Autumn along the South Coast brings crisp ocean breezes, vibrant foliage, and a calendar packed with festive Halloween activities. Whether you’re looking for low-scare daytime trick-or-treating, hands-on craft sessions, historic ghost stories, or a classic late-night cult film, Greater New Bedford offers plenty of ways for all ages to celebrate the season. Pack up the family, dress up in costume, and check out these top spots for Halloween fun this October!
🎃 Top Community Events & Festivities
| Event | Location | Key Highlights | Best For |
| Boo at the Zoo | Buttonwood Park Zoo (New Bedford) | Daylight trick-or-treating, festive animal enrichment, and family photos. | All Ages / Toddlers & Kids |
| Great Pumpkin Parade | Rotch-Jones-Duff House (New Bedford) | Jack-o’-lantern display, lawn games, scavenger hunt, & Toe Jam Puppet Band. | Young Children & Families |
| Hauntings at the Fort | Fort Phoenix (Fairhaven) | Free dusk program featuring ghost stories, local folklore, and Revolutionary War history. | Families & History Buffs |
| Ghosts and Legends with Jeff Belanger | Dartmouth North Branch Library (Dartmouth) | Free multimedia storytelling program exploring regional and global ghost tales. | Families & Mystery Lovers |
| The Rocky Horror Picture Show | Zeiterion Performing Arts Center (New Bedford) | Classic movie screening with a live shadowcast performance by RKO Army. | Adults & Teens (18+) |
| Pumpkin Party & Costume Swap | Millicent Library (Fairhaven) | Free pumpkin carving on the lawn and costume swaps for kids. | Budget-Friendly Fun |
| Spooky Survival Open House | WRWA River Center (Westport) | Interactive wildlife activity learning how local critters navigate autumn. | Nature-Loving Kids |
| 7-Acre Corn Maze | Buzzards Bay Brewing (Westport) | Fall farm navigation with a fun themed maze challenge. | Whole Family & Teens |
🍂 Featured Highlights: Festive Local Traditions
The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Zeiterion
- When: October 31 @ 7:30 PM
- Where: Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase St., New Bedford, MA
- Tickets: $20 | Recommended for Ages 18+ (Rated R)
After a five-year hiatus, The Rocky Horror Picture Show makes its triumphant return to the Zeiterion stage on Halloween night! The cult classic film will play on screen while the iconic RKO Army performs live as a shadowcast alongside the movie, bringing the high-energy, interactive experience back to downtown New Bedford.
Ghosts and Legends with Jeff Belanger
- When: October 17 @ 2:00 PM
- Where: Dartmouth North Branch Library, 211 Cross Road, Dartmouth, MA
- Admission: Free & open to the public
Join acclaimed storyteller and researcher Jeff Belanger for “Ghosts and Legends,” an engaging multimedia program that dives into the unusual, unexplained, and spooky. Perfect for curious minds, this session weaves together haunting tales, folklore, and ghost stories from around the region and across the globe.
Hauntings at the Fort
- When: October 14 @ 5:30 PM (Dusk)
- Where: Fort Phoenix, 100 Green St., Fairhaven, MA
- Admission: Free
Presented by the Fairhaven Village Militia as a special edition of “Evenings at the Fort,” this dusk gathering brings local history to life with a spooky twist. Families can gather at historic Fort Phoenix to hear chilling ghost stories, intrigue-filled local folklore, and Revolutionary War history connected directly to the fort and harbor.
Boo at the Zoo
Every October, the Buttonwood Park Zoo transforms its grounds into a non-scary Halloween wonderland. Kids can dress up in full costume and walk the path to collect treats from sponsored treat stations scattered around the zoo. It’s a great way to combine wildlife education with classic trick-or-treating in a safe, enclosed environment.
AHA! Night & The Great Pumpkin Parade
Downtown New Bedford’s monthly cultural night takes a festive turn in October at the historical Rotch-Jones-Duff House and Garden Museum. Stroll through the historic gardens lit by community-carved jack-o’-lanterns, enjoy a scavenger hunt inside the mansion, and dance along with local favorites, the Toe Jam Puppet Band.
Spooky Window Clings! 
Get ready for some spook-tacular Halloween fun! Join us to make your own spooky ghost decorations to take home and display in your windows. 
Date: Tuesday, October 6
Time: 5 PM – 6 PM
Location: Howland Green Library, 3 Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford MA 02744
🧙 Tips for a Smooth Spooky Season
- Layer Up for Coastal Breeze: October evenings near the New Bedford harbor, Fort Phoenix, and Buzzards Bay can get chilly quickly—ensure costumes leave enough room for a warm jacket underneath.
- Check Library Calendars: Community libraries across the area—such as the Dartmouth North Branch Library and Millicent Library—frequently host spooky storytimes, guest speaker events, pet ghost craft workshops, and pumpkin decorating sessions throughout the month.
- Beat the Crowds: For popular outdoor destinations like local corn mazes and trick-or-treat walks, arriving earlier in the day ensures easier parking and shorter lines for little ones.
