Needham families can spend Halloween bouncing between a petting zoo, inflatable obstacle courses and live rock music at Greene's Field on Saturday, Oct. 31.

Needham Park and Recreation is hosting Fall Family Day, a free afternoon lineup that also includes mini golf, pumpkin decorating and a professional storytelling performance. Most activities require no registration and carry no fee.

The day starts early at Needham Public Library, where staff will lead a Slightly Spooky Story Time at 9:30 a.m. in the Community Room. The session runs until 10 a.m. and is geared toward children ages 3 to 7, according to the town's Fall Family Day page. No registration is required.

Greene's Field afternoon

The Greene's Field activities open at 1 p.m. with a petting zoo run by New England Party Animals. Kids can hold bunnies, guinea pigs, baby chicks, chickens, ducklings, goats and lambs until 3 p.m.

At 1:30 p.m., storyteller Rona Leventhal takes the stage for "Goblins and Giggles: Stories for Halloween!" The hour-long show mixes silly and spooky tales for young audiences.

Also starting at 1:30 p.m., two inflatable obstacle courses and a bouncy house open alongside a nine-hole mini golf course. Both run until 5 p.m.

Needham band the Tear Downs plays classic rock from 3 to 5 p.m. During the concert, families can decorate pumpkins donated by Roche Brothers, try themed arts and crafts, or enter a creativity contest to design the cover of the Park and Recreation Department's Spring/Summer 2027 brochure. The winning design will be chosen by department staff.

All Greene's Field activities are free except the Spooky Walk, a group trick-or-treat through businesses in the center of town. That event costs $12 with preregistration or $20 for same-day sign-up.

Bookish Trick-or-Treat

The Book Shop of Needham opens its doors from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for a Bookish Trick-or-Treat, according to Patch. Visitors who arrive in costume get 20% off a book. The shop is also handing out Halloween treats, "Book Bucks" grab bags and a guess-how-many game where the winner takes home a free book. Games and discounts are open to children ages 12 and under, according to the shop's event listing.

Saturday, Oct. 31 at a glance

  • 9:30–10 a.m. Slightly Spooky Story Time, Needham Public Library Community Room (free)
  • 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Bookish Trick-or-Treat, The Book Shop of Needham (free entry; costume discount on books)
  • 1–3 p.m. Petting zoo, Greene's Field (free)
  • 1:30–2:30 p.m. Goblins and Giggles with Rona Leventhal, Greene's Field (free)
  • 1:30–5 p.m. Inflatables and mini golf, Greene's Field (free)
  • 3–5 p.m. The Tear Downs concert, Greene's Field (free)