A List of Massachusetts, New Hampshire Towns That Postponed Trick or Treat Night Due to Weather

It looks like Halloween is bringing us more tricks than treats across New England this year, with Oct. 31 forecast to have heavy rain and high wind gusts.

With wicked weather conditions expected to put a damper on trick-or-treating Thursday, multiple communities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire have announced they are moving back the annual tradition of handing out candy.

Lt. Anne Perriello of the the Pelham, New Hampshire, Police Department said police don't want tree limbs coming down where children are going to be trick-or-treating and they don't want visibility issues when the children will be walking through neighborhoods.

"Honestly, as long as I get candy, I'm fine with it," said trick-or-treater Jose Villasenor of Leominster.

Reyes Medina of Leominster said he understands the decision as well.

“If you have someone walking in the weather because of the leaves or because of the rain, someone’s going to slip and get hurt," she said.

Others think the weather shouldn't impact trick or treat.

“I think it should be no matter what on Halloween," said Koral Brooks. "I grew up that way, we went and we walked streets by ourselves, parents are with kids now, so just be prepared. We live in New England. We’re used to it.”

"People have plans Saturday. Halloween is the 31st of October. It’s not any other day, you have to deal with it," said Braintree resident Mark Moore. "They don’t postpone Christmas because of a snowstorm.”

Halloween will go on in Salem, Massachusetts, though officials there did cancel a planned fireworks display and several performances due to the foul weather forecast.

Trick-or-treating is also going on as scheduled in Boston. Several city streets will be closed on Thursday night due to Halloween-related events.

Massachusetts: Amesbury, Athol, Barre, Boxford, Dalton, Deerfield, Essex, Fitchburg, Groveland, Hardwick, Leominster, Lowell, Merrimac, Methuen, Monson, Newbury/West Newbury, North Adams, Oak Bluffs, Orange, Paxton, Petersham, Pittsfield, Princeton, Rowley, Shirley, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Swampscott, Tisbury, Topsfield, West Brookfield, Westminster

Amesbury, Athol, Barre, Boxford, Dalton, Deerfield, Essex, Fitchburg, Groveland, Leominster, Lowell, Merrimac, Methuen, Monson, Newbury/West Newbury, North Adams, Oak Bluffs, Orange, Paxton, Petersham, Pittsfield, Princeton, Rowley, Shirley, Southbridge, Sturbridge, Swampscott, Tisbury, Topsfield, West Brookfield and Westminster have all postponed trick-or-treating hours in Massachusetts.

Amesbury has pushed trick-or-treating back to Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Athol also changed its trick or treat day to Saturday from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Due to the inclement weather, Barre town officials moved trick-or-treating and its Trunk or Treat event at the Barre Common to Saturday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Boxford has also postponed trick or treat from Thursday to Saturday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Dalton moved its trick-or-treating to Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Deerfield also moved its trick or treat day to Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Essex officials made the decision to change the event to Friday from 5 to 8 p.m., but the police department said it is in no way stating that residents may not go out trick-or-treating on Thursday, Oct. 31. They are, however, saying that road closures and extra police presence will not be in place as they are postponing the closing of Winthrop, Pickering and Maple streets for the purpose of trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Police said while they understand that some Essex residents may want to still go out trick-or-treating on Halloween night with their children despite the inclement weather in the forecast, they suggest everyone hold off until Friday when the weather improves. Despite their suggestion, Essex police told residents in a statement, "You certainly have the right to weigh the risks and proceed on Halloween night if you wish."
With Saturday's weather predicted to offer far better trick-or-treating conditions, Groveland's police chief said the traditional Halloween event has been moved to that day from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Hardwick trick-or-treaters can collect their candy on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Leominster's police chief said the Halloween tradition will be moved to Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. for safety reasons, as he is concerned "about the darkness, winds, rain, and leaves creating dangerous driving." The town also moved trick-or-treating hours in 2011.
Lowell rescheduled its trick-or-treating hours from Thursday to Friday, from 6 to 9 p.m.
Merrimac's police chief said they didn't make the decision lightly to move trick-or-treating activities to Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Methuen has also moved its trick or treat night to Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m., according to Police Chief Joseph Solomon.
Monson postponed trick or treat until Saturday, from 3 to 5 p.m.
Newbury and West Newbury have also rescheduled trick or treat from Thursday to Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. due to the weather forecast.
North Adams moved its trick-or-treating to Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Oak Bluffs moved trick or treat to Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
Orange moved trick-or-treating to Saturday as well, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Paxton switched its trick or treat date to Saturday, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Petersham also moved trick-or-treating to Saturday from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Pittsfield moved trick-or-treating to Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Princeton moved trick-or-treating to Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m.
Citing expected inclement weather, Rowley police announced trick-or-treating was moved to Saturday, Nov. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m., when the weather is expected to be improved.
Shirley bumped its trick or treat night to Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Southbridge moved its trick-or-treating to Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
Swampscott changed trick-or-treating to Saturday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Sturbridge officials announced that they have postponed trick or treat until Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m. due to the weather forecast.
Tisbury moved trick or treat to Saturday from 4:30 to 9 p.m.
Topsfield has postponed trick or treat from Thursday to Saturday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
West Brookfield said that "due to the apparent complete lack of cooperation from Mother Nature," they are moving trick or treat to Friday, Nov. 1. Times remain the same, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
In Westminster, police said children can now collect candy from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, while Fitchburg's mayor said residents can trick or treat from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on that day.

New Hampshire: Atkinson, Belmont, Chesterfield, Deerfield, Dunbarton, Enfield, Franklin, Fremont, Hampstead, Hollis, Hudson, Kensington, Lincoln, Manchester, Merrimack, Moultonborough, Nashua, Ossipee, Pelham, Peterborough, Pittsfield, Salem, Salisbury, Swanzey, Tilton, Troy, Warren, Weare, Windham

In New Hampshire, Atkinson, Belmont, Chesterfield, Deerfield, Dunbarton, Enfield, Franklin, Fremont, Hampstead, Hardwick, Harrisville, Hollis, Hudson, Kensington, Lincoln, Manchester, Merrimack, Moultonborough, Nashua, Northwood, Ossipee, Pelham, Peterborough, Pittsfield, Salem, Salisbury, Swanzey, Tilton, Troy, Warren, Weare, and Windham are switching dates.

Atkinson moved trick or treat to Saturday, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Belmont changed its trick or treat night to Friday, from 4 to 8 p.m.
Chesterfield will also now hold trick or treat on Friday, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Deerfield changed its trick-or-treating to Saturday, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Dunbarton will hold trick or treat on Saturday from 4:30 to 7 p.m.
The town of Enfield also announced that trick or treat has been moved to Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m. due to the weather forecast.
The town of Franklin will trick or treat on Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m.
Fremont decided to move its trick-or-treating to Sunday, Nov. 3, from 4 to 7 p.m.
Kensington is also moving its trick or treat to Saturday from 5 to 7 p.m.
Hampstead has rescheduled its trick or treat for Saturday, from 6 to 8 p.m. due to what local police called a "spooky forecast."
Harrisville children will trick or treat on Saturday, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Police in Hollis want everyone to have a safe and ghoulishly good time trick-or-treating on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. Authorities are reminding residents to please be cautious, adding that they'd love to see everyone's costumes. Residents are welcome to stop by the police department during the new trick or treat hours.
Hudson moved trick-or-treating hours to Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Lincoln said due to the weather forecast, trick-or-treating has been postponed until Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Manchester police announced that they are changing the city's trick-or-treating date and time due to the heavy rains in the forecast. Trick or treat will now be held on Sunday, from 2 to 4 p.m.
"The Manchester Police Department’s utmost concern is public safety and with the rain there is the potential for flooding and downed leaves and debris," the department said in a statement Wednesday morning. "The Chief is concerned about the hazards that could pose for children and their families as they try to navigate the city streets."
Merrimack also decided to move trick or treat to Saturday, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Moultonborough will now hold trick or treat on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Officials also moved trick-or-treating to Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. in Nashua.
Northwood changed trick or treat night to Saturday, from 5 to 7 p.m.
Ossipee will now be trick-or-treating on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Pelham police thanked residents for their understanding as they announced trick-or-treating has been moved to Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. in "the interest of safety" due to the anticipated weather forecast for Halloween night.
Peterborough will also now be holding its trick or treat on Saturday, from 5 to 7 p.m.
The town of Pittsfield will be trick-or-treating on Friday, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Salem moved trick or treat night to Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.
Salisbury has moved trick or treat to Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Swanzey also moved trick-or-treating to Friday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tilton moved its trick-or-treating to Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m.
Troy will also be trick-or-treating on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m.
The town of Warren moved its trick or treat to Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. as well.
Weare will postpone trick-or-treating until Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Windham rescheduled trick-or-treating for the same time Saturday and encouraged residents to "enjoy and be safe."

Other communities could still decide to move their traditional Halloween trick-or-treating day as well. Email us at web@necn.com if your town has rescheduled trick-or-treating and you don't see it on our list.