There are many fun family activities for the Halloween season all over Queens. Here are some entertaining events.
Everyone’s invited to the 20th Annual Jackson Heights Halloween Parade, sponsored by the Jackson Heights Beautification Group. The parade steps off at noon on Saturday, October 31 from 37th Avenue and 89th Street, and proceeds down the avenue, ending at 76th Street. Join the fun!
On Friday, October 23, from 3 to 7 p.m. Arrow Community Garden Fright Fest has free activities including crafts, games, face painting, inflatable rides, music, giveaways and a haunted house; 35-30 35th Street, between 35th and 36th Avenue in Long Island City; call 718-349-3408.
Saturday, October 24, from noon to 4 p.m. visit the Halloween Festival at Fort Totten Park Parade Grounds, entrance at 212th Street north of the Cross Island Parkway. Games, rides, crafts projects, costume contest, hay rides, pumpkin patch, goodie bags and more; rain date is Sunday, October 25; call 718-352-4793.
Saturday, October 24, from noon to 4 p.m. there’s an Afternoon of Ghouls at King Manor Museum, 150th Street and Jamaica Avenue, in King Manor Park. Scary stories, costumes, crafts, and more ghoulish fun, with a historic twist; costumes welcome; Tours not offered this day; call 718-206-0545.
On Saturday, October 24 from noon to 4 p.m. there’s a Harvest Festival at Frank Principe (Maurice) Park, Maurice Avenue and 63rd Street in Maspeth, with musical entertainment and inflatables; face painting; a hayride and pumpkin patch; seasonal arts and crafts including costume-making for the kids. For information call 718-651-3185.
On Saturday, October 24, Sunday, October 25, and Saturday, October 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park, opens its Halloween Haunted House; hayrides, Halloween treats, mulled cider, pumpkins and apples will be sold; the house is recommended for children ages four to 12. Haunted house admission is $4; Hayrides are $2 per person; call 718-347-3276 or visit www.queensfarm.org.
On Sunday, October 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the rescheduled free 9th Annual Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Boulevard (at Broadway) in Long Island City, features a live concert by Audra Rox; costume making with materials provided; a giant instrument jam; face painting; 6th annual Canine Costume Contest at 1 p.m. (registration at front gate) and more; call 718-956-1819 or visit www.socratessculpturepark.org for updates.
On Friday, October 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. Shocktoberfest at Playground for All Children, 111-01 Corona Avenue in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, includes crafts, games, a pumpkin patch, costume making, music, a haunted house and more; call 718-699-4201.
On Friday, October 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, October 31 from 1 to 3 p.m. the Harvest Family Fundraiser and Pumpkin Patch at Queens Botanical Garden, 43-50 Main Street on Flushing, includes activities for kids, a costume contest and a scavenger hunt. To attend on Friday evening, registration is required; call 718-886-3800, Ext. 230.
On Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thriller at the Battery; put on your (optional) Halloween costume and take a tour of the recently haunted historic fort; meet at Fort Totten Park Visitor Center, Building 502, Ordinance and Lee Roads; call 718-352-1769.
On Saturday, October 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. kids in costume can come to Atlas Park Dental in the Shops at Atlas Park, Suite 207 in Building 6 (next to Regal Cinema) for a Trick or Treat gift and photo taken with one of the staffers who will be in costume. The photos will be professionally printed and available for pickup the following week.
On Saturday, October 31, from 2 to 5 p.m. celebrate All Saints Day, Day of the Dead and Halloween with hands-on crafts and treats at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard in Flushing; call 718-463-7700, Ext. 222 for information.
On Saturday, October 31, from 3 to 6 p.m. the Police Officers of the 109th Precinct are offering local kids a safe Trick or Treat option with a Halloween Open House at the stationhouse, 37-05 Union Street in Flushing. Children of all ages are invited to meet officers, who will be giving out candy. Remember: Wear flame retardant costumes; only take candy in sealed packages; parents accompany small children and only go to homes you know!
On Saturday October 31, from 4 to 7 p.m. the Louis Armstrong House Museum, 34-56 107th Street in Corona, has free Halloween Tours and Treats For Families; face painting, spooky collage-making, and house tours conducted by costumed tour guides. Children who show up in their best Louis Armstrong costume will win a copy of Mary Pope Osborne’s Magic Tree House book, A Good Night for Ghosts, a story of young Louis Armstrong and the world of jazz. All visitors are encouraged to join in the spirit of the day and arrive in costume; visit www.louisarmstronghouse.org.
On Saturday, October 31, from 4 to 7 p.m., the 207th Street Block Association has its 30th Annual Halloween Fest on the Mall at 208th Street and 42nd Avenue in Bayside. It’s free, fun for the local kids in a wholesome, natural setting.
On Saturday, October 31, at 6 p.m. take a Haunted Hike with the Rangers in Forest Park; meet at the center, building 502; call 718-846-2731.
