Tap a date to see that day's events. Only listings with set dates appear here; places you can visit any open day are listed further down.
Halloween and fall events around Boston, checked on the venue's or organizer's page on Oct 23, 2026. Haunted attractions and adults-only events are left out. Look for the Good for little kids (2–4) marker for early, toddler-friendly options.
Spooky Science Weekend
Museum of Science · Boston (Science Park · Boston)
Halloween eventPaidNext: Sat, Oct 31Good for little kids (2–4)Boston
Halloween-themed live presentations, hands-on activities, design challenges and a costume dance party with DJ Ooch. Family-friendly costumes are encouraged.
Upcoming dates: Sat, Oct 31, 2026; Sun, Nov 1, 2026
📅 Add a date to your calendar
- When: Sat Oct 31 and Sun Nov 1, 2026
- Time: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Price: Included with Exhibit Halls admission
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ The Nov 1 date is also a Boston Family Days Sunday, when Boston students and two guests are free.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Homeschool: Fall Nature Investigations
Mass Audubon Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary · Belmont
Nature classPaidNext: Thu, Oct 29Suburbs (Belmont, Weston, Newton & more)
A ten-session outdoor class for homeschoolers on seed adaptations, animal migration, pond changes, how trees prepare for winter, decomposition and other fall topics. Students need a Health History form before the first session.
Upcoming dates: Thu, Oct 29, 2026; Thu, Nov 5, 2026; Thu, Nov 12, 2026; Thu, Nov 19, 2026; Thu, Dec 3, 2026; Thu, Dec 10, 2026
📅 Add a date to your calendar
- When: Thursdays Oct 1–Dec 10 (remaining: Oct 29, Nov 5, 12, 19, Dec 3, 10; no class Nov 26)
- Time: 10 a.m.–noon
- Price: $380 for member children; $435 for non-members (full series; sibling discount 10%)
- Ages: 11–13
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: This series started Oct 1 and the page showed "Class 5 of 10." The page did not say whether a family can still join. Ask Mass Audubon before you plan.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Boston Family Days: free museum Sundays for Boston homeschool students
City of Boston (participating museums) · Boston (Citywide · Boston)
Free museum daysFree (per source)Next: Sun, Nov 1Good for little kids (2–4)Boston
Students who live full-time in Boston, including home school students in grades K–12, can visit many cultural institutions free with up to two guests on the first and second Sundays of each month through December 2026. Participants include the Boston Children's Museum, Franklin Park Zoo, Museum of Science, Museum of Fine Arts, New England Aquarium, Institute of Contemporary Art, JFK Library, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and USS Constitution Museum. Non-BPS families register online with the City and get a pass by email.
Upcoming dates: Sun, Nov 1, 2026; Sun, Nov 8, 2026; Sun, Dec 6, 2026; Sun, Dec 13, 2026
📅 Add a date to your calendar
- When: 1st and 2nd Sundays through December 2026 (next: Nov 1, Nov 8, Dec 6, Dec 13)
- Time: Not listed on source
- Price: Free for the student and up to two guests
- Ages: K–12 students who live in Boston, plus two guests
- Booking: Some partners suggest reservations: Children's Museum, Museum of Science, Franklin Park Zoo, ICA, Gardner Museum and MassArt. Free admission applies on those Sundays only.
- Proof of homeschool: A Boston Family Days pass (register with the City first) and proof the student lives in Boston
⚠️ Only for students who live in Boston. Each institution has its own Sunday hours.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Homeschool Days
New England Aquarium · Boston (Central Wharf · Boston)
AquariumPaidOpen now · through Tue, Dec 22Good for little kids (2–4)Boston
Special pricing for homeschool families on Tuesdays. Aquarium admission is $21 for adults and $12 for children ages 3–11. An Aquarium admission plus giant screen movie bundle is $26 for adults and $17 for children. Book at least one business day ahead and get one free adult chaperone ticket with each paid student admission.
📅 Add the date range (Fri, Oct 23 – Tue, Dec 22)
- When: Tuesdays, Sept 8–Dec 22, 2026
- Time: Not listed on source
- Price: Aquarium: adults $21, children (3–11) $12. With movie: adults $26, children $17
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Reserve by calling the Aquarium's reservations line (the number is on its page).
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Arnold Arboretum · Boston (Jamaica Plain · Boston)
ArboretumFree (per source)Ongoing / by arrangementGood for little kids (2–4)Boston
A free outdoor collection of trees and shrubs open to everyone.
- When: Open daily, free
- Time: Not listed on source
- Price: Free
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: "Free" came from a search summary. Check the Arboretum's page for current grounds hours.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Free Thursday nights and free for youth
Institute of Contemporary Art · Boston (Seaport · Boston)
Art museumFree (per source)Ongoing / by arrangementBoston
General admission is free for visitors 18 and under, and for everyone on Thursday evenings with advance tickets.
- When: Thursdays, 5–9 p.m.
- Time: 5–9 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: All ages (free for 18 and under any day)
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: This came from a search summary of the museum's pages. Reserve free tickets in advance and check the page for current hours.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Old State House and Old South Meeting House
Revolutionary Spaces · Boston (Downtown · Boston)
History museumPaidOngoing / by arrangementBoston
Both sites take part in Boston Family Days with no pre-registration. Otherwise admission is $10 for youth ages 6–17 and $18 for adults.
- When: See the museum page
- Time: Not listed on source
- Price: Youth 6–17 $10; adults $18 (free on Boston Family Days Sundays for Boston students)
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
⚠️ Not fully confirmed: Prices came from a search summary. Check the museum page for hours and current prices.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Boston Lights: A Lantern Experience
Franklin Park Zoo (Zoo New England) · Boston (Dorchester · Boston)
Lantern festivalPaidOpen now · through Sun, Nov 8Good for little kids (2–4)Boston
A one-way, one-mile lantern walk through the zoo that takes about 60–90 minutes. It includes playful Halloween pumpkins and skeletons. Tickets are required for all guests and do not include daytime zoo admission. Children under 2 are free. Last entry is 9:30 p.m.
📅 Add the date range (Fri, Oct 23 – Sun, Nov 8)
- When: Nightly through Nov 8, 2026
- Time: 5–10:30 p.m.
- Price: Price depends on date and time. Massachusetts EBT/WIC cardholders: $17 each for up to four tickets
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Buy timed tickets online. Library passes, teacher discounts and Boston Family Days are not accepted for this event.
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.
Boston Common Tree Lighting
City of Boston Parks and Recreation · Boston (Beacon Hill · Boston)
Holiday celebrationFree (per source)Next: Thu, Dec 3Good for little kids (2–4)Boston
The 85th annual tree lighting on Boston Common, with a tree given by Nova Scotia. Afterward the lights on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall are switched on.
Upcoming dates: Thu, Dec 3, 2026
📅 Add to calendar
- When: Thu Dec 3, 2026
- Time: 6–8 p.m.
- Price: Free
- Ages: All ages
- Booking: Not listed on source
Source:
Last checked 2026-10-23.