Halloween is back, with treats to be collected and costumes to be admired.

Most towns have announced official times for trick-or-treating, which may not be on the actual holiday. Exeter has activities planned for the Saturday before Halloween, while Portsmouth spreads the holiday out over two days. Trick-or-treating takes place the Sunday before Halloween, and then a parade is scheduled for Halloween night.

The parade is a "grassroots, all-inclusive celebration of community, creativity and free expression that walks, stalks, dances, trumpets and drums its way through downtown Portsmouth," according to its organizers. It is not a city-sponsored event.

Halloween candy display
Halloween candy display (Dan Alexander, Townsquare Media)
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Dates and Times

Here's the official time and dates for trick or treat on the Seacoast for Halloween 2022, listed alphabetically by town. All times are subject to change without notice due to weather and other factors. We'll add to the list as we learn of more dates.

Berwick - Saturday, October 29 (Trunk or Treat) 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Dover - Sunday, October 30 5 p.m - 8 p.m.
Durham - Sunday, October 30 5 p.m - 7:30 p.m.
Exeter - Monday, October 31 4 p.m. - 7 p.m. The town's Halloween parade and costume contest is Saturday, October 29 starting at 11 a.m.
Hampton - Monday, October 31 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Hampton Falls - Sunday, October 30 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Kingston - Monday, October 31 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Kittery - Sunday, October 30 5 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Newmarket - Sunday, October 30 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Portsmouth - Sunday, October 30 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. The Halloween parade is Monday, Oct. 31 at 7 p.m.
Rochester - To be announced
Rye - Sunday, October 30 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Somersworth - Sunday, October 30 5:30 p.m. - 7:30  p.m.
Stratham - Monday, October 31 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m

Halloween pumpkin
Halloween pumpkin (Dan Alexander, Townsquare Media)
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The city of Portsmouth offered some suggestions for celebrating the holiday that are applicable in any community.

  • Outdoor activities are much safer than indoor activities.
  • Travel in small groups. Small children should be accompanied and supervised at all times.
  • Carry a face mask, just in case (for example, when going to a door for candy vs. taking candy from a table or other container, away from others).
  • Maintain distance between your “ghouls” and other groups.
  • Residents who do not want to participate should leave their front houselights turned off, or put a sign on the driveway or sidewalk. Trick-or-treaters should respect that notice.
  • It is still best for children and those providing candy to maintain physical distance or wear masks. You may wish to put treats in individual paper bags or spread out on trays (rather than a communal bowl) and placed on a table on the front walk, porch, or driveway. Be creative!
  • Trick-or-treaters should use flashlights, walk on sidewalks where available, travel in familiar, well-lit areas, and only go to homes with outdoor lights on. Phones down, heads up. Be aware of your surroundings.

The city also had suggestions for drivers on Halloween:

    • Enter and exit driveways slowly, watch for children.
    • After dark, watch for trick-or-treaters in dark clothing.
    • New or inexperienced drivers should avoid driving after dark on Halloween.

Let us know about your town's trick-or-treat night by contactinh reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com or via Twitter @DanAlexanderNH

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