The Best Towns in Greater Boston to Go Trick-or-Treating!

When Halloween rolls around, Greater Boston transforms into a spooky wonderland filled with glowing jack-o-lanterns, cobweb-draped porches, and streets buzzing with excited kids in costumes. For families looking for the best trick-or-treating spots outside of the city, there are plenty of safe, festive neighborhoods that go all out for the holiday! And the best part? You can easily get there by Commuter Rail! From charming small-town streets to community-wide Halloween events, here are some of the best towns in Greater Boston to go trick-or-treating. Bring the kids on an unforgettable Halloween adventure!

Halloween falls on a Friday this year, so why not make it a holiday adventure? Hop aboard the MBTA Commuter Rail to visit these towns just outside of the city for spooky fun and sweet festivities. 

On This List:

Fun for Young Trick-or-Treaters: Melrose

Known for its tight-knit community feel, Melrose’ spirit shines bright on Halloween night. Families flock to neighborhoods like the East Side and Melrose Highlands, where the streets are closed off to traffic and kids can safely roam from house to house. Residents take pride in their spooky decorations, think graveyards, skeletons, and glowing jack-o-lanterns, making the whole experience magical. 

Melrose also offers their beloved annual Melrose Trick-or-Treat at Melrose Businesses, where young trick-or-treaters can visit downtown businesses along Main Street to get Halloween candy. This event is geared towards elementary-aged and younger children, and takes place from 3:30 PM – 5:00PM on October 31, 2025. Take the Haverhill Line to either Melrose Highlands or Melrose/Cedar Park, both just over a half-mile away from Main Street. 

Perfect for Those Who Want to Stay in the City: Beacon Hill

Beacon Hill offers one of the most enchanting trick-or-treating experiences in the city. Its historic cobblestone streets glow from jack-o-lanterns and the iconic brownstones are decked out in spooky style. Residents take Halloween very seriously here, with many dressing up to hand out candy to crowds of costumed kids. Your kids might even find themselves with a full-size candy bar! Many neighborhood streets even close to vehicle traffic during trick-or-treating hours, creating a safe, pedestrian-only environment. Don’t miss Louisburg Square, where the lack of vehicular traffic combined with amazing, yet not-too-scary decorations make for the ultimate spot for families and groups of trick-or-treaters to check out. The neighborhood is safe, festive, and a truly magical spot to experience Halloween in one of Boston’s most picturesque areas. 

No Tricks, Just Treats: Wellesley

Wellesley’s wide, picturesque neighborhoods make for safe, relaxing trick-or-treating. Wellesley Hills is perfect for younger trick-or-treaters, offering less foot traffic while still delivering on festive fun. Expect beautifully decorated homes and generous candy stops. We make no guarantees, but you might even get a full-size candy bar on this trick-or-treat route! Hop aboard the Framingham/Worcester Line to either Wellesley Square or Wellesley Hills. 

Top Choice for a Quieter Night: Needham

Looking for a quieter but equally fun trick-or-treating option? Needham is a fantastic choice for families with young kids or those looking for a less-hectic trick-or-treating experience. Its residential neighborhoods are known for being safe, well-lit and welcoming. Kids love exploring streets like Great Plain Avenue and Highland Avenue, where friendly neighbors hand out treats with plenty of enthusiasm. Needham will host their Annual Spooky Walk on October 25, 2025, which invites children aged 12 and under to dress up in their Halloween costumes and stroll around Newton Center! Take the Needham Line to Needham Center Station. 

Perfect for Older Kids: Newton 

With its many villages, Newton offers trick-or-treating variety. Some neighborhoods lean heavily into the spooky decor, while others offer a more classic Halloween vibe. In West Newton, the Prince Street neighborhood takes the holiday up a notch with every neighbor getting involved. You’ll not only find candy, but also freshly popped popcorn and even live music! Just about every inch of the neighborhood will be transformed with festive lights, skeletons, fake cemeteries, jack-o-lanterns and more.

In addition to trick-or-treating, don’t miss Newton’s beloved tradition of Halloween Window Painting! This annual event allows local schoolchildren to decorate local businesses’ windows for the holiday. From goblins to ghouls and witches with their brews, anything the kids dream up that is fitting for Halloween can be found throughout seven of Newton’s villages! While this event happens on October 25, 2025, you’ll be able to admire the artwork as you walk around trick-or-treating on Halloween night.

Accessible by the Framingham/Worcester Line, you can disembark at Newtonville, West Newton, or Auburndale depending on where you want to trick-or-treat!

Family-Friendly Festivities: Beverly

A North Shore treasure that combines small-town charm with big Halloween spirit. Beverly’s neighborhoods, especially around Cabot Street and Ryal Side, are especially well-known for their festive atmosphere and generous candy distribution! Families love the walkable streets and safe environment. If you’re looking for before-Halloween fun, check out Beverly Main Streets’ Downtown Trick-or-Treat on October 23, 2025. Local shops and organizations join in the festivities and Cabot Street is closed.  Families with young children love letting their kids roam free to grab their candy. Take the Newburyport/Rockport Line to Beverly Station for a quick 1.5 mile walk to Cabot Street for the Downtown Trick-or-Treat event. 

Leading up to Halloween, The Trustees of Reservations hold their annual Halloween on the Hill in the Ryal Side neighborhood at Long Hill. This enchanting nighttime event offers a family-friendly, self-guided walk through the gardens. You’ll stroll amongst 1,500 flickering hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and spooky, festive displays. Halloween on the Hill runs from October 3 to October 30, 2025, open Wednesdays through Sundays, with additional dates on October 27 and 28. Tickets must be purchased in advance, available now on The Trustees website.    

Picturesque Trick-or-Treating: Concord

More than just a historic gem, Concord is also one of the most festive places for families to celebrate Halloween. The tree-lined neighborhoods around Monument Square and Main Street create the perfect backdrop for breathtaking trick-or-treating. Many residents go above and beyond with decorations, and adults love visiting the colonial-style homes while the kids fill their candy bags. Hop on the Fitchburg Line and get off at Concord Station for a short walk to Concord’s Main Street area. 

Fun for All Ages: Malden

Malden offers a fun mix of close-knit neighborhoods and festive spirit. Kids love the creative decorations, and many townspeople participate. On Halloween, the City of Malden trick–or-treating festivities kick off with Trick or Treat on the Plaza at 3PM. Visit City Hall Plaza to grab a ‘Trick-or-Treat Treasure Map’ which will show you where to go for Halloween goodies all around the square! Beginning at 4PM you can also stop by Suffolk Manor for even more candy. Take the Haverhill Line to Malden Center Station. 

Don’t miss Bainbridge Street, whose residents take their holidays very seriously. For Halloween, the street becomes one of the busiest in town because everyone wants to see the decorations. You’ll find not only treats, but tricks, spooks, and some frightening Halloween decorations! Trick-or-treaters may walk through some of the yards’ decorations, others are to be admired from afar. 

Neighborhoods Dressed to the Nines: Franklin

If you’re looking for a classic New England Halloween, Franklin offers safe neighborhoods, plenty of families out and about, and festive community pride. Find houses decorated in their Halloween-holiday-best as part of the Franklin Lions Club Halloween House Decorating Contest. For those looking to admire the decorations of the 6th Annual Event, there will be a map made accessible. Take the Franklin/Foxboro Line to Franklin Station. 

Perfect For Groups: Wakefield

A hidden gem when it comes to Halloween, Wakefield is perfect for families. Stroll around Lake Quannapowitt, where the neighborhood’s homes invoke a festive atmosphere, decked out in bright lights and fun decorations. The town’s community feel makes trick-or-treating extra special, and you’ll often see multiple families trick-or-treating together, adding to the excitement. Take the Haverhill Line to Wakefield Station for a night of car-free Halloween activities. 

The Center of Halloween in Massachusetts: Salem 

It’s no surprise that Salem rounds out our list of the best places to go trick-or-treating in the Greater Boston area! Known worldwide for its spooky history, Salem becomes the epicenter of Halloween all month long! While the famous Haunted Happenings events attract thousands of visitors, there are also family friendly trick-or-treating opportunities in residential neighborhoods like Salem Willows and Historic Derby Street. You’ll find homes decked out with elaborate decorations, friendly locals passing out candy, and tons of kids and kids-at-heart enjoying the festivities. There’s also the added bonus of themed events around town, from historical walking tours to museums, seasonal costumes parades and haunted houses. 

How to get there? Hop aboard the Newburyport/Rockport Line and get off at Salem Station – you’ll be in the heart of the action!

Celebrate Halloween in The Best Towns in Greater Boston to Go Trick-or-Treating

From spooky Salem streets to welcoming neighborhoods of Needham and Wakefield, Greater Boston offers plenty of fantastic places to trick-or-treat that are fun and family-friendly. And with the MBTA Commuter Rail, they’re also easily accessible! Hop on board the train to avoid the stress of driving, traffic and parking (especially in towns that close off roads for Halloween festivities)! Taking the train allows you to focus on what really matters: costumes, candy, and creating magical memories with your kids. 

So grab your candy bag, put on your costume, and get ready to head out to some of the best towns in Greater Boston to go trick-or-treating this Halloween!