Halloween is in the air! If trick-or-treating or celebrating at a costumed bash isn’t on the list, maybe something artistically engaging could fit the bill. Luckily, we’ve put together a roundup that includes a ghostly silent film, a tour of a historic house and a literary haven turned spooky soiree.
Thursday, Oct. 30
This classic tale of a sinister vampire comes alive at Lesley University’s screening of the 1922 silent film “Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror,” directed by F. W. Murnau. Max Schreck portrays Count Orlok, the chilling character who preys on Ellen, the wife of his estate agent, while bringing plague to their village. The movie, presented at the Marran Theater, will be accompanied by a live orchestra, the Arpeggione Ensemble, playing a reconstruction of the original score by Hans Erdmann. The beat group utilizes historical instruments from the beginning of the 20th century, including the harmonium, as well as flute, strings and clarinet. General admission tickets are $30.
Thursday, Oct. 30
Visit the Boston Athenaeum, one of the oldest independent libraries in the country, for a spooky soiree. From 5:30-7:30 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to hear ghost stories and have their fortunes told over tarot cards and tea leaves, while enjoying candy, beat and other refreshments available for purchase. Come prepared for a literary costume contest, and spend the night exploring the Athenaeum’s special collections. Members are free to attend; member guest tickets are $10, and visitor tickets are $20.
Friday, Oct. 31-Saturday, Nov. 1
Take a trip to Concord to experience The Old Manse, a “handsome Georgian clapboard built on the banks of the Concord River in 1770,” for a candlelit journey into the past. We’ve been assured by The Trustees of Reservations, the event’s organizers, that the Old Manse is not a haunted house but perhaps something more eerie. You will pass through rooms that were once shared by Nathaniel and Sophia Hawthorne, as well as philosophers and revolutionaries. Flashlights will be provided for navigating the old residence as you hear about writings from letters and journals. Adult member tickets are $12, while nonmember tickets are $20.
Saturday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 2
Seraphim Singers, an ensemble dedicated to performing sacred choral beat, presents two days of “Danse Macabre,” a concert that will center around readings of Charles Baudelaire’s evocative poem about the graceful, universal, inevitable and irresistible pull of death. Readings will be offset by musical sequences, which include Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem, Op. 9, as well as works by Camille Saint-Saëns and Lili Boulanger. The performance is intended to bring comfort to those grieving, and it will be hosted at different spaces: Holy Name Parish in West Roxbury and First Church in Cambridge. General admission tickets are $30. The group is also offering a “First Time Promo” — purchase a $30 ticket and two individuals may attend.
Saturday, Nov. 1-Sunday, Nov. 2
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is traditionally celebrated Nov. 1-2 in Mexico, and it’s a time to gather together to honor the lives and spirits of friends and family who have died. At the Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge, a cultural festival and gathering will begin at 2 p.m. Artisan vendors offering snacks, crafts and more will be on site along with a commemorative altar and a parade of catrinas, a popular figure associated with the holiday. In addition, 2025 WBUR Maker Marissa Molinar brings a Mexican folkloric dance workshop, and a live orchestral performance by Orchestra Unidos (an ensemble of Latin American musicians) begins at 7:30 pm. Festival admission is free, with a suggested donation, and seating for the concert starts at $40.
The Veronica Robles Cultural Center is observing Día de los Muertos with a multiday, multisite festival that will culminate in two free community events held on Sunday. At the ICA Watershed in East Boston, view a community Ofrenda installation that honors the lives of ancestors and departed ones, before its dismantling at 8 p.m. In Chelsea’s Winnisimmet Square Park, join festivities from 1-5 p.m. Spectators can expect to enjoy a procession that “brings the spirit of Día de Muertos to life,” while absorbing plenty of art and culture. Another community altar will be displayed at Chelsea City Hall Plaza until the end of Sunday’s activities.
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