All Weekend

Day of the Dead at St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery – East Village
One of our November Go List picks: Mark Día de los Muertos at Mano a Mano's annual fest. Revelers can bring mementos of deceased loved ones to adorn the community-built altar. On Saturday, the Procession for the Innocents will travel from Union Square to the church to commemorate victims of injustice. Poetry readings, live mariachi and dance performances, and a marketplace round out the celebration. Be sure to check our listing for the full schedule. FREE Mostly indoors!

The Magic Flute – Midtown West
Introduce the kids to opera at the New Victory Theater. Hailing from South Africa, this multicultural adaptation of Mozart's famous opus has been streamlined to two hours, and is performed in English with an orchestra of marimbas, two dozen soaring voices and a trumpet creating the sound of the titular instrument. $15-$38 Indoors!

Fall Forest Weekend – the Bronx
Head to the New York Botanical Garden for canoe trips on the Bronx River, birds of prey demos, themed nature walks and other outdoor family fun. Free with All-Garden Pass: $20 for adults, $8 for children ages 3-12 Rain or shine!

The Butterfly Conservatory – Upper West Side
Pretend it's spring at the opening weekend of AMNH's annual exhibit. Stroll through the lush green landscape as hundreds of butterflies flutter around you. Free with General Admission Plus One, $27 for adults, $16 for children ages 2-12 Indoors!

Saturday, November 1

Dan Zanes Song Gusto Hour – Upper West Side
Another November Go List pick: Sing along with the Grammy-winning granddaddy of kindie rock at this festive communal concert at Symphony Space. Instruments and loud crooning are encouraged! $26 for adults, $16 for children Indoors!

Pumpkin Smash – Citywide
Don't chuck your jack-o'-lantern in the garbage. Instead, bring your pumpkins and gourds to one of these designated spots where they'll be smashed and turned into compost for NYC's parks. Refreshments and raffles are also on tap. FREE Rain or shine!

Inwood Pumpkin Pageant – Inwood
Another cool way to recycle your Halloween jack-o-lantern. Drop off your carved creations at Isham Park anytime on Saturday and then return at dusk to see (hopefully) a hundred or so illuminated pumpkins along the path. The next day, they'll be taken to the compost heap at Swindler Cove. FREE The organizer says it's still on!

Day of the Dead at the National Museum of the American Indian – Financial District
Celebrate the holiday at the always-free institution by making paper flowers, plaster skulls and skull masks, and watching live dance performances by Cetiliztli Nauhcampa. FREE Indoors!

Children's Halloween Parade & Party – Greenpoint
Put on your costumes one last time for the final Halloween parade of the season! Town Square Inc's annual fete is part of the Brooklyn BabyFEST & Family Jam this year. So while the procession, which kicks off on Noble Street between Franklin and West Streets and heads to the Brooklyn Expo Center, is FREE to all, the party costs $25 per family

La MaMa Kids Workshop: Creating Vocal Sounds – East Village
Head to the experimental downtown theater to learn how to make creative vocal sounds with help from Tony nominee Liz Swados. $5 for children, FREE for adults Indoors!

Meet the Artist Saturdays: David Gonzalez: Sleeping Beauty – Upper West Side
Experience a new take on a classic story as master storyteller Gonzalez performs a rhymed, multimedia version of the fairy tale at Lincoln Center's David Rubenstein Atrium. FREE Indoors!

A Musical Road Trip of Fun with Suzi Shelton – Park Slope
Hit the central branch of the Brooklyn Pubic Library to hear the local songstress play tunes off her new album Smile in My Heart. FREE Indoors!

Medieval Arts Children's Workshop – Morningside Heights
Head to the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine for its signature family workshop. Kids can carve a block of limestone, make illuminated letters, design gargoyles, weave and try other period crafts. $6 per adult-child pair Indoors!

See all events on Saturday.
 

Sunday, November 2

Two important reminders for Sunday: Daylight Saving Time ends, so be sure to turn your clocks back one hour. Plus the annual New York City Marathon means you should allow extra time getting around town.

Obake Family Day – Midtown East
Head to Japan Society for a spooky celebration of ghouls, goblins and other mystical creatures from Japanese folklore. Crafts, storytime, movies and a not-too-scary haunted house are all on tap. In advance: $12 for adults, $6 for children ages 3-12; at the door: $15 for adults, $8 for kids

Chocolate Works Grand Opening – Upper East Side
Hit the chocolate chain's newest outpost, where kids can dip a marshmallow in the chocolate fountain, enjoy a live brass brand and get their faces painted. As if the kids need more candy! FREE

See all events on Sunday.

Don't forget: There's even more fun to be found in our Event Calendar.