Halloween 2024 in Boston: Feasts, dance parties, drag shows, more

Boston may not go all out on Halloween like it’s hour-north witchy neighbor, Salem, but there’s plenty to do in town for those spooky season revelers out there — especially when it comes to feasts.

The range of events in and around Boston offers options to see a drag show, walk through a haunted house, or witness the cutest costume contest featuring pooch participants. But the one thing these events have in common is that there will be food and drink, in some capacity.

So get your costume together — and bring your appetite along — for these Halloween-themed food events.

Spooky season is here, and this first-time event promises a scary good time for more than a month this fall. The Wicked Haunt Fest debuts this year at Charlestown’s Hood Park, with three immersive haunted experiences that are described as “Hollywood caliber.” If being scared isn’t your thing, there will also be a beer garden, pumpkin painting, mock trick-or-treating, and plenty of food and drink vendors. 10 Stack St., Charlestown

This one’s for House Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and fine, even Slytherin. The Cambridge restaurant Glass House is crafting cocktails around the world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts, with an adult version of Butter Beer, a Death Eater Negroni, and a Half Blood Prince (their take on a New York sour). 450 Kendall St., Cambridge

Descend into the depths of Shore Leave, which transforms into Scare Leave starting Oct. 1 through Nov. 3. Back for another year, the theme this year is “Haunted Dolls,” and the tropical bar is kicking events off with a goth-themed drag show. Their other big event is the Halloween Party on Oct. 31, complete with a DJ, costume contest, and more drag. Keep an eye out for drink specials on the bar’s Instagram page, and reservations are already available for dates 30 days in advance. 11 William E. Mullins Way, South End

Time Out Market’s drag bingo and brunch is back, with Big Atlas leading the Halloween-themed bingo on Saturday, Oct. 12. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., play along (and possibly win prizes), eat food, drink cocktails, and come for the free show. On Oct. 20, get any last-minute Halloween-themed goods from the “Spooky Market.” 401 Park Drive, Fenway-Kenmore

An animated pre-Halloween event returns to the Inman Square area on Saturday, Oct. 19. The fifth annual Camberville Zombie Pub Crawl unleashes a swarm of revelers in their most undead attire across eight bars: Look alive and meet fellow inspirited characters at Portico Brewing between 5 and 6:30 p.m. Then follow the living dead onto Remnant Brewing Satellite, across-the-street neighbors New Republik and An Sibin, the Turing Tavern, Trina’s Starlite Lounge and its adjacent sibling Parlor Sports, and finally, the Druid. This is a come-as-you-are, go-as-you-please event, and stops will be about 90 minutes each. There will be food specials at every bar except the Druid and drink specials from sponsors. Families are invited to attend the first bar of the crawl, but after that, the event becomes an adults-only outing. Meet at 101 South St., Somerville

Not every Halloween party needs to lean into the scary. Leave the fake blood at home and instead get your neon spandex on for when this downtown nightclub transforms into a 1980s dance floor. General admission is $33, or guests can splurge on a VIP table with up to 15 guests. 1 Center Plaza, Downtown Boston

A Halloween bar crawl in Fenway returns on Saturday, Oct. 26. The festivities include stops at Game On, Bleacher Bar, Bill’s Bar, Loretta’s Last Call, Alibi, and Lansdowne Pub. Tickets are $9.99 and include access to all participating bars, half-off drink specials, entertainment, and several opportunities to win prizes and leave with swag. Various locations

Does your dog have a great costume this year? Dress them up and bring them to Park-9, the area’s dog park bar, for a Haunted Halloween Party and Costume Contest. From 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, Everett’s indoor doggo play place becomes a decorated Haunted Dog Mansion (also Beetlejuice-themed) with cocktail specials, treats, spooky decor, and several categories to enter into the costume contest. 48 Waters Ave., Everett

No need to say his name three times. Beetlejuice will appear regardless at this year’s Liberty Hotel Halloween party. The jail-turned-hotel known for hosting over-the-top affairs is taking inspo from the movie of the year on Saturday, Oct. 26, with eerie Beetlejuice decor, a photo booth to capture your supernatural costumes, and live sets from DJ Joshua Carl and DJ Skoolyahd. Tickets start at $95 for access to the party in the lobby and ballroom, or you can get up to eight friends together to splurge on an all-inclusive VIP table on the catwalk ($1,500) or 10 friends in the lobby ($1,850). 215 Charles St., West End

Following a special edition of Drag Bingo earlier in the month, Time Out Market continues the festivities with a wickedly fun Halloween party on Saturday, Oct. 26. From 9 p.m. to midnight, a tarot card reader, a live DJ, and Time Out’s resident drag queen Big Atlas will entertain (with the possibility of a Sanderson Sisters appearance). There will also be food specials, an airbrush tattoo artist, and a costume contest with prizes. Oh, and entry is free. 401 Park Drive, Fenway-Kenmore

With dishes like blood sausage, black silkie chicken, and pigeon pie, Harvest’s All Hallow’s Eve dinner takes inspiration from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. This eerie menu features the unexpected — including one mystery cocktail hour bite dubbed the “Withered Corpse Game” — from executive chef Nick Deutmeyer, with canapes, four courses, and cocktails. Reserve, if you dare, for Sunday dinner on Oct. 27. 44 Brattle St., Cambridge

Expect a vibe that’s “Paul Revere’s midnight ride meets the Sanderson Sisters” during this prix fixe menu and drag show at the Revere Hotel’s restaurant, Rebel’s Guild. The menu features pub fare, and during the drag performance, stay seated for bewitching performances and spellbinding costumes starting at 6:30 p.m. on Halloween evening. 200 Stuart St., Bay Village

The Halloween partying doesn’t stop on Oct. 31 because on Friday, Nov. 1, there’s Día de los Muertos to celebrate. Nautilus Pier 4 is hosting its annual Halloween party on the Day of the Dead this year and is encouraging revelers to come dressed for the theme. Besides festive decor and face painting, there will be dinner service, a first-come, first-serve bar with specialty cocktails, and a DJ. The event is not ticketed, but those seeking out dinner at the Seaport spot are urged to make reservations. 300 Pier 4 Boulevard, Seaport