Events

10 free things to do in Boston in October

From museum and historical gravesite tours to the Head of the Charles Regatta.

The Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston is free and takes place Oct. 16-18. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff

4 minutes to read

Whether you’re in search of a Halloween scare or peeping the changing foliage, there are plenty of ways to dive head first into fall in Boston. You can pack in some outdoor (and somewhat spooky) guided strolls through graveyards, enjoy al fresco tunes before the cold weather hits, go trick or treating with the fam, and appreciate literature with fellow book nerds, all without shelling out a dime.

Here are 10 things to do in Boston for free this October.

1. Learn about the first published African-American poet

Revolutionary Spaces, a nonprofit organization that interweaves stories of two of Boston’s most iconic sites, the Old State House and Old South Meeting House, is hosting an Oct. 1 film screening of “In Search of Phillis Wheatley Peters” along with a panel discussion. Free and open to the public, this new 35-minute documentary by director Leslie Askew explores the life, post-emancipation years, and marriage to John Peters of the first globally recognized African-American female poet, Phillis Wheatley. The museum is also part of the Boston Family Days on Oct. 4 and 11 in partnership with Mayor Wu, offering free admission for Boston school-aged children and up to two guests. Register here. (310 Washington St.)

2. Go on a mushroom hunt

Hundreds of mushrooms hide beneath the Arboretum’s canopies, silently blossoming into unique forms then withering away again just as quickly. Now’s your chance to check them out out (responsibly) as you join local mushroom enthusiast Maria Pinto to search the Arboretum grounds for both edible and poisonous ones. Meet at the Flora Way Gate (formerly Bussey St. Gate) and along the way you will learn what mushrooms to look for in different habitats and seasons, how they move through ecosystems, and what the Arboretum’s unique collections affect what mushrooms you
might find here. (125 Arborway)

3. Meet your favorite comic book creators

Wicked Comic Con comes to Boston for an entire day dedicated to comic books, their creators, cosplay, and artwork. During this event held on Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Westin Boston Seaport District Galleria, you’ll stroll the space to view dozens of vendors and artists who will have collectibles, toys, cards, comics, cosplay items, and
games on display and available for purchase. You’ll also have the chance to meet plenty of professional all-star DC and Marvel comic book creators and cosplay favorites. (425 Summer St.)

4. Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day

Honor Indigenous American peoples and commemorate their histories and cultures on Oct. 12 with free access to museums around Boston. The Museum of Fine Arts, whose collection of Native American artworks is one of its hidden treasures, is offering free admission and special events during an open house that day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., while the Institute for Contemporary Arts (ICA) is also offering free admission to view its galleries (you can grab these tickets on Oct. 11 at 10 a.m.). (Various locations)

5. Enjoy art and music

Boston’s largest and longest running free festival of art, culture and community, Opening Our Doors, will see its 25th anniversary year this Oct. 12 in the Fenway Cultural District. What began in 2001 with a dozen participating locations has grown to more than 20 participating institutions, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Huntington Theatre, and MassArt Art Museum, drawing more than 10,000 visitors annually. Held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the events begin at the Christian Science Plaza with a welcome and speaking program with elected officials and representatives from the Mass Cultural Council and City of Boston, as well as performances by Boston Children’s Chorus; New England Conservatory Prep’s Honors Woodwind Quintet; Handel + Haydn Society Ambassador Ensemble; Northeastern University’s Eon Dance Troupe and the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras Honors Chamber Group. (Various locations)

A guided tour of historical gravestones within the Granary Burying Ground.

6. Cheer as teams row, row, row their boats

Consider the Head Of The Charles Regatta as a who’s who of rowing. Held this year Oct. 16-18, the world’s best crew teams challenge each other to the ultimate rowing competition on the Charles River. Grab a spot early between the Anderson and Weeks bridges, the halfway point of the race, for the best views. Between competitions, which run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., stroll the Weld Exhibition for delicious local flavors, free samples, and official Regatta programs and merchandise. (Charles River, Boston)

7. Dive into your favorite book genre

Honoring the power of the written word, the Boston Book Festival culminates a year-long schedule of events with its 18th annual festival. Held in partnership with WGBH on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the event promotes a culture of reading and hosts several authors discussing their chosen genres, including mystery, fiction, non-fiction, art history, young adult, and science and society. (Copley Square)

8. View historical gravesites at sundown

Join a National Park Service ranger as he or she shares Boston’s diverse history through a unique guided tour on Oct. 29 at 5:30 p.m.. While walking through Boston’s Granary Burying Ground, you’ll learn what burying grounds meant to the Puritans in the 1600s and other residents of colonial New England. Find out what the emblems and imagery on gravestones mean and how they have changed throughout the years. On this tour, you’ll check out gravestones of patriots including Sam Adams, Paul Revere, and the victims of the Boston Massacre. (120 Tremont St.)

9. Get into the Halloween spirit at the Pru

More than 30 stores and restaurants at the Shops at Prudential Center sponsor the annual PruBoo – a trick-or-treat event that benefits Boston Children’s Hospital. Dress the kiddos in their cutest Halloween outfits and enjoy trick-or-treating, face painting, magic shows, pumpkin decorating, live musical performances, and more from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Oct. 25. While it’s $5 donation per child (12 and under) to purchase a trick or treat bag, all other activities are free. (800 Boylston St.)

10. Celebrate budding fashion designers

Join the ICA and the Teen Arts Council for a night filled with art-making activities, performances, and a dance party, plus free snacks and giveaways. This teen night will feature a fashion show organized by Teen Exhibitions Program in collaboration with Boston Caribbean Fashion Week, and the first 50 attendees will get a surprise. If you know of a fashionista or designer aged 14-24, they can apply to showcase their original runway looks by Oct. 2. (25 Harbor Shore Dr.)