Best trick-or-treating in Boston
- Sat, Oct 31 Halloween 2026
- 5:30–8:30 PM Typical hours
- 9 streets Picked by locals
- Live reports Oct 31, 3 PM to midnight
Local picks, not guaranteed. Skip houses with the lights off, stay on sidewalks, and call 911 in an emergency.
Not live yet. Live candy reports switch on Sat, Oct 31, 3 PM to midnight
Streets ranked by local sources
- 1
Mount Vernon & Pinckney Streets
Beacon HillBrownstone streets that have closed to cars on Halloween evening in past years and draw thousands of kids.
🕔 About 4–8pm
Named by 3 sources · newest source 2026: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 2
Marlborough Street
Back BayHas closed to traffic for trick-or-treating in past years, with big decorations and full-size candy bars.
🕔 Evening closure, roughly 4:30/5:30–8:30pm in past years
Named by 3 sources · newest source 2025: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 3
Rutland Street
South EndCar-free during trick-or-treat hours in past years, with decorated stoops and neighbors handing out candy.
Named by 3 sources · newest source 2025: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 4
Monument Avenue & Monument Square
CharlestownCar-free in past years, leading to a community Halloween party at Monument Square.
Named by 3 sources · newest source 2025: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 5
Louisburg Square
Beacon HillThe neighborhood's showpiece square where residents compete on decorations.
Named by 2 sources · newest source 2025: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 6
Union Park
South EndCreatively decorated homes and a party atmosphere that draws families from around the metro.
Named by 2 sources · newest source 2025: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 7
Tyndale Street
RoslindaleNext to Roslindale Square, with spirited decor and generous treats.
Named by 2 sources · newest source 2025: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 8
Beals Street
BrooklineVictorian homes near Coolidge Corner, on the street where JFK was born.
Named by 2 sources · newest source 2025: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
- 9
Dudley Street
CambridgeThemed decorations with lights, sound effects and fog every year.
Named by 2 sources · newest source 2025: see sources
Neighbors say · 0 thanks
1 more street is waiting for a second source. Know a good one? Tell us about it.
Plan your night
- 5:39 PM Sunset on Oct 31
- Forecast Appears here about a week before Halloween
A walking loop to start with
- Mount Vernon & Pinckney Streets Beacon Hill
- Louisburg Square Beacon Hill
- Marlborough Street Back Bay
- Union Park South End
About 1.4 mi of walking in total, always to the nearest next street. Start around sunset and stay on sidewalks.
Getting there
- There is no parking in Beacon Hill on Halloween; take the Red Line to Charles/MGH and go 4–5:30pm with little ones.
- Popular streets run out of full-size bars fast, so start early and watch for evening street closures.
Sources: Boston Family Calendar (2026) · George Group Boston (2025)
Streets where neighbors pledged candy
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We show street totals only, never which houses. Giving out candy? Pledge your street.
Trunk-or-treats, shop trick-or-treating and parades
Public events at public places. Check the organizer’s page before you go.
- Festival
Fall-o-Ween Children's Festival
- 4:00–8:00pm
- Boston Common Frog Pond
- Cost: see event page
City-run festival with a not-scary zombie maze, crafts, trackless train and treats.
Boston.gov (2026) ↗ - Shops hand out candy
PruBoo
- 11:00am–1:00pm
- Prudential Center
- Cost: see event page
Indoor trick-or-treat at 30+ stores and restaurants; good rain plan.
Boston Family Calendar (2026) ↗ - Festival
Halloween in the Gardens
- 10:30am–1:00pm
- Gardens for Charlestown, 499 Main St
- $10 per child
Crafts, face painting, games and pony rides.
Gardens for Charlestown (2026) ↗ - Festival
Pumpkin Stroll & Family Halloween Fun
- 10:00am–3:00pm
- Boston Public Market & Rose Kennedy Greenway
- Cost: see event page
Free crafts and games at the market, then a pumpkin hunt along the Greenway.
HappeningNext listing (2026) ↗
Running a trunk-or-treat or shop trick-or-treating? List your event, free.
Live on one of these streets and want it off the map, or see something wrong? Tell us. We act within 24 hours. Safety tips: printable checklist.
Halloween night kit
- Glow sticks & braceletsDrivers see kids from far away.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Kids' flashlightDark sidewalks, uneven steps.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Reflective tapeStick it on bags and dark costumes.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Trick-or-treat bucketLight-up ones double as a light.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Non-food treats (teal pumpkin)An option for kids with food allergies. Check for latex and small parts.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
- Candy in bulkFor the porch. Full-size bars win.Shop on Amazon ↗ · paid link
Halloween games
The Haunting of Hollow HouseA Halloween murder-mystery party in a book, for 6 to 12 players. Nothing to print.See on Amazon ↗ · paid link
Whodunlist: The ReunionOne giant word-search mystery: 1,960 guests, 12 clues, 1 lost friend. Large print.See on Amazon ↗ · paid link
Whodunlist: The Christmas PartyFind the Secret Santa among 1,225 guests. A puzzle for the night after Halloween.See on Amazon ↗ · paid link
Boston trick-or-treat FAQ
Where is the best trick-or-treating in Boston?
Locals name Mount Vernon & Pinckney Streets (Beacon Hill), Marlborough Street (Back Bay), Rutland Street (South End) most often.
What time is trick-or-treating in Boston in 2026?
Halloween is Saturday, October 31, 2026. Most blocks run from dusk, around 5:30 PM, to about 8:30 PM. Mount Vernon & Pinckney Streets: About 4–8pm.