Boston is a city of legendary haunts and living history, blazing fall foliage and spooky stories from the past. Home to the oldest cemeteries in America, it's the perfect place to celebrate the Halloween season like never before. Grab your costume for masquerades and yacht parties. Seek out ghost stories and mysterious relics. Explore all of the hair-raising things to do in Boston for Halloween, including an enchanted costume party right here at our boutique hotel. Plan a fall getaway and eat, drink, and be scary!
Go Frightseeing on Thrilling Boston Ghost Tours
Feel the chills up your spine as you explore the city's haunted locations and hear ghastly stories from the past. Listen to tales of grave-robbing scandals, murder and mayhem, and notorious sightings of ghosts and ghouls. Follow your guide through historic graveyards and haunted streets - and immerse yourself in the folklore of the city. Several companies offer ghost tours in Boston not just during the Halloween season, but year-round as well: Haunted Boston Ghost Tours, Ghosts and Gravestones, and Haunted Boston. Most tours are led by costumed guides and take place in the evening hours. They last 1-2 hours and some feature a combination of walking and trolley rides. Need help booking? Our concierge will be happy to assist you with your Boston ghost tour arrangements.
Dress Up for Costume Parties, Pub Crawls, and Masquerades
Leave the trick-or-treating to the kids and head out for a free-spirited night of Halloween fun. You'll find Halloween things to do in Boston the entire month of October, from party cruises to masquerades to horror movie screenings - including our very own spine-tingling soiree at Hotel Revere. Browse these highlights for a quick look at some of our favorite Halloween events in the city. Need to find a costume and quick? Head to Dorothy's Boutique on Massachusetts Avenue or the Garment District in Cambridge for a great selection of costumes, wigs, and Halloween party supplies.
- Scream Halloween Costume Party at Revere Hotel - Dance and party with angels, devils, and monsters at lavish costume party in the chic grand ballroom at Revere Hotel. For the ultimate fright fest, book a VIP experience and stay the weekend for a Halloween escape into revelry and rebellion. Call 857.212.5660 for information about our exciting VIP options.
- Titanic Masquerade Halloween Cruise - Mix and mingle with hundreds of ghosts and ghouls from the infamous Titanic on this luxurious yacht cruise around Boston Harbor (October 26).
- HalloWeekend Pub Crawl at Faneuil Hall Marketplace - Bounce between Beantown hotspots like the Hard Rock Café, Sons of Boston, Side Bar, and Finn McCool's (October 26).
- Pumpkin Palooza at the Lawn on D - Thousands of pumpkins arrive to this grassy outdoor lounge along with two days of all-ages fun and Halloween-themed entertainment (October 26 & 27).
- Night Full of Fear at Lucky Strike Social - Go all out for Halloween at this massive Fenway party with themed cocktails, DJs, dancing, and one of the city's wildest costume contests (October 26).
Conjure the Past in Boston's Historic Burying Grounds
Take a stroll through the quiet, leafy grounds of Puritan-era cemetery for a glimpse back in time to the early days of America. Two of the city's most famous graveyards are located in the heart of the city downtown: Granary Burying Yard and King's Chapel Burying Ground. Those that are particularly inclined towards the Gothic may also want to check out Central Burying Ground (Downtown), Copp's Hill Burying Ground (North End), and Forest Hills Cemetery (Jamaica Plain).
- Granary Burying Ground - Pay your respects to some of the greatest heroes of the American Revolution. Samuel Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere are buried in this cemetery, along with the five victims of the Boston Massacre. Located on Tremont Street, it was founded in 1660 and is home to an estimated 5,000 dearly departed souls - although only about half of them have headstones. Graves are well-marked with numerous explanatory signs about each resident's historic contribution to the city of Boston. The Granary Burying Ground is a stop on the Freedom Trail and is included on guided tours. You can also find self-guided tours through Free Tours on Foot, but you might not want to go alone - the cemetery is reportedly one of the most haunted places in Boston.
- King's Chapel Burying Ground - Boston's oldest cemetery is the final resting place for many of the first-generation Puritans who emigrated from England and settled in Boston. Many of the gravestones date from the early 17th century and feature elaborate carvings: skulls, angels, bones, and death himself. Also a stop on the Freedom Trail, King's Chapel Burying Ground is situated just one block from the Granary Burial Ground on Tremont Street. Much smaller but still fascinating, the cemetery is home to early American notables such as John Winthrop, William Dawes, and Mary Chilton (the first European woman to arrive in New England). Legend says that the burying ground is haunted by the infamous pirate Captain Kidd.
Revere Hotel: Rebel from the Ordinary with Bold Boston Accommodations
Inspired by the city's legendary history and revolutionary dreamers like Paul Revere, our boutique hotel gives you an only-in-Boston travel experience. From authentic New England cuisine at Rebel's Guild to local artwork in your room, Revere Hotel offers a rebellious alternative to intrepid travelers, free thinkers, and urban adventurers. Stay in the heart of the city steps from Boston Common and moments away from Halloween things to do in Boston. Plan your fall getaway today!