Halloween at Encore Boston Harbor

9 Things to Do Around Boston for Halloween

Last updated: October 2024

Dive into the essence of a Bostonian Halloween, accentuated by the local spirits and the chilly New England air.

With Boston’s rich history, comes its ghost stories and fabled hauntings. The lore and legend surrounding its legacy make it the ideal destination for fans of everything spooky and scary. A combination of real events, tall tales and modern-day scares attract many to the region to celebrate Halloween. Here are nine recommendations on what to do around town when visiting Encore Boston Harbor during spooky season.

Visit Historic Salem

Witch museum in Salem

No haunted holiday is complete without a stop in one of America’s most ominous towns. As the home of the infamous witch trials in the 1680s, Salem is a popular place for those who love Halloween.

Underground tunnels beneath the streets, a jail that operated for centuries, the Salem 1630 pioneer village, museums dedicated to witches and pirates — and of course, cemeteries — provide adventure abound for those with dark preferences. Don’t forget to capitalize on some retail therapy at select occult shops, like original apothecary Crow Haven Corner and proudly witch-run The Cauldron Black.

Ghost Tour with a Private Tour Guide

Clock tower in Boston Massachusetts

Make the horrors of Boston an intimate outing with a private tour guide. Choose a knowledgeable local guide that will guarantee a deep dive into the crux of the area’s history. Every stop is a significant piece of Bostonian bygone days, and an expert’s insight is a rare and exhilarating experience. Private experiences range from local ghost walking tours to pub crawls, famous trolley rides and “Nightmares and Nightcaps” with a drink to kick off the festivities. Skip the crowds for your private event and book ahead for groups from couples to corporate outings and special occasions like birthdays and bachelor(ettes).

Enjoy a Fall Cocktail

Smoked old fashion at Rare Steakhouse

Encore Boston Harbor has the perfect cocktails to get you in the mood for Halloween.

Try the Secret Cinema at Rare Steakhouse. A smoked rum old fashioned concocted with El Dorado 12 year and Bacardi Reserva Ocho, the flavors of Maletti and chai spice heighten the chocolate liqueur to finish it off. Of course, this is served in a globe-shaped decanter with smoke pouring from the spout upon mixing. If you can’t finish it yourself, this drink is perfect for sharing — or feel free to enjoy it solo.

Explore Boston's Most Haunted Places

Historical graveyard in Boston during fall

Salem is just one of several spooky outposts in a state steeped in history. Boston’s collection of haunted spots includes the likes of the lady in black at Fort Warren, the souls resting inside centuries-old Kings Chapel Burial Ground, the eerie happenings of the Parkman House in the West End and the Pilot House occupied by the adjacent Lady in White. Even the Boston Common, the bustling epicenter of the city proper, is laced with legends of witch reckonings.

Halloween Candlelight Concert

Candle lit concert during halloween

Relax in the romantic – or foreboding – glow of a candlelit concert. Candlelight is a multi-city troupe that dazzles the masses in major metropolitan areas with orchestra pieces ideal for a date night or an evening celebrating some of the most iconic spooky tunes perfect for the season.

Erase the stuffy opera image from your mind. Thousands of candles will illuminate historic sites around Boston, bathing both listeners and musicians in a romantic — or foreboding — glow. Classical music is the go-to, but popular covers of international icons like Beyoncé, Taylor Swift and Coldplay hold a special place in the music scene when an orchestra creates those recognizable melodies.

Catch the special edition of a haunted night of Halloween classics like Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’, Dense Macabre and theme song favorites from The Addams Family, Beetlejuice and beyond.

Big Nightclub Event on Halloween Weekend

Memoire Nightclub at Encore Boston Harbor

Go out on the town with the other thrill seekers for a night of clubbing. A night out in Boston begs for a visit to The Hub, to experience Halloween parties with top acts performing courtesy of Big Night Live throughout the spooky season.

For the luxury take, SILK is coming to Mémoire Nightclub on Halloween night, Thursday, October 31 for a throwback event to end the month with a flourish featuring music by Baby Indiglo and Real P with special guests King Iven and DJ Ayech. Over 20 VIP tables dripping in luxury details await an upscale crowd, complete with modern sound systems and state-of-the-art hospitality from Encore Boston Harbor. And if you’re in the mood to dress up, there’s a $500 prize for best RNB costume.

Fall Spa Treatment

The Spa at Encore Boston Harbor

The perfect reset for all the spine-tingling excitement is a pampering treatment from the award-winning spa at Encore Boston Harbor. Try the refreshing and revitalizing Lime & Ginger Scrub and De-Stress Massage, available for 90 or 120 minutes. Start with a mineral-rich Sea Salt and Lime scrub cleanse and exfoliation. An infusion of ginger, bergamot, coconut and sweet almond oils seal in moisture. After a shower to rinse off the salt, enjoy a de-stress massage using a blend of rosewood, Melissa, marjoram, geranium, rosemary, lavender and chamomile to melt tension, relax the mind and rejuvenate the spirit. Available Monday through Thursday $315/$420 | Friday through Sunday and holidays $350/$460.

Travel Through Classic Haunted Houses

House of judge Jonathan Corwin during the Salem Witch Trials

Boston is awash with frightening manors and themed haunted houses — and even some realistic real estate with folktales of checkered pasts.
Signature step-throughs include Gallows Hill in Salem, bringing authentic reenactments of witch trials and exclusive after-hours ghost tours; the horrors of Canobie Lake amusement park for all age groups every Friday and Saturday in late September and October; the no-holds-barred tours of Barren’s Haunted Mansion, where guests can revel in over three decades of frights and delights; or settle in for the chills of Chambers of Terror, where ghosts stories by candlelight create the perfect ambiance for lovers of suspense.

See Your Favorite Horror Flicks

The Brattle Theater

One pastime of the Halloween season is cozying up to watch scary movies that continue to stand the test of time. Theaters all across Boston are showing classic films from decades past as well as new releases. Since Boston is actually the site of several scary movie sets, it’s only fitting to celebrate with a local cinema stop.

Head to independent film house The Brattle for a host of horror classics and contemporary scary films throughout the month of October, or celebrate Halloween at The Coolidge, a Massachusetts staple since 1933, with screenings of your favorite fright flicks every weekend in October. If nothing else, check out the local AMC for showtimes on this terrifying Thursday the 31st.