As the temperature drops and the leaves change colors, Boston is looking positively picturesque at this time of year. And with Halloween just around the corner, there are tons of activities to take part in around the city this October!
From festivals to nature walks, here are our recommendations for plans this month:
1. Check out a new immersive light show
Genesis: An Immersive Light Show just landed in the Boston area. Enjoy dazzling 30-minute audiovisual show that nods an artistic homage to life. Get tickets here!
2. Take a spooktacular mystery picnic with friends
What distinguishes a foodie from a mere mortal?
Adventure!
Enjoy the ultimate foodie adventure as your taste buds, and mind get to experience the thrill of a mystery picnic. Solve clues that’ll lead you to your ultimate destination where an extravagant picnic awaits! Reserve your adventure online.
3. Light up the mood with a candlelight concert
Imagine sitting in the warm glow of a thousand candles, with a live orchestra softly strumming classic tunes in an ornate historic building. Candlelight Concerts mesh the magic of live performance with a multi-sensory musical experience for a jaw dropping performance! October brings two unique Candlelight experiences to Boston.
- If you’re in for a spine-chilling musical performance, check out the Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics!
- If you’re a Swiftie you’ll love Candlelight: A Tribute to Taylor Swift at First Church for the ultimate fall vibes
Some of these limited-edition Candlelight experiences only take place in October! Tickets are selling out fast for showtimes, so make sure to secure a seat!
4. Visit the inaugural Oceans & Oysters on Martha’s Vineyard
Talk about a spooky good excursion! Perfectly aligned with Columbus Day Weekend, take a trip to one of the globe’s top resorts, Winnetu Oceanside Resort, for a fantastic oceanfront feast. The three-day Oceans & Oysters event brings a special overnight package deal and opportunity to slurp (and even learn how to shuck) some of New England’s freshest and finest oysters, plus much more! Learn about the package deal and reserve your visit online!
5. Go apple picking at a tranquil orchard
Apple picking is the quintessential fall activity in New England. What’s better than exploring picturesque apple orchards, picking your own, and taking a bag home to enjoy in a homemade apple pie or just by themselves? Our list of the ten best orchards will definitely get you motivated to plan a weekend excursion outside the city.
- Brooksby Farm in Peabody
- Boston Hill Farm and Smolak Farms in North Andover
- Lookout Farm in Natick
- Dowse Orchards and in Sherborn
If you want a pick at some of the best apples in the country, according to USA Today, then head to this farm in Northborough, MA!
6. Explore Massachusetts’ spookiest town, Salem
Just 17 miles north of Boston sits the small, quaint town of Salem: a place known for its ghosts, mysterious energy and, of course, its famous witch trials. From haunted spots and historic sites to magic shops, we’ve come up with a few magical Salem spots to explore and bask in the city’s witchy spirit. Check out our full guide to exploring Salem here.
7. Catch the fall foliage at the best rated spot in Massachusetts
Planning a trip to the countryside to catch the leaves changing colors this fall? Lenox, MA should be on your itinerary. According to Reader’s Digest, this Berkshire town has some of the most vibrant fall foliage in the country. Starting in late September, the area’s landscapes are ablaze with reds, yellows, and greens. Read more here.
8. Or explore a hidden waterfall in Vermont, surrounded by changing trees
Tucked away in Warren, VT, these falls are the perfect natural spot to escape the leaf-peeping crowds. A wild swimming spot may not sound like the most appealing fall destination but hear us out. If you’re looking to escape the throngs of leaf-peepers currently exploring the New England wilderness but still want to bask in the glorious fall foliage of the area, this is the place for you this fall. Details here!
9. Get lost in a corn maze
Before escape rooms were all the rage, corn mazes were (and still are!) the best places to have fun and solve a massive outdoor puzzle with your friends. Bring family and friends for a day of trial and error as you navigate your way through fields of corn as far as the eye can see at a corn maze close to Boston.. Here are some ideas:
- Hanson’s Farms in Framingham
- Marini Farm in Ipswich
- Connors Farm in Danvers
- Sauchuk’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch in Plympton
- Davis Mega Maze in Sterling
See the rest of the best corn mazes in Boston here!
10. Cheer on the Head of the Charles athletes
The Head of the Charles regatta returns October 18-20 this year. It’s a fun spectacle to cheer on the rowers from these five iconic HOCR viewing spots.
11. Go on a beautifully haunting hike through an abandoned ghost town
A spookier alternative to the classic autumn nature walk is exploring one of Massachusetts’ ghost towns. As our state is home to some of the first settlements in the United States, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of ghost towns around. Whether the original inhabitants abandoned the villages over decades or were forced to leave, there’s plenty of interesting history remaining for you to explore on a hike through ages past.
Check out the eerie magnificence of these towns:
- Dogtown
- Catamount
- Quabbin Reservoir Towns
- Long Point
- Whitewash Village
- Davis
View our full itinerary of Massachusetts ghost towns for a solidarity staycation.
12. Go glamping in the great outdoors
Fall weather can be unpredictable, but you can bet that a glamping experience is sure to be a comfortable getaway in nature this fall. Glamping (glamorous camping!) provides all the beautiful scenery of the outdoors without sacrificing modern amenities. Luckily there are tons of glampsites around New England such as:
- Getaway in Epson, New Hampshire
- Normandy Farms in Foxborough, Massachusetts
- Maine Forest Yurts in Durham, Maine
- Tops’l Farm in Waldoboro, Maine
- Sandy Pines Campground in Kennebunkport, Maine
- Huttopia White Mountains in Albany, New Hampshire
- Autocamp in Cape Cod
While some require long car rides away from the city, the trek will absolutely be worth it. Check out our top picks for glamping outside of Boston for a lovely fall getaway.
13. Thrift shop for some seriously spooky Halloween costumes
Want to assemble a perfectly spooky Halloween fit? Look no further than your local thrift stores—thrifting is one of the best options to shop for Halloween costumes without breaking the bank, and Boston has no shortage of super-cool thrift shops where you can browse around. Our list of fun Boston thrift stores includes boutiques and chains of all price ranges and styles, but no matter where you go, you’ll be certain to leave with a Halloween costume that’s completely unique.
14. Try out a new restaurant
There’s a plethora of new spots opening in Boston this fall, but Boston also has some tried-and-true restaurants you need to visit at least once. Visit one of these 24 essential Boston restaurants of 2024.
15. Revisit a fall classic: the Apple Cider doughnut
It’s that time of year when local orchards and bakeries start serving those steaming hot, cinnamon-dusted delicacies we call apple cider donuts. When you’re craving a fresh-baked doughnut, you don’t have to travel too far to satisfy your cravings. Check out our list of the best places in in the city to get one (or a dozen), including:
- Blackbird Doughnuts
- Kane’s Donuts
- Wilson Farm
- Union Square Doughnuts
- Volante Farms
16. Head out to the Flannel Jam fall music festival
Old Crow, Medicine Show, Chadwick Stokes & The Pintos, Ali McGuirk and others will ring in the fall with a cozy, comfy music fest. The 2-day festival will take place in Marshfield and on Nantucket. “One percent of each ticket sold will be contributed to the Levitate Foundation, a non-profit whose mission is to cultivate vibrant communities by creating and conserving access to music, art and the outdoors.” Find the New England Flannel Jam October 12-14 during Columbus Day Weekend!
17. Get salty with the New Bedford Whaling Museum
There are many upcoming events and exhibits this month at the museum. New to this museum this October include “Lighting the Way: SouthCoast Women’s Lives, Labors, Loves,” and “Community BLOOMS: Katy Rodden Walker,” a project exploring the increase in jellyfish blooms in the ocean due to warming waters
18. Check out the free Play it by Fear spooky season concert
Enjoy live musical scores of spooky classics like Ghostbusters, The Twilight Zone, Stranger Things, and The Addams Family, along with scores from beloved, festive family classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Harry Potter. Find more details and reserve your free admission online.
111 Harbor Way, Boston, MA 02210
19. Get inspired at the Chinatown Arts Festival
Now through October 27 explore the colors of Boston’s Chinatown. The rich artistic history of old and new is on display with 6 bold window murals, on bright display throughout the neighborhood! Murals on display throughout Chinatown by artists include:
- APM coffee: 99 Kneeland Street |Community Garden | Katelyn Lipton
- WakuWaku: 2 Tyler Street | Connected by Fate| Dana Balletta
- Sasaki: 68 Essex Street | The Beginning is Always Today | ponnapa prakkamakul
- Shojo Boston: 9A Tyler Street | A Breath into the Future | Sam Lê Shave
- Q Restaurant: 660 Washington Street | Hot Pot: Balance in the Myriad | Yuko Okabe
- Happy Lamb Hotpot Boston: 693 Washington Street | Clean Air for Chinatown | Fu’una
- Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC): 38 Ash Street | Chinatown’s Glowing Lanterns| Nell Valle and BCNC Youth Center
20. Make strides against breast cancer with the American Cancer Society
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On October 5 at the Hatch Shell will be the 32nd annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk, where over 3,000 survivors, thrivers, and caregivers will dress in pink and parade around the Esplanade to honor those who are no longer here to walk. All month long there will be events to raise awareness honor survivors and encourage women to learn about early detection.
21. Wake up with a Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew from Blank Street
It’s pumpkin spice latte season, but let’s be real, most New Englanders are going to have the iced coffee or cold brew version- even as the temps dip. Blank Street released its Shaken Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew just in time!
The mix of pumpkin pie spice, cold brew, and milk taste like a crisp fall morning in a cup! Fun fact, unched the latest edition of its innovative and delicious Cold Brew Menu: The Shaken Pumpkin Spice Cold Brew from Blank Street sells 3x more than the regular Blank Street Pumpkin Spice Latte!
22. Attend a Hollywood-themed costume party
A “Legends of Hollywood Costume Party lands in Boston this season! Dress in your red carpet look or channel your favorite Hollywood star at this jazzy extravaganza filled with live jazz by the Beverly Hills Ensemble plus special guests. Tickets are $40 for the “The Legends of Hollywood Costume Party.” Find it at the Huntington Theatre on Saturday, October 26 from 7-11 PM!
23. Explore the immersive world of Artopia!
Artopia showcases the creativity an innovation from Artists for Humanity teens and fellows! There will be stunning immersive artwork, delicious culinary creations, eclectic music, and more.
24. Taste test 9 donuts from Boston’s top chefs
Himmel Hospitality Group’s 9th annual Rise & Rumble doughnut competition returns to The Banks Seafood and Steak on Sunday, October 27! From 11 AM to 2 PM, nine of the city’s top pastry chefs and bakers will compete for the title of ‘Best Doughnut,’ and you get to try them all! This year’s competitors include:
- Danny G – Ava Pastries
- Hannah Krowne – Greystone Café & Provisions
- Joe Astrella – The Banks Seafood & Steak
- Kate Holowchik – Lionheart Confections
- Liam Durbin – Harvest
- Sam Gambino – The Quin
- Samantha Yang – Bistro du Midi
- Stacey Caissie – Grill 23 & Bar
- Pastry Chef – Lyons Group
The event is emceed by reigning champion Chef Tab Volpe! Tickets are $40 and a portion of proceeds benefit The Ellie Fund.
25. Enjoy a special presentation from Boston Conservatory Orchestra and Berklee
Boston Conservatory at Berklee will host a special performance titled “Boston Conservatory Orchestra: Telling the Story” on October 27 at Symphony Hall, featuring orchestral favorites like Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade and Strauss’s Der Rosenkavalier, under the direction of Bruce Hangen. Additionally, the Berklee Music and Health Institute presents “Arts Activation 2024: Harmony and Healing” on October 19, a free event celebrating the arts as a means of connection and healing within BIPOC communities. Learn more and reserve tickets here.
26. Enjoy a special Oktoberfest menu in the city
Brookline Lunch is switching things up with a fabulous Oktoberfest dinner including everything from comforting jute mallow leave stew to balsamic roasted fig, cherry, honey, sea salt labneh! Reservations are required and you can call (617) 354-2983 to save your seat!
Blue Ribbon Brasserie launched its Oktoberfest celebrations on September 15, featuring a special menu available until October 31 that includes Bavarian pretzels, bratwurst, and goulash. The fest showcases hearty German dishes crafted by their Bavarian chef, Martin Brock, alongside the full regular menu. Find Blue Ribbon Brasserie in Kenmore Square!
27. Enjoy a Fall Crawl at Boston Landing
The free community gathering includes Henna art, complimentary cozy snacks to the first attendees such as churros, hot apple cider, pizza, and cookies! Don’t miss the Blackstone Valley String Quartet and open gym at Action Athletics also part of this year’s Fall Crawl! Registration is free for the event which runs on October 13 from 11 AM-4 PM!
28. Savor the flavors of fall at the inaugural Winthrop Center Harvest Fest
Michelin-starred Chef John Fraser and his team curated an amazing menu of seasonal delicacies! The two-day fest offers fun fall flavors on October 16 and 17 from 4-8 PM! Admission is free and food and beverage is available for purchase on-site with creative menus and fall festival sweets such as apple cider donuts, cotton candy and gourmet candy apples!
29. Have the perfect girls getaway at Red Jacket Resorts
Red Jacket Beach Resort on Cape Cod is hosting its annual Girls’ Weekend from October 25-27, inviting women of all ages to enjoy a fun-filled retreat with specialty programming and coastal activities. The weekend features a variety of events, including food offerings, music, and opportunities for relaxation, with rates starting at $420.50 per person. This newly renovated resort provides a memorable experience celebrating friendship and the changing season. Grab the gals and get ready for a weekend of glam-emories!
30. Celebrate the work of Dr. Robert Bullard with the Museum of Science
The Museum of Science honors Dr. Robert Bullard, aka the “father of environmental justice,” with the Bradford Washburn Award on its 60th anniversary, recognizing his contributions to environmental justice and launching a new series in his honor, with events scheduled for October 18-19, 2024. Learn more and register for the free event online!
31. Run the Boston 10K for Women
Let’s race! The Junior League of Boston (JL Boston) has been selected as an official charity partner for the 2024 Boston 10K for Women, taking place on Saturday, October 12, on Beacon Street in Boston. JL Boston invites supporters to join their race team, with all funds raised going directly to support their community programs focused on the economic empowerment of women and girls in the Greater Boston area.