Fall events in Boston
Fall in Boston: festivals, fairs, Halloween events and harvest weekends across Greater Boston.
Fri, Oct 16 to Sun, Oct 18
Fri, Oct 23 to Sun, Oct 25
Fri, Oct 30 to Sun, Nov 1
Fri, Nov 6 to Sun, Nov 8
Saturday, October 17
8am to 4:30pm, through Oct 18Free
Boston and CambridgeOne of the world's largest rowing regattas takes over the Charles River for three days. Crews from around the country race a three-mile course against the clock while spectators line the banks from Boston University to Cambridge. A riverside expo, food vendors, and fall foliage along the course make it a full autumn outing.
10am to 12pm, every Saturday$10
Weir River FarmWeir River Farm's Halloween program for families, running Saturday mornings in October. Kids wear costumes, meet the barnyard animals, join a scavenger hunt, make a seasonal craft and take home a sweet treat. Sessions run 10 to 11 AM and 11 AM to noon; tickets are $10 for nonmembers and $5 for members, free for children under 2. Sensory-friendly sessions are offered on select Saturdays.
10am to 6pmFree
Copley SquareA free day celebrating books in Copley Square. More than 200 authors take part in panels and talks at venues around the square including the Boston Public Library, alongside a street fair with 60-plus exhibitors, a kids' zone, and a coffee tent. The day opens with a kids' costume parade.
10am to 4pm, through Oct 18Free
Arnold ArboretumEleventh annual showcase at the Arnold Arboretum: woodturners exhibit and sell large and small, functional and sculptural lathe-turned pieces. All Arboretum events are free.
10am to 3pm, through Oct 18Free
Smolak FarmsNorth Andover's famous farm turns its fall weekends into a festival with rotating themes. Pick-your-own apples, pumpkins, and flowers, hayrides, the cow train, live music, face painting, an animal playground, and the farm stand's cider donuts and fresh apple cider. No entry ticket; activities are priced individually.
10:30am to 6pm, through Oct 18
CarverNew England's long-running Renaissance festival returns for eight fall weekends on the pine grounds in Carver, with jousting, live stage shows, themed weekends, artisan crafts, games of skill and turkey legs. Final 2026 days are the Fest-Evil finale on October 24 and 25, with trick or treat and a costume parade. Admission is tiered by date: early October adults $40 and kids $24, rising to $46 and $26 closer to Halloween; children under 4 are free. Parking is free.
11am to 8pmFree
Castle Island Brewing Co.South Boston brewery's day-long Oktoberfest: German lagers, make-your-own pretzel necklaces, hot beer poking (Bierstacheln), and oompah music from Kier Byrnes. Free entry; beer and food for purchase.
11am to 12pmFree
Salem Maritime National Historical ParkA one-of-a-kind community gathering and world record attempt on Salem's historic waterfront for the city's 400th anniversary. Wear a witch hat and join hundreds of others for a drone photo. Special-edition Salem 400 hats will be sold by the city to benefit HAWC.
11am to 5pmFree
Harvey ParkSeaside fall celebration in downtown Rockport hosted by the Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. An apple pie bake-off, live music, artisan vendors, a beer tent, kids' activities, face painting, a live animal exhibit, and a scarecrow photo booth, with free shuttle service from Blue Gate Meadow.
11am to 5pm, through Oct 18Free
Roslindale Village (group site: The Substation)Twentieth annual free art weekend in Roslindale Village: 100-plus local artists show and sell painting, ceramics, and jewelry across home studios, businesses, and group sites. Coincides with Open Streets Roslindale on Oct 18.
1:30 to 4pm, through Oct 18$10
Maudslay State ParkTheater in the Open's annual haunting of Maudslay State Park. A woodland trail walk dotted with spooky-but-silly theatrical vignettes for all ages, more mischievous than scary. Admission $10, children under 4 free; $5 parking. Rain date Oct 24.
2 to 11pmFree
City Hall PlazaBoston's film industry opens up to the public on City Hall Plaza. The free all-ages day includes panels with working filmmakers, a vertical film contest, fall vendors, food, a beer garden, and a feature film projected onto City Hall after dark.
5 to 10pm, through Oct 17$20
Pioneer VillageA dark-arts night market among the pines of historic Pioneer Village, presented by The Black Veil. More than 50 artists and vendors sell clothing, jewelry, art, and oddities, alongside live performances, fireside ghost stories, a Biergarten, food trucks, and hot cider. Proceeds benefit Pioneer Village.
5:30 to 8:30pm, through Oct 18$32
Long HillThe Trustees' annual pumpkin show at Long Hill in Beverly. Thousands of hand-carved glowing jack-o'-lanterns line woodland trails alongside an eerie graveyard, a haunted pirate ship, stylish scarecrows, and larger-than-life displays, with hot cider and baked goods at the end. Timed entry; advance tickets required. Closed Monday, Tuesday, and Oct 7; extra day Tuesday Oct 27.
6:30 to 11pm, through Oct 17
Connors FarmDanvers farm's haunted Halloween attraction on select October nights. Wander the Haunted Fields, a nighttime trail populated by eerie beings and scary sights, or brave the Flashlight Maze, a corn maze navigated by flashlight in the dark. Gates open at 6:30 pm; the haunting runs about 7 to 11 pm.
9am to 10pm, through Oct 31Free
SalemThe world's largest Halloween celebration, filling downtown Salem for the entire month of October. Walking tours, seances, costume events, vendor fairs, haunted attractions, and parades, with hundreds of individual events across the city. The 2026 season is part of Salem's 400th anniversary year, with extra programming all month. Individual events carry their own times and prices; check the event calendar for specifics.
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