Things To Do

5 Halloween events in New Hampshire this weekend

Halloween weekend is here, and there’s more than one way to celebrate across the Granite State. While haunted houses and ghost tours are popular ways to get into the spooky spirit, this weekend’s lineup offers plenty of alternatives for anyone looking to try something different.

Halloween Events in New Hampshire
Looking for Halloween fun? Check out five events happening across New Hampshire Oct. 30–31, from costume parties to a beach celebration. (Beth Teutschmann/Unsplash)

Halloween weekend is here, and there’s more than one way to celebrate across the Granite State. While haunted houses and ghost tours are popular ways to get into the spooky spirit, this weekend’s lineup offers plenty of alternatives for anyone looking to try something different.

Some Halloween events in New Hampshire are all about dressing up and hitting the dance floor. We’ve got things like country line dancing in Newmarket and DJ-led costume parties in Portsmouth, Manchester, and Laconia.

Prefer something outdoors? Head to Rye, where Halloween Hang Ten brings costumes, surfing, and a beach cleanup to Jenness Beach. It’s a different way to celebrate the holiday, especially for families looking for daytime activities.

Bottom line? There’s no shortage of options for a Halloween outing. If you’re planning a night with friends or searching for family-friendly things to do in New Hampshire, this weekend has something worth checking out.

Halloween Events in New Hampshire
Looking for Halloween events in New Hampshire this weekend? You’ll find it all, from costume parties and live music to dancing, spooky celebrations, and a family-friendly beach gathering, there’s plenty of Halloween fun happening across the Granite State. Whether you’re planning a night out with friends, searching for family-friendly activities, or hoping to try something different, these five events offer plenty of ways to celebrate. (Beth Teutschmann/Unsplash)

5 Halloween events in New Hampshire happening Oct. 30–31

🤠 603 Line Dance Halloween Party with Freddy & The Freeloaders

Newmarket, Oct. 30, 22 Ash Swamp Road

Dust off your cowboy boots and get ready for a Halloween country dance party at Rockingham Ballroom. Enjoy live music from Freddy & The Freeloaders, line dancing, partner dancing, and country swing.

Costumes are encouraged, and the best Dolly Parton-inspired outfit wins $100 cash. The venue is BYOB, with snacks and mixers available for purchase.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., with dancing from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 online or at the door.

More info

👻 Wicked Dance Party

Laconia, Oct. 30, 781 Union Ave.

Get ready for a wicked night of dancing at the Lakeport Opera House. This Halloween bash features live DJ sets, themed cocktails, prizes, and a high-energy dance floor.

Dress to impress in your best costume and enjoy a night out with friends. Guests must be 18 or older to attend and 21 or older to purchase alcohol.

Doors open at 7 p.m., with the party running from 8 p.m. to midnight. Tickets start at $15, with reserved tables and standing-room options available.

More info

Not all Halloween events in New Hampshire involve late-night parties. If you’d rather spend the holiday outdoors, there’s a celebration happening right on the Seacoast.

Halloween Skeleton Decorations in New Hampshire
There’s no shortage of spooky sights and Halloween events in New Hampshire this weekend. From haunted houses and eerie cemeteries to costume parties, ghostly attractions, and festive decorations, the Granite State has plenty of ways to celebrate the season. If you’re looking for a good scare or just want to get into the Halloween spirit, there’s something for everyone. (Quilia/Unsplash)

🏄 Halloween Hang Ten 2026

Rye, Oct. 31, Jenness Beach

Who says Halloween has to be all about haunted houses and candy? Head to Jenness Beach for a costume-themed beach cleanup and surf celebration.

This family-friendly event features music, coffee, surfing, and plenty of spooky beach vibes. Adults and kids can compete in surf categories, with a stand-up paddleboard category and a best costume contest, too.

Costumes are encouraged, so get creative! The event runs from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

More info

🎤 Shaskeen’s Annual Halloween Party

Manchester, Oct. 31, 909 Elm Street

Celebrate Halloween with a night of music, dancing, and costumes at Shaskeen Pub. The annual Halloween bash features a dance party with Shawn Caliber and DJ Myth, plus a costume contest with cash prizes.

Want to kick off the festivities early? The pub is also hosting costume karaoke with DJ Rocafella on Friday, Oct. 30.

Saturday’s party runs from 9 p.m. to midnight.

More info

🪩 Jimmy’s Monster Halloween Dance Party

Portsmouth, Oct. 31, 135 Congress Street

Get ready to dance the night away at Jimmy’s Jazz & Blues Club’s Monster Halloween Dance Party. The venue is clearing space for a massive dance floor, with DJ Koko P spinning music and multiple bars serving drinks throughout the night.

Costumes are strongly encouraged, so go all out with your Halloween look. Limited seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

This is a 21-and-older event. The party runs from 9 p.m. to midnight. Tickets cost $20.

More info

Halloween skeleton decorations featuring Bones in a hula outfit and a skeleton dog
Halloween events in New Hampshire aren’t the only way to celebrate the spooky season. After 20 years without decorating for Halloween, reader David Masters decided it was time to have a little fun. He put together a display featuring a skeleton named Bones, a skeleton dog, and plenty of personality, spending about $160 on the decorations. He’s even changed up the scene throughout the season, posing Bones with a sign reading “My diet worked!” and having the skeleton dog take Bones for a walk. Although Masters lives on a busy road without sidewalks, where trick-or-treaters rarely venture, he decided that was no reason to miss out on the Halloween fun. (Photo courtesy of David Masters)

More Halloween things to do in New Hampshire

These Halloween events in New Hampshire are just a few ways to celebrate the spooky season. You can dance the night away in costume, enjoy live music, or even catch some waves at the beach. There’s plenty happening across the Granite State this weekend, with options for a night out with friends, a family-friendly adventure, or something a little out of the ordinary.

But Halloween is just one weekend, and there are always more things to do in New Hampshire. Local festivals, concerts, food events, seasonal celebrations, and hidden gems offer plenty of reasons to get out and explore. The challenge is keeping track of everything happening around the state.

That’s where our free newsletter comes in! Every Wednesday, we deliver a roundup of events in New Hampshire straight to your inbox, featuring fun activities, upcoming festivals, local happenings, and unique experiences you might otherwise miss. Whether you’re looking for more Halloween events in New Hampshire or planning your next weekend adventure, sign up for our newsletter and never run out of ideas for things to do.

Historic Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, surrounded by the White Mountains.
The historic Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods is known for its stunning White Mountain views and ghostly legends. It’s one of several spooky destinations to explore while looking for Halloween events in New Hampshire. (David Trinks/Unsplash)

More spooky events in New Hampshire to add to your calendar

Looking for more spooky things to do in New Hampshire? The Halloween fun doesn’t stop with costume parties and celebrations. From haunted houses that will make you scream to eerie cemeteries and historic landmarks with ghostly pasts, there are plenty of ways to get your fright fix across the Granite State.

Beyond the Halloween events in New Hampshire happening this weekend, the state is home to plenty of chilling stories, mysterious legends, and places rumored to be haunted. Some destinations have centuries of history behind them, while others are designed to deliver heart-pounding scares with creepy characters, elaborate sets, and unexpected surprises.

You don’t have to believe in ghosts to appreciate New Hampshire’s haunted history. Historic burial grounds, chilling local legends, and landmarks with mysterious pasts offer plenty of opportunities to explore the state’s spookier side. Beyond the Halloween events in New Hampshire happening this weekend, these haunted destinations offer a chance to discover ghost stories and eerie places that have fascinated Granite Staters for generations.

If you’re searching for more Halloween events in New Hampshire or unique things to do in New Hampshire this spooky season, check out these haunted attractions and eerie destinations worth exploring:

Haunted Overload Halloween attraction in New Hampshire featuring hay bales, jack-o'-lanterns, and a dilapidated building.
Among the Halloween events in New Hampshire, Haunted Overload offers a spooky setting featuring bales of hay, jack-o’-lanterns, and a dilapidated building. (Photo courtesy of Haunted Overload)

The top 4 haunted houses in New Hampshire. Looking for other Halloween events in New Hampshire? Discover four of the best haunted houses in the Granite State, featuring terrifying haunted trails, creepy characters, elaborate sets, and spine-chilling scares.

Point of Graves Burial Ground in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a historic cemetery associated with local ghost stories and Halloween legends.
Looking for a spooky stop among Halloween events in New Hampshire? Portsmouth’s Point of Graves Burial Ground is the city’s oldest cemetery and arguably its most haunted. (Garrett Coakley/CC BY-NC 2.0)

The 5 most haunted cemeteries in New Hampshire. Halloween events in New Hampshire aren’t the only way to get into the spooky spirit. Explore five of the most haunted cemeteries in New Hampshire, where chilling ghost stories, eerie legends, and centuries of history come together.

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Exterior of the historic Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, surrounded by mountains.
The historic Mount Washington Hotel in Bretton Woods is famous for its grand architecture, mountain views, and ghost stories. It’s one of several spooky destinations to explore while looking for Halloween events in New Hampshire. (Buddymydog1972/CC BY-SA 3.0)

The 9 most haunted spots in New Hampshire. New Hampshire has no shortage of spooky places with chilling stories to tell. Explore nine of the most haunted places in New Hampshire, including historic landmarks, eerie buildings, and mysterious locations tied to ghostly legends.

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