This weekend, you can go your own way, communicate with outer space or go looking for ghosts in the Canal District. And that’s before anyone starts smashing pumpkins — or guitar riffs.
Tusk brings Fleetwood Mac classics to the Hanover, the EcoTarium celebrates its connection with the International Space Station, and the Dillinger Escape Plan turns up the volume at the Palladium. Meanwhile, Polar Park gets into the Halloween spirit, and a downtown scavenger hunt offers a different kind of ghost story.
Here are five picks for the weekend:
- Go your own way…to the Hanover: Fleetwood Mac’s music takes center stage Friday, Oct. 16, when Tusk brings its tribute to the legendary band to the Hanover Theatre. The five founding members have been making music together in various combinations for more than four decades, building the kind of chemistry that can’t be manufactured—even if the songs themselves belong to someone else. Celebrating 17 years of performing Fleetwood Mac’s catalog, Tusk recreates the sound and spirit of one of rock’s most enduring bands, from the harmonies to the heartbreak. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., with tickets ranging from $44 to $74, including fees.
- Worcester, we have contact: The EcoTarium is taking its science programming out of this world Saturday, Oct. 17, with “Communicating Across the Cosmos,” a daylong celebration of its planned radio conversation with an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. Following the scheduled Oct. 15 exchange, visitors can hear a replay of the cosmic conversation at noon, meet students involved in the project and discover how amateur radio makes communicating with space possible. The Central Massachusetts Amateur Radio Association will be on hand for demonstrations, while astronomy programs, telescope activities and other hands-on experiments round out the day. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with some planetarium programs requiring separate tickets.
- Calculating infinity, cranking up the chaos: The Dillinger Escape Plan returns to the Palladium on Saturday, Oct. 17, revisiting “Calculating Infinity,” the groundbreaking 1999 debut that helped redefine the possibilities of heavy music. Known for a ferocious collision of hardcore, progressive metal and free-jazz influences, the New Jersey band built its reputation on dizzying time signatures, technical precision and famously unpredictable live performances. After disbanding in 2017, the group reunited in 2024 with original vocalist Dimitri Minakakis to celebrate the album’s 25th anniversary. Expect controlled chaos — although “controlled” might be pushing it. The show begins at 7 p.m.
- No baseball, just boos: Polar Park trades home runs for Halloween fun Friday through Sunday, Oct. 16-18, as the WooSox bring back their second annual “Boo in the Woo” Fall Festival. Friday’s festivities begin with an on-field movie night featuring “Hocus Pocus” at 6 p.m. and the considerably less family-friendly “Halloween” at 8:30, with gates opening at 5. Saturday and Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the ballpark transforms into a fall playground with a pumpkin patch, hay maze, mini golf, face painting, live entertainment, seasonal vendors, crafts, games and treats. Visitors can even play catch on the outfield grass or take a few swings in the batting cages. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for ages 17 and younger and free for children 2 and under. A $20 weekend package includes Friday’s movies and one festival day.
- Who you gonna call? Your walking shoes: Worcester’s Canal District gets a spooky twist Saturday, Oct. 17, with the “Worcester Canal District Ghost Mystery,” an interactive outdoor adventure that combines local legends, history and a little detective work. Organized by Social Adventures by Gabrielle, the kid-friendly digital scavenger hunt invites participants to explore the city while solving clues, answering trivia and tackling observation and photo challenges at their own pace. The adventure is listed for 10 a.m., with Worcester City Hall, 455 Main St., as the starting location. Details and registration are available through Eventbrite.
For more events, visit the Discover Central Massachusetts events calendar.
Have an event, news tip, idea for a feature, information, joke, favorite recipe or anything else you’d like to tell us about? You should. Contact carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
