford)
Cost: Free
The Deets::Halloween Party & Trick or Treating! Games, crafts and treats at the CCC and trick or treating down Main Street with a map. Please call Dianne Spittler at 508-473-2935 with questions. 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.
Northborough
What: Trick-or-treating at Northborough Crossing
When:Oct. 30 at 5 p.m. in the courtyard of Northborough Crossing between Supercuts and Charming Charlie
The Deets: Each participating child is requested to bring a canned food item for donation to the Northborough Food Pantry. Look for pumpkin bags at participating stores. All elements of the event are first come first serve, while supplies last.
What: Trick or Treat Treasure Hunt
When: 3:30-5:30 p.m. Oct. 31
Where: Northborough Free Library
Cost: Free
The Deets: Drop by the library and participate in a simple scavenger hunt. You are welcome to wear a costume. This is for children in grades K-5.
What: Halloween Egg Hunt and Costumer Parade
When: Saturday, Oct. 20, 9:30-10:30 a.m. (rain date, Oct. 21)
Where: Ellsworth McAfee Park
Cost: Free
The Deets: This is open to kids 0-12 and features eggs hidden all over the park, but it starts off with the costumer parade. No registration required and sponsored by the Recreation Department and Northborough Community Affairs.
What: Celebrate Halloween on the Farm
When: Through Oct. 28
Where: Tougas Family Farm
The Deets: Wear a costume apple picking and get one free sugar pumpkin.
Shrewsbury
What: Halloween Party
When: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Mt. Olivet Church, Prospect Street
More Deets: Feature a "whole bunch of activities." Wear costumes.
What: 4th Annual Haunted House Sponsored by Girl Scout Troop 31331
When: Oct. 26, 6-8:30 p.m.
Where: St. Anne's Church, Father Smith Center
Cost: $2
More Deets: Scary and not scary options available, as well as refreshments and games. Happy Haunting!
Westborough
What: Annual Halloween Party for Grades K-4
When: Oct. 26 at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Gibbons Middle School
Cost: Free
More Deets: Games in the gym through 6 p.m. followed by entertainment
Did we miss any? Help the funseekers out by sharing the information in our comments section below. Happy Halloween, everyone.
Tracy Quinn McLennan
11:31 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
The Shrewsbury event says it's on Friday the 28th but Oct. 28th is a Sunday...?
Charlene Arsenault
11:57 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Thanks Tracy. We are unclear on that event this year. Therefore it has been removed, and will be added when and if we get confirmation on it. Thanks for bringing that to our attention.
Kevin Ryder
12:17 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Medfield Parks and Recreation Halloween Party is Wednesday, Oct. 24 at the Pfaff Community Center. Cost is just $10 per FAMILY and includes a pumpkin for each child! Register at www.medfieldrec.com today!
Kirby
3:52 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Hi Charlene, What night is general house-to-house "trick or treating" in Northborough? Is it scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 31? I know some towns choose a weekend day, prior to Halloween if Halloween should fall on a weekday.
Erica
11:41 am on Sunday, October 21, 2012
What about the downtown trick or treating events in Marlborough, Hudson, Maynard, etc. Or the trick or treating at the Solomon Pond Mall? This list is missing a ton of public free events!
Charlene Arsenault
10:16 am on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Corrinne - You know - someone asked that question the other day, and we're running a story on it tomorrow. I shall tell you now, though - it is indeed Oct. 31. Always Halloween, according to the chief.
Charlene Arsenault
10:17 am on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Erica - that is what we were looking for - for additions - and we thank you! We will research, as this list is updated every time we find something new.
Julie Fairweather
11:29 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Beth Spiegel
October 28, 2012 Marketing Director Northborough Crossing
508.408.5115
or bspiegel@nedevelopment.com
Julie Fairweather
In Full Force
617.840.1965 or julie@infullforce.com
NEWS UPDATE DUE TO HURRICANE SANDY
NORTHBOROUGH CROSSING HAS POSTPONED ITS TRICK OR TREATING EVENT UNTIL THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2012 – SAME TIME & LOCATION
Northborough, MA – Due to the dangers and inclement weather being caused by Hurricane Sandy, Northborough Crossing has decided to postpone its Halloween trick-or-treating – previously scheduled for Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at 5 p.m. – to Thursday, November 1, 2012 at 5 p.m.. On this new date, local area children are invited to come trick-or-treat at Northborough Crossing’s Halloween celebration. This first annual event promises a safe and fun-filled adventure for little ghosts and goblins.
Children are invited to visit Northborough Crossing between Supercuts and Charming Charlie to pick up a FREE Trick-or-Treat bag and candy (while supplies last). This is a free community event, however Northborough Crossing is asking that all participants bring a canned food item for donation to the Northborough Food Pantry, which provides assistance to needy families throughout the area for Thanksgiving. Children can then enjoy some safe and entertaining trick or treating. It’s like hitting the Halloween jackpot!