Celebrate The Beauty Of New England Autumn With These Boston Events

Salem might be the reigning champion of Bay State Halloween getaways, but it’s far from the only place worth visiting across Massachusetts. Down in Boston, there’s a wide array of fall-focused events occurring all throughout October, offering a firsthand glimpse into the lively festivities enjoyed each year. If you’re in the mood to paint pumpkins, party the night away at drag dinner, or just sip brews while you’re surrounded by costumed dogs, the following Boston events are perfect for you.

Explore the Sweet Side of The Banks Fish House

While The Banks Fish House is best known for its savory seafood dishes ranging from jumbo scallops to smoked bluefish pâté, the Back Bay institution is dabbling in the sweet side this October with Rise and Rumble. The first iteration since pre-Covid, this festive event brings together eight local pastry chefs (all dressed in their finest Halloween regalia) and gives them one particular task—craft the tastiest doughnut ever made within Boston borders. The event runs from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM on the 30th of October, with tickets including access to eight distinct doughnuts, voting eligibility for each category, and the opportunity to buy Halloween-centric cocktails only available at this event.

Tickets available for purchase here.

Get Heated at Summer Shack’s Beyoncé-Centric Drag Dinner

Beyonce’s seventh studio album was on constant rotation all across the globe back in July, but Back Bay favorite Summer Shack is bringing that summer renaissance all the way into October with Boo-Yoncé, a vibrant drag dinner taking place on Halloween night. The storied seafood shack is inviting you to get cozy and move your feet with two separate shows at 5:15 PM and 8:00 PM. Boston drag iconic Neon Calypso will be bringing her best energy to the stage, while entrees like buffalo gulf shrimp and calamari will be flowing all night, both of which pair perfectly with a Lobster Trap—a gin-heavy cocktail laden with St. Elder and ginger ale to give it notes of pure honey on the taste buds.

Tickets available for purchase here.

Enjoy Mediterranean Fall Flavors at Eataly

October tends to be pretty Halloween-centric, so if you’re looking for a quick escape from the land of jack o’-lanterns and Hocus Pocus, be sure to swing by Eataly for Restaurant Fest, a multi-week event showcasing some of the finest luxury ingredients to grace the Italian countryside. From October 14th to 30th, the venue is offering a unique menu rife with sophisticated $8 small plates alongside “Three Grams of Happiness,” an addition of either white or black fresh truffle grated directly onto your dish. In addition to these deals, the property has also rolled out $19 two-course menus at each restaurant, with fall-focused dishes like pumpkin ravioli up for grabs.

Head over to Eataly Boston to take advantage of this deal.

Channel Your Inner Pumpkin Picasso at Lansdowne Pub

Located just a few steps from iconic Fenway Park, Lansdowne Pub has earned abundant acclaim for its vintage Irish-American vibe and regular live music performances—and this month, the venue is inviting patrons to explore their creative side with nightly painting sessions all throughout Halloweek. The event runs from October 24th to the 31st from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM each night, and in addition to receiving painting supplies and a gourd of their very own, guests can also enjoy a prix fixe dining menu and snag seasonal fall cocktails ranging from mulled wine to pumpkin spice martinis.

Tickets available for purchase here.

Sample Boo-zy Beers at Night Shift Brewing

In need of a little liquid courage to face your fears this spooky season? Bay State favorite Night Shift Brewing is at your service. This October, the beloved brewery is hosting Owloween Weekend, a two-day extravaganza crowned with three fun-filled events. At Night Shift’s Everett venue, the festivities kick off with the Owloween Party on Saturday night from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with catered cuisine, a costume party with a cash prize, and music by Cosmic Rush, while Night Shift Lovejoy Wharf is hosting an all-out drag lunch featuring queens from all across the city. The following afternoon, Everett visitors are welcome to enter their beloved family pet into the Owloween Dog Contest (or head over sans dog and just enjoy the show.)

Tickets for each individual event available for purchase here, here, and here.