Halloween is next Sat., Oct. 31 but there are plenty of opportunities to get in the holiday spirit this week and next at haunts in Dorchester and beyond.

Spooky Story Hour at Chill On Park
Thurs., Oct. 22 6-7p.m.—142 Park St. Dorchester, MA 02122 Ghostly Ice Creams, Witches Brew Coffee, Creepy Cookies, and other Ghoulish Treats.

Halloween Costume Party at St. Brendan Lower Church Hall
Sat., Oct. 24 at 11a.m.—St. Brendan Parish, 15 Rita Rd., Dorchester. $5 per person and $20 per family. There will be a pumpkin patch, pie and donut eating contest, costume parade, and lots of prizes to win!

Zoo Howl at Franklin Park
Sat., Oct. 24 and Sun., Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-3p.m., 1 Franklin Park Rd., Dorchester. Children throughout New England are invited to trick-or-treat among the animals at Franklin Park Zoo.

Harvest Festival at Cedar Grove Gardens
Cedar Grove Garden’s annual Harvest Festival, 12:30-3 p.m. 911 Adams St., Dorchester. Free. Features horse drawn wagon rides,”hayrides”,through Dorchester’s own garden cemetery, Cedar Grove Cemetery from 1-3 p.m. Pinatas for the kids to swing at starting at 1:45, 2:15 and 2:45 p.m. Free popcorn, balloons, cider and apples. Coloring for the little ones and prizes. Rain or shine event. Costumes for kids are encouraged!

Mattahunt’s Halloween “Haunted Happenings” Family Fun Night
Wed., Oct. 28, 5:30p.m. - 7:45p.m. at Mattahunt Community Center, 100 Hebron St., Mattapan. Free dinner catered by Sodexo, scary haunted house maze, and many fun activities.

Also on Oct. 28, Boston Police at Area B-3 host their annual Haunted House for children ages 12 and under at the station house on Blue Hill Avenue from 4-8 p.m.

Halloween Party & Magic Show in Lower Mills
Thurs., Oct. 29 from 4-6p.m. at the Lower Mills Branch of the Boston Public Library, 27 Richmond St, Dorchester. Kids and teens will play spooky games, eat ghoulish treats, and watch a magic show. This event is free and open to the public, large groups register by calling 617-298-7841.

Red Sox Pumpkin Carving Contest at Fenway
Thurs., Oct. 29 5-7:30p.m. at Fenway Park, 4 Yawkey Way. Enter your pre-carved pumpkin to be judged and displayed on Halloween night at Fenway.

Boston Grown Up’s Museum presents Fright Night
Thurs., Oct. 29 7-11p.m. at Boston Children’s Museum, 308 Congress St. 21-plus. Prepare to party, play and compete in the best costume challenge. Tickets $20.

Franklin Park Halloween Night Hike
Friday, Oct. 30 7-8:30p.m. at Franklin Park, 1 Franklin Park Rd, Dorchester. Meet at the Valley Gates Parking Lot midway along the main park road – bus #16 – google Circuit Drive & Glen Lane. Look for the lighted Jack O’Lantern. No flashlights allowed! Guided hike in the Franklin Park forest. Wear walking shoes, costumes not recommended.

Halloween at the EMK Institute
Sat., Oct. 31 10a.m.-3p.m., 210 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester. Admission is free to all Massachusetts children under the age of 17.

Len Cabral: Some Scary Stories and Some Not at JFK Library
Sat., Oct. 31 10:30am. JFK Library, Columbia Point, Dorchester. For kids, ages 5 and up. Come in costume. Reservations are required, but the event is free. See jfklibrary.org.