North Shore, October 12, 2025
News Summary
October brings a variety of exciting events and attractions to the North Shore, north of Boston. Families can enjoy activities at local farms, Halloween programming in Salem, and various fairs and festivals throughout the month. Notable highlights include the Topsfield Fair, Halloween celebrations, and outdoor recreation opportunities such as apple picking and hiking. With diverse options ranging from guided kayaking to intimate farm dinners, there’s something for everyone to enjoy as the autumn season unfolds.
Salem
What: A regional guide to October events and attractions north of Boston, highlighting family farms, Salem’s Halloween programming, fairs, outdoor activities, and seasonal entertainment across the North Shore.
Where: North Shore communities including Salem, Topsfield, Danvers, Peabody, Amesbury, Ipswich, Beverly, Rockport, Gloucester, Marblehead, Lynn, North Andover, Boxford, and other nearby towns.
When: Throughout October, with specific events and dates noted below.
Key details — overview
The North Shore offers an extensive range of activities for October, including family-run farms, Salem’s Haunted Happenings, and various autumn fairs and festivals. The Topsfield Fair runs from October 3 to 13, featuring carnival rides, food vendors, arts and crafts displays, agricultural demonstrations, and the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Salem is a central hub for Halloween activities with daily events including Hollowed Harvest (a jack-o’-lantern festival) and a food court on Salem Common.
Highlights in Salem include the Salem Night Faire at Pioneer Village, costume balls, magic shows, a haunted speakeasy, and an artisan marketplace every weekend. Popular North Shore farms offering hayrides include Connors Farm in Danvers, Brooksby Farm in Peabody, and Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury. The region features beautiful apple orchards for picking, such as Boston Hill Farm, Smolak Farms in North Andover, and Russell Orchards in Ipswich.
October is also a great month for hiking in the North Shore, with recommended trails including Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Maudslay State Park, and Bradley Palmer State Park. Mountain biking is encouraged this month at trails in Harold Parker State Forest, Ravenswood Park, and Boxford State Park.
Notable events and seasonal programming
Oktoberfest celebrations in October include a festival at Appleton Farms on October 4, featuring live music, local beers, and food. The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem provides seasonal programming including the “Sinister Streets” walking tour and an interactive play called Haunted Histories: Condemned on October 16. Smolak Farms in North Andover hosts Fall Festival Weekends with live music, food, and activities every weekend.
Guided kayaking adventures are available at Crane Beach on the first two weekends of October. The Cabot Theater in Beverly offers seasonal movie screenings all month, including classics like Hocus Pocus and Psycho. Harvestfest occurs in downtown Rockport on October 18 with live entertainment, artisan vendors, food, and kids’ activities.
Marini Farm in Ipswich offers an interactive seven-acre corn maze each autumn. Connors Farm features two corn mazes: one during the day and a haunted maze at night called “Hysteria.” The Cape Ann Museum’s Green Campus showcases technology highlights and historical exhibits starting October 11. Greenbelt offers nature activities in October, including birding and sketching events.
Local farmers markets continue through the month, including markets in Wakefield, Haverhill, Marblehead, and Lynn. October is great for weekend getaways to places like Cape Cod, Maine, or New Hampshire with off-season rates. Appleton Farms hosts intimate Farm Dinners, with a dinner on October 23 featuring organic, plant-based dishes.
Cider Hill Farm’s “Sweet Halloween” event includes trick-or-treating and a costume contest on multiple weekends. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is screened at venues across the North Shore throughout October. Local breweries to visit include Brewery Silvaticus, Oak & Iron Brewing, Notch Brewing, and True North Ale Company.
The “Edgar Allen Poe Double Header” performances occur at Gloucester Stage Company on the last weekend of October. Cider donuts, a fall favorite, are available at several North Shore farms. The Essex Clamfest on October 25 features local vendors, food, and a chowder tasting contest.
Salem-based “Hocus Pocus” cast members will reunite for the “It’s Just a Buncha Halloween” event featuring movie screenings and Q&As from October 2-5. Connors Farm offers nighttime attractions, including Haunted Fields and a Flashlight Maze during select weekends in October. Long Hill hosts the “Halloween at Long Hill” event featuring over 1,500 jack-o’-lanterns on trails through October.
Salem Historical Tours will conduct a walking tour of the Salem Village witch trials sights on select dates. The Maudslay State Park will feature spooky character performances on trails for Halloween spirit on October 19-20. The Willowdale Estate will host a Halloween Gala on October 24. Original 10-minute plays centered on Halloween themes are scheduled for October 25-27. Hammond Castle offers family-oriented trick-or-treating on October 30 and a candlelight tour on Halloween night.
Planning tips and access
Many events run on weekends or specific dates; some attractions require advance tickets or have limited capacity. Outdoor activities such as hiking, apple picking, corn mazes, and farm visits are subject to seasonal hours and weather conditions. Evening events and haunted attractions may have age recommendations or restrictions. Parking, transit options, and on-site amenities vary by venue. Visitors should consult event organizers for the latest details on hours, tickets, and safety guidelines.
Summary
The North Shore presents a wide selection of October activities for families, adults, and seasonal visitors, ranging from traditional fairs and fall festivals to haunted attractions, museum programming, outdoor recreation, and local food and drink events. Key dates include the Topsfield Fair from October 3 to 13 and several single-day festivals and recurring weekend offerings across Salem and neighboring towns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When does the Topsfield Fair run?
A: The Topsfield Fair runs from October 3 to 13, featuring carnival rides, food vendors, arts and crafts displays, agricultural demonstrations, and the All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off.
Q: What daily Halloween activities are available in Salem?
A: Salem is a central hub for Halloween activities with daily events including Hollowed Harvest (a jack-o’-lantern festival) and a food court on Salem Common.
Q: Which farms offer hayrides on the North Shore?
A: Popular North Shore farms offering hayrides include Connors Farm in Danvers, Brooksby Farm in Peabody, and Cider Hill Farm in Amesbury.
Q: Where can visitors go apple picking?
A: The region features beautiful apple orchards for picking, such as Boston Hill Farm, Smolak Farms in North Andover, and Russell Orchards in Ipswich.
Q: What notable museum programming is available in Salem?
A: The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem provides seasonal programming including the “Sinister Streets” walking tour and an interactive play called Haunted Histories: Condemned on October 16.
Q: When is Appleton Farms’ Oktoberfest?
A: Oktoberfest celebrations in October include a festival at Appleton Farms on October 4, featuring live music, local beers, and food.
Q: What special events does Connors Farm offer in October?
A: Connors Farm features two corn mazes: one during the day and a haunted maze at night called “Hysteria.” Connors Farm offers nighttime attractions, including Haunted Fields and a Flashlight Maze during select weekends in October.
Q: When will the Essex Clamfest take place?
A: The Essex Clamfest on October 25 features local vendors, food, and a chowder tasting contest.
Quick reference table
| Event / Attraction | Date or Timing | Location / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Topsfield Fair | October 3–13 | Carnival rides, food vendors, arts and crafts, All New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off |
| Salem Halloween programming | Daily throughout October (select events) | Hollowed Harvest, Salem Night Faire, food court on Salem Common, various weekend events |
| Appleton Farms Oktoberfest | October 4 | Live music, local beers, food |
| Peabody Essex Museum seasonal programs | Includes October 16 (Haunted Histories: Condemned) | “Sinister Streets” walking tour and interactive play |
| Connors Farm corn mazes / haunted attractions | Weekends in October (day & night) | Daytime maze, “Hysteria” haunted maze, Haunted Fields, Flashlight Maze |
| Marini Farm corn maze | Autumn weekends | Interactive seven-acre corn maze in Ipswich |
| Harvestfest (Rockport) | October 18 | Live entertainment, artisan vendors, food, kids’ activities |
| Essex Clamfest | October 25 | Local vendors and chowder tasting contest |
| Apple picking | Throughout October | Boston Hill Farm, Smolak Farms, Russell Orchards |
| Hiking and biking | Throughout October | Recommended trails: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, Maudslay State Park, Bradley Palmer State Park; biking at Harold Parker, Ravenswood, Boxford State Park |
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Additional Resources
- North Shore Magazine: 25 Things to Do This Fall
- Wikipedia: Halloween
- Patch: North Shore Hocus Pocus Cast Reunion
- Google Search: N. Shore Halloween events
- Honolulu Magazine: Halloween Events
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Halloween
- North Shore Magazine: 10 Ways to Have Spooky Halloween Fun
- Google Search: Halloween events in Boston
- Mommy Poppins: Best Halloween Events and Activities in Boston
- Google News: Boston Halloween events
- Surfer: Randy Rarick’s Legendary North Shore Halloween Parties
- Google Scholar: N. Shore Halloween festivals
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
