City of Cambridge Halloween Events and Important Safety Tips

The Halloween season offers a variety of fun events for children, youth, and families across the City of Cambridge. Various city departments will be sponsoring Halloween events in Cambridge from October 24 -31, 2023. Please see a listing of some of the events below.

Pajama Story Time Tuesday, October 24, 6:45-7:30 p.m., O’Neill Branch Library, 70 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge. Children and their grown-ups are invited to join us for fun and scary songs and stories for a late October treat. Feel free to wear your favorite cozy pajamas or a scary or fun costume! Pajama Story Time is presented by the Cambridge Public Library and the Center for Families. For more information, contact us at 617-349-4023.

Wednesdays of Wonder (WOW) Wednesday, October 25, 1-2:30 p.m., O’Neill Branch Library, 70 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge. Come to the Library for games and a different activity each week. Kids of all ages can hang out and do crafts or STEAM activities. No registration required. This week’s activity will be Halloween themed. For more information, contact us at 617-349-4023.

Cambridge Police Assisting at Inmanween Friday, October 27, 3 p.m. Trick or treat at Inman Square shops; 4 p.m. Halloween crafts with Alex Makes Art in Vellucci Plaza; 6:30 p.m. Spooky movie.

Spooky Scavenger Hunt Saturday, October 28, 1-5 p.m., Valente Branch Library, 826 Cambridge Street, Cambridge. Children and their caregivers, join us to seek out some familiar faces hidden across Valente in a seasonal spooky scavenger hunt. This event is recommended for ages 5+. For more information, contact us at at 617-349-4015.

DIY Inflatable Costumes Monday, October 30, 3:30-5 p.m., O’Neill Branch Library, 70 Rindge Avenue, Cambridge. Make Do It Yourself costume pieces at the Library. Inflatables use recycled materials to create air-powered wearable creations. Recommended for ages 10 and up. For more information, contact us at 617-349-4023.

Cambridge Police Department Open House, Tuesday, October 31, 2-4 p.m., Community Room,125 Sixth Street.

Trick of Treat on City Hall Lawn, Tuesday, October 31, 3-6 p.m., Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue. Put on your best costume and join the Mayor’s Office, the City Manager’s Office, Cambridge Police, and Cambridge Fire for candy, pumpkin painting, and more Halloween Fun. Feel free to attend for as long as you'd like and then continue trick-or-treating around the neighborhood.

Trick or Treat Prep Time Tuesday, October 31, 3-5 p.m. Central Square Branch Library, 45 Pearl Street, Cambridge. Join us in the Children's/Teen Room to kick off your Halloween. Make treat bags and hear some spooky stories. Have a treat (or two) and share some good, silly tricks (nice ones only, please). Costumes encouraged but not required. All kid ages; under 7 with caregivers. For more information, contact us at 617-349-4010.

Party and Costume Parade Tuesday, October 31, 3-5 p.m., O’Connell Branch Library, 48 Sixth Street, Cambridge. Come show off your scary, silly, sparkly, or magical costume! We'll march, dance, sing songs, play games, and read some not-too-scary stories. For kids of all ages and their caregivers. For more information, contact us at 617-349-4019.

Halloween Open Houses Tuesday, October 31, 4-6 p.m., at most Cambridge Fire Houses, except at Engine 6, 176 River Street, which is closed for renovations. All are welcome to drop in and visit with the firefighters and check out the apparatus, tools, and equipment. Kids are invited to wear their costumes. Candy donated by Cambridge Brands will be distributed to visitors. Glow sticks will also be distributed and the first 30 children to visit each fire house will receive a coupon for 1 scoop (kid size) of ice cream from JP Licks. Please keep in mind that fire companies are in service during the Open House and may have to respond to an emergency call.

Halloween Safety Tips
For general Halloween safety, all kids are reminded to wear reflective colors, carry a flashlight when it gets dark, and use extra caution crossing streets. Young children should be accompanied by an adult or a responsible older kid. When wearing a costume, watch for trip hazards, especially on stairs. Allow plenty of clearance if passing a heat source or open flame when in costume. Open flames should never be used as Halloween decorations or costumes. Any treats given to kids should be checked out by an adult. View more Halloween fire safety tips from Cambridge Fire Department.

Additionally, on Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, Cambridge Police Officers will be out in various areas of the city engaging with people in the community who are out trick or treating.