Your 2025 Nantucket Halloween Guide
10/17/2025
Fall on Nantucket brings a subtle magic - crisp air, quiet streets, and the island embracing its off-season. Our Halloween events are deeply local, and below is a curated list of Halloween/fall events happening this month!
Downtown Halloween Celebration & Parade
When: Friday, October 31, 2025: arrival around 3:30 pm for the costume contest; parade kicks off at 4:00 pm
Where: Base of Main Street (Lieutenant Max Wagner Memorial Fountain) → up Main Street → Centre Street
What to Expect: Costume contest (judging starts before the parade), followed by trick-or-treating among downtown businesses.
After the parade, families are invited to: Whaling Museum Spooky Activities (13 Broad Street)
Time: 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm
Details: Free spooky crafts, games, and trick-or-treating inside the museum.
Looking for other festive events outside of October 31? Keep reading!
Trails & Treats (LLNF – Linda Loring Nature Foundation)
Where: 110 Eel Point Road
When: Friday, October 24
What: A family-friendly trail walk with Halloween/fall-themed stops and activities for kids. Costumes are welcome but not required.
Dreamland Halloween Party
When: Friday, October 31
What: A ticketed Halloween Bash featuring DJ Lay Z Boy, a costume contest, a cash bar, and lite bites!
Annual Rose & Crown Halloween Party
Where: 23 S Water Street
When: Friday, October 31 at 10pm
This is a longtime local favorite: join the Rose & Crown for their annual party! For adults, this party features spooky brew, DJ Frank White, and best costume prizes. 21+
“Nautical Nightmare” at Coast Guard Station Brant Point
In past years, the Coast Guard has hosted a family-friendly haunted event (haunted house, donations encouraged) around October 30th.
Tip: Typically runs in the evening hours (6:00–10:00 pm or similar). Check the Coast Guard or Town of Nantucket for 2025 confirmation.
Bonus Fall & Pre-Halloween Events
To stretch the season beyond just October 31, Nantucket also hosts a few early/fall events that segue into Halloween energy:
Cobblestones & Catwalks: A shop-local, fall-shopping themed event mid-October. It’s less spooky, more cozy & festive.
Movie Nights & Ghost Walks: The Nantucket Atheneum often screens horror/thriller double features in October. (Check their calendar for titles and times.)
Nantucket High School Homecoming Weekend
October 24th
6:00pm- Pep Rally at Vito Capizzo Stadium (free admission)
7:00pm- 3rd Annual Pig Roast and Bonfire (pig roast meal: $20, bonfire: free admission)
Tip: concession stand will be open if you do not buy a pig roast ticket
October 25th
Homecoming Parade: Nantucket High School → rotary → up mainstreet → back
11:30am- Whalers Boys Varsity Soccer vs. Martha’s Vineyard
1:00pm- Whalers Girls Varsity Field Hockey vs. Martha’s Vineyard
1:30pm- Whalers Girls Varsity Soccer vs. Martha’s Vineyard
3:00pm- Whalers Varsity Football vs. Sandwich (senior recognition at 2:00pm)
Halftime: homecoming court announcement & cheerleaders performance
6:30-9:00pm- Nantucket High School Homecoming Dance
(Watch calendars for changing times, locations, and JV games)
Nantucket Conservation Foundation’s Fall Fair and Batacular Bike Race
Held October 26th. Activities include hayrides, live music, children's games, and more fun activities for all ages. Food trucks will be provided. Hosted at the same time, the Batacular Bike Race will loop through the Moors trails.
Nantucket Island Cup
Get your tickets asap for the 45th annual Island cup, hosted on Martha’s Vineyard, November 1st. A steamship slow ferry will be provided for travel to and from the islands.
Tips & Things to Know
Free island bus (“Ride the Wave”) is often free on Halloween day to help people get to events downtown.
Wear layers. Nantucket evenings in late October can be chilly.
Bring small flashlights for walking between venues (and so kids feel a bit spookier).
Watch local calendars (Town of Nantucket, Chamber of Commerce, events.nantucket.net) as event details firm up.
Happy Halloween, Nantucket!