2026 Pumpkin Festivals & Halloween Fun in New England
New England Family-Friendly Pumpkin & Halloween Events
When autumn arrives in New England, it brings crisp air, colorful foliage, and plenty of festive traditions. At the heart of it all are pumpkins—carved into glowing jack-o-lanterns, transformed into towering displays, or celebrated at harvest festivals.
Families can enjoy everything from small-town pumpkin patches and scarecrow contests to dazzling nighttime lantern shows and spooky Halloween attractions.
As a parent, I’ve taken my kids to many of these events over the years, and what I love most is how each festival has its own charm—some are perfect for a quick afternoon of pumpkin picking and hayrides, while others are worth the drive for their jaw-dropping jack-o-lantern displays that light up the night.
Whether you’re looking for a cozy local outing or planning a weekend adventure, here’s your guide to the best pumpkin festivals, jack-o-lantern displays, and Halloween fun around Boston and beyond in 2026.
🎃 Jack-O-Lantern Displays & Lantern Walks
Ticketed evening walkthroughs built around carved pumpkin displays. Most sell timed entry in advance, and a few sell out before Halloween.
Jack o Lantern Nights (formerly "Boo at the Zoo") - Stoneham
Get ready for illuminated pathways at Stone Zoo’s new Jack o Lantern Nights. Wander dazzling carved scenes featuring classic spooky creatures and towering pumpkin sculptures reaching up to 18 feet tall.
Halloween On the Hill - Beverly, MA
Come explore our beautiful property as we transform Long Hill into a celebration of autumn and the Halloween season at Halloween on the Hill. Follow our seasonal-themed trail that will feature over 1,000 jack-o’-lanterns, hundreds of mums and pumpkins, elaborate Halloween sets, light displays, music, and more.
photo courtesy of Trustees of Reservations
Jack-o-Lantern Spectacular— Providence RI
The Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular celebrates 30 years of wowing guests with some 5,000 intricately carved pumpkins on Roger Williams Park Zoo grounds. New England’s favorite fall tradition unveils a brand-new twist this year at Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular – presented by Citizens Bank.
This year’s theme celebrates the art of the pun, with thousands of hand-carved pumpkins bringing witty wordplay to life through pop culture references, playful characters and pun-believable scenes as guests stroll The Great Pun-Kin Trail.
photo credit: Trig Photography
The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show Early Hour - Stockbridge
The Naumkeag Pumpkin Show is back! Explore our famous gardens as we transform Naumkeag into a celebration of autumn with over 1,500 jack-o-lanterns, hundreds of mums, pumpkins and countless gourds – most of which were grown right here on the grounds!
Hallowed Harvest: Wicked Labyrinth - Salem
Experience the spooky family-fun of Halloween at the Hollowed Harvest! The Wicked Labyrinth version of Hollowed Harvest brings to life more than 1,000 incredible Jack-O'-Lanterns creating stunning landscapes and larger-than-life displays designed to amaze audiences of all ages!
The Great Jack-o-Lantern Journey at Southwick Zoo - Mendon
Step into a world of Spooky Fun for Everyone as we present “The Great Jack O Lantern Journey” – an extraordinary Halloween festival, exclusively at Southwick’s Zoo! This after-hours walkthrough event features intricately carved jack-o-lanterns and displays throughout the zoo that bring to life your favorite animals and beloved storybook characters.
👻 Family Festivals & Trick-or-Treating
Daytime, mostly free community events: parades, trick-or-treating, and town-wide celebrations.
Haunted Happenings 2026 - Salem, MA
Salem's annual Halloween Festival happens every year during October in the bewitching seaport of Salem, Massachusetts. Visitors will be delighted to find street fairs, performances, expanded programming, special events, and seasonal flair this fall.
Driving will be frustrating. Please plan ahead for an abundance of road closures - and do take advantage of public transportation and the shuttle busses for transport.
Keene Pumpkin Festival — Keene, NH
The Keene Pumpkin Festival has become one of the region’s most popular community events, bringing together thousands of people and families to share a celebration of community. Thousands contribute their own hand-carved pumpkins to the festival's signature tower.
Laconia Pumpkin Festival (formerly "New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival") — Laconia, NH
The Laconia Pumpkin Festival, now run by the city, is back and promises to be better than ever, featuring the Spectacular Pumpkin Tower plus thousands of jack-o-lanterns lining the street.
Pumpkin People in the Park—Chatham, MA
This annual tradition of Pumpkin People in the Park on the Cape brings together local businesses which craft clever, funny, or awe-inspiring displays of people and activities out of pumpkins.
Return of the Pumpkin People - Jackson, NH
This self-guided tour features more than 80 different locations hosting Pumpkin People displays. You will see Pumpkin People doing all kinds of things from flying across yards to deep sea diving.
'Fall-o-Ween' Children's Festival at Boston Common - Boston
The Fall-o-Ween Festival invites you find your way out of the Haunted Fun House Maze, hop on the train, and make your way over to our glow in the dark play space for some nighttime fun featuring LED illuminated swings, seesaws, cornhole and lots more.
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'Boo at the Zoo' and 'Baby Boo' at Buttonwood Park Zoo - New Bedford
In past years, dress the kids in their favorite costume for Boo at the BP Zoo and explore mazes, a scavenger hunt, trick-or-treat stations, and Halloween themed animal enrichment.
Neponset Pumpkin Parade - Dorchester
Join the Neponset Greenway Council, MassDCR, and NepRWA for a fun, family-friendly night of Halloween festivities and a Pumpkin Parade! Come in costume and bring your decorated or carved pumpkins — candles provided. Enjoy music, games, candy, hot chocolate, and more — all FREE and open to everyone! No registration required.
🚜 Patches, Farms & Novelty Events
Lower-key daytime outings: pumpkin patches, working farms, and one very literal pumpkin-launching contest.
Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival—Stowe, VT
This festive festival challenges kids and adults to build a better trebuchet: a modern version of the medieval catapult. Spectators get to watch those pumpkins soar and smash at the Vermont Pumpkin Chuckin' Festival, located at Mayo Farm Event Fields at 120 Weeks Hill Road in Stowe, VT.
Pumpkintown USA - East Hampton, CT
Enjoy a journey through the Pumpkintown USA Forest in the comfort and safety of your own personal vehicle. On this scenic 1-mile (20 minute) drive you’ll see over 30 Pumpkinhead people and their animal companions at home in their woodland dwellings.
Fall Fun on Chestnut Hill Farm - Southborough
Join us on Sundays from 12-6pm for some Fall Fun at Chestnut Hill Farm. Enjoy live music, hayrides, a scavenger hunt, and a visit with our friendly goats. Food from alternating food trucks and craft beer will be available for purchase.
Find More Fall Fun
You can find more things to do in September and October activities in our handy guides to fall family fun - and, you can always visit our Boston events calendar or this week's events newsletter for additional ideas.
Up for a challenge? Find your way through one of many local corn mazes near Boston! Or you can go a more traditional route and find great spots for apple picking or choosing your perfect pumpkin at a local pumpkin patch.
Don't see your favorite pumpkin festival listed here yet? Let us know!
photo credits include stock photos and unknown sources. please contact us with photo credit information.
Guide compiled by BostonCentral, your trusted source for family-friendly events in the Greater Boston area. 🎃
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Stacey Sao has been the Managing Director of the family-friendly events and activities website BostonCentral for over 25 years. She continues to enjoy discovering and exploring new places to visit in the Greater Boston area.