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From haunted mazes to eerie experiments and creative candy swaps, Winchester residents have no shortage of spooky fun this Halloween season. Local businesses and community groups are pulling out all the stops to bring both family-friendly and fright-filled activities to town.
Here are a few highlights:
Mahoney’s Haunted Maze
Through Sunday, Oct. 26
242 Cambridge, St.
At Mahoney’s Garden Center, Halloween tradition runs deep. For the past 15 years, families have wandered through the garden’s sprawling 13,000-square-foot haunted maze, a Winchester staple that blends fun and fright for all ages.
“This is our 15th year,” said Bob Rocco, director of stores at Mahoney’s. “It’s fun for all ages — anywhere from two to adult. As it gets darker, it gets a little more spooky, especially on weekends, when we have a cast of characters in costume.”
The maze features everything from graveyards and skeletons to mischievous clowns and even a monkey on the loose. During daylight hours, families often stop by after school to shop for pumpkins and let kids explore the maze before it transforms into a nighttime haunt.
The maze is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, weather permitting, through this Sunday.
Mahoney’s Trick or Treat Trail
Saturday, Oct. 25
242 Cambridge St.
This weekend also marks Mahoney’s annual trick-or-treat event, running Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., when children can follow a map around the property collecting candy — or healthier treats — from employees stationed throughout the grounds.
“Just trying to do it more as a safe Halloween, particularly for those that can’t get out on Halloween night,” Rocco said
The two events are Mahoney’s last before it starts setting up for their Christmas season.
Halloween Costume Party at the Jenks Center
Thursday, Oct. 30
109 Skillings Road
Halloween is not just for the kids. For Winchester’s older adults, the Jenks Center’s Halloween Costume Party is a must. The party is not limited to its members – anyone over the age of 55 is welcome to attend. Having a costume is mandatory for entry.
The event, held from 1:30 to 3 p.m., features refreshments, themed drinks, music and a lively costume parade. Guests can show off their costumes around the stage while attendees vote with applause for the best-dressed participants. The funniest, most creative and all-around best costumes will win prizes.
“This is the third year that we’ve hosted it, and it’s become a major success,” said Phillip Beltz, director at the Jenks Center. “We started it after COVID as a way to bring people together again.”
While the event is free, registration is required, and spots are filling fast. Beltz said it’s an afternoon full of laughter and creativity and a reminder that Halloween isn’t just for kids.
“It certainly shows that there’s no such thing as getting too old to have fun,” he said. “We’ll have tables set for groups of eight, music, snacks and a great time for everyone.”
“Dr. Fever Dream’s Sleep Experiment” at Winchester Unitarian Society
Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1
478 Main St.
If you’re looking for something a little scarier, the Winchester Unitarian Society’s haunted house is making its public debut — and it’s not your typical neighborhood haunt.
“This is the first year we’re doing a big haunted house for the public,” said Sam Wilson, director of youth and children’s ministries. “We’ve done smaller ones in the past, but this year we decided to expand it as a fundraiser.”
The immersive experience, titled “Dr. Fever Dream’s Sleep Experiment,” offers two paths:
● The Dream Space, a kid-friendly outer-space adventure filled with black lights, glowing art and “friendly aliens.”
● The Nightmare Lair, for ages 10 and up, where visitors descend into the doctor’s twisted laboratory, complete with spiders, mirrors, organ donors, and one particularly creepy assistant named Igor.
“The concept came from our youth group,” Wilson said. “They came up with the idea of a science lab sleep experiment and really ran with it. We even got props and decorations from another congregation that used to do a big haunted house.”
The haunted house runs Friday, Oct. 31, and Saturday, Nov. 1, from 6 to 9 p.m., with concessions available at the entrance.
Proceeds will benefit the society’s youth programs and upcoming service trips.
Candy Collaborations at the Winchester Public Library
Saturday, Nov. 1
80 Washington St.
For a cozier post-trick-or-treat gathering, head to the Winchester Public Library, where the Candy Collaboration lets kids meet up with friends and get creative with their candy hauls.
“We hope it’s an opportunity for friends to meet up after trick-or-treating and swap their candy or find creative ways to use their leftovers,” said Brittany Delorme, head of children’s services at the library.
The program invites children and families to bring in leftover Halloween candy for crafts, games, and sweet-tooth-friendly fun — a wind-down after a night of sugar and scares. The event will run on Nov. 1, from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Aayushi Datta is a journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Winchester News and the Boston University Department of Journalism.
