June Summerween Recap: Sweeney Todd in CT & Boston Witchcraft Tour

Halloween New England's Summerween adventures continued this past weekend as we experienced two very different but equally memorable events celebrating New England's rich connection to horror and history.

We were thrilled to attend opening night of one of musical theatre's most iconic horror thrillers and to spend an afternoon exploring Boston's lesser-known witchcraft history, we had the opportunity to experience two unique events that showcase just how much spooky season can be celebrated all year long.

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at Hartford Stage

On Friday, we traveled to Hartford Stage for opening night of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, the legendary musical thriller that has captivated horror lovers and theatre fans for generations.

Set in 19th-century London, the production immediately immersed us in a world of revenge, dark humor, horror, and obsession from the very first factory whistle. This Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford co-production featured intimate staging that felt both grand and gritty, creating the perfect atmosphere for Stephen Sondheim's haunting score. Every seat in the theatre offered an excellent view, allowing audiences to fully appreciate the performances and dramatic presentation throughout the evening.

We're grateful to Hartford Stage and TheaterWorks Hartford for hosting Halloween New England for this unforgettable night of live theatre. Although this production has now concluded, we're thankful we had the opportunity to experience it during its run. Enjoy our video recap of Sweeney Todd on our Instagram.

Details on Hartford Stage's upcoming Fall '26 production of Dracula

Find more events like this in CT on our CT Halloween Events Guide. 

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Boston Witchcraft Tour

Saturday brought us into downtown Boston for the Boston Witchcraft Tour, where a beautiful summer afternoon set the stage for an engaging journey through a fascinating chapter of New England history that is often overshadowed by the Salem witch trials.

Hosted by Salem Historical Tours, the 90-minute walking tour explored Boston's connections to witchcraft accusations and executions that took place decades before the events in Salem. As we made our way through historic streets and significant locations, we learned about the religious beliefs that shaped colonial Boston, the story of Goody Glover, and the social tensions that contributed to accusations of witchcraft. The tour also offered thoughtful insight into how these allegations affected the lives of ordinary people in 17th-century Massachusetts.

Enjoy our video recap of our Boston Witchcraft Tour visit on our Instagram.

We'd like to thank Salem Historical Tours for warmly hosting us on this informative and memorable new experience. If you're interested in exploring this lesser-known piece of New England history for yourself, tours continue over the coming months. Details on upcoming Boston Witchcraft Tours

Find more events like this in MA on our MA Halloween Events Guide. 

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Looking Ahead for More Summerween Activities

One of the things we enjoy most about covering Halloween and horror events throughout New England is discovering the many ways the spooky season comes to life long before October arrives. Whether it's experiencing legendary horror theatre, uncovering fascinating local history, or attending paranormal events and Summerween celebrations, there's always something new to explore.

If you're looking to keep those Halloween vibes going all summer long, be sure to check out our Summerween Events Guide. You'll find horror movie screenings, summer haunt events, horror trivia nights, dark vendor markets, oddity fairs, costumed festivities, walking tours, and other Summerween entertainment happening throughout New England.

We'll be sharing many more adventures throughout the season, so stay tuned as we continue exploring the best Halloween, horror, paranormal, and spooky experiences New England has to offer.

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