Halloween celebrations are in full swing this weekend. The Commander’s Mansion will host the second annual Wicked Watertown on Saturday, and enjoy some fall fun at Gore Place on Sunday. It’s a weekend of theater at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, with two classic plays hitting the stage — one put on by the Watertown Children’s Theatre and the other by the Actors’ Shakespeare Project. Take an inside look at artists studios on Saturday and Sunday during the Turtle Studios Open Studios. While the event is just over the river in Newton, several Watertown artists create their works at the studios.
FALL FUN AT THE FARM
Sunday, Oct. 26, 1-3 p.m.
Gore Place, 249 Waltham St.
Come celebrate a not-so-scary Halloween with your family at Gore Place! Join us on our farm where we’ll be stuffing scarecrows, painting pumpkins, sipping cider and howling on hayrides. Our favorite puppeteer, Harry LaCoste and a few of his puppet friends will have you in stitches on Harry’s Hayride. He promises to bring his ukulele so bring your voice as well! This event is designed with children in mind, but guests of all ages are welcome. It is also NOT a trick-or-treat event; we’ll be heavy on the fun, light on cavities!
WICKED WATERTOWN
Saturday, October 25, 2025 from 4–8 p.m.
Commander’s Mansion, 440 Talcott Ave.
Wicked Watertown returns with free outdoor family fun + ticketed Haunted Mansion tours! Haunted Mansion tickets sold on-site only prior to entering for $5 per person (cash pay is the FAST lane!) — everything else is FREE and open to the public.
Spooky Tours 4–6pm (kid and sensory-friendly), Scary Tours 6:30–8pm (for thrill-seekers), Live DJ + dancing @boswitches, Flashlight storytime with WFPL, Adopt-a-Ghoul participants on the North Lawn. Games & prizes until 7pm in the reception tent. Costume contest judging starts after 7 p.m., Nardone Funeral Home hearse on display, Joe’s Variety pop-up dinner for purchase, Halloween crafts, Photo station with free digital downloads, Free parking in East garage on Kingsbury Ave, Costumes encouraged. Join us if you dare … we’re dying to see you!
MACBETH by Actors’ Shakespeare Project
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 24 & 25 at 7 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday Oct. 25 & 26 at 2 p.m.
Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St.
It’s the last weekend for Actors’ Shakespeare Project’s Macbeth. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the Macbeths will stop at nothing to grasp their rightful throne — be it assassinating rivals, harnessing psychological warfare, even fracturing reality itself. With classic ASP verve and artistry, this new spin on one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written blurs the lines between free will and control, as the despotic tyrants slowly learn who is really pulling the strings.
WIZARD OF OZ by the Watertown Children’s Theatre
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 24 & 25 at 7 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday Oct. 25 & 26 at 2 p.m.
Dinah Lane Theatre, Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St.
When Dorothy drops into the Land of Oz, only one thing is certain: she’s got to find a way back to Kansas. A funny and fast-paced journey down the yellow brick road ensues, as Dorothy and her new friends travel to the fabled Emerald City to meet the Great Oz. This production features performers in grades 3-5.
OPEN STUDIOS at Turtle Studios
Saturday & Sunday, Oct. 25 & 26, noon-5 p.m.
213 California Street, Newton
This weekend, Turtle Studios will swing open its doors to the public for its semiannual Open Studios art exhibition and sale. Several Watertown artists have studios. Turtle Studios has an exciting and eclectic mix of members who keep art in their lives and bring their lives to their art in a supportive community that values the creative process, experimentation and self-expression. They are joined by a handful of guest artists who will also display and sell. Watertown artists include: Susan Jones, Sheri Kennedy, Helen Denham, Liz DeLemos, Laura Frader, Sarkis Gavlakian, Daniel Jacobs, and Dominic Killiany. This is also a rare opportunity to see this sunlit, shared space and learn about upcoming workshops and membership opportunities.