Festivals

By now you probably have all your Halloween events and activities down. Trick or treating, maybe a Halloween costume parade, maybe even a haunted house, if you dare.

How about mixing something a little multicultural into your celebrations? El Dia de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is the Mexican version of Halloween, and a time to celebrate the lives of friends and family members who have passed away with festivities, food and fun.

Picked your apples? Trudged through the pumpkin patch? Readied your costumes? Don’t think you’ve done it all for October yet! New Jersey boasts a variety of fests focused on everything from horses to cranberries, and garlic to pumpkin catapulting. Launch!

This city is literally packed with FREE Halloween activities. In fact there are so many great things to do on October 31st you may need a magic eight ball to decide where to go. Luckily your kids will be so hopped up on candy they will have the energy to take in several events in one day.

We've rounded up just the cream of the candy corn: 25 free Halloween events for kids in New York City that we're thrilled about. Keep reading to find out where and when you can see stilt-walkers, hop on hay rides, visit haunted houses, dance your way through the post trick-or-treat sugar comma and get the whole family dressed up, even the dog.

OpenHouseNewYork is an annual festival that gives New Yorkers a sneak peak behind some of the most famous and spectacular sites around the city that are usually off limits to average Joes. While kids might not get too excited about seeing sites like the beautiful art deco lobby of the Woolworth Building, OpenHouseNewYork has continued to increase the number of sites, activities, tours, workshops, and performances geared to children.

I have family visiting and I was thinking today that there really couldn't be a better time to visit Long Island than now. Fall is here, it's pumpkin and apple picking season, Fall farms are bustling, and there are plenty of Fall Festivals happening across the island as well. The weather forecast looks great for Columbus Weekend, and here are a few of our favorite suggestions for activities for you and your family to enjoy over the long weekend:

Sure, New York City is expensive, but think how much money you save by not having to travel all the way to India with your kids to experience the culture and customs of Diwali. Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and New Year, is a time to celebrate good fortune, family and friendships. While October 17, 2009 is the official holiday date, there are events and activities for kids to celebrate Diwali in New York as early as this week. Enjoy performances of the story of Diwali, create traditional decorations to take home, eat yummy Indian foods at Diwali Mela street fairs...all you need is a Metrocard and a sense of curiosity.

Here are some fun Diwali activities and events for kids in New York City:

Getting ready for Halloween with a visit to the pumpkin patch is a favorite Fall activity for kids, but let's face it, even if you drive to a country farm, you're just picking a pumpkin that's been shipped in from somewhere else and rolled onto a field. You can get just as authentic an experience right here in New York City on some really local farms or at one of the fun Fall Festivals that bring a little country life to the city with pumpkin patches, hayrides, corn mazes and other Fall fun activities. Put your gas money in the college fund and hit these pumpkin patches and fall festivals right here in NYC.

Four hundred years ago Henry Hudson and his Dutch ship, the Halve Maen ("Half Moon") arrived at what is now New York Harbor. This week, from September 8-13, NY400 celebrates the anniversary of Henry Hudson's historic voyage with a sea of events culminating in NY Harbor Day on Sunday, September 13th. NY400 Week gives New Yorkers a chance to immerse themselves in Dutch culture, New York history and lots of fun stuff long the way. Here are some highlights:

This weekend you can watch 125 hot air balloons take to the skies, watch racing pigs at the county fair, wash and comb baby lambs, go on a nature scavenger hunt, or enjoy the evening munching on authentic Italian zeppoles.

Seems like it is Summer Festival Season-this weekend Long Island offers plenty more than great beaches; from one of the best Greek festivals to Music festivals to festivals for kids, here are some of our recommendations for the best festivals to check out this weekend on Long Island.