By Kelly Kasulis, News Correspondent
Entire tendrils of trees are baring, and the ground is becoming a crunchy mesh of fall colors. Warm cider and pumpkin coffee is commandeering the menu at Dunkin’ Donuts, and parent’s weekend was highlighted with not-so-scary scare crows atop bales of hay.
HalloWeek is coming up, and events are festively trickling into every college student’s calendar. With a high-stakes itinerary, many students in the area are excited to dress up and hit the town.
“The Boston bar crawls are really great around Halloween,” Rachel Conley, a fourth-year architecture major, said.
Conley says that more low-key events in themed pubs tend to be her choice night for Halloween.
Samantha Manns, a sophomore at Emerson College, says that the sentiment behind the holiday is what resonates most for college students.
“Halloween is an excuse for people to break out of their comfort zone,” she said. “The people that you wouldn’t expect have the opportunity to come out in these crazy costumes and show what they’ve been hiding–the real zany, more fun parts of their personality.”
Friday, Oct. 25
Halloween on the Harbor, 1 Seaport Lane, 7-10 p.m., $5.
For those 21+, Halloween on the Harbor offers parties at “nine of Boston’s best restaurants,” along with a shuttle, hosted by Boston Duck Tours, for easy transportation. Events will be held at locations like LAUGH Boston, the Barking Crab and No Name Restaurant, which will serve appetizers, themed cocktails, games and prizes. Costumes are welcome.
Saturday, Oct. 26
The 3rd Annual Canine Promenade, Charles River Esplanade, 12-2 p.m., free.
Swing by and see a parade of over 100 costumed pooches run around the Charles River Esplanade and compete in a costume contest. Last year’s winners included Timothy, a chihuahua dressed as a duck boat, and Shaunnessy, a chocolate lab-turned UPS truck.
Mayhem and Madness Halloween Bash, 197 Portland St., 8 p.m. – 2 a.m., $35.
For those 21+, McGann’s is hosting its 11th annual Halloween party, which includes five drinks, complementary appetizers and candy, a costume contest with cash prizes, a DJ, and psychic readings. Expect tickets to sell out fast–McGann’s has hosted a full house for the past 10 years.
Thursday, Oct. 31
Rise Club, 306 Stuart St., 1 – 6 a.m., $20.
Leading into the early hours of the morning on November 1, this 18+ night club in Back Bay will provide a swanky and hip atmosphere accompanied by DJ Kissy Sell. Come dressed up in your best Halloween attire–just make sure it’s twerkable.
Johnny D’s Uptown, 17 Holland St., Somerville, 6 p.m., $10.
This late-night concert will jam entire set lists by Hermits of Mink Halloween, Gunpowder Gelatine, and Sister Lovers starting at 8:30 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. and visitors are invited to wear costumes.
Lizzy’s Bar & Grill, 635 Cambridge St., Cambridge, 8 p.m., free.
Come by the bar for a “Saturday Night Live”-themed costume contest with a relaxed, pub-night approach to Halloween.
Beacon Hill with a Boo!, 6 p.m., Beacon Street, 6 p.m., $20.
Hosted by Boston By Foot Inc., this costume-welcome walking tour will take patrons to various locations of past murders, political scandals and unsolved mysteries in the Beacon Hill area. The tour promises all the “true and morbid tales” that haunt the Boston area.
RadioBDC Retro Halloween Ball, 1 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 9 p.m. – 2 a.m., free.
Featuring Boston.com’s radio station, Ned Devine’s will host this dance party for all people 21+.
Recurring Events
Ghosts & Gravestones: Boston Frightseeing Tour, 200 Atlantic Ave., 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. every day, $36.
This tour will take you primarily through Beacon Hill and the North End, featuring stories across several cemeteries and murder sites throughout Boston’s history. Tours run seven days a week in the month of October and depart at 7 p.m., 8 p.m., and 9 p.m. and a $4 discount is applied to all tickets bought online at ghostsandgravestones.com.
Haunted Ship: USS Salem, 739 Washington Street, booked by appointment, $15.
Also hosted by Ghosts & Gravestones, this tour will take visitors on the same haunted ship that was featured on the season five, episode 16 of “Ghost Hunters.” According to the Syfy Channel, the USS Salem was built near the end of World War II in 1945 and since, crew members have claimed that they’ve seen full-bodied apparitions and heard voices when aboard. Tour times are sporadic and can be found on the company website, ghostsandgravestones.com.
For those with tight wallets, students suggested ways that they have kept their Halloween night cheap, but fun.
“People can always enjoy the night for free by walking through the graveyards around the city, or by getting together with friends to show off their costumes,” Emani McKnight, a fourth-year political science and international affairs major, said.
Or try some old-fashioned trick-or-treating.
Look out – you might be able to snag a Kit Kat from Secretary of State John Kerry’s house in Beacon Hill.
