Halloween is approaching, and with it comes numerous spooky activities and events across Franklin County and the North Quabbin region.

Ashfield

The Ashfield Police and Fire departments are organizing the town’s first trunk-or-treat, immediately after the Rag Shag Parade, on Thursday, Oct. 31.

The Rag Shag Parade will begin outside Neighbors Convenience Store at 244 Main St. at around 6:30 p.m., but participants should show up at 6 p.m. to line up in costume. The parade will proceed to the Fire Station, with trick-or-treating along the way.

The trunk-or-treat will be held at the First Congregational Church parking lot at 429 Main St. Participating vehicles must be in place and decorated before 6:30 p.m. The best decorated vehicle will win a prize. For more details or to sign up to hand out treats, email chief@ashfield.org or call 413-628-4441, ext. 1.

Athol

A haunted scavenger hunt will be held at the Athol Public Library in the small and large program rooms on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Attendees can follow the clues to find creepy costumed characters hiding around the library, and collect candy from ghosts and ghouls until they reach the final clue, where a prize awaits.

Trick-or-treating hours for Athol on Halloween are from 5:30 to 8 p.m. The police chief sets these hours each year to ensure public safety.

The YMCA at 545 Main St. will hold a Pumpkin Family Swim on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 10 to 11 a.m. Local businesses have donated real pumpkins, which will be placed in the pool. Children can swim with the pumpkins and take one home. Participation is free for YMCA members and for non-members, it is $3 for children and $8 for adults.

Bernardston

A Halloween party is planned for The Barn behind The Farm Table restaurant at 219 South St. from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. All guests must be 21 or older to attend. There will be a costume party with prizes for first, second and third place as well as for group costume. There will be live music by AfterGlo. There is no cover charge and there will be a full bar.

The Bernardston Kiwanis Club’s annual Halloween trick-or-treat drive-thru also returns on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The event will be held at the United Church of Bernardston, 58 Church St., and folks are encouraged to enter from Hartwell Street to visit members of the Kiwanis Club, Veterans Club, the church and the Recreation Department before seeing the Fire and Police departments. The annual drive-thru is supported by all of the organizations present.

Charlemont

Hawlemont Regional School at 10 School St. will host a trunk-or-treat in the school parking lot on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 6 p.m. Setup starts at 4:30 p.m.

Colrain

Colrain Central School’s Parent-Teacher Organization invites the community to a trunk-or-treat on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the school, 22 Jacksonville Road. Costumes are encouraged. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Trunk decorators can receive prizes for most “SPOOKtacular,” silliest, most original and Treaters’ Choice. Though decorated vehicles will be parked in the back parking lot, all guests attending the event are advised to park out front. To sign up to bring a vehicle to the trunk-or-treat and hand out candy, email colrainpto@gmail.com. There will also be games, hot cider, a photo booth and Hager’s Farm Market fried dough.

Deerfield

The Deerfield Police Relief Association’s 38th annual Halloween Hayride will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27, at Deerfield Elementary School, 21 Pleasant St. Treats and refreshments will be offered at 5:45 p.m., with the hayride leaving promptly at 6 p.m.

Erving

A photo booth, trunk-or-treating and a costume parade will come to town as part of the Erving Halloween Extravaganza from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27. Starting at 4 p.m., the “Halloween Photobooooth” will be open in the library community room, and trunk-or-treating will begin in the parking lot of the Senior Center at 1 Care Drive. The Rag Shag Parade will start at 5 p.m., leaving from the library and heading down the road to Veterans Memorial Park off of Moore Street. Costumes are encouraged but not required, and a “Take a Break” low-sensory room and bathrooms will be available at the library. To sign up to bring a vehicle to the trunk-or-treat and hand out candy, visit tinyurl.com/ErvingEvents.

Celebrate Halloween on Tuesday, Oct. 29, at the Erving Senior Center with a lunch starting at noon. Guests are encouraged to wear costumes and win prizes in a contest. Candy and treats will be available. Local DJ Robert “Bobby C” Campbell will perform once the costume contest is over. Sign-ups are required for the lunch by Oct. 25. The cost is $5.

Greenfield

The Greenfield Recreation Department is throwing its annual Halloween celebration from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.

The family-friendly festivities start at 3:30 p.m., when the Garden Cinemas will offer a free showing of the 1966 film “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown.” Trick-or-treating with participating downtown businesses occurs from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Trick-or-treaters can pick up a free bag at the Greenfield Common.

The Rag Shag Parade, led by the Greenfield High School Marching Band, will commence at 5:45 p.m. The parade route begins at Mohawk Mall before concluding at Energy Park for the costume contest. Costume contest winners will be awarded pizza for the following categories: best homemade costume, funniest costume, best cartoon character costume, scariest costume, cutest costume, best adult costume, best group/family costume and best “Howl-o-Ween” costume for animals.

Alongside the Greenfield Recreation Department’s activities, Franklin County’s YMCA is offering children and parents a “Spooktacular” night from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. All activities, including gym games, inflatable obstacle courses and trick-or-treating, are free and open to the community.

The Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center will host its annual Halloween party with a concert by cover band Jimmy Just Quit on Friday, Nov. 1. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. and music starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 day of show.

In addition to the screening of “It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown” on Halloween, the Garden Cinemas will show the film again, also for free, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Children are encouraged to come in costume to either event. If they have been trick-or-treating on Halloween, they can bring their candy bags into the theater with them.

Other events tied to Halloween at the Garden Cinemas include a screening of 1973 horror classic “Ganja & Hess” (R) on Friday, Oct. 25, at 9:30 p.m.; a talk by Chris McKinnell, grandson of renowned paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m.; and a live shadow casting of the 1975 cult classic “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” performed by the Come Again Players, on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Guests are invited to dress up and can order certified prop kits. Tickets are $20. Prop kits are sold separately.

At Artspace Community Arts Center at 15 Mill St., guests of all ages are invited to stop by from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, to sculpt petite pumpkins. All materials will be provided for free.

The Discovery School at Four Corners Parent-Teacher Organization will hold its second annual trunk-or-treat at Greenfield High School, 21 Barr Ave., on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m., rain or shine. Costumes are welcome, but not required. There will be guessing games, music and voting on the best trunk. To sign up to bring your vehicle and hand out treats, email discoveryschool4cpto@gmail.com by Friday, Oct. 25.

The 19th Hole Driving Range at 1245 Bernardston Road will hold a trunk-or-treat on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3 to 6 p.m. There will be raffle prizes for adults.

Living Waters Assembly of God at 450 Davis St. will host a free event with children’s games, face painting, crafts and prizes on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. For more information, call 413-337-1992.

Four Phantoms Brewing Co. at 301 Wells St. will host a Spooky Book Fair in collaboration with The Imaginary Bookshop on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 1 to 4 p.m. Emily C. Hughes will be at the brewery to sign copies of her new book, “Horror for Weenies: Everything You Need to Know About the Films You’re Too Scared to Watch,” and a fall treats and drinks flight featuring beer, cider and cookie pairings will be available.

The Greenfield Police Station at 321 High St. will host a trunk-or-treat on Friday, Oct. 25, from 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Stoneleigh-Burnham School at 574 Bernardston Road will host a trunk-or-treat on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3 to 5 p.m. Only prepackaged candy/treats will be allowed. Displays should be appropriate for children up to age 10, with no political, religious or personal advertising involved. For more information, email Dave at dgarappolo@sbschool.org.

The Greenfield Rehabilitation and Nursing Center at 359 High St. will present its fourth annual trunk-or-treat on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Hawley

The town’s annual Halloween party will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the Hawley Grove on East Hawley Road. The event will include games, music, treats and more. For more information or to RSVP, contact Town Hall at 413-339-4294.

Heath

Residents are invited to decorate their vehicles, dress up and come to the Heath Free Public Library at 18 Jacobs Road for games, a costume parade and a trunk-or-treat on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information or to register your vehicle to hand out treats, email heath.library@gmail.com or call 413-337-4934, ext. 007.

Leyden

The annual trunk-or-treat will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 4 to 5 p.m. at Avery Field on Brattleboro Road.

Montague

Element Brewing Co. at 16 Bridge St. will offer Halloween trivia on Thursday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. The highest-scoring teams will win Element Bucks. Costumes are encouraged, but not required.

Montague Elks Lodge members and guests are invited to participate in a Halloween karaoke celebration on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 to 11 p.m. at 1 Elks Ave. Bring a food dish to share for prizes and costumes are encouraged. More information is available at tinyurl.com/MontagueElks.

Join Franklin County Technical School for its annual Halloween celebration, Trek @ Tech, on Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at 82 Industrial Blvd. This trick-or-treating event is free and open to children in preschool through sixth grade along with their parents or guardians.

The Ja’Duke Center for Performing Arts will host its second annual Boolevard Bash on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food, craft and local service vendors, children’s activities and an interactive theater display will be available. Kimberly Williams of Ja’Duke said the inaugural year of the Boolevard Bash in 2023 was a success and community members wanted to see it return. She hopes it will become a “community staple” as a festival. Admission is free and parking will be available at Franklin Tech. Updates can be found at facebook.com/jaduketheater.

The Turners Falls Thunder Music Boosters will present a trunk-or-treat on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Turners Falls High School parking lot. There will be a trunk decorating contest, a costume contest, music and concessions.

Orange

The Orange Selectboard voted to recommend trick-or-treating in town between 5 and 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31, though people are not limited to those hours.

A trunk-or-treat is planned for Crossroads Church at 92 New Athol Road from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26.

New Salem

Fire Chief Joe Cuneo said his firefighters will hand out candy and fire safety information at the station at 33 South Main St. from 5 p.m. to roughly 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31.

Northfield

The Northfield Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization plans to host a Pumpkin Palooza event starting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at the school at 104 Main St. Families will be able to carve pumpkins donated by Patterson Farm. The Northfield Police Department will have officers on hand to volunteer to hollow out the pumpkins.

Sponsored by the Northfield Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9874, with help from the Northfield Police Department, the Rag Shag Parade will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 31, at 6 p.m. in front of Town Hall. The parade ends at Northfield Elementary School. At that point, trick-or-treating has officially begun and continues until about 8 p.m. The Boy Scout house next to Town Hall will host a haunted house. For more information, visit tinyurl.com/NorthfieldHalloween.

Phillipston

The Phillipston Police Department, together with the Phillipston Fire Department, is hosting a trunk-or-treat event on the town common on Friday, Nov. 1, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. All ages are welcome. For those interested in decorating their vehicle’s trunk and handing out treats, setup will begin at 4 p.m.

Rowe

Rowe Elementary School at 86 Pond Road will host a trunk-or-treat on Friday, Oct. 25, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Fill your trunk with treats and don a costume for this family-friendly event.

Shelburne Falls

Arms Library is inviting guests to come pick up a treat from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. Costumes are encouraged, but not necessary.

Residents can also enjoy the annual Rag Shag Parade, which will begin at 5:30 p.m. outside the Blue Rock Restaurant at 1 Ashfield St. The parade will end at the Fraternal Order of Eagles at 52 State St., where there will be cider, candy and doughnuts. The event is sponsored by the Eagles, with assistance from the Shelburne Falls Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8503.

The Shelburne Grange will host its annual Halloween party on Thursday, Oct. 31, at 7 p.m. at the Fellowship Hall, 17 Little Mohawk Road. There will be games, crafts and treats.

Sunderland

Bub’s BBQ at 676 Amherst Road will host a trunk-or-treat, as well as a “doggy meet-and-greet” in support of Better Together Dog Rescue, on Friday, Oct. 25, at 5 p.m.

Warwick

A Halloween extravaganza, sponsored by the Warwick Recreation Committee, will be held from 5 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31. The schedule of events includes: a magic show upstairs at Town Hall at 5 p.m.; food, crafts, games, a costume parade and trick-or-treating on the town common and in the town center; and a candy swap at Town Hall from 7 to 7:30 p.m.

Wendell

“Ghost Town at Sundown” will be held on Saturday, Oct. 26. A procession to the South Common will start at dusk for trick-or-treating at a magical pop-up village on the Wendell Common. Call the Wendell Free Library at 978-544-3559 for more information.