Wellesley’s many Halloween-time traditions are gearing up (already!), so be sure not to miss a single opportunity to dress up in costume, visit pumpkin patches, enjoy a fall festival, and more.
In Wellesley, kids go treat or treating on… Halloween, which is on Friday, Oct. 31. So nice to have a year when we don’t have to send them back to school the very next day, hungover on sugar.
Here’s our roundup of Wellesley Halloween Happenings, which we’ll be updating as activities get our attention.
DATES: Oct. 9 – Oct. 31 LOCATION: 207 Washington St. Visually fabulous, and sales support a good cause.
Linden Square Giveaway—deadline Oct. 9
SPONSORED CONTENT: Take a picture with the festive fallscape in the Linden Square Courtyard, post and tag @lindensquarewellesley for a chance to win a $100 gift card to a Linden Square business of your choice.
Contest ends Oct. 9. Winner will be announced via Linden Square Insta stories on Oct. 10.
Acatober—Oct. 17 & 18
You won’t want to miss Acatober, two evenings of singing that will feature all Wellesley High School choirs and a cappella groups, along with special guest groups (TBA). Tickets go fast every year for this incredibly popular concert that always reminds us how lucky we are to have such an amazing public school choral program at Wellesley High.
DATES: Friday, Oct. 17 & Saturday, Oct. 18 TIME: 7pm-9pm, both nights LOCATION: Katherine L Babson, Jr Auditorium at Wellesley High School TICKET SALES: Available now
DATE: October 18 TIME: 1pm-3pm LOCATION: Linden Square COST: FREE Halloween fun for kids ages 3-12!
DESCRIPTION: Celebrate the season with pumpkin decorating in The Courtyard, Trick-or-Treating at participating Linden Square shops and restaurants, and delicious samples from Oath Pizza and Playa Bowls.
Kids can also climb aboard a real fire truck, courtesy of the Wellesley Fire Department, enjoy festive tunes, explore an Instrumental Petting Zoo with Bach to Rock, and make crafts with the Wellesley Lions Club.
Costumes encouraged—come join the fun!
Halloween Stroll, Oct. 25
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 25 TIME: 11am-1pm DESCRIPTION: This FREE event will begin at Clock Tower Park, across from Green’s Hardware, in Wellesley Hills. Beginning at 11am, children will be encouraged to trick or treat at the businesses of Wellesley Hills. Please remember to bring your own trick or treat bag! Games and fun ghoul-ore. AGES: 0-8yr.
House Decorating Contest, nomination deadline, Oct. 25
WHAT: Howlin’ Haunted Halloween House Decorating Contest TO DO: Take a picture of the nominated house along with the address and email it to [email protected] DEADLINE: Nominations must be received by 10am on Friday, October 25 CATEGORIES: Scariest & Judges Choice. Awards delivered by the Boo Crew SPONSORED BY: Wellesley Rec.
In Wellesley, kids go treat or treating on… Halloween, which is on Friday, Oct. 31. Nice to have a year when we don’t have to send them back to school the very next day, sleep deprived and hungover on sugar.
Friday, Oct. 31—How Wellesley does Halloween
Wellesley is definitely an October 31st trick-or-treating kind of town. Generally speaking, the littlest ones go out in their own neighborhoods at about 6pm.The older kids head out a little bit later, around 6:30. We heckle kids who show up either without a costume or wearing a Patriots jersey and claiming, “I’m dressed up like a football player.” Seriously, big kids, if you’re too cool to put together a real costume, it’s time to let it go. Most residents at 8pm close their doors, blow out the candles in their jack o’ lanterns, and turn off their front porch lights to signal that their house is done with Halloween.This can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but not by much. As far as the candy goes, certain houses have a reputation for handing out full-sized bars, and the rabid following that goes with such generosity. We’re not going to spill those sweet secrets here. You’ll have to get out there and find the best pickings for yourself.
Here at The Swellesley Report, we’re terrified that you haven’t signed up for all our things. Allow us to treat you to “more than you really need to know about Wellesley, Massachusetts” in the following non-scary ways:
These events have passed:
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 4 TIME: noon-4pm LOCATION: Bates Elementary School, 116 Elmwood Rd.
DESCRIPTION: The Pumpkin Fair returns with exciting games, thrilling rides, balloon artists, tasty treats, magicians, dancing, and more! The Pumpkin Fair is a fun day for kids and families, a beloved tradition, and a vital fundraiser for the Bates PTO.
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 4 TIME: 11am-1pm LOCATION: 276 Church Street, Newton
DESCRIPTION: Get ready for an afternoon full of autumn excitement. From pumpkin decorating and games to music, snacks, and surprises, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Come in costume and celebrate the season. This beloved community event is free and open to the public.