This weekend offers so many Halloween-themed events, you won’t know where to begin! Better get your costume ready. Good luck deciding where to go and what to do!
Seeking some more artistic inspiration for your weekend plans? Check out our Weekly Entertainment report for live music and lively arts in and around Southern NH.
Multi-day events:
Oct. 24-26
Poe in Lowell Festival, Lowell, MA – Boston-born short story master Edgar Allan Poe visited Lowell three times in the 1840s and apparently loved the city. Lowell is returning the love with the 2nd Annual Poe in Lowell Festival on October 24-26, 2025. Activities include book readings and lectures, live music, art exhibits, film screenings, a walking tour of Lowell and a pop-up Poe shop. This year’s festival is in partnership with Lowell Celebrates Kerouac! More info here.
Oct. 25-26
Applecrest Farm Orchards Fall Harvest Festival, Hampton Falls, NH – Join us October 25 & 26 for our last Harvest Festival Weekend of the season at AppleCrest! We’ve still got TONS of pumpkins and apples ready for the picking, with varieties including McIntosh, Pink Lady, Evercrisp, Ida Red, Cortland, Hampshire, Red Delicious, Golden Delicious and Empire! We have a bounty of Decorative Gourds, Edible Squash and Pumpkins. Pick-Your-Own Apples + Pumpkins. FREE Parking & Admission. FREE Tractor Rides. Corn Maze, Corn, Roast & Grill, Hot Apple Cider Donuts, Sweet Ice Cream, Scratch-made Goodies & Pies, and an Animal Barnyard. Farm Market hours: 8am-6pm. PYO hours: 9am-6pm. Creamery hours: 12pm-6pm. FREE Live bluegrass music: 12pm-4pm.
Oct. 23
Daytime DIY: Luminaries, Nashua Public Library, Nashua, NH – Cozy up any space with these paper lanterns. Keep them simple or unleash your creativity to illuminate an entire tablescape! All materials provided. Open to ages 18+. This event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23 starting at 1 pm.
Trivia Night, In Support of Leadership Greater Manchester, The Rex Theatre, Manchester, NH – Join us for an exciting evening of Trivia Night all in support of Leadership Greater Manchester! Gather your friends to form a team or jump in solo and join one at the door. Enjoy delicious food, great company, and a trivia showdown packed with fun challenges and plenty of laughter. Whether you’re a trivia buff or just in it for the fun, this is a night you won’t want to miss! The winner will receive the “LG-Emmy” Trophy and bragging rights! This event will take place on Thursday, Oct. 23 from 5 pm – 7 pm.
Oct. 24
Downtown Manchester Trick-or-Treat, Manchester, NH – Soon, little ghosts, goblins, witches, and superheroes will be taking to the sidewalks of Elm Street and casting spells upon Stanton Plaza, as the Downtown Manchester Trick-or-Treat is soon to be here! Taking place on Friday, Oct. 24, from 3 pm – 6 pm, you’ll find candy, games, music, and activities. Costumes are encouraged, but certainly not mandatory.
Hanover Street Fall Festival, Manchester, NH – Get ready for a spooktacular evening of family fun at the Downtown Trick or Treat and Fall Festival on Hanover Street! Join us on Friday, Oct. 24 from 3 pm – 8 pm for a festive celebration filled with autumn magic and Halloween thrills. What to Expect: Live DJ spinning festive tunes; Dance performances to keep you entertained; FREE candy for trick-or-treaters; Local vendors and artisan booths; Classic fall activities for all ages; Seasonal photo ops to capture the fun. Put on your best costume, bring your friends and family, and experience the charm of downtown transformed into a fall wonderland. Whether you’re here for the treats, the tunes, or the seasonal vibes, there’s something for everyone! Free admission – all are welcome!
Meowgical Midway Carnival, The Bookery, Manchester, NH – Stop in while trick-or-treating downtown and participate in a costume contest, judged by Mayor Ruais, for the chance to win a prize! This event will take place on Friday, Oct. 24 from 3 – 7 pm.
Kids Halloween Dance Party, Arlington Street Community Center, Nashua, NH – Join the ASCC and The Little Iguanas Children’s Safety Foundation on Friday, Oct. 24 from 5:30 – 6:30 pm for a free Halloween themed dance party with music, refreshments, candy, and a costume contest! This is not a drop-off event, please make sure at least one adult is with your child(ren) at all times. Families with children 10 years old and younger are invited to join. We hope to see you there!! Please register here.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Drag Show & Film Screening, The Hop Knot, Manchester, NH – Where our Rocky Horror fans at?! We’ll be watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show this Friday 8pm! But before that you can catch a couple of Drag performances (or sweet transvestites as your uncle might call me) to get you warmed up for the film! This is an 18+ event and there is no cover. Performances at 7 pm. Movie screening at 8 pm.
Queerlective’s Not Afraid to Fail Fest, BNH Stage, Concord, NH – Not Afraid to Fail Fest is a one-night variety show spotlighting folks doing something for the very first time. It’s part open mic, part talent show, part joyful mess and 100% about showing up with courage, creativity, and community behind you. Whether it’s your first poem, first drag number, first song, or first time sharing your art in public, this is the space to try it out. No pressure. No perfection. Just a room full of people rooting for you. The show starts on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7 pm. Doors at 6 pm. Get tickets here.
Thriller Dance Workshop with Actorsingers, Broadway Bound, Merrimack, NH – We were able to collaborate with Broadway Bound for our workshop! Please sign up using this link so we have a proper headcount. If you are unable to make it, no problem follow the tutorial with this YouTube video and come and have fun! We cannot wait to see you! This workshop will take place on Friday, Oct. 24 from 8 pm – 11 pm at Broadway Bound in Merrimack.
Halloween Scaryoke Annual Costume Party, Casey Magee’s Irish Pub, Nashua, NH – Join us for our annual Halloween Scaryoke Annual Costume Party on Friday, Oct. 24 from 9 pm – 1 am! Gift card prizes will go for the top three costumes. The contest will take place on the stage from 10:30-11:00 pm. Hosted by DJ Bobby Lane! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone’s costumes! 21+ event, no exceptions!
Oct. 25
Live Freaky Market’s Howl-O-Ween, Live Freely Market, Hampton, NH – Bring your four-legged friends for a day made just for them! Trick-or-treating stations, best costume prizes, and so much more tail-wagging fun. This event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 10 am – 5 pm.
Valley Cemetery Guided Tour, Valley Cemetery, Manchester, NH – Tour the Valley Street Cemetery This Fall! Join the Manchester Parks & Rec along with the Conservation and Heritage Commissions for a guided tour of the historic Valley Cemetery. Learn from local historian Stan Garrity about the fascinating lives of those buried there — all while taking in the stunning fall foliage. The tour will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 11 am. Meet at the iron gate along the Pine Street entrance. Street parking available nearby. Discover history, nature, and community in one of Manchester’s most peaceful historic spaces! For more info, contact Kate Waldo at 603-792-5373 or kwaldo@manchesternh.gov.
Laconia Pumpkin Festival, Downtown Laconia, NH – Join us on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11 am – 8 pm for a day filled with fall fun, glowing pumpkins, local flavors, and unforgettable memories! This beloved annual tradition brings the community together with thousands of carved pumpkins, live entertainment, food vendors, family-friendly activities, and more in the heart of downtown Laconia. More info here.
Main Street Monster Mash Howl-o-Ween, Downtown Nashua, NH – Join us in Downtown Nashua for a spooktacular celebration on Main Street! The Monster Mash Howl-o-ween brings together families, friends, and four-legged companions for an afternoon of festive fun. Kids can enjoy trick-or-treating with our downtown businesses in addition to live music, costume contests (for kids and pets!), and a special surprise from the ActorSingers! Trick or treating begins at 11 am and the fun kicks off at 11:30 am with our Pearl Streets Howl-o-ween Puppy Parade in partnership with the Humane Society for Greater Nashua. Noon will be our special surprise. Trick or treating will happen until 1 pm. Whether you’re showing off your best costume, shopping local, or just soaking in the fall spirit, Monster Mash Howl-o-ween is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween in the heart of the city. Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 am – 1 pm.
NH PoutineFest 2025, Budweiser Biergarten, Merrimack, NH – We have exciting news for 2025! PoutineFest Spooktacular returns and the 10th anniversary of NH PoutineFest!!! Poutine with a Halloween flair, our favorite! This event will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 11:30 am – 4 pm. Get tickets here.
Meet the Brewers of MHT, To Share Brewing, Manchester, NH – Ever wanted to meet the folks that make your beer in Manchester? Join us on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 4 pm – 6pm to meet the folks behind the beer at Backyard Brewery NH, Great North Ale, Republic Brewing, and of course To Share. We’ll also have beverages from our friends for you to enjoy.
Tricks & Treats Spooky Heels Workshop, Pumps & Pirouettes, Manchester, NH – Tricks, treats, and a touch of fierce. Join us for a Spooky Heels Workshop on Tricks with Tiff on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7–9 pm at Pumps & Pirouettes! $30 entry includes everything — tricks, choreo, filming, raffles, drinks, bites & spooky photo ops. Let’s slay… Halloween style.
Halloween Party, Wild Rover Pub, Manchester, NH – Join for cheap beer, free stuff, candy, and mystery shots for $5. Prize for Best Costume! The party kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 7:30 pm – 12 am at the Rover.
Annual Halloween Party, Shanghai Osaka, Nashua, NH – As the spooky season draws near, we eagerly anticipate our annual Shanghai Halloween party, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25 at 5:30 pm. Join us for an evening of entertainment, featuring karaoke, a costume contest, and exciting prizes. Don’t forget to bring a pumpkin, either painted or carved, to participate in our contest and vie for the first-place award.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show Screening, Red River Theatres, Concord, NH – It’s time to do the Time Warp… again – The Rocky Horror Picture Show turns 50! Join us for a wild, late-night screening of this cult classic at Red River Theatres on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 10 pm. hosted by the fabulous Emily Marsh. Your Mistress of Ceremonies will lead you through the madness from start to finish—so be prepared for a very rowdy night filled with audience participation, laughter, and surprises. Costumes are highly encouraged! We provide the prop bags — no outside props allowed. And we can’t wait to welcome all you Rocky Horror Virgins! Celebrate 50 years of absolute pleasure — grab your tickets now before they vanish into the Transylvanian night at redrivertheatres.org.
Oct. 26
Family Fright Fest, McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center, Concord, NH – Family Fright Fest is back at the Discovery Center! Join us for a frightfully fun day packed with hands-on spooky science, alien slime, pumpkin painting, face painting, and more! Special Offer: Come in costume and get BOGO general admission tickets (available only at the front desk.) This event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 26 from 10:30 am – 4 pm. Get tickets here.
Elm Street Halloween Dog Parade, Elm Street, Manchester, NH – Join us for The Community Walking Club’s Halloween Parade! We’ll be out on a Halloween themed adventure through Elm Street starting off from Arms Park! The walk will begin at The K9 Adventure Club Tent at 11 am! Bring your Halloween Spirit! Costumes for you and the dogs are encouraged (but certainly not required!) We’ll have free: refreshments, treats, and pup cups! The parade will start on Sunday, Oct. 26 at 11 am in Arms Park.
Planning Ahead?
October 31: Nightmare on (the real) Elm Street, Manchester, NH
Nov 1: Scary Movie Trivia, Manchester, NH
Nov 1: Shaskeen’s Annual Halloween Party, Manchester, NH
Nov 9: New England Reptile Expo, Manchester, NH