2016 Trick-or-Treating Times in Boston and Beyond

Photo by Chris Devers on Flickr/Creative Commons

If you’ve ever been confused about what time to begin trick-or-treating in Boston, you’re not alone. That’s because most neighborhoods in the city and many surrounding towns don’t designate specific times, instead leaving the candy-soliciting window up to the community.

Such a vague answer was not acceptable for the discerning trick-or-treaters at Boston magazine, so we tracked down neighborhood festivities as best as we could. (Though as a general rule of thumb, most trick-or-treating occurs between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.)

Here, check out what’s going on in your corner of Boston, and if we’ve left out your community or event, let us know in the comments.

Note: All events are on Monday, October 31, unless noted otherwise.

Allston-Brighton
Trick-or-treating begins at 3 p.m. in the Brighton Main Streets district this year. Start at the District D-14 police station and work your way down Washington Street to the Oak Square YMCA for a pizza party. See facebook.com/events for more information.

Back Bay
While the Clarendon Street Playground won’t hold its annual Halloween party this year, Back Bay’s famed trick-or-treating extravaganza will commence on Marlborough Street at 5:30 p.m.

Beacon Hill
Most of Beacon Hill’s heavily trafficked trick-or-treating streets (think Pinckney, Mt. Vernon, etc.) are expected to close to vehicles at around 4:30 p.m.

Charlestown
Charlestown’s colossal celebration will begin at the Bunker Hill Monument once again this year at 5 p.m. The 31st annual parade and festivities will set off at 5:30 p.m. See charlestownbridge.com for more information.

Dorchester
Boston Police District B-3 is hosting a haunted house event on Friday, October 28 from 4 to 8 p.m at the station at 1165 Blue Hill Avenue. There will be activities, food, entertainment, a dance party, and more. See mydorchester.org for more information.

East Boston
On Friday, October 28, the city is hosting a Halloween block party at the BCYF Paris Street Community Center from 5 to 7 p.m. Prepare for games, arts and crafts, a DJ, inflatables, and more. See boston.gov for more information.

Fenway
Fenway does not have designated trick-or-treating times.

Hyde Park
Hyde Park does not have designated trick-or-treating times.

Jamaica Plain
The Hyde Square Task Force will host its third annual Halloween festival at the Connolly Branch Library with games, prizes, a haunted house, and more. The party begins at 3:30 p.m. at the library, and the festival continues between 4:30 and 7 p.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Church Plaza. See hydesquare.org for more information.

Mattapan
Mattapan does not have designated trick-or-treating times.

Mission Hill
The Mission Hill Youth Collaborative is hosting “Halloween on the Hill” from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Tobin Community Center. See boston.gov for more information.

North End
The North End Music and Performing Arts Center will hold a Halloween pizza party along the Paul Revere Mall from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Then, the Boston Community Collaborative will host its annual trick-or-treat dance party for kids and parents at 7 p.m. at the DeFilippo playground (known as “the Gassy”).

Roslindale
Popular trick-or-treating spot Tyndale Street is set to be closed to traffic from 6 to 8 p.m.

Roxbury
Roxbury does not have designated trick-or-treating times.

South Boston
The South Boston Chamber of Commerce is hosting trick-or-treating along East and West Broadway from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information, see caughtinsouthie.com.

South End
A “pre-trick-or-treat” party is happening from 5 to 6 p.m. at Titus Sparrow Park. See titussparrowpark.org for more information. The BCYF Blackstone Community Center will also be handing out candy from 5 to 8 p.m. See boston.gov for more information.

West Roxbury
Trick-Or-Treat Centre Street is planned for Saturday, October 29 at the Holy Name Gymnasium at 1689 Centre Street. Check-in begins at 11:30 a.m. See parkwayinmotion.org for more information.

Brookline
Brookline does not have designated trick-or-treating times, but town officials recommend beginning at dusk.

Cambridge
Cambridge does not have designated trick-or-treating times, but all Cambridge fire stations will host an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. on Halloween. Kids will receive trick-or-treat bags, glow sticks, candy, and more. See cambridgema.gov for more information.

Quincy
Quincy does not have designated trick-or-treating times, but city officials advise “not to go out too late.”

Newton
On Saturday, October 29, stroll around the villages of Newton to see a Halloween window painting contest in action. Business owners will have from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to complete their storefront windows. Awards will be given out on Tuesday, November 1, at the Newton Cultural Center.

Somerville
Somerville does not have designated trick-or-treating times, but “Haunted Hall” will descend upon the Somerville High School gymnasium on October 27 from 6 to 8 p.m. There will be a costumed Halloween stroll, trick-or-treating, games, a pumpkin patch tour, and more. See somervillema.gov for more information.