Happy Halloween, Natick. The Spooktacular Halloween party has passed, the candles lighting up the Jack o’ Lanterns at the Eliot Church contest have been doused. There’s just one thing left—trick-or-treating.
Tuesday, Oct. 31—How Natick does Halloween
Natick is definitely an October 31st trick-or-treating kind of town. (Even though every year there are pockets of fret about kids getting all wound up on a school night.)
Generally speaking, the littlest ones go out in their own neighborhoods at about 6pm.
The older kids head out a little bit later, around 6:30. We heckle kids who show up either without a costume or wearing a Patriots jersey and claiming, “I’m dressed up like a football player.” Seriously, big kids, if you’re too cool to put together a real costume, it’s time to let it go and fondly remember trick-or-treating as part of your misspent youth.
Most residents at 8pm close their doors, blow out the candles in their jack o’ lanterns, and turn off their front porch lights to signal that their house is done with Halloween.
This can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, but not by much. As far as the candy goes, certain houses have a reputation for handing out full-sized bars, and the rabid following that goes with such generosity. We’re not going to spill those sweet secrets here. You’ll have to get out there and find the best pickings for yourself.
Natick Common Halloween Spooktacular, 2023The true end of Halloween—Nov. 5
What will you do with your pumpkin after Halloween? You could put it in with your yard waste, but how much more fun would it be to smash it? All smashed pumpkins will be composted by a partner organization.
EVENT: Pumpkin Smash
DATE: Sunday, Nov. 5
TIME: 1-3pm
LOCATION: Memorial Elementary School, 107 Eliot St.
COST: Free, no registration, bring your old pumpkins
GOOD TO KNOW: Event by Natick Recreation and Parks, Natick Fire Department and Natick Community Organic Farm
Know of other events? Let us know at natickreport@gmail.com
Past events:
Jack O’Lantern Contest—Oct. 30
EVENT: Jack O’Lantern Contest
DATE: Monday, Oct. 30
TIME: Drop off your Jack O’Lantern at the Eliot Church, 45 Eliot St., before 5:30pm on Oct. 30 and then stick around to enjoy the show. Jack O’Lanterns will be on display outdoors from 5:30-6:30pm, with pick-up and awards right after that. Take back your masterpiece to use on Halloween.
LOCATION: Eliot Church, 45 Eliot St.
COST: Free
GOOD TO KNOW: Write your name, whether you are entering in the adult or kid category, the title of your pumpkin, and your email address. Also include a candle.
Questions/RSVP: info@theeliotchurch.org
Spooktacular Halloween party on the Common—Oct. 28
Balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, crafts & more.
EVENT: Spooktacular Halloween Party
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 28
TIME: 12-3pm, plus trick or treat until 4pm at local businesses
LOCATION: Natick Common in downtown Natick
COST: Free, no registration
FUN: Balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, crafts, and more
GOOD TO KNOW: A map will be coming of local organizations downtown where you can trick or treat.
A magical night in Natick Center—Oct. 28
EVENT: Magic show with Fran Flynn
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 28
TIME: 11am-noon
LOCATION: First Congregational Church, 2 E. Central St., Natick
COST: $7 tickets, online. Admission includes a slice of cheese pizza and a beverage
GOOD TO KNOW: Event takes place prior to Spooktacular on Natick Common
Pre-School Pumpkin Party—Oct. 27
Bacon Free Library will have a variety of craft stations, sensory bins, and fine motor activities, all involving pumpkins. Recommended for ages 1-5 with a caregiver. Wear clothes and shoes that can get messy. This program will be outdoors, weather permitting. Due to limited supplies, registration is required. Please visit our website to register for each child attending.
EVENT: Pre-School Pumpkin Party
DATE: Friday, Oct. 27
TIME: 10:30-11:30am
LOCATION: Bacon Free Library, 58 Eliot St.
COST: Free
GOOD TO KNOW: Wear clothes that you can get messy in
Family Monster Mash Dance—Oct. 27
All ages fun with music, snacks, games and costume prizes.
EVENT: Family Halloween Dance
DATE: Friday, Oct. 27
TIME: 4-6pm
LOCATION: Cole Center, 179 Boden Lane
COST: $10 per child
GOOD TO KNOW: Best costumes are eligible for prizes.
Adaptive Halloween Dance—Oct. 27
EVENT: Skyline Halloween Dance
DATE: Friday, Oct. 27
TIME: 7-9pm
LOCATION: Cole Center, 179 Boden Lane
COST: $10 per person
GOOD TO KNOW: Costumes are optional for this adaptive dance event.
Spooktacular Halloween party on the Common—Oct. 28
Balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, crafts & more.
EVENT: Spooktacular Halloween Party
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 28
TIME: 12-3pm, plus trick or treat until 4pm at local businesses
LOCATION: Natick Common in downtown Natick
COST: Free, no registration
FUN: Balloon twisting, temporary tattoos, crafts, and more
GOOD TO KNOW: A map will be coming of local organizations downtown where you can trick or treat.
Family Pumpkin Stroll—Oct. 20
EVENT: Family Pumpkin Stroll
DATE: Friday, Oct. 20
TIME: 4pm
LOCATION: Morse Institute Library
COST: Free.
Gothic Victorian Tales by Candlelight—Oct. 21
Enter the world of 19th century New England regional writer Sarah Orne Jewett with this theatrical presentation. Meet a family embroiled in a family curse, an odd stranger who comes to a small town, and an old woman who may or may not be immortal.
EVENT: Gothic Victorian Tales by Candlelight
DATE: Saturday, Oct. 21
TIME: 2pm
LOCATION: Bacon Free Library, Natick Historical Society, 58 Eliot St.
COST: Free. Register here.
Run for it, then stay for the fall festival—Oct. 22
2-mile neighborhood run and 50-meter monster dash for the littlest goblins.
EVENT: Wicked Fun Run
DATE: Sunday, Oct. 22
TIME: 9am
LOCATION: Brown Elementary School, 1 Jean Burke Dr.
COST: $12 ages 5-17, $30 18+, $65 max for families of 3+. Register
GOOD TO KNOW: Free Fall Festival open to all, featuring pony rides, bounce house, DJ, face painting, photo booth, pumpkin painting, bake sale, games and more.
Energy Wizards vs. Energy Vampires—Oct. 23
Family-friendly haunted house at Morse Institute Library where you can battle Energy Vampires and emerge as Energy Wizards (this is open house style—just drop by). There will be lessons to learn, wands to win, and victory buttons as badges, as we all join the fight to save the planet. Oh, and there are 50 pumpkins to give away!
EVENT: Energy Wizards vs. Energy Vampires
DATE: Monday, Oct. 23
TIME: 4pm-6pm
LOCATION: Morse Institute Library
GOOD TO KNOW: Just show up for this Town of Natick Office of Sustainability event
Hands on Nature: Nature’s Real Vampires—Oct. 23
Just in time for Halloween, come learn about bats and other real-life spooky creatures, then make a fun craft to bring home. This program is presented by Hands On Nature and is for ages 4+. Registration is required.
EVENT: Hands on Nature: Nature’s Real Vampires
DATE: Monday, Oct. 23
TIME: 4pm
LOCATION: Bacon Free Library, 58 Eliot St., Natick
REGISTRATION: online here
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