Ten Halloween Events Around Boston

Horror movies, costume parties, and family-friendly fun combine to brew up a hauntingly good Halloween.

Halloween Events for the Whole Family

SOWA’s Market of the Living Dead

Sunday marks the last outdoor SoWa Sunday of the season, and the popular South End market is going out with a howl. This year, SoWa’s Market of the Living Dead theme is “Dia de los Muertos,” they will celebrate the ghoulish and undead by offering Halloween-themed products, a costume contest with cash prizes, and more. Relish in the elaborate costumes created by enthusiastic (and crafty) vendors, and if you dare, approach one of the many food trucks at SoWa who go all out for Halloween.

Free, Sunday, October 27, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 460 Harrison Ave., sowaopenmarket.com

Pru Boo! at the Prudential Center

Looking to have a little fun with the kids? For this year’s PRU BOO, parents can bring their children to trick-or-treat from store to store throughout the Prudential Center. They will be able to enjoy face painting, magic tricks, and other spooky fun along the way. With your $4 donation, which benefits the Home for Little Wanderers, children will receive a trick-or-treat bag to use for collecting candy at participating stores. You can purchase a bag anytime prior to the event from the Customer Service Desk to beat the crowd, or come early the day of (bag sales start at 9 a.m.). Check-in will be held in the Food Court and Center Court.

$4 donation, Sunday, October 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., The Shops at the Prudential Center, prudentialcenter.com

Zoo Howl at the Franklin Park Zoo

What’s better than a little bit of candy and some cute animals? Bring your kids to the Frankin Park Zoo to trick-or-treat among the animals at the Franklin Park Zoo’s Zoo Howl. Kids will be able to head down the Trick-Or-Treat Trail where they will encounter candy, crafts, games, costume contests, and even a haunted maze. And no Halloween event is complete without a hayride! These roll around the Zoo on both days of the event.

$11-$17, Saturday, October 26 & Sunday, October 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Franklin Park Zoo, One Franklin Park Road, 617-541 5466, zoonewengland.org

21+ Halloween Events

Halloween on the Harbor 

Who said kids get to have all the fun on Halloween? The Seaport Hotel is sponsoring this year’s Halloween on the Harbor, which takes place at multiple parties in South Boston’s Seaport District. The event begins at TOMA Bar where adult trick-or-treaters will be picked up by duck boats (that’s right, duck boats!) and be shuttled around the Seaport to nine different Halloween-themed parties. Guests will enjoy ghoulish cocktails, appetizers, and treats while receiving passport stamps at each party. Various event locations will also be offering prizes for the best costume. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Friends of the Fort Point Channel.

$5, Friday, October 25, 7-10 p.m., Tamo Bar at the Seaport Hotel, One Seaport Lane, seaportboston.com

BeWicked Halloween Bash

If you’re looking for a party that will have plenty of “boos,” (the alcoholic kind, that is), then make your way over to Lir on Boylston Street for this year’s BeWicked Halloween Bash sponsored by the Boston Ski and Sports Club. Make sure you bring you A-game to the costume contest for a chance to win some awesome cash prizes. The event will also have tarot card readings, Halloween-themed appetizers and drinks, as well as swag and goodie bags.

$25, Friday, October 25, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., Lir, 903 Boylston St., bssc.com

The Beehive Zombie Prom

Resurrect your old prom dress or tux by throwing some fake blood and dirt on it and attending the annual Beehive Zombie Prom. In addition to their regular menu, the Beehive will offer dinner specials most of the night, and servers will deliver your dishes while decked out in full zombie makeup and attire. Costumes are encouraged and prizes will be awarded for the best ones. Plus: live music from ’80s cover band SAFETY. Eat, drink, and live (or not).

Free, Thursday, October 31, 5 p.m.-2 a.m., 541 Tremont St., 617-423-0069, beehiveboston.com

Halloween Bash at the Hawthorne

Are you a Manhattan, Tom Collins, or a gin and tonic? This year the Hawthorne is asking partygoers to ditch the normal ghoul and goblin costumes and come dressed to impress as your favorite cocktail. In addition to a costume contest, the event will also host classic Halloween festivities including punch and snacks, bobbing for apples, black-and-white horror movies, and live music.

$25, Thursday, October 31, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., The Hawthorne, Kenmore Square, 617-532-9150, eventbrite.com

Halloween Shows

Horror Movie Marathon at the Coolidge Corner Theatre

The Coolidge Corner Theatre will host its 13th annual Horror Movie Marathon starting a midnight this Saturday with a double feature of the infamous fright films, Psycho and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. And if those two frightening flicks aren’t enough, be sure stick around for another five jolting tales of terror. These movies are guaranteed to make your hair stand on end and your knuckles go white.

$15-$20, Saturday, October 26, 11:59 p.m., Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard St., Brookline, coolidge.org

Halloween Week at the Brattle Theatre

Throughout the days leading up to Halloween, the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square will dish out some of the most spine-tingling horror movies ever to hit the big screen, including Night of the Living Dead and a special 50th anniversary showing of The Haunting. You’re sure to experience some classic chills and even some new twists in this classic venue.

$12-$15, Monday, October 28, through Thursday, October 31, Brattle Theatre, Harvard Square, Cambridge, brattlefilm.org

Improv Asylum Halloween Shows

Halloween isn’t complete without a little comedy to lighten the mood. Your favorite spooks and ghouls come to life during this interactive night of comedy. Improv Asylum’s shows are always unique and for this Halloween-themed performance, the troupe will take scary suggestions from the audience. This frighteningly funny show stars some of Boston’s best improv comedians who will provide spooky antics and scary sketches for a night of terrifyingly-loud laughter.

$20-$25, Friday, October 25 through Sunday, October 28, 7:30 p.m. & 10 p.m., Wednesday, October 30, & Thursday, October 31, 8 p.m., Improv Asylum, 216 Hanover St., improvasylum.com