Looking for Halloween fun without the nightmares? If your little ones love dressing up, pumpkins, and all things Halloween—but aren't quite ready for the really spooky stuff—we've rounded up some family-friendly Seacoast events that bring the magic without too much fright.
From trick-or-treating through a historic neighborhood to pumpkin strolls, festive fall celebrations, and a peek behind the scenes of a famous haunted attraction, there's something for every little ghoul and goblin!
And if you're wondering where we'd start, there's one event that has become a can't-miss Halloween tradition for our family!
 |
👻 Ghosts on the Banke — Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth
Our family's absolute favorite!
We've been going to Ghosts on the Banke at Strawbery Banke Museum for the last three years, and it is by far our family's favorite Halloween event! ❤️ If we had to pick just one Halloween outing to recommend, this would be it.
The historic neighborhood transforms into a Halloween adventure filled with costumed characters, trick-or-treating, spooky stories, games, music, and plenty of festive surprises. It's atmospheric and magical without being too scary for little ones, with activities designed especially for kids ages 4–8.
It's the perfect mix of Halloween fun and historic charm, and we love that there's so much more to do than just collect candy. Costumes are encouraged, so let those little imaginations run wild!
Macaroni KID Seacoast tip: This is a popular event, so grab tickets early and plan your parking ahead of time. There is no regular on-site parking for the event.
📍 Strawbery Banke Museum, Portsmouth
📅 Friday and Saturday, October 16–17 and 23–24, 2026, 5-8 pm
🎟️$17 per person
🔗Event details and tickets
 |
🦇 Not-So-Spooky Spectacular — Children's Museum of New Hampshire, Dover
Halloween fun meets hands-on learning at the Children's Museum of New Hampshire! This not-so-spooky celebration is all about the FUN, with festive activities for kids who prefer their Halloween with more giggles than goosebumps.
Expect opportunities for creative crafts, Halloween-themed activities, imaginative play, and museum exploration. It's a great option for younger children who enjoy doing and discovering rather than walking through a genuinely scary attraction.
Not-So-Spooky Spectacular is a week long event this year, so keep an eye on the museum's event page for this year's schedule and activity details.
📍 Children's Museum of New Hampshire, Dover
📅 Tuesday, October 27 - Saturday, October 31, 2026
🎟️ Included with museum admission
🔗 Visit the museum's website
🎃 Dover's First Annual Pumpkin Stroll — Dover
Hundreds of glowing pumpkins? Yes, please! The inaugural Dover Pumpkin Stroll is bringing a little extra Halloween magic to the Riverwalk Public Garden.
Take a stroll through a display of community-carved pumpkins glowing after dark. It's a lovely way to enjoy the season together, admire everyone's creative carving skills, and get into the Halloween spirit without anything jumping out at you!
Want to join in? Community members are invited to contribute their own carved pumpkins to the display, too.
Macaroni KID Seacoast tip: Make an evening of it and explore downtown Dover while you're there!
📍 Joe B. Parks Riverwalk Public Garden, Dover
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026, 5-8 pm
🎟️ Free admission
🔗 More event details
 |
🕸️ Halloween Haunt — Newmarket Recreation
Looking for a local Halloween outing to add to your fall calendar? Halloween Haunt in Newmarket is another one to check out!
It's a fun opportunity to get the kids into their costumes, enjoy the Halloween atmosphere, and make a seasonal memory close to home. This is a great one to keep on your radar if you're looking for community Halloween festivities rather than a full-on haunted house.
Be sure to check the event listing for the latest details on activities, timing, and any costume or family-friendly offerings before heading out.
Macaroni KID Seacoast tip: Hop onboard the trolley after the event to Main Street for downtown businesses trick-or-treating from 4-6 pm.
📍 Newmarket Rec Center
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026, 2-4pm
🎟️ $5/child or $10/family
🔗 Event details
 |
🍂 Fall Family Fun Fest — Portsmouth Recreation
Fall fun, costumes, and s'mores? Count us in! Portsmouth Recreation's annual Fall Family Fun Fest is a great way to celebrate the season with the whole family.
Expect music, games, food trucks, and a s'mores fire pit, with costumes encouraged. It's a nice option for families who want to enjoy the festive fall atmosphere without making the whole outing about spooky sights and sounds.
Bring the kids, grab a bite, and enjoy a little outdoor fall fun together!
📍 Community Campus, Portsmouth
📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026, 11 am–2 pm
🎟️ Free admission
🔗 Event details
🕯️ Heirloom Halloween Exhibit — Woodman Museum, Dover
For the little history buffs, curious kids, and Halloween lovers in your family, the Heirloom Halloween exhibit at the Woodman Museum offers a different kind of seasonal adventure.
Step back in time and explore how Halloween traditions evolved from the 1800s through the mid-20th century. It's a chance to discover the history behind the holiday, see how Halloween used to be celebrated, and appreciate some of the traditions that helped shape the festivities we know today.
It's a fun alternative to the usual pumpkin patches and costume parties—and a great conversation starter with curious kids!
📍 Woodman Museum, Dover
📅On view now until November 22, 2026
🎟️ Included with museum admission
🔗 Visit the Woodman Museum website
🧟 Halloween Bash — Exeter Farmers' Market
Who says farmers' markets are just for summer produce? The Exeter Farmers' Market is wrapping up its season with a Halloween Bash full of festive fun!
Families can enjoy spooky music, kids' activities, costume contests, face painting, and more. With categories for little kids, big kids, groups, and even vendors, there are plenty of reasons to show off those costumes one more time before Halloween.
It's a fun way to combine a community outing with a little Halloween celebration—and support local vendors while you're at it!
📍 Swasey Parkway, Exeter
📅 Thursday, October 29, 2026, 2:30–5:30 pm
🎟️ Free!
🔗 Event details
 |
👹 Haunted Overload Day Haunt and Fright Night Lite — DeMeritt Hill Farm, Lee
A little spooky, but worth considering for curious kids!
Okay, this one deserves a little disclaimer! Haunted Overload is famous for its elaborate, over-the-top Halloween scenes, and the nighttime experience can be genuinely scary. But the Day Haunt and Fright Night Lite are different experiences.
During the daytime, you can walk through and appreciate the incredible artistry, elaborate sets, creatures, and creative details up close—without the nighttime lighting, sound effects, or people jumping out at you. I've taken my own kids when they were almost 5 and 2½ years old, and they weren't scared at all! We were able to focus on the amazing creativity and craftsmanship that goes into building the attraction.
We have not been to Fright Night Lite yet, but this walk is at night with lights and sound, but no jump scares. I think this would be better suited for older kids who still would be too afraid for the full on Main Event, but can handle a little more spookiness.
That said, every child is different, and some of the displays are still spooky-looking. I'd recommend checking out photos beforehand if your little one is especially sensitive to monsters or creepy decorations. If your kids love Halloween and are curious about how these elaborate haunted attractions are made, this could be a really unique outing!
📍 DeMeritt Hill Farm, Lee
📅 Day Haunts - Fridays and Saturdays, October 9 - November 1, 2026, 10 am - 4 pm
Fright Night Lite - Thursdays, October 8 - 29, 7-8:30 pm
🎟️$16 per person - Day Haunt
$28 per person - Fright Night Lite
🔗 Visit Haunted Overload
Happy Halloween, Seacoast families!
Whether your little pumpkins love a little spooky atmosphere or prefer their Halloween with absolutely no scares, there are so many ways to make the season special.
Happy planning, and have a boo-tiful Halloween! 👻
🎃 No tricks here! AI helped me polish this article, but the ideas, local favorites, and mom-approved recommendations are all my own!
Looking for even more events and activities in the Seacoast? Check out our local calendar!
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter to stay in the know about all the family-friendly events and activities in the Seacoast area!
We proudly serve the towns of Brentwood, Danville, Dover, East Kingston, Epping, Exeter, Fremont, Greenland, Hampton, Hampton Falls, Kensington, Kingston, Lee, Madbury, Newcastle, Newfields, Newington, Newmarket, Newton, North Hampton, Portsmouth, Rollinsford, Rye, Seabrook, Somersworth, South Hampton and Stratham.
