Things to Do in Boston in October
October is packed. The Head of the Charles fills both banks of the river October 16 to 18, the same weekend as the Boston Book Festival in Copley Square.
Halloween takes over the back half of the month: costume parties, drag shows, PruBoo at the Prudential Center on the 25th, and more on our Halloween page. In between, the BSO premieres a new Tod Machover piece at Symphony Hall on October 22, and L7 bring their Last Hurrah tour to The Wilbur on the 26th.
Everything from today through Halloween is below, by day. Weekly trivia and karaoke have their own pages: trivia and karaoke.
At a glance
Every date
Tonight October 14
Harvard Book Store Welcomes Ayad Akhtar
Brattle Theatre
Wishy: Nature’s Pill Tour
Brighton Music Hall
Fantastic Cat
The Sinclair · All ages
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Erin French: Seize the Supper
The Wilbur
Global Arts Live presents: ALUNE WADE
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre · All ages
Dan and Phil: Hard Launch World Tour
Wang Theatre
Wednesday’s Rising Stars Showcase w/ host Dan Hall
The Comedy Studio · $20 · 18+
Preseason: Celtics vs. Hornets
TD Garden
Twangville x Dial Back Sound presents
City Winery Boston
TBOY The IPO Tour (In-Person Offering)
City Winery Boston
Jake Blount Band
Club Passim · $33 ($30 members), fees included
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
Tomorrow October 15
Open Rehearsal: Andris Nelsons with Hilary Hahn and Seth Parker Woods
Symphony Hall
ICA Free Thursday Night
ICA Boston · Free
Anthony Fuentes
Laugh Boston · From $35 plus fees · 16+
The Artist’s Voice: Tony Oursler
ICA Boston · Free
An Evening With Lifehouse Best Of Acoustic (18+)
Paradise Rock Club · 18+
Alana Springsteen’s I HOPE THIS HELPS Tour
Brighton Music Hall
Real Life
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
Tokyo Tea Room
The Sinclair · All ages
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Shane Dawson Live! Exclusive Screening of “Cancelled” plus Q&A with Special Guests
The Wilbur
Little Big Town – For The Art Of It Tour
Wang Theatre
Andris Nelsons with Hilary Hahn and Seth Parker Woods
Symphony Hall
Certified Fresh w/ host Danny Killea
The Comedy Studio · $20 · 18+
MC Lyte
City Winery Boston
Best Not Broken & Lost My Balance
City Winery Boston
Barnaby Bright
Club Passim · $30 ($28 members), fees included
TEMPESST
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
I Saw the TV Glow
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
Roast Battle Boston w/ hosts Logan O’Brien & Katy Coughlin
The Comedy Studio · $10 · 18+
Friday October 16
Andris Nelsons with Hilary Hahn and Seth Parker Woods
Symphony Hall
The Hidden
Brattle Theatre · $13.50
The Damned (18+)
Royale · 18+
100 Nights of Hero
Brattle Theatre · $19.50
Robert Kelly
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
Ryan Beatty – Arms Over Armor North American Tour ’26
Citizens House of Blues Boston
Hide Out Comedy Fridays at The White Bull
The White Bull Tavern · 21+
JPEGMAFIA
Roadrunner
Bertha: Grateful Drag (18+)
Paradise Rock Club · 18+
Gengis Don
Scullers Jazz Club · All ages
Caitlin Peluffo
The Comedy Studio · $30 · 18+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
James Dorsey
Nick’s Comedy Stop
Don Was and the Pan-Detroit Ensemble
The Sinclair · All ages
Daley plus Notebook P
City Winery Boston
Ágora Cultural Architects Present: Leo Blanco & The Sugar Road Ensemble
Club Passim · $35 ($33 members), fees included
Desert Dwellers with Entangled Mind and Skysia (18+)
Brighton Music Hall · 18+
The Fall
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
Here’s John Bishop
Shubert Theatre
Hole Show: Harvest Hole
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre · 21+
Robert Kelly
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Caitlin Peluffo
The Comedy Studio · $30 · 18+
The Glitter Boys
The Sinclair · 21+
Walker & Royce (21+)
Royale · 21+
glADDY8rs Late Night – Stand Up Comedy Death Battle
Improv Asylum · 16+
Saturday October 17
Small Mart
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre · All ages
Donkey Skin
Brattle Theatre · $13.50
Aretha and the Soul of the 60s
City Winery Boston
MUSIC BINGO 80s, 90s, 2000’s and today!
City Winery Boston
KIDZ BOP Daytime Dance Party
Paradise Rock Club
The Fall
Brattle Theatre · $17.50
Hen House Spooky Slumber Party
Improv Asylum · 16+
Jeff Greenspan: Deviant Acts
The Comedy Studio · $15 · 18+
Akaash Singh: Generational Triumph Tour
The Wilbur
100 Nights of Hero
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
Robert Kelly
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
Mo Lowda & the Humble (18+)
Royale · 18+
Mo Lowda & the Humble (18+)
Royale · 18+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Sylvan Esso
Citizens House of Blues Boston
SUGAR
Roadrunner
Gilla Band (18+)
Brighton Music Hall · 18+
The Ugly Stepsister
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
Zach John King
The Sinclair · All ages
Ann Hampton Callaway – Here’s To Life
Scullers Jazz Club · All ages
Caitlin Peluffo
The Comedy Studio · $30 · 18+
HERlarious
Nick’s Comedy Stop
Alice Smith
City Winery Boston
Noshows + Belle Blue
City Winery Boston
Lindsay Foote
Club Passim · $30 ($28 members), fees included
Sin Bandera: Escenas US Tour
Wang Theatre
Andris Nelsons with Hilary Hahn and Seth Parker Woods
Symphony Hall
Robert Kelly
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
Club 90s Presents MJ Night (18+)
Paradise Rock Club · 18+
hyperlinked: a girl edm + hyperpop party
The Sinclair · 21+
The Beast
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Caitlin Peluffo
The Comedy Studio · $30 · 18+
Restricted (21+)
Royale · 21+
Raunch
Improv Asylum · 18+
Sunday October 18
Conscious Reggae Band Brunch
City Winery Boston
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
Brattle Theatre · $13.50
SomerStreets: Monster Mash
Somerville Avenue (Church St to Union Square) · Free
Riddle of Fire
Brattle Theatre · $13.50
The Comedy Studio’s Tour of Harvard Square: A Comedic Historical Tour and Comedy Show
The Comedy Studio · $30
Allison Russell
Royale · 18+
Innocence
Brattle Theatre · $19.50
Sunday Best w/ host Glenn Ginish
The Comedy Studio · $20 · 18+
The Kiki Moonlight Cabaret
Improv Asylum · 18+
Sienna Spiro: My House Tour
Citizens House of Blues Boston
Mason Daring & Jeanie Stahl
Club Passim · $40 ($38 members), fees included
Brand New
Roadrunner
LAUREN SANDERSON: COME SAY SUM TOUR
Brighton Music Hall
Discovering King Tut’s Tomb
The Castle at Park Plaza
for KING + COUNTRY
Wang Theatre
Carly Pearce
The Sinclair · All ages
Global Arts Live presents: HOWLEY
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre · All ages
Oh He Dead
City Winery Boston
VIVA LAS ELVIS
City Winery Boston
Cactus Tate
Laugh Boston · From $25 plus fees · 16+
Paradise Hills
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
Monday October 19
Will Varley
Club Passim · $30 ($28 members), fees included
Bethel Music (All Ages)
Royale · All ages
Harvard Book Store Welcomes Kerry Kennedy
Brattle Theatre
Brand New
Roadrunner
EMEI – Night at the Opera Tour
Paradise Rock Club
Joe Pug and Willie Watson
City Winery Boston
Teen Taiwanese Uke Sensation Feng E in Boston!
City Winery Boston
Will Varley
Club Passim
Piaffe
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
Tuesday October 20
Plini: An Unnameable Desire North American Tour (18+)
Paradise Rock Club · 18+
Traces of Home
Brattle Theatre · $15
Crystal Ballroom Movie Trivia
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre · All ages
The Thorn
Wang Theatre
Free Comedy Open-Mic
The Comedy Studio · Free · 18+
Greg Freeman
The Sinclair · All ages
House Teams
Improv Asylum · 16+
Haggis X-1 with KALILOOPS
City Winery Boston
Twangville Songwriter Showcase
Club Passim · $30 ($25 members), fees included
Jim Shepard and Casey Affleck in Conversation
Brattle Theatre · $15
Wednesday October 21
Patricia Peña: Malgusto (Comedia en español)
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
Cavetown – Running With Scissors Tour
Citizens House of Blues Boston
Paris Paloma
Roadrunner
The Tallest Man on Earth (18+)
Royale · 18+
HEY, NOTHING: THE HOUND TOUR
Paradise Rock Club
Ecca Vandal
Brighton Music Hall
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Bechdel Cast Ten Year “Whoops We Didn’t Dismantle the Patriarchy” Anniversary Tour
Brattle Theatre · $35
Wednesday’s Rising Stars Showcase w/ host Pamala Zabala
The Comedy Studio · $20 · 18+
Hank Azaria and the EZ Street Band – A Springsteen Celebration
The Sinclair · All ages
Grace Givertz + Jacob Perez
Club Passim · $30 ($28 members), fees included
Thursday October 22
North by Northwest
Brattle Theatre · $13.50
ICA Free Thursday Night
ICA Boston · Free
Hawthorne Heights – 20th anniversary of If Only You Were Lonely
Citizens House of Blues Boston
Desi Alexander
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country (18+)
Royale · 18+
Sophie Truax: Can’t Split a Worm Tour
Brighton Music Hall
Bruins vs. Predators
TD Garden
Friko
The Sinclair · All ages
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Nate Jackson: Big Dog
The Wilbur
North by Northwest
Brattle Theatre · $15.50
already and not yet: A world premiere by Tod Machover
Symphony Hall
Sam Miller
The Comedy Studio · $26 · 18+
Kayla Blackburn
Club Passim · $30 ($28 members), fees included
Kill Tiny
The Comedy Studio · $10 · 18+
Friday October 23
Waylon Wyatt (All Ages)
Royale · All ages
Union Town
Brattle Theatre
Quadeca
Citizens House of Blues Boston
Hide Out Comedy Fridays at The White Bull
The White Bull Tavern · 21+
Assembly of Dust (18+)
Brighton Music Hall · 18+
Best In Boston Showcase
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
Passim Presents Carsie Blanton
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
Celtics vs. Knicks
TD Garden
Dana and Alden
The Sinclair · All ages
Brian Simpson
Scullers Jazz Club · All ages
Fumi Abe
The Comedy Studio · $30 · 18+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Coraline: The Drag Tribute
Club Café · $35 ($45 VIP) plus fees
Nate Jackson: Big Dog
The Wilbur
Mike McCarthy
Nick’s Comedy Stop
Upstate
City Winery Boston
Jim Kweskin & Samoa Wilson
Club Passim · $45 ($43 members), fees included
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Brattle Theatre
Dirty Disney
Laugh Boston · From $29 plus fees · 18+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Fumi Abe
The Comedy Studio · $30 · 18+
The Glitter Boys
The Sinclair · 21+
Virtual Riot & Blanke – Far From Home Tour
Royale · 21+
Saturday October 24
Fork in the Road
Brattle Theatre
Boy Band Brunch – Y2K Halloween
City Winery Boston
VCR
City Winery Boston
All About the Money
Brattle Theatre
The Other Side of Memory
Brattle Theatre
Will Abeles
The Comedy Studio · $15 · 18+
Big D And The Kids Table: A Nightmare Before Halloween
Paradise Rock Club
Best In Boston Showcase
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
DRIVEWAYS with special guests The Spill Canvas & Have Mercy
Citizens House of Blues Boston
Trae Crowder
The Wilbur
Jesse Welles
Roadrunner
Assembly of Dust (18+)
Brighton Music Hall · 18+
The Nields
Club Passim · $38 ($36 members), fees included
Give Me the Ball!
Brattle Theatre
Bruins vs. Sharks
TD Garden
Lexi Jayde
The Sinclair · All ages
Tim Ray Trio feat Edmar Colon
Scullers Jazz Club · All ages
Comedy Gold w/ host Uri Shatil
The Comedy Studio · $26 · 18+
Joey Carroll
Nick’s Comedy Stop
Bob Schneider plus Chris Trapper
City Winery Boston
Halloween at Pazza: Costume Party
Pazza on Porter · Free · 21+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
HOUSU + A Tape: The American History of Nobuhiko Obayashi’s HOUSE
Brattle Theatre
The Late Night w/ host Kevin Turner
The Comedy Studio · $26 · 18+
Brave Rave
Royale · 18+
fruitstand presents: goths vs jocks
The Sinclair · 21+
Raunch
Improv Asylum · 18+
Sunday October 25
PruBoo 2026
Prudential Center · Free
Local Shorts Program
Brattle Theatre
Halloween Drag Brunch with Mizery
Club Café · $25 plus $2.25 fee · 21+
Cut to David
Brattle Theatre
Let’s Not Die: A Live D&D Comedy Performance
The Comedy Studio · $10
The Oldest Person in the World
Brattle Theatre
The Comedy Studio’s Tour of Harvard Square: A Comedic Historical Tour and Comedy Show
The Comedy Studio · $30
Dale Elliot Jr
Laugh Boston · From $40 plus fees · 16+
Movements
Roadrunner
Holywatr: Deo Gratias Tour
Paradise Rock Club
MARIS
Brighton Music Hall
Stash Wyslouch
Club Passim · $30 ($28 members), fees included
Playing POTUS
Brattle Theatre
Luke Kidgell
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre · All ages
Kaboom! Comedy & Variety
The Comedy Studio · $15 · 18+
ivri
The Sinclair · All ages
Noah Gundersen: Rites of Spring US TOUR FALL 2026
City Winery Boston
Drew Ryder Smith
City Winery Boston
The Man In Black: A Tribute to Johnny Cash
The Wilbur
Rod Wave
TD Garden
Monday October 26
Mr. Nobody Against Putin
Brattle Theatre
Bassvictim
Roadrunner
LØLØ: God Forbid a Girl Goes on Tour
Brighton Music Hall
Passim Staff & Board Show
Club Passim · $25 ($20 members), fees included
Lilyisthatyou
The Sinclair · All ages
Celtics vs. Bulls
TD Garden
Michael Jackson’s Thriller Live
City Winery Boston
L7: The Last Hurrah Tour
The Wilbur
Elements of Cinema: Halloween
Brattle Theatre
Tuesday October 27
Dreams That Money Can Buy
Brattle Theatre · $22
THE ARMY, THE NAVY: THE FAKE BRAVE TOUR 2026
Paradise Rock Club
Maddie Zahm: Everything All The Time Tour
Brighton Music Hall
Free Comedy Open-Mic
The Comedy Studio · Free · 18+
House Teams
Improv Asylum · 16+
Celtics vs. Nets
TD Garden
Built to Spill
The Sinclair · All ages
Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: The Future Is Vintage World Tour
The Wilbur
Laura
Brattle Theatre · $18
Wednesday October 28
Candlebox – Can’t Quit You Tour, Fall 2026
Citizens House of Blues Boston
A Place in the Sun
Brattle Theatre · $18
Yebba
Roadrunner
Judah & The Lion (All Ages)
Royale · All ages
HARBOUR
Paradise Rock Club
After
Brighton Music Hall
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Wednesday’s Rising Stars Showcase w/ Rob Crean
The Comedy Studio · $15 · 18+
Built to Spill
The Sinclair · All ages
Toad The Wet Sprocket: Rings, The Acoustic Tour
The Wilbur
HAAS (Natalie & Brittany Haas)
Club Passim
KATSEYE
TD Garden
Thursday October 29
ICA Free Thursday Night
ICA Boston · Free
Jessimae Peluso
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
Grahame Lesh & Friends (18+)
Paradise Rock Club · 18+
Eph See: Halloween Homecoming Show pres. by Blair B*tch Project (18+)
Brighton Music Hall · 18+
The Debut
Brattle Theatre
John Summit
TD Garden
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
The Moth Mainstage: Tightrope
The Wilbur
Dan St. Germain
The Comedy Studio · $20 · 18+
Blake Whiten
The Sinclair · All ages
Peter Mulvey presents the Lamplighter Sessions
Club Passim · $35 ($33 members), fees included
Fruit Basket – All Queer Comedy Show
Improv Asylum · 16+
Friday October 30
20 Years of Nekrogoblikon with Special Guests Aborted
Paradise Rock Club
DJ Meredith Marks
Royale · 18+
Rehearsals for a Revolution
Brattle Theatre
Splou
Laugh Boston · From $30 plus fees · 16+
Hide Out Comedy Fridays at The White Bull
The White Bull Tavern · 21+
Jenna Davis
Brighton Music Hall
Death Becomes She/Her: The Drag Musical
Club Café · $35 ($45 VIP) plus fees
Celtics vs. Bulls
TD Garden
The Hails
The Sinclair · All ages
Santi Debriano
Scullers Jazz Club · All ages
Comedy Gold w/ host Shaun Connolly
The Comedy Studio · $26 · 18+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Stacy Kendro
Nick’s Comedy Stop
Punchis Punchis: Banda Rave Experience (18+)
Citizens House of Blues Boston · 18+
moe.
The Wilbur
Peter Mulvey presents the Lamplighter Sessions
Club Passim · $35 ($33 members), fees included
Bedford Park
Brattle Theatre
GASH: HALLOWEEN FRIGHT
Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre
The Folk Collective: MAGIC IS REAL!
Club Passim · $27 ($25 members), fees included
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
The Late Night w/ host Pamala Zabala
The Comedy Studio · $26 · 18+
The Glitter Boys
The Sinclair · 21+
PERREOLAND – HALLOWEEN EDITION
Royale · 21+
Saturday October 31
La Gradiva
Brattle Theatre
Bruins vs. Blackhawks
TD Garden
Ashes
Brattle Theatre
Jeff Allen
Laugh Boston · From $35 plus fees · 16+
Boston Halloween Bar Crawl
Hojoko · 21+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
Everytime
Brattle Theatre
Jeff Allen
Laugh Boston · From $35 plus fees · 16+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
LIL PEEP 30TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Citizens House of Blues Boston
Sueco
Paradise Rock Club
Halloween 2026
Bully Boy Distillers · $15 · 21+
Death Becomes She/Her: The Drag Musical
Club Café · $35 ($45 VIP) plus fees
Pianist Benny Green
Scullers Jazz Club · All ages
Comedy Gold Halloween Edition w/ host Kevin Lamory
The Comedy Studio · $26 · 18+
Coward
Brattle Theatre
GFunny SPECIAL HALLOWEEN EVENT at Nick’s Comedy Stop 10/31
Nick’s Comedy Stop
moe.
The Wilbur
ICA Halloween: It’s Magic!
ICA Boston · $150 ($125 ICA members), all-inclusive · 21+
Broadway Rave (18+)
Brighton Music Hall · 18+
Peter Mulvey presents the Lamplighter Sessions
Club Passim · $35 ($33 members), fees included
Demetrius Hullum & Friends
Laugh Boston · From $33 plus fees · 16+
horsegiirL
Roadrunner
Haunted Hotel: A Halloween Ball at the W
W Boston · 21+
Trixie’s Halloween Dance Party
Royale · 21+
DIVALAND OF THE DEAD!!!
The Sinclair · 18+
Main Stage Show: Nightmare on Hanover Street
Improv Asylum · 16+
The Late Night Halloween Edition & After Party w/ host Theo Konstantino
The Comedy Studio · $26 · 18+
Spin the Bottle
The Sinclair · 21+
Split Rock
Brattle Theatre
Raunch
Improv Asylum · 18+
Times, prices and age rules are checked against each venue or organizer’s own page; the check date is on every listing. Plans change, so confirm with the venue before you go.
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