NOTE: The impending weather may affect some of these events.
The Portsmouth Halloween Parade takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 31 (which also marks the delayed reopening of The Press Room, which will host a Halloween Party featuring the infamous Doctor Gasp & The Eeks). To get you in the spirit, here are 12 (or so) spooktacular Halloween-themed events coming to Seacoast venues this weekend.
Rochester Zombie Walk
Zombies and other colorful creatures — including participants from several local dance schools and studios — will march from the Rochester Common to the Union Street parking lot on Friday, Oct. 26, starting at 6 p.m. There will also be trick or treating at downtown businesses from 4-6 p.m. Learn more here.
Ghosts on the Banke
Long-dead sea captains, 17th-century shopkeepers, and wayward pirates will prowl the hallowed grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum in Portsmouth on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 and 27, from 5:30-8 p.m. There will also be trick or treating, spooky plays, a bonfire, and more. Tickets are $8; learn more here.
Jumbo Circus Peanuts
The Seacoast’s premier party band is providing the entertainment at two Halloween parties this year. The first is at The Stone Church in Newmarket on Friday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. The second is at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. Both are $10-$12.
Spinal Tarp Mark V
Every year around Halloween, a group of well-versed local musicians get costumed in leather and pay homage to the late, great, fake heavy metal band Spinal Tap. The fifth annual Spinal Tarp concert takes place at the Dover Brickhouse on Friday, Oct. 26, at 8 p.m. Learn more here.
Exeter Halloween Parade
Exeter has its own Halloween parade, which marches down Swasey Parkway on Saturday, Oct. 27, led by the Exeter High School Blue Hawks Marching Band. There will also be a costume contest, pumpkin carving contest, and downtown trick or treating. It all takes place 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; learn more here.
Kittery Halloween Celebration
The Kittery Community Center is teaming up with the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard MWR for this 17th annual celebration on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the Frisbee Common (Star Theatre if it rains). There will be games, bouncy houses, horse-drawn hayrides, a costume contest, and free pumpkins. Learn more here.
Dover Zombie Walk
In lieu of a traditional parade, Dover holds its 13th annual Zombie Walk on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. The undead will shamble down Central Avenue from the Greater Dover Chamber of Commerce to Adelle’s Coffeehouse, where they’ll devour Jell-O brains and have a costume contest. Learn more here.
Halloween @ Sue’s
Some big names are playing at the Halloween party at Sue’s in Rollinsford on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 8 p.m., including Bonnie Raitt, Neil Young, Nick Drake, and others (all in costume). There will also be a dance party and costume contest. The $5-$10 suggested donation benefits Sue’s. Learn more here.
Halloween burlesque
The Boston BeauTease burlesque repertoire presents the Boo-Lesque variety show at The Castle on Charles in Rochester on Saturday, Oct. 27, from 9-11 p.m. ($18). Then, on Sunday, Oct. 28, at 7 p.m., drag duo Bunny and the Fox present The Cult of Horror Grotesque Burlesque Show at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth ($25).
Throwback Brewery’s Halloween Harvestfest
The second annual Halloween Harvestfest features live music from The Grim Brothers, kids’ games, a costume contest, food specials, and limited-edition fall beers. The carnival-themed event, a fundraiser for Seacoast Eat Local, takes place at Throwback Brewery in North Hampton on Sunday, Oct. 28, from 12-4 p.m. Learn more here.
Trucktoberfest Halloween Bash
The first ever Trucktoberfest Halloween Bash features about 15 food trucks, a video game truck, a pop-up clothing truck, face painting, body art, live music, an opera-house skit, a costume competition, and more. The event is on Sunday, Oct. 28, from 12-5 p.m., outside the Lilac Mall in Rochester. Learn more here.
Halloween-themed theater
Recommendations for creepy theater: The York High School Drama Department presents Bram Stoker’s Dracula at the York Community Auditorium ($5-$7); The Players’ Ring in Portsmouth presents The Brechtones, featuring former Portsmouth Halloween Parade grand marshal Bruce Pingree as Death ($18); and the Rochester Opera House presents Evil Dead The Musical ($20-$26).
For a complete calendar of local events, click here. For more on the Portsmouth Halloween Parade, click here.