Where to celebrate Halloween 2017

Where To Celebrate: Halloween 2017: 22 boo fests, costume parades, train shows, pumpkin blazes, movies, scary tales, spooky theatre, crafts, and “a pelvic thru-ust that really drives you insa-a-a-a-ane!” 

Sunset time for Trick or Treaters: Mon, 10/31: 5:53pm

Scarecrows & Pumpkins, New York Botanical Garden – Tues-Sun, 9/23-10/31: 1:30-5:30pm weekdays, 10am-5:30pm weekends: Over 100 friendly scarecrows set among rare and unusual pumpkins and gourds in the Everett Children’s Adventure Garden. Plus demonstrations and hands-on crafts. (2900 Southern Pkwy, Bronx; www. Nybg.org)

Halloween Decorations at Muscoot Farm – Sat, 9/30: 1-3pm: Muscoot’s junior volunteers walk you through the process of making Halloween decorations that you can take home. Check out the animals (moo, baa, quack, cluck, neigh) and the element historic buildings. We love the ice house. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Hot ticket alert! The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, Van Cortland Manor – Evenings Fri, 9/29- Sat, 11/25:  Walk through a path of 5,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack o’lanterns set against an historic, 18th-century riverside landscape. Highlights include a headless horseman, a working doomsday grandfather clock, and gourd filled jack in the boxes, and dinosaurs from Jurassic Park – all made out of jack-o-lanterns. With sound effects, synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack by recording artist Richard Christy. Advance tickets required. (525 S. Riverside Ave., Croton on Hudson; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Sunnyside, The Home of “The Legend”, Washington Irving’s Sunnyside – Select days 9/29-10/29: A daytime visit here is the perfect prelude to an evening at Blaze, Horseman’s Hollow, or Irving’s ‘Legend.’ Irving’s fascinating home – a colorful blend of architectural styles – will showcase numerous objects related to Irving’s famous story. Visitors can enjoy a shadow puppet performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and experience one of Irving’s spooky tales on a walk through the woods. (3 W. Sunnyside Ln., Irvington; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Local! Once Upon a Time Fall Fest & Halloween Train Show, Lasdon Park – Sat- Sun: 9/30-10/29: 11am-4pm: This Fall Fest cum Halloween Train Show features an elaborate storybook themed Lionel Train Show in the Main House, storybook character meet and greets, an enchanted hay maze, an Alice in Wonderland Down the Rabbit Hole Walk, food from the Fork in the Road food truck and craft, garden, clothing and seasonal foods vendors. (2810 Amawalk Rd., Katonah; www.lasdonpark.org)

Boo at the Zoo, Bronx Zoo – Weekends 9/30 – 10/29 & Columbus Day: Halloween hayrides, a Haunted Forest for 12 & ups, a Bootoberfest for all, seasonal fun at Nature Trek and live performances of The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Plus magic shows, costume parades, creepy crafts, elaborate carved pumpkin demonstrations, an extinct animal graveyard, a bird meet & greet, a candy trail and a mentalist show. (Bronx Zoo, 2300 Southern Blvd., Bronx; www.bronxzoo.com)

Creepy Creatures of Halloween, New York Botanical Garden – Sat-Sun, 9/30 – 10/29: 1 & 3pm: Meet critters from NYBG;s backyard and beyond during this live animal presentation and discover the unique adaptations that help them survive in their habitats. At the Clay Family Picnic Pavilions. (2900 Southern Pkwy, Bronx; www. Nybg.org)

Scarecrow Making, Stamford Museum & Nature Center – Sun, 10/8: 1-4:30pm.: Bring your family for the SM&NC’s 8th annual scarecrow making program and create a scarecrow to bring home. There are three one hour sessions. Some materials are provided, but families are encouraged to bring clothing or accessories to help with their creation. (Stamford Museum & Nature Center, 39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford; www.stamfordmuseum.org)

Irving’s ‘Legend’, Old Dutch Church – Evenings in October: Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic performance of Washington Irving’s classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, featuring the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane, Brom Bones, and Katrina Van Tassel. With live, spooky organ music by Jim Keyes. (Old Dutch Church: Park at Philipsburg Manor 381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org)

Hot ticket alert! Horseman’s Hollow, Philipsburg Manor: Evenings in October: Taking The Legend of Sleepy Hollow to its darkest extremes, Horseman’s Hollow returns for 14 nights of haunted mayhem. Meet the undead, the evil and the insane denizens of a town driven mad by the Headless Horseman. Negotiate a twisted maze of horrors to get to the Horseman’s lair where a party is being thrown in his honor. With elaborate costumes from award-wining feature-film makeup artists and unsettling special effects this popular event is not suitable for children under ten or adults, who are claustrophobic, have heart or respiratory conditions, are prone to seizures, or have other chronic health conditions. (381 N. Broadway, Sleepy Hollow;  www.hudsonvalley.org)

Local! The Haunt at Rocky Ledge, North White Plains – Fri-Sun, 10/6-29: The nightmare begins October 9. Spooky adventures including 2 haunted houses, a haunted trail in the woods, a chilling cornfield, multiple hair-raising walk-throughs and a snack bar. One mile up the road from the Stop & Shop in N. White Plains. (Rocky Ledge Swim Club, 1402 Old Orchard St., North White Plains; www.hauntatrockyledge.com)

Local! Costume Bash Dance party, Katonah Museum of Art – Fri, 10/13: 80pm: Boogie down on Jay Street while sipping cocktail concoctions and crafty beer. Their mad host committee – Casey Carter and Melissa Dilmaghani – will be out on the dance floor with you. Most creative costumery wins prizes. Plus spooktacular raffles from Bijou and Old New House. (134 Jay St., Rt.22, Katonah; www.katonahmuseum.org)

Scared By The Sound, Rye Playland – Fri, 10/13-27: 8-10pm, Sat-Sun, 10/14-29: 7-10pm: Imagine an abandoned amusement park after dark? Scary enough. Find out how scary it is when you add a 12,000 sq. foot haunted house at this boo-fest on the Sound! Take the Crypt Walk; visit the Haunted Wine Cellar, Creepy Morgue and Tunnels of Doom. This walk-through dark attraction may be too scary for children under 10. Strobe lighting and fog use alert for anyone adversely affected by these effects. Im (Rye Playland, 1 Playland Pkwy, Rye; www.ryeplayland.org)

Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities, Lyndhurst Mansion: Thurs-Tues, 10/19-31: In this new edition of Jay Ghoul’s House of Curiosities, it’s 1925 and a murder has been committed. The Gothic mansion is filled with madcap suspects from the board game Clue. Including Madam Peacock, Chef Mustard, and Miss Scarlet who each hold a clue to the crime. Who did it, with what weapon, and in what room? Help solve the case before the menace gets away! The performance is fun, suspenseful, and spooky but not scary and appeals to adults and teens and most younger children. (Lyndhurst Mansion, 635 S. Broadway, Tarrytown;  www.lyndhurst.org)

Local! Halloween Craft, Bedford Hill Community House – Fri, 10/20: 6-8:30pm: Kids in grade 2-7 join Kimberly O’Brien of Bedford Recreation for an evening of Halloween crafts, games and dinner. (Bedford Hills Community House, 7 Church St., Bedford Hills; www.bedfordny.gov)

Giant Pumpkin Weekend, New York Botanical Garden – Sat-Sun, 10/21-22: 10am-6pm: Giant pumpkins from around the world are arranged throughout the Children’s Adventure Garden. Meet the growers and take some selfies. Come dressed in costume to visit the Whole Food Market Trick or Treat Trail. (2900 Southern Pkwy, Bronx; www. Nybg.org)

Local! Halloween Carnival & Ragamuffin Parade, Chappaqua Train Station – Sun 10/22: 12pm: The carnival starts at 12 with giant slide games, bounce castle, go carts, rides, cotton candy, popcorn and music. Come in costume and march in the parade at 2pm. Be part of the parade featuring the Blue Crew Marching Band, the Dixie Dandies Marching Band, the Chappaqua Fire Department and the Chappaqua Ambulance Dracula. Everyone is welcome. (Chappaqua Train Station; newcastlerecreation)

A Taste of Westchester, The Horse & Hound Inn, Ghosts? – Thurs, 10/26: 6-8pm: Silvano and Sue Vales share stories of spirit sightings at the inn at this annual cooking class and gourmet boo fest. Your meal starts with butternut squash ravioli with sage crema. Then Chef Clinton Barlow shows you how to break down a duck for classic confit and pan seared with an orange sauce. Seasonal apples in a puff pastry for dessert plus wine pairings. Register here (94 Spring Street, South Salem, 
914-763-3108;  www.thehorseandhoundinn.com)

Local! After Dark Halloween Marathon, Jacob Burns – Fri, 10/27: 8:30pm: Stay up all night at J. Burns’ 4^th annual Halloween Marathon! Hosted by JBFC Senior Programmer Andrew Jupin, this year’s marathon features eight films including: the new 4k restoration of George Romero’s 1968 horror classic Night of the Living Dead. Plus, in the spirit of “so bad it’s good” cinema, J. Burns will screen the 1997 film I Know What You Did Last Summer, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddy Prinze Jr., with live commentary from the cast of the We Hate Movies comedy podcast – that revels in this sort of thing. There’s a costume contest and activities in the Jane Peck Gallery, and the concession stand will be open all night with plenty of coffee! (Jacob Burns Film Center, 364 Manville Rd., Pleasantville: www.burnsfilmcenter.org)

Local! Rocky Horror Picture Show, ChappPac, Fri, 10/27: 8pm: “It’s astounding, time is fleeting, madness takes it’s toll…” Try to keep control when Riff-Raff and Magenta come to 10514 (home of 12,741 Brad & Janet’s) with their Time Warp tutorial. WARNING: It may be just a step to the left, and then a step to the right, “but it’s the pelvic thru-ust that really drives you insa-a-a-a-ane!” Just in time for Halloween. This we gotta see! (480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua; 914.458.5143) Tickets here.

Spooky Tales, Caramoor – Mon, 10/30: 3:30pm: Come with your little ones to a riveting storytelling performance celebrating Halloween. Following the performance, a special brew (hot cider) and other ghostly treats (cookies) will be served in the Summer Dining Room. Come in costume! Prizes given to all! Ages 3–8. (149 Girdle Ridge Rd., Katonah; www.caramoor.org)

Local! Spooktacular Halloween Event, North White Plains – Fri, 10/27: 7-9pm: DJ, games, prizes and face painting for grades K-5 with an adult. Come in costume. This is a free event. (North Castle Community Center, 10 Clove Rd., N.W. Plains; www.northcastleny.com)

Phil Lesh & The Terrapin Family Band, Capitol Theatre – Tues, 10/31: 8pm: Lesh’s love affair with the Capitol Theatre continues. The Grateful Dead bassist and his Terrapin Family Band are joined by Rob Barraco, Nicki Bluhm and pedal steel guitar extraordinaire Robert Randolph. TKTS avail on STUB HUB! (149 Westchester Ave., Port Chester;  www.thecapitoltheatre.com)

Rocky Horror Picture Show, Paramount Hudson Valley – Sat, 10/28: 8 & 11pm: “Toucha- toucha- toucha- touch me, I wanna be dirty. Thrill me, chill me, fulfill me, creature of the night.”  (1008 Brown St., Peekskill: www.paramounthudsonvalley.com)

Boo Walk, Muscoot Farm – Sat, 10/29: 1-3PM: Dress in your costume for this Halloween themed scavenger hunt. (Muscoot Farm, Rt. 100, Somers; www.muscootfarm.org)

Local! Katonah Halloween Parade – Sun, 10/30: 3pm: Save the date for the Katonah Village Improvement Society’s (KVIS) Halloween Parade. Featuring cider, donuts, music by Abby + The Roadsters and of course the parade. Meet at Lot 2 behind Modern Paint & Hardware. www.katonahvis.com

What To Do: With the Kids FALL 2017

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