2006 Boston Halloween Happenings

Who says you have to wait until Halloween to party? With the holiday falling on a Tuesday this year, it's not surprising that many of the frightening festivities are happening over the weekend. Here's a quick guide to some of Boston's best frightening festivities.

Castle of the Damned!
If you want a mad doctor to offer you some entrails, or you like the startling scuttle of something coming at you in the dark, you’ll enjoy this disturbing guided tour of the Hammond Castle Museum. Converted for the season to be a full-on fright fest, this is a PG-13 event and not appropriate for younger children. The castle is also not handicapped accessible.
Saturday, Oct. 28, 7 p.m. - 11 p.m.
80 Hesperus Ave., Gloucester

Halloween Horror Movie Marathon
Thirteen hours of freaky flicks.
Saturday, Oct. 28 starting at midnight
Coolidge Corner Theatre, 290 Harvard Street, Brookline
(617) 734-2500

The Liquor Store's Halloween Costume Party
Costume contest winner gets $500.
Saturday, Oct. 28, doors at 9 p.m.
The Alley on Boylston St., Boston
(617) 357-6800

GLBT:

Gayla Gala
This Halloween costume event for the GLBT community benefits the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts.
Saturday, Oct. 28, 8 p.m. - midnight
The Back Bay Events Center, 180 Berkeley St., Boston
(617) 439-7700

Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project’s Halloween Costume Party
The 6th annual costume party fundraiser put on by the Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project’s.
Sunday, Oct. 29, 6 p.m.
The 33 Restaurant and Lounge, 33 Stanhope St., Boston
(617) 354-6056

Machine Nightclub

• Bloodfeast
  This 21+ event features a $1,000 costume contest. Proceeds benefit the SPJ Journalism Scholarship.
  Saturday, Oct. 28, 10 p.m.
• The Fetish, Frights & Freaks Ball
  Benefits the Boston Alliance of Gay and Lesbian Youth and the charities of ICMA Reign V.
  Oct. 29, doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m.

Machine Nightclub, 1254 Boylston St., Boston
(617) 536-1950

Family Friendly:

Halloween Town
The Boston Medical Center and iParty present this family safe event with interactive activities, jugglers, clowns, storytellers, costumed characters, laser tag, costume fashion shows, Monster Mash dance parties, give-a-ways, pumpkin decorating, trick-or-treating and more. Proceeds benefit the Kids Fund at Boston Medical Center.
Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Seaport World Trade Center, Boston
(617) 638-0100

Zoo Howl
Co-presented by Radio Disney, Zoo Howl features a haunted maze, creature encounters, crafts, games, and a trick-or-treat trail. Radio Disney will play spooky music and host the howling and costume contests on the main stage.
Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
The Franklin Park Zoo, One Franklin Park Rd., Dorchester
(617) 989-2000

Spooky World
Six scary indoor family attractions for one price.
Saturday, Oct. 28 and Sunday, Oct. 29, 1 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Bayside Exposition Center
200 Mount Vernon Street, Columbia Point, Boston
(617) 474-6541

Divas Unleashed
The second annual Halloween dog parade and contest benefits the MSPCA.
Sunday, Oct. 29.
Registration from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at Doggie Day Play Center, parade at noon.
400 Tremont St., Boston
(617) 357-7387

Haunted Happenings
There's still plenty happening up in Salem, the Halloween capital of Massachusetts. See the Haunted Happenings website for details.

Get in some last-minute pumpkin picking or take a haunted hayride at one of these seven local farms.

And if you’re looking for a last-minute costume or accessory, check out these Top Boston Costume Shops