Salem is the obvious destination for Halloween revels in the North Shore region. Haunted Happenings, the city’s annual fully packed lineup of tours (ghostly and otherwise), seances, theme nights, fairs, and other events will satisfy even the most ghoulish of Halloween fans.
But plenty of other spots throughout the North Shore also have spooktacular events planned this month for your Halloween delight, from haunted fields to magical moonlit walks. Here are ten top choices:
Hysteria at Connors Farm, Danvers
Oct. 2,3,9,10,11,16,17,23,24,30, and 31
Make your weekend a bit more chilling with a nighttime visit to Connors Farm. Choose to wander the Haunted Fields, a trail populated by eerie beings and scary sights, or navigate the Flashlight Maze, a shadowy corn maze that’s exactly as spooky as your imagination allows. Buy tickets online at hysteriaatconnorsfarm.com.
Halloween on the Hill, Long Hill, Beverly
Wednesdays-Sundays Oct. 1-30
More than 1,500 jack-o’-lanterns, hundreds of mums, and dozens of elaborate Halloween decorations line the wooded trails of Long Hill creating a spectacular seasonal stroll for all ages. At the end, enjoy hot cider, baked goods, and other autumnal treats. Reserve your tickets at thetrustees.org/program/halloween.
Salem Village Witch-Hunt Walking Tour, Danvers
Oct. 3,10,24,31
Salem may be the city most closely associated with the witch trials on 1692 and 1693, but this Danvers neighborhood is where it all began. Join a local historian for this tour of sights where the actual hysteria played out, diving deep into a dark part of our regional history. Book online at salemhistoricaltours.com/salem-village-witch-hunt-walking-tour.
Halloween Hoot and Howl, Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Topsfield
Oct. 17
For family-friendly fun, take a hoot-i-ful woodland walk and learn about nocturnal (costumed) animals that live at the sanctuary. Enter the Chamber of Nature Curiosities and meet a live owl in their classroom. Participate in Halloween-inspired nature crafts and games in the barn and gather around firepits to enjoy apple cider and a sweet treat. Learn more and reserve a spot at massaudubon.org/programs/ipswich-river.
Maudslay is Haunted, Maudslay State Park, Newburyport
Oct. 17-18
Part walk in the woods, part mysterious theatrical performance by local company Theater in the Open, Maudslay is Haunted populates the park trails with spooky (but not too spooky) characters and scenes that will get your family in the Halloween spirit. Get all the details at theaterintheopen.org/maudslay-is-haunted.
12th Annual Halloween Gala, Willowdale Estate, Topsfield
Oct. 22
Fire up your imagination for this year’s theme – Time Traveler’s Ball: An Evening for the Ages. Dress for another decade or forecast the future with an out-of-this-world outfit. Are you living in the past, or running from the present? If you see this party in your future, come dressed to impress and be ready to dance until time runs out. Travel through the ages inside our private mansion, where the clocks are spinning out of control. Will you discover a gateway to another dimension? A ticket includes a monstrous amount of candy and food, live music, and an indoor DJ set. Bring some cash, debit, or credit cards to quench your thirst with our full bar and signature drinks. Tickets available at eventbrite.com/e/12th-annual-halloween-gala-tickets-1997603652298?aff=oddtdtcreator
Trick or Treat, Hammond Castle Museum, Gloucester
Oct. 28
What could set the Halloween mood better than a windblown medieval-style castle on a rocky crag overlooking the pounding waves? Let the kids warm up for the big night with a trick-or-treating event on Oct. 28. This enchanting adventure takes young ghosts and goblins across a real drawbridge, through winding corridors, and into the majestic Great Hall. With multiple game stations, spooky music, a small craft & a scavenger hunt, it’s perfect for family fun! Book your spot (and check out other seasonal events) at hammondcastle.org/events.
Halloween Party, Park-9 Dog Bar, Everett
Oct. 31
Park-9 Everett’s Annual Halloween Party kicks off with family-friendly fun from 2–5pm, including crafts, face painting, a dog treat bar, and fall favorites like cider donuts. Then from 6–10pm, the party turns to live music, Halloween cocktail specials, spooky themed décor, and tarot readings from 6pm-9pm. More info at: park9dogbar.com/events/annual-park-9-halloween-party
Rocky Horror Picture Show, Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport
Oct. 31
Get ready to do the Time Warp on Halloween at the Rocky Horror Picture Show. The iconic Market Square theater, Firehouse Center for the Arts puts on the show this year. The show runs from 11pm – 1am. Buy tickets at firehouse.org/events.
Hallow-Marini Party and Trick or Treat Hayrides, Marini Farm, Ipswich
Oct. 17 and 18, and 12, 24, and 25
Take a Trick or Treat Hayride around their 7 acre corn maze. Your hayride driver will make some special stops along the way. Favorite costumed characters await the wagon to hand out Tricks and Treats. Hayrides run continuously from 10am to 4pm on October 17 and 18. Riders are welcome to wear costumes. On October 12,24, and 25 from 12pm to 3pm there will be a Halloween bash including a DJ, Dance Party with Characters and Trick or Treat Candy Drop. Tickets and more information at marinifarm.com.