Mostly Free & Fun Things to Do this Weekend with Westchester Kids: Halloween Happenings, Magic Garden, Picturing Stories & More, Oct. 25 & 26

10/23/14 - By Susan Miele

Eek! It’s the final weekend before Halloween! Westchester cranks up the fun, so read on for some of our faves.

A don’t-miss event is the annual Tarrytown Annual Halloween Parade, whether you march in it or spectate. It draws a large crowd and culminates in a street party, with oodles of festivity in the air. Preschoolers will enjoy the abundant offerings at Harvest Moon Festival; FREE fun abounds at HarvestFest and Pumpkin-Carving Demo; a live Halloween-themed performance awaits at Grisly Kids: An All Hallows' Dance Review; a fun fall festival can be found at the Scarecrows and Pumpkins Parade; and for a Mexican twist on All Hallow’s Eve, take in Day of the Dead in Pelham. To turn the creepiness up a notch, check out our guide to Cemetery Tours.

Though it’s hard to pass up all the Halloween fun, there are a couple especially compelling events this weekend that don’t involve pumpkins or costumes: Picturing Stories and The Magic Garden.

Some of the recurring October events continue through next weekend, but Lasdon Park Halloween Haunted House & Train Show and Bear Mountain Oktoberfest wrap up this week. Last call!

With so much happening, we can’t fit it all in this roundup, so be sure to visit our Event Calendar for all the Halloween happenings and more through the end of the month!

ALL WEEKEND

Lasdon Park Halloween Haunted House & Train Show - Somers
A Halloween event for the model-train lover, this year’s event is based on an outer-space theme with aliens. There’s also a haystack maze, scavenger hunt and more. Adults: $5; children aged 2-12: $2

The Legend Behind The 'Legend' – Irvington
Visitors can enjoy a shadow puppet performance of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and experience one of Washington Irving’s spooky tales on a walk through the woods. Columbus Day performance as well. $14 for adults, $8 for ages 3–17; under 3 FREE.

Scared By The Sound – Rye
Older kids can experience for themselves the Crypt Walk, The Haunted Wine Cellar, Creepy Morgue, Tunnels of Doom plus the all new Black Out Maze and much more at this haunted house. $16

Horseman’s Hollow – Sleepy Hollow
Prepare to be scared stiff at Philipsburg Manor, which transforms into a house of horror ruled by the undead, the evil and the insane in October. $20 (Saturdays $25).

Jay Ghoul's House of Curiosities - Tarrytown
Older kids can meet the creepy characters encountered on this ghoulish tour of a spooky Gothic mansion. Shows are selling out fast, so jump on this if it appeals to you. $20-$25

Bear Mountain Oktoberfest – Bear Mountain
This is the last weekend to hit the annual fall festival of German music, food, beer and vendors. FREE admission; $8 parking fee.

SATURDAY

Day of the Dead in Pelham - Pelham
Participate in Dia de los Muertos, the Mexican ritual for honoring departed loved ones. This event features multinational holiday performers and hands-on craft activities in the spirit of the holiday. FREE

Tarrytown Halloween Parade – Tarrytown
The parade begins at Patriot’s Park and ends on Main Street which continues with a live band and block party until 10:30pm. FREE.

Harvest Moon Festival - Bronxville
Preschoolers rejoice! This beloved annual event returns with a long lineup of little-kid fun—from a petting zoo to glitter art, a fire truck to a carousel—and way more! Halloween activities are also featured. Children: $30; adults and children under 12 months: FREE

HarvestFest – Yonkers
Center wide trick-or-treating, seasonal food, and harvest themed activities. Make sure to visit the Mommy Poppins booth for temporary tattoos and a craft. FREE.

Picturing Stories - Pleasantville
Is your child the next Steven Spielberg? Let him try his hand at filmmaking at this hands-on, intimate workshop that teaches the tricks of the trade. $42

SUNDAY

The Magic Garden - Mamaroneck
Seeing Carole and Paula performing in person is what’s especially “magic” about this event—a total throwback for those of us who grew up loving them on TV. Sherlock will be there too! $15

Grisly Kids: An All Hallows' Dance Review  Tarrytown
Choose from two performances of this inventive concept that combines dance and theater and all aspects of Halloween. $25; save $10 on online purchases through October 23.

Pumpkin-Carving Demo - Yonkers
You’ll aspire to do more than your usual triangle eyes and crooked mouth when you see this professional sculptor in action carving pumpkins. Plus enjoy free face painting and hay rides! FREE

Scarecrows and Pumpkins Parade – Scarsdale
Follow friendly scarecrows along the pumpkin trail and meet storybook characters along the way. Enjoy cider, treats, tattoos, and more. Costumes are encouraged. $5-$15.

BEYOND WESTCHESTER

At the three-day Puppets on Film presented by BAMcinématek and the Jim Henson Foundation, both kids and adults can enjoy a combination of film presentations that feature puppets and hands-on workshops to learn the craft of puppeteering! So cool.

Monster Mash 2014 packs a lot into this evening of ghoulish museum fun, including Day of the Dead celebrations, a scavenger hunt in the museum, shadow performances, “Do You Dare?” a “Glowing Ghouls Dance Party” and more!

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