A Rare Daylight Peek Behind Bedford Street’s Haunted Sets

Abington, MA · October 10, 2026

That familiar autumn chill is lingering over Bedford Street, signaling the start of a busy three-day holiday weekend. Plenty is stirring around the neighborhood before dusk brings out the seasonal crowds.

The Lead

Barrett’s Haunted Mansion kicks into high gear this weekend as its thirty-fifth season meets the Columbus Day rush. While the attraction behind the Abington Ale House draws thousands across New England each October for intense nighttime frights, today marks one of the rare opportunities to explore the grounds in broad daylight.

From 1:00 to 4:00 PM, the venue opens for its annual Lights-On Tour, stripping away the jump-scares and darkness so visitors can wander through the elaborate rooms and trailers. Founder Mary Barrett Costello and her crew spent months fabricating new theatrical sets and animatronics, which visitors can now study up close without actors jumping from the corners. Tickets run twenty dollars at the door, offering a clear-eyed look at the craft behind one of the South Shore's enduring seasonal staples.

Local Pulse

Central Street Facility Advances Through Subdivision Review City Hall Planning officials reviewed Form A boundary plans this week to define lot lines for the planned safety headquarters.
Board of Health Seeks Citizen Volunteer Health Selectmen opened applications for an unexpired seat on the town's health board following a recent committee vacancy.
Strawberry Valley Committee Seeks New Member Parks The town manager’s office is accepting resident applications to fill an open seat on the municipal golf committee.

What's On Around Town

Today

Fire Safety Education Open House Fire Station 6 (540 West St), Brockton, 10:00 AM–2:00 PM · Free Live extrication demos, rope rescues, and free pizza for local families.
Lights-On Behind the Screams Tour Barrett's Haunted Mansion (1235 Bedford St), 1:00–4:00 PM · $20 Explore movie-grade sets in full daylight with zero jump scares.
Barrett's Haunted Mansion & Motel Barrett's Haunted Mansion (1235 Bedford St), 7:00–10:30 PM · Paid Experience two full-contact walkthroughs kicking off the holiday weekend.

Tomorrow

Mad Love Music Festival Jane Carr Amphitheater (1 Conservatory Dr), Hingham, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM · Paid
Halloween Skate Fundraiser Carousel Family Fun Center (1055 Bedford St), Whitman, 5:00–7:00 PM · Paid
Barrett's Haunted Mansion Barrett's Haunted Mansion (1235 Bedford St), 7:00–10:30 PM · Paid

Monday

Columbus Day Open Play Starland Sports & Fun Park (637 Washington St), Hanover, 9:00 AM–9:00 PM · Paid
King Richard's Faire King Richard's Faire Grounds (5 Pine St), Carver, 10:30 AM–6:00 PM · Paid
Barrett's Holiday Haunt Barrett's Haunted Mansion (1235 Bedford St), 7:00–10:00 PM · Paid

Spotlight & Story

Hutcheon's Florist
- Founded in 1924 on Brockton Avenue, this shop stays rooted under sisters JoAnne Fernandes and Debbie Brown. As fellow South Shore florists retired, they absorbed legacy operations like Holmes-McDuffy; to this day, those century-old telephone numbers ring directly into their design counter.

Abington Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.

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