Thursday, October 28th, 2010

Halloween is almost here, and New Yorkers are getting ready for another holiday filled with costumes, parties, and fun.  Click through to check out some of the events scheduled for Halloween this year on the Upper West Side.

Halloween Extravaganza
Friday, October 29th, 2010, 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm, $20
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Amsterdam at 112th
Brace yourself for increased ghostly mischief and ghoulish tricks as the Great Organ accompanies the procession of Ralph Lee and the Mettawee River Theater Company’s ghosts and ghouls, spanning the full stretch of the nave.  In addition, a screening of The Cabinet and Dr. Caligari (1921) takes place, sure to give you a fright.

Halloween Guided Visits
Saturday, October 30th, 2010, $8-$12
Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, Amsterdam at 112th
Shake your spirits loose as you crawl into the Cathedral’s crypt and learn the origins of Halloween from Cathedral guides, or enjoy a morning of spooky fun with a kids-only Halloween workshop, featuring a reading of Night of the Gargoyles along with a fun workshop making gargling, grimacing clay gargoyles, skeleton creatures, and paper gargoyle masks.  Advance reservations required for both.

Halloween at Belvedere: A Monster Musical Adventure
Saturday, October 30th, 2010, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, on the hour, FREE
Central Park’s Belvedere Castle, mid-park near 79th
Enjoy a 45-minute family-friendly play about a young boy who fights to save Halloween with the help of some friendly monsters.  Dress warmly, since the performance is outdoors.

Pumpkin Festival
Saturday, October 30th, 2010, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, FREE
Central Park’s Naumberg Bandshell, mid-park near 70th
Celebrate the fall harvest season with a haunted house (sneak preview on Friday, October 29th from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm), Dunkin’ Donuts scarecrow competition, pumpkin patch, hay rides, face painting, live entertainment, and more.

Spooktacular Halloween Sports
Saturday, October 30th, 2010, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, FREE
Central Park’s North Meadow Recreation Center, mid-park near 97th
Participate in Soccer “Ghoul” Kicking, “Freak” Throw Contests, and more.  The event is free, rain or shine, and no advance registration is required.

Haunted Halloween: Dance of the Dead
Saturday, October 30th, 2010, 10:00 pm – close, FREE (before 12:00 am, on the guest list)
Columbus72, Columbus between 71st and 72nd
Dance to the music of DJs Pitch1 and Ski Hi at Columbus72.  Take part in a costume contest with great prizes.  RSVP to rsvp@columbus72.com to get on the guest list.

Howl-O-Ween Fundraiser
Sunday, October 31st, 2010, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm, $10
Bull Moose Dog Run, 81st between Columbus and Central Park West
Help raise much-needed funds for the Bull Moose Dog Run by registering (before 11:30 am on Sunday) and bringing your pooch to the Halloween dog costume contest.  Prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third place, plus raffle prizes will be awarded at the event.

Hippo Halloween Parade
Sunday, October 31st, 2010, 3:45 pm – 5:00 pm, FREE
Riverside Park, starts at 89th and Riverside Drive
Gather at the Soldiers’ & Sailors’ Monument in your costume and follow the bagpipers to the Hippo Playground.  Enjoy free cider & donuts afterward.

15th Annual Halloween Celebration
Sunday, October 31st, 2010, 2:00 pm, $9-$10
American Museum of Natural History, Central Park West at 79th
Come in your Halloween costume and have fun at the museum.  Enjoy trick-or-treating, arts and crafts, live performances, pumpkin carving, and roaming characters like Curious George, Cat in the Hat, Toot and Puddle, Danny’s Dinosaur, Maisy, and more.

The Halloween Empire Party
Sunday, October 31st, 2010, 8:00 pm – 4:00 am, $30
Empire Hotel Rooftop, 63rd between Broadway and Columbus
Party Halloween night away at the Empire.  Take advantage of the 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm vodka open bar, get dressed up and try for the $1,000 giveaway for best costume, and dance to music spun by DJs Raffael De Luca, Charles Lima, and Alex Carrioca.  Purchase tickets in advance.

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Tags: Costume Party, Crypt, Parades and Festivals