The Head of the Charles Regatta is back Friday through Sunday, and you can watch the whole thing for free from the riverbank. Sunday is the big one for Halloween warm-ups: SomerStreets Monster Mash closes Somerville Ave, Roslindale Square goes car-free, and the Seaport does trick-or-treating for the little ones. Saturday has a Farm Day in Waltham and a costume parade in the North End. It’s going to be a few weekends of action packed Fall season fun!

This weekend we went with some friends to HonkFest and then had a great picnic (takeout) dinner in the park. Saturday and Sunday look to be clear and cool so we’re grabbing pumpkins and we may try a nice bike ride down to see the Head of the Charles this weekend!

Charles River, Boston & Cambridge  ·  Friday–Sunday, October 16–18, races from early morning into the late afternoon  ·  Free to watch  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

The biggest rowing race in the world is here this weekend in our backyard. Pick a grassy spot and let the kids count boats. Weeks Footbridge and the Eliot Bridge area get the best turns and the most crowds; the Weld Exhibition near the finish has food and swag. Saturday afternoon is the craziest time, so go Saturday morning or Sunday. Driving and parking is all shut down, so bike, or take the T or walk if you can.

Somerville Ave between Church St and Union Square  ·  Sunday, October 18, 1:00–5:00 PM  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

Somerville’s Halloween street party. A costume parade led by School of Honk, two music stages, pumpkin carving, giant puppets, face painting, inflatables, touch-a-truck with a fire truck and an ambulance, and Bluey at Play Union. Food trucks and fried dough. Rain date is Oct 25.

240 Beaver St, Waltham  ·  Saturday, October 17, 1:00–4:00 PM  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

The farm’s annual open day: pick-your-own carrots, live music, kids’ games, field tours and a bake sale. Low-key and close. Overflow parking across the street at the Girl Scouts and next door at Cornelia Warren Park.

STEAM Lab, Boston Children’s Museum  ·  Saturday, October 17, 1:30–3:30 PM  ·  With museum admission ($24)  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

Live reptiles from the Reptile Nook, up close. If you go Sunday instead, Elephant and Piggie are doing a costumed meet and greet 10:30 AM–12:30 PM.

Medford Public Library  ·  Thursday, October 15, 3:30–4:30 PM  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  Ages 5+

A mountain of Legos on a tarp. Take on the challenge build or make your own thing.

Cary Memorial Library, Lexington  ·  Thursday, October 15, 6:30–7:30 PM  ·  Free  ·  Registration required  ·  Grades 3–5

A quick lesson on Newton’s Third Law, then small teams build balloon-powered cars and race them for distance. Taught by a Lexington teen.

Boston Nature Center, Mattapan  ·  Saturday, October 17, 11:00 AM–3:00 PM  ·  $15 per person (members $12), pumpkin included  ·  Registration required  ·  All ages

Carve a pumpkin to take home, roast the seeds, do an autumn scavenger hunt across the sanctuary, and learn where jack-o’-lanterns came from. The price covers the pumpkin and tools.

Drumlin Farm, Lincoln  ·  Friday, October 16, 5:30–7:00 PM  ·  $22 per person (members $18)  ·  Register ahead  ·  Ages 5–12

Out on the trails after dark listening and looking for owls. Dress warm, bring a flashlight.

Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary, Natick  ·  Saturday, October 17, 2:00–3:30 PM  ·  $18 per person (members $15)  ·  Register ahead  ·  Ages 2–8

A short, slow birding walk built for little legs, looking for fall migrants.

Franklin Park Zoo, Boston  ·  Nightly through November 8, 5:00–10:30 PM (last entry 9:30)  ·  Tickets, cheaper online  ·  All ages

A one-mile lantern walk through the zoo after dark, about an hour at kid pace, with talking pumpkins and skeletons added for October. Stone Zoo’s Jack-O’-Lantern Nights is the smaller version in Stoneham.

Medford Public Library  ·  Saturday, October 17, 3:00–4:00 PM  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

Build an ofrenda together with flowers, candles and food, in English and Spanish. Bring a photo of someone you want to remember.

Watertown Free Public Library  ·  Sunday, October 18  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

A drop-in fall wreath craft for any age. Check the listing for the time.

West Acton Citizens’ Library, Acton  ·  Thursday, October 15, 4:00–4:45 PM  ·  Free  ·  Drop-in  ·  All ages

Make a twirligig pumpkin spinner. Materials provided.

Halloween & pumpkin festivals near Boston — the October dates that are actually on the calendar.

Pumpkin patches near Boston — where to go with kids, and when each one opens.

Apple picking near Boston — six orchards worth the drive, real prices, and how to beat the October weekend crush.

Fall foliage hikes near Boston — ten walks with real color and short enough legs.

Toddler Time (10:30 AM) — Medford Public Library · Free · Drop-in · Ages 2–3

Paint with Nature (3:30 PM) — Medford Public Library · Free · Drop-in · Ages 5+

Brookline Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration (1:00–4:30 PM) — Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village Library · Free · All ages

Memorial Drive Recreation Sunday (from 11:00 AM) — Memorial Drive, Cambridge · Free · All ages · Regatta crowds, so expect company

Shriners Trunk or Treat and Touch-a-Truck (1:00 PM) — Shriners Auditorium, Wilmington · Free · Under 14

Paws to Read with Dottie (6:00 PM) — Medford Public Library · Free · Register for a 15-minute slot

Brookline Community Playgroup (10:30 AM) — Hunneman Hall, Brookline Village Library · Free · Toddlers

Girls Who Code (6:30 PM) — Tween Room, Brookline Village Library · Free · Grades 3–5

See all 376 events this week → the full calendar

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