Halloween Weekends: Parties, at Night at the Museum and More

Looking for Halloween and autumn events this weekend? Check out this roundup of things to do across Massachusetts this Thursday through Sunday.

This is Halloween! 'Tis the season when happy haunts begin to materialize and grim grinning ghosts come out to socialize. Of course there's plenty to do in Salem, the Halloween Capital of the World, but there's plenty of local events happening, too. Here's a roundup of local Halloween and autumnal events taking place in and around Stoneham on Thursday, Oct. 25, Friday, Oct. 26, Saturday, Oct. 27 and Sunday, Oct. 28. SALEM Fangtasm: A True Blood Bash: This Halloween, Bon Temps is coming to Salem! Join Go Out Loud in dressing up as your favorite True Blood folklore character: vampires, werewolves, fairies, witches, shapeshifters, zombies, annoying white girl or obligatory shirtless male in celebration of Salem’s biggest gay Halloween …

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The Weekend: Dance to Raise Money for Breast Cancer Care

Plus, four other events happening in and around Melrose Thursday through Saturday.

When/Where: Tomorrow, October 4, 2012, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. / Bowden Park, W Emerson St & Vinton St, Melrose, MA |Get Directions »  Why Go: There will be soap, wheat and wheat-free baked goods, fine foods, fish and farm-fresh fruits and vegetables for sale. Also, there will be music, face-painting and a fundraiser for Smile Train.   Price: Free.  When/Where: Tomorrow, October 4, 2012, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. / Melrose High School, 360 Lynn Fells Pkwy, Melrose, MA |Get Directions »  Why Go: Superintendent Taymore and Curriculum Director Margaret Adams will present: “What's the Common Core? What Common Core Standards Mean for Massachusetts, the Melrose Public Schools, and Your Child.”  This forum, the first in a series on topics in education, also will…

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Boston's Big 1: Live Bands At EarthFest Saturday

One of the bigger events in Boston this weekend includes The Spin Doctors, Third Eye Blind and Switchfoot.

Be kind to the earth and yourself at Radio 92.9's EarthFest on Saturday, May 19 at the Hatch Shell in the Esplanade in Boston. The event is free. The festivities start at 10 a.m. at the Kids Planet Family Stage and at 11:30 a.m. at the main stage. Bands performing on the main stage include Twin Berlin, Eve 6, Spin Doctors and Third Eye Blind. Also at the event will be nonprofit environmental groups, a Whole Foods Market village (free samples) and an interactive learning area for children and families. And if you're not into the whole natural earth scene, there's always beer and hotdogs at HarpoonFest (Friday and Saturday) and the Hot Dog Safari Saturday. To find other weekend events in Boston, check out these listings:

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Boston's Big 1: See The Go-Go's In Concert For Mom

It's also the last chance to see the Big Apple Circus.

The first all-female band on the Billboard charts that wrote their own music and played their own instruments is coming to Boston on Sunday. And chances are, your mother remembers them fondly. So take her for Mother's Day to see The Go-Go's at the Wilbur Theater at 8 p.m. Tickets cost $39.50-$57.20. If you're not sure who they are, check out their music here (I'm sure you heard mom humming "Vacation, All I ever wanted," when she came home from work, cooked you dinner, and tucked you in). And if mom is a little more on the wild side, this weekend is the last chance to see the Big Apple Circus in the big tent at City Hall Plaza. Tickets are $20-$100. But after Sunday, its run in Boston, which began on March 27, ends.

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Boston's Big 1: SOWA Market Opens Sunday

One of the bigger events in Boston this weekend is the opening of the SOWA Open Market in the South End.

It's a little bit farmers market, a little bit flea market, craft show and fine arts fair. But there's nothing little about it. This year is SOWA Open Market's biggest opener yet with 140 indie designers, crafters, artists, musicians, farmers, food trucks and much more, according to the people who run it. The Market opens this Sunday, May 6 in a huge space at 460 Harrison Avenue in Boston's South End. And it will be open every Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 28. There are four distinct sections to the lively marketplace: a farmers market area; an area where jewelry-makers and other craftsmen sell their wares; an indoor vintage market where antiques share space with kitschy items from the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s; and a building …

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Boston's Big 1: Geek Week at ImprovBoston

Celebrate the nerd in all of us.

So maybe there are bigger events in Boston this weekend. Seth Meyers is doing two shows at the Wilbur Theater on Saturday night but both are sold out. And House of Blues is hosting a Beer and Bacon Festival on Saturday but it's sold out too. What to do? Head to Cambridge. ImprovBoston (which has it's main stage in Cambridge -- no joke) has been running a "Geek Week" from April 25-29. You can pick the show you want and buy tickets here. And if you're looking for something more high-brow, check out Alex Katz prints at the MFA. 

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Boston's Big 1: Mad Magazine Honored This Weekend

One of the bigger events in Boston this weekend is Boston Comic Con.

The legends of Mad Magazine are being honored this weekend at Boston Comic Con, a comic book convention at the Hynes Convention Center. Al Jaffee, known for the back cover fold-ins as well as "Snappy Answers to Stupid Questions," will be joined by Editor Al Feldstein, and illustrator Paul Cocker, Jr., best known for "Horrifying Cliches," and the "Mad Pet Book," according to information posted on the event's website. The event also includes dozens of other artists, many exhibits, and an art auction. The show is being held on both Saturday and Sunday. A one-day pass costs $20 and a two-day pass is $35. Tickets can be purchased online. And if comic books aren't your thing, check out other weekend events in Boston:  

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Last Chance: Tax Prep Assistance at the Senior Center

Plan for the future without sacrificing your present.

Hundreds of events are posted on Melrose Patch each week, but how often does one pass you by that you wish you hadn't missed? Each week Melrose Patch will give you a quick reminder about an event, an important sign-up, or a looming deadline you won't want to forget. Are you a senior in need of a little tax prep help? The Milano Senior Center hosts IRS-trained tax counselors each Monday until Tax Day. Appointments are strongly encouraged for these sessions. Walk-ins are taken only when time permits. Call 781-665-4304 to make an appointment. Do you know of an important upcoming deadline? Share it in the comments below and we’ll consider including it in our next "Last Chance." You can also:

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5 Things To Do In Boston This Weekend: Tower of Power, Asian Film Festival

Discounts announced on Boston holiday tickets and restaurants.

(HOT OFF THE T TIP: Mayor Menino's Office Announces Discounts On Holiday Tickets, Restaurants) (All events are in walking distance from Orange Line stops on the MBTA.) 1.) TOWER OF POWER: Get your urban soul on when Tower of Power plays the Wilbur Theatre, Saturday at 7 p.m. Tickets are $40-$75. Take the Orange Line to Chinatown Station and walk 5 minutes to the theater.  2.) ROMEO AND JULIET: The Boston Ballet performs this classic at the Boston Opera House Friday at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday at 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 1 p.m. Tickets are $25-$135. Take the Orange Line to Downtown Crossing Station and walk 3 minutes to the Opera House.  3.) BOSTON ASIAN FILM FESTIVAL: Several theaters in Boston and surrounding areas are hosting this …

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Hot Off the T: 5 Things To Do in Boston This Weekend

Tour artist studios, eat Greek food, and see the next 'Star of the Day.'

(All events are in walking distance from Orange Line stops on the MBTA.)

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