Woburn Halloween Parade: A Local Shares What You Need to Know
The Woburn Halloween Parade is a pretty unique event. It’s worth experiencing, and you’ll get the most out of it with these tips. I’m realizing as I write this that…
Woburn locals LOVE the Halloween Parade. It’s a point of pride. And Wu folks that live along Main St. will often throw lawn parties for parade viewing and general festivities. So don’t be afraid to introduce yourself. You might just get a handshake, an invite to pull up a bit of lawn to watch the parade, and a cold (or hot) beverage in your hand!
The Woburn Halloween Parade is a pretty unique event. It's worth experiencing, and you'll get the most out of it with these tips.
I'm realizing as I write this that I'm a bit of a de facto "Massachusetts Parade Expert." I grew up in Wakefield, which is the home of an annual 4th of July parade that dates back over 100 years. I have fond memories of going to 4th of July cookouts at my Great Auntie Helen's house, then walking over to my Great Uncle Jackie's house and sitting out front as the parade went by.
I've lived in Woburn for over 20 years, which is home to an annual Halloween Parade that dates back over 70 years. The parade takes place on the last Sunday of October every year, and it's sponsored by the Lion's Club. The parade kicks off right around 1:00 p.m. in the parking lot of Showcase Cinemas in Woburn and winds its way down Main St. to Lake St. All in all, it's a three-hour affair.
Woburn Halloween Parade: A Local Shares What You Need to Know
As many fond memories as I have of growing up going to the 4th of July Parade in Wakefield, my memories of the Halloween Parade in Woburn are even fonder. That's because each of Woburn's elementary schools gets to have a float in the parade. Each year, each school chooses its individual float theme, then gets to work decorating a flatbed truck and costuming the kids who volunteer.
For a few years, our kiddos were in on this and their mom was either helping decorate, organize, or chaperone. There was even a year when I marched in the parade myself, helping my oldest carry a banner! But for most years, we've been spectators. So I'm in a unique position to share what I know. I won't share any pics of the kids, though; they'd have to sign off on that. Just some pumpkins and tips below.
Don't Park At The Cinema!
I know what you're thinking: movie theater, plenty of parking. This is true. But the Showcase Cinema Woburn is also the staging/drop off area for the entire parade. So your car will be stuck there during the parade and for a time after as well. Avoid.
Coming From The North/East? Park At The Stop & Shop
The Stop & Shop plaza has ample parking. A short walk around the Rt. 38 rotary and past the new fire station will put you at the start of the parade.
Too Crowded? Keep Walking
Things tend to bunch up where the parade exits the Showcase Cinema parking lot and starts along Main St. So just stroll down Main St. It can be a bit tricky to navigate with all the locals and their space-saver chairs, but things get less congested eventually. Not even a half-mile down Main St. you'll see the Central Square Green, which is a fine place to post up.
Coming From The South/West? Park At Horn Pond.
Your other decent parking option is along Arlington St., which runs along Horn Pond. You're about a 10 minute walk from either Downtown Woburn, which offers great parade vantage points, or Lake St., which will take you to the parade's end point.
What To Bring
If you're bringing kiddos, make sure they have something to hold all that sweet, sweet candy that gets thrown to the crowd by the various floats and parade participants. Costumes, too! For kids and grown-ups alike. It's a Halloween parade, after all. And since you'll be doing quite a bit of walking around, comfortable shoes. If you have small kiddos, leave the stroller behind if you're able and rock the papoose. Those sidewalks get pretty narrow with the crowds. Oh, and check the forecast! It's rain or shine, so you might need a raincoat!
Make New Friends
Woburn locals LOVE the Halloween Parade. It's a point of pride. And Wu folks that live along Main St. will often throw lawn parties for parade viewing and general festivities. So don't be afraid to introduce yourself. You might just get a handshake, an invite to pull up a bit of lawn to watch the parade, and a cold (or hot) beverage in your hand!
