How are you celebrating the most spooktacular night of the year? Allston Pudding folks have conjured up the 25 best events around town, whether you’re a basic witch on the hunt for boos, or just trying to have a wholesome, gourd time. We triple dog dare you to get the party startled at all these howling haunts, featuring Boston’s most loved artists, a pet parade, horror movie nights, and more!
1. Friday October 25 at O’Brien’s Pub — Halloween Cover Show
Boston artists’ fine tradition of performing as the greats continues at O’Briens. See Great Lakes USA and OK DOK as Operation Ivy, Matthew Spence as Alkaline Trio (acoustic), Depressors as Rilo Kiley, Couch Sex as Fidlar, and Evan & Pals as Exploding Hearts.
2. Friday October 25 at the Museum of Fine Arts — HipStoric Night at the Museum pt. II [MFA Late Nites]
HipStory collective haunts the MFA with DJ’s, live music, MC’s, and a party you don’t want to miss. Get your vicious vibes on with some of the cities dopest artists honoring the roots of Hip-Hop.
3. Saturday, October 26 at Great Scott (and beyond) — Babes Bike Booston 5
Put the fang-tastic fun between your legs! With a bike! Femmechanics hosts their 5th Annual Babes Bike Boston alleycat (a scavenger hunt on a bike, which you can race or not) just for FTW (femmes, and/or transfolks, and/or women) riders of all biking abilities. Plus a costume contest.
4. Saturday, October 26 at Faneuil Hall — Halloween Pet Parade
If you’re trying to see a dachshund dressed up at a hot dog, this will be your spot. They’re rolling out the red carpet for these pets! Prizes awarded will include: Best of Show, Best Owner & Pet Combo, Most Creative, Spookiest, Best Group, and Best Local Representation. It’ll be dreadfully adorable.
5. Saturday, October 26 at Make Shift Boston — Break the Chains giant queer Halloween dance party
It’s so much more than a gig; we’ve got a costume swap, costume contest with epic prizes, drag performances by Cotton Candy and Lancelin S’il Vous Plait, live music by Medino Green, and DJ S. It’s and all ages, all gender, giant Halloween dance party that’s 100% DIY and volunteer run. Use your braaaaiinnnss and get to it.
6. Saturday, October 26 at Game On Fenway — HallowQUeen: A Queer Takeover
Just a queer-centric excuse to get dressed up in a costume and shake your boo-ty.
7. Saturday, October 26 — Netherworld Halloween (Lowell)
Sorry performing as Pity Sex, Save Ends as The Get Up Kids, and Dewey as Avril Lavigne oughta lift your spirits. This line up is no trick!
8. Saturday, October 26 at Great Scott—Don’t Ask Don’t Tell: SpookyBall 2019
DADT, Boston’s largest Queer party, is hosting its annual terrifying soirée. Local performance artist and entertainer, Dragon, DJ succubus Colby Drasher, and many more are set to haunt Great Scott this Friday.
9. Saturday, October 26 at Coolidge Corner Theater — Coolidge’s 19th Annual Halloween Horror Marathon
Get ready for twelve straight hours of manifestations, apparitions, poltergeists and more. It’s going to be wicked horrible fun for the 19th year starting with bleeding walls in The Amityville Horror (1979), followed by Tobe Hooper’s supernatural classic Poltergeist (1982).
10. Sunday, October 27 at State Park — Halloween at State Park
Demonic duets from Lady Pills performing as the Pixies, the Way Ways as Built to Spill, and Daniel Johnston as Mikey Holland of the Dazies are sure to spook!
11. Sunday, October 27 at SoWa Open Market — SoWa Spooktacular
Get to SoWa’s final Open Market of the season and annual Halloween bash for pumpkin painting, farmers, brewers, food trucks and live music by Bradley Copper Kettle and Friends. You’re sure to give ’em pumpkin to talk about after visiting the region’s best makers and vintage vendors.
12. Sunday, October 27 at Royale — The Wonder Years 3rd (occasionally) Annual Halloween Extravanganza with Trash Boat & Future Teens
This one’s sold out, but you never know — ya ghoul might come through with tix. These sets are going to be a combo of the bands’ OG tunes and covers. You might even risk falling Automatically In Love with Future Teens… if you know what we mean.
13. Monday, October 28 at Coolidge Corner Theater — Big Screen Classics: The Shining at Coolidge Corner Theater
REDRUM, Shelley Duvall, elevators of blood — Jack’s not in for a dull night with this horror classic at the Coolidge.
14. Monday, October 28 at Great Scott — DA Halloween: Oasis, Good Charlotte, Pearl Jam, Michelle Branch
No, that line-up is not witchful thinking! This cover show, presented by Disposable America, is frightfully fire: Horse Jumper of Love as Oasis, Lilith as Good Charlotte, Me in Capris as Pearl Jam, pushflowers as Michelle Branch.
15. Monday, October 28 at ONCE Somerville — Halloween Hall-Of-Dreams 2019
This show could be a ONCE in a lifetime event, so creep up in your costume for a night of mysterious music and eerie comedy performances by Lockette as The Go-Gos, Your Shitty Future as The Bronx, Bedtimemagic as Pat Benatar, The Straight Eights as Misfits, Carissa Johnson as Aimee Mann doing Til Tuesday.
16. Monday, October 28 at Charlie’s Kitchen — Halloween at Charlie’s Kitchen
Here’s a ghoulish gig for ya. Get ready to rage at Charlie’s Kitchen as Rebuilder plays as The Hives, Zip-Tie Handcuffs as Jay Reatard, and members of Pet Fox & Lady Pills as Songs from Tony Hawk Pro Skater. (Here’s hoping they play Superman by Goldfinger).
17. Tuesday, October 29 at Royale — Chelsea Wolfe w/ Ioanna Gika
Could seeing Chelsea Wolfe perform so close to Halloween bring you closer to transcending this plane? There’s only one way to find out. She’ll be touring for her most recent, acoustic album Birth of Violence.
18. Wednesday, October 30 at O’Brien’s —Devil’s Night
The notorious night before Halloween see city’s relentless youth run amok in a barbaric fashion, namely at this gig, featuing Babes of Mutilation (Worship the Pixies + Smash the Patriarchy), The Knock Ups as Hole, Queers of the Stoned Age (supergroup feat. members of Happy Little Clouds, PowerSlut, SEA & more), Corner Soul as The Stooges, and Fury Things (Dinosaur Jr. tribute).
19. Thursday, October 31 at Lamplighter Brewery — A Very Harry Potter Halloween
This bubbly brewery offers its finest potions on the most magical night of the year. Invite that Hufflepuff hottie you’ve been texting, grab your wand, and don your finest dress robes.
20. Thursday, October 31 at ONCE Somerville — A Very Girls Rock Campaign Boston Halloween
Alums and punxxx are playing as Dolly Parton, The Go-Go’s, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Saint Vincent, Johnny Cash, Queens of the Stone Age, Green Day, Joan Jett, and Julee Cruise at this ghastly gig! Trecherous treats await the best costumes in catagories like DIY, most creative, creepiest, and best group.
21. Thursday, October 31 at O’Brien’s — Devo | Polaris | The Strokes | Hum | Bright Eyes
You’re not gonna want to ghost on this gig. Witness Nice Guys as Devo, members of halfsour, Horse Girl, and The Urinelles as Polaris (Music from The Adventures of Pete and Pete), Love Strangers as The Strokes, Hellrazor and friends as Hum, and members of Puppy Problems and Black Beach as Bright Eyes.
22. Thursday, October 31 at the Museum of Fine Arts — MFA Film: Midsommar (The Director’s Cut)
Who else down for three hours of the slow burn dread that is Ari Aster’s Scandinavian horror sensation Midsommer? Now with 23 extra nightmarish minutes of extended scenes!
23. Thursday, October 31 at Midway Cafe — Queeraoke Halloween BASH 2019
We love a strongly encouraged costume— and the extra points for creating a look inspired by the animated queer icons in the not-really-for-kids animated series Steven Universe. Come for the karaoke, stay for the androgynous alien vibes!
24. Thursday, October 31 at Black Market Dudley — Black Market & ROMADOJA present Black Horror Night
It’s a Roxbury Halloween event for those looking to trick or treat themselves! Check out two parts to this chilling celebration: Part one features family-friendly fun, with arts and crafts, treacherous treats, and a dance party; part two includes art installations, games, raffles and prizes focused on Hollywood’s famous horror movies.
25. Friday, November 1 at The Lilypad — Halloween at the Lilypad
Eat, drink, and be scary as you sway to locals Littlefoot & friends as Roy Orbison, Gia Greene & friends as Portishead, NOW Y2K (members of Kremlin Bats and New Aura), and GUN CLUB (members of the The Swettes and The Mothballs). You know you’re just dying to go!