For most of the United States, Halloween is on Oct. 31. But not in Queens, where it inspires several days of fun activities and inspiring outfits. Then the borough gets one day of rest, and it’s time for El Día de los Muertos on Nov. 2.
Two lists follow. The first one informs on Halloween in the world’s most diverse borough. The second provides details on Día de los Muertos in a different format.
Saturday, Oct. 28
Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park Workshops, performances, food, NYC’s second largest dog costume contest, and the third annual pumpkin-carving contest and compost catapult. Noon to 5 pm at 32-01 Vernon Blvd. in Long Island City.
Cult Horror Film Series at the Museum of the Moving Image Here’s the schedule: 1974: The Possession of Altair on Oct. 28 at 2 pm; 976-EVIL on Oct. 28 at 4 pm: Demons on Oct 28 at 6 pm; Devil Fetus on Oct. 29 at 2 pm; and The Exorcist III on Oct. 27 at 7:30 pm and Oct. 29 at 3:45 pm. MoMI is at 36-01 35th St. in Astoria’s Kaufman Arts District.
One-Man Star Wars Trilogy at Queens Theatre Canadian actor and uber geek Charles Ross retells the classic Star Wars trilogy. No costumes, props or sets, but he brings his art to the characters, music, ships, and battles. Shows are on Oct. 28 at 1 pm and 6 pm and Oct. 29 at 4 pm. QT is at 14 United Nations Ave. S. in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Trunk or Treat at Maple Grove Cemetery Costumed motorists park their decorated cars and give away candy to trick-or-treaters in a safe, monitored, and fun environment. From 2 pm to 4:30 pm. Enter via the gate at 129th Street and Kew Gardens Road.
Come if You Dare to Queens Night Market Costume contests with such prizes as a Jeff McNeil-signed baseball from the New York Mets; exclusive VIP-suite concert tickets from Forest Hills Stadium; gift certificates to toy store Kidding Around; roundtrip flights from Delta Air Lines; three $100 gift certificates from Queens Center; two $100 restaurant vouchers from Resorts World New York City; and an Eli Manning-signed football courtesy of Citizens. Starts at 5 pm behind the New York Hall of Science in Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
Sunday, Oct. 29
Totten Trot 5K Foot Race An annual, Halloween-themed race with a waterfront course and separate children’s run. The 501st Legion’s Empire City Garrison, a worldwide Star Wars costume organization, is this year’s special guest. Starts at 9 pm with check-in beforehand at the Bayside Historical Society’s headquarters, The Castle, at 208 Totten Ave. in Fort Totten.
Halloween at Queens Botanical Garden Little ones show off their costumes and walk the Trick-or-Treat Trail. Gary the Great does his magic show, along with a circus, costume dance party, cider, creepy compost, and Spooky Trail. Starts at noon at 43-50 Main St. in Flushing.
Ghost Tales from Queens at QED Astoria Marie Carter presents an illustrated lecture on local ghosts, haunted forts, buried treasure, tragic film stars, and specters of Queens cemeteries. Carter is an expert on witches in pre-19th century NYC and a multi-published author of unearthly tales. Starts at 3 pm at 27-16 23rd Ave.
Creepy Classics at QED Astoria Professional actors and voiceover artists, including Eric Kirchberger and Christian Finnegan, read horror stories by Edgar Allen Poe, Ray Bradbury, Neil Richard Gaiman, and other masters of the genre. Starts at 5 pm at 27-16 23rd Ave.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show at QED Astoria The 1975 cult film — which launched Susan Sarandon’s career and introduced the world to Doctor Frank-N-Furter — screens while actors from Broadway Bods lead a singalong with lots of audience participation…or else. Starts at 7 pm at 27-16 23rd Ave.
Batty Over Halloween in Astoria This eighth annual celebration features stilt walkers, balloon artists, face-painting, puppets, karaoke, and live shows. From 1 pm to 4 pm at Astoria Park Great Lawn in the vicinity of 19th Street and 23rd Avenue.
Halloween at Queens County Farm Museum A family party with roaming performances, trick-or-treating at nine candy stations, spooky farmhouse, hayrides, pumpkin patch, live DJ dance floor, and great costumes. Starts at 11 am at 73-50 Little Neck Pkwy. in Glen Oaks.
Monday, Oct. 30
Halloween Family Fun with a Victorian Era Twist at Voelker Orth Museum A night of not-too-spooky storytelling, art making, treats, and games. Come in costume, bring friends, and join the fun. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Starts at 5 pm at 149-19 38th Ave. in Flushing.
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Halloween Spooktacular at The Shops at Skyview Three hours of a DJ, photo booth, treats and scary specials. Starts at 4 pm at 40-24 College Point Blvd. in Flushing.
Día de los Muertos
Queens Theatre
Calpulli Mexican Dance Company presents a timeless love story celebrating humankind’s unending connection to the dearly departed. Shows are 3 pm and 7:30 pm on Oct. 28, 2 pm on Oct. 29, and 3 pm on Nov. 4.
Museum of the Moving Image
A free community celebration with Aztec Mexica dance, poetry, and music, followed by a screening of Guillermo del Toro’s The Devil’s Backbone on Nov. 2 at 4 pm.
The Big One
Four public venues off the 7 train line join forces to present music, dance, and ofrendas on Wednesday, Nov. 2. Lowery Plaza (40th Street, Sunnyside) is at 4 pm. Bliss Plaza (46th Street, Sunnyside) starts at 5 pm. Diversity Plaza (74th Street, Jackson Heights) begins at 6 pm. Corona Plaza (103rd Street, Corona) runs from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Top image: Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park;
bottom image: Calpulli Mexican Dance Company