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Things to Do in NYC This Weekend: Pumpkin Smash, Day of the Dead, Diwali

Over 1,000 lanterns will be on display at the Lantern Festival Pop-Up at Liberty Park in Manhattan. Photo courtesy of the event
Over 1,000 lanterns will be on display at the Lantern Festival Pop-Up at Liberty Park in Manhattan. Photo courtesy of the event
10/30/19 - By Drew Kristofik

Ready to pack away all those spiders and skeletons, but not sure what to do about Mr. Jack O'Lantern? Head to the annual Pumpkin Smash in Chelsea on Saturday, or the one in Corlears Hook Park on Sunday. Minecraft fans won't want to miss the big Minefaire event at NYSCI this weekend. The first weekend in November also brings the New York Marathon through town, and PS 118's annual race celebration boasts bounce houses, face painting, and a front-row view of the runners.

Diwali, the Festival of Lights, sparkles at Manhattan's Asia Society and Queens' Flushing Town Hall on Saturday. There are Dia de Los Muertos celebrations this Saturday at the AMNH,  The National Museum of the American Indian, and the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Or get in some leaf peeping this weekend at the Fall Forest Weekend at the NY Botanical Garden.

With Election Day coming up next week on November 5, don't miss our list of 20 Fun Things to Do with NYC Kids on Election Day. As always, remember to scan our November GoList and ever-growing calendar. 

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Enjoy the Thain Family Forest at NYBG at the Fall Forest Weekend event. Photo courtesy of NYBG
Enjoy the Thain Family Forest at NYBG at the Fall Forest Weekend event. Photo courtesy of NYBG

Things To Do All Weekend

Fall Forest Weekend

Bronx Park, the Bronx
Explore the Thain Family Forest, the largest remaining tract of old-growth forest in NYC, with a guided hike on the trails. Immerse yourself in magnificent fall color while enjoying Shakespearean performances, and listen to roaming fiddlers, mimicking the natural sounds of the forest. READ MORE

NYC Winter Lantern Festival Pop Up

World Trade Center — FREE
WTC hosts a special preview of the NYC Winter Lantern Festival, shining a spotlight on a spectacular showcase of the twelve Zodiac animals from the Lunar Calendar. READ MORE

Wildlife Weekends

Glen Oaks, Queens
Learn about interesting critters at this pay-one-price event at the Queens County Farm Museum. READ MORE

Día de los Muerto at the National Museum of the American Indian

The Battery — FREE
The National Museum of the American Indian invites families to mark Dia de los Muertos with traditional dances by New York-based Aztec group Cetiliztli Nauhcampa around the community ofrenda (altar) and family-friendly activities that include crafting a paper marigold, making papel picado, and writing a note to a loved one who has passed. READ MORE
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and New Year, is a time to celebrate good fortune, family, and friendships. Photo courtesy of the Asia Society
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and New Year, is a time to celebrate good fortune, family, and friendships. Photo courtesy of the Asia Society

Things To Do Saturday, November 2

Diwali Lights Up Asia Society: Family Day

Upper East Side
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights and New Year, is a time to celebrate good fortune, family and friendships. Celebrate with performances, and arts and crafts inspired by Diwali. READ MORE

Pumpkin Smash

Chelsea — FREE
Hudson River Park’s family-favorite, the Pumpkin Smash, is back for an in-person day of fun. READ MORE

Dia de Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Upper West Side
Immerse yourself in the traditions of Día de Muertos in this family-friendly, full-day festival featuring altars dedicated to extinct animal species, performances by Mexican folk musicians and dance troupes, hands-on artisanal and scientific workshops, and a craft marketplace. READ MORE

Dia de los Muertos at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum

Crown Heights, Brooklyn
Brooklyn-based artist Mincho Vega returns as BCM’s guest curator to help families celebrate the traditions and histories of our ancestors from Latin America through art, dance, music, and food.   READ MORE

Mycological Society Walk

Randall's Island — FREE
Hang out with folks from the New York Mycological Society to hunt for fungi in all its many forms. Learn how to find and identify these mystifying organisms, as well as their essential role in the ecosystem for plant growth, breaking down dead material, and their potential for cleaning up many types of environmental problems. READ MORE

Fall Family Fest

Midtown West
Head to the Pop-Up Studio on the sixth floor to create Anna Sui-inspired tote bags, embellish and refresh some duds in the denim demolition corner, and craft vibrant geometric textiles with artist-in-residence Paolo Arao. READ MORE

LC Kids: Gustafer Yellowgold

Upper West Side — FREE
Gustafer Yellowgold returns to the Atrium, bringing his funny and touching multimedia performance—including live music, animation, and quirky storytelling—to tell of his imaginative explorations of the Minnesota woods where he landed.  READ MORE

Just Kidding: The Magic of Harrison Kramer

Upper West Side
Slight-of-hand tricks, magic, illusions, and even a bit of juggling dazzle in this interactive show for the whole family. READ MORE

Diwali Dance Party: Kathak, Bhangra & Beyond

Flushing, Queens
Celebrate Diwali with this all-ages festival and dance party, featuring Kathak classical dancer Abha Roy and Basement Bhangra’s DJ Rekha. Learn Bollywood, bhangra, and Kathak dance moves, then hit the dance floor. READ MORE
Dispose of your leftover pumpkins the fun and sustainable way at Pumpkin Smash. Photo courtesy of the NYC Parks Dept.
Dispose of your leftover pumpkins the fun and sustainable way at Pumpkin Smash. Photo courtesy of the NYC Parks Dept.

Things To Do Sunday, November 3

Pumpkin Smash 2019

Lower East Side — FREE
Don’t let your pumpkin haunt a landfill. Bring pumpkins, jack-o-lanterns, and gourds for a smashing good time. After you smash them, NYC Compost Project will turn them into compost for City parks and green spaces. READ MORE

Marathon Fun Day with PS 118

Gowanus, Brooklyn
Come cheer on the runners and have fun. This event includes bounce houses, face painting, poster making, donut eating contest, carnival games, chili cook off, starbucks coffee and hot cocoa, baked goods and snacks. READ MORE

Indigenous Peoples Cultural Festival

Greenwich Village
A celebration of Indigenous Peoples' culture! CMA is partnering with Redhawk Native American Arts Council, a nonprofit organization founded and maintained by Native American artists and educators residing in the New York City area, to present workshops inspired by traditional and contemporary arts practices from the Indigenous community. READ MORE

Halloween Tinker Festival

Flushing, Queens — FREE
Enjoy this STEAM-based, Halloweeny scavenger hunt paying homage to Lewis Latimer’s inventions, his poetry, his fluency in other languages, and his love for creating things. Winners receive candy and treats. READ MORE

NYRR NYC Marathon Cheering Station

Boerum Hill, Brooklyn — FREE
Head to Mile 8 of the NYC Marathon is at the Plaza at 300 Ashland to cheer on the marathoners and and enjoy music and treats. READ MORE

Let's Build a Castle

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
Young audiences experiment with different building materials such as foam, pillows, blankets and boxes, working together with their parents and other children to add elements to a giant fort. READ MORE

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