21 UPPER WEST SIDE HALLOWEEN EVENTS 2012
FOR 2013 HALLOWEEN EVENTS, CLICK HERE.
The neighborhood will be brimming with Halloween events in the next week. Check out what’s in store (Ee’ll probably be adding to the list and if you know of any events, email us. We updated the incorrect date for the Empire Hotel party).
October 26
Halloween Bats at Belvedere Step into the mysterious world of bats and explore their benefits, habitats, and nocturnal strategies in this live animal encounter program with conservation biologist Rob Mies. Debunk the myths you’ve heard about bats with the Central Park Conservancy and Rob Mies, conservation biologist, bat expert, Director of the Organization for Bat Conservation, author and TV personality. We’ll explore the mysterious lives of bats to learn about their benefits, why we need to conserve them, and what we can do to help these unique mammals. Belvedere Castle (mid-Park at 79th Street). Starts at 5 p.m.
Procession of the Ghouls and showing of Nosferatu (1922), Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 7 pm and 10 pm; $20.
Dance of the Dead Party at Columbus 72. Free admission from 10 p.m. until midnight if on guest list (rsvp@columbus72.com). $10 afterward.
October 27
Central Park Pumpkin Fest Join NYC Parks for Pumpkin Fest, New York City’s annual celebration of the fall harvest season in leafy Central Park! Starts at 11 a.m. at the Naumberg Bandshell. Click for events schedule.
Spooktacular Halloween Festival Face painting, arts and crafts, pumpkin carving, giveaways and more. At Alain Locke Magnet School, 21 West 111th Street. Starts at 11 a.m.
Doggie Halloween Party Sponsored by the dog owners group FLORAL, this is one of the oldest canine costume events in the city – fun for all! The party features free admission, refreshments, treats for dogs, our very popular Doggie Costume Contest ($10 entry fee) judging starts at 2 pm, a Halloween Raffle and Silent Auction. 72nd Street dog run in Riverside Park.
PS 87 Harvest Fest A Fall fest with a Halloween twist. Starts at 3 p.m.
Gotham Gargoyles Children’s Workshop at 10am; The morning begins with a reading of Eve Bunting’s Night of the Gargoyles, then down to the workshop to assemble gargling, grimacing clay gargoyles, skeleton creatures, and paper gargoyle masks. Recommended for ages 4 and up. $8 per child, with accompanying adult. Meet at Visitor Center. For reservations call 212 932-7347. Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Halloween Sleepover at AMNH A Night at the Museum, the American Museum of Natural History’s wildly popular nocturnal adventure experience, has new and exciting updates this season. Explore our live-animal exhibitions with knowledgeable Museum explainers and challenge yourself with one of our fun Museum Quests. End your night by falling asleep in the darkened halls of one of the world’s most famous museums. The popular Halloween sleepover includes after-hours viewings of spooky creatures, presentations by science explainers, and Halloween-themed activities, including prizes for the most original costumes. For children ages 6-13. Evening snack, light breakfast, and sleeping cots will be provided. At the Museum of Natural History. $129.
Crypt Crawls Shake your spirits loose this Halloween! Creep into the Cathedral’s crypt with Cathedral Guides and learn the origins of Halloween as the Celtic New Year celebration and later transformation into All Hallows Eve. $20 per person, $15 per student/senior. Participants must be 12 years of age and older, and reservations are recommended. The tour is approximately one hour. Meet at Visitor Center. Click HERE for tickets or call (866) 811-4111 (additional service charges apply). Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Crawls start at 1:30, 3, 4 and 5.
Halloween Party Wear a costume, refreshments, games, prizes, 2pm-5pm, rain date 10/28. At the Mobilization For Change Garden West 107 St. & Col. Ave.
Monsters Ball at Columbus 72. Free admission from 9 p.m. until midnight if on guest list (rsvp@columbus72.com). $15 afterward.
Empire Hotel Halloween Party The Monster Bash at The Empire Hotel Rooftop. Tickets start at $30. 11 p.m. until 4 a.m.
October 28
ALERT: Events may be cancelled because of Hurricane Sandy. Double-check before going and stay out of parks after 5 p.m.
Apple Seeds Upper West Side will be hosting a Zickity Wickity BOO! Halloween Bash, featuring free play in the indoor playground, a Songs for Seeds performance, glow-in-the-dark activities, a pumpkin patch art project, pizza and more! 200 West End Avenue (between 69th and 70th streets) starting at 11 a.m. RSVP is required as space is limited. Members and Fall Class Participants, email: RSVP@appleseedsplay.com Non-members call: 212-792-7591.
Morningside Montessori Fall Fest Pumpkin decorating, games, farmer’s market, and more. 100th between Broadway and West End. FREE. Starts at 11 a.m.
Halloween Parade and Pumpkin Sail Wear your costume and bring a carved jack-o’-lantern before 5:30 pm for spooky music, marshmallow crafts, live entertainment, a parade, and New York City’s largest pumpkin flotilla at twilight. Please check here for jack-o’-lantern size, weight and decoration restrictions. Dana Discovery Center (inside Central Park on 110th Street between Fifth and Lenox Avenues). FREE. Starts at 4 p.m.
October 29
Halloween Hoedown, 4 pm, ages 4 & up; wear your costume. At Bloomingdale Library, 150 West 100th Street. FREE.
October 31
Halloween Parade Gather at the Soldiers Monument (89th & Riverside Drive) in your costume and follow the bagpipers to the Hippo Playground, where you can join us for some free cider and donuts. Starts at 3:45 p.m.
Teen Halloween Prizes for best costume; 4 p.m., ages 12-16. At Bloomingdale Library, 150 West 100th Street. FREE.
Halloween at the American Museum of Natural History Trick or treat among the Museum’s iconic halls. Kids’ favorite characters will wander the Museum, greeting and entertaining visitors. Spooky arts and crafts will keep little hands busy and live performances will take place throughout the night. Starts at 4 p.m. $11. Must register.
Crypt Crawls Shake your spirits loose this Halloween! Creep into the Cathedral’s crypt with Cathedral Guides and learn the origins of Halloween as the Celtic New Year celebration and later transformation into All Hallows Eve. $20 per person, $15 per student/senior. Participants must be 12 years of age and older, and reservations are recommended. The tour is approximately one hour. Meet at Visitor Center. Click HERE for tickets or call (866) 811-4111 (additional service charges apply). Cathedral of St. John the Divine. 5 p.m.
There are various block parties in the neighborhood on Halloween itself, but they have become a mob scene in recent years and I’ve heard from some folks that they’re not looking for publicity this year.
Illustration via Riverside Park Fund.
