Weekend Planner: October 26-28

We’ll get right to the point. It’s Halloween weekend, and to help you make the most of it, we’ve put together a master list of the city’s 40 biggest and baddest celebrations. This week’s Weekend Planner includes top highlights from that master list, plus a few other non-spooky events just in case you need a break from all the pumpkins and parades.

HALLOWEEN PLANNER:

Celebrate in Seussian style at CMOM’s Halloween Festival, with magic shows, theater, and Grinch-inspired crafts. Booyah! (Friday-Sunday)

We can’t think of anything scarier than giant sculptures and nighttime creatures at NYBG’s Haunted Pumpkin Garden–can you? (Friday-Sunday)

Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo is the ultimate festival with hay rides, graveyards, and pumpkin carving. Live the Halloween dream. (Saturday-Sunday)

It’s all about pumpkins at Central Park, whose fest includes sugar pumpkin-making, Quidditch matches, a Big Apple Circus performance, and much more. Yum! (Saturday)

Go green at the World Financial Center, where you can enjoy fair-trade treats and costume swaps amidst games like musical spider web and gourd rolls. Love it. (Saturday)

Morningside Montessori Schools’ Fall Festival combines pumpkin decorating, goblin bowling, and doughnuts with a super-popular beloved mom rocker. Guess who? (Sunday)

Hudson River Park’s Halloween Kidz Karnival means mask decorating, Story Pirates improv, and fun rides. Hop on! (Sunday)

All about parades: Whether you’re in Central Park for a pumpkin sail, in Park Slope for trick-or-treating, or at The Scholastic Store to hang with Clifford, there’s always a chance to strut your spookiest stuff.

OTHER WEEKEND PLANS:

Take a break from Halloween at New Victory Theater’s “Mojo,” which combines puppetry, illusion, and music. Ready for some magic? (Friday-Sunday)

Little Orchestra Society’s A Happy Family concert introduces a classical music performance–all about candy. Sweet! (Saturday-Sunday)

For a serene night, join The Intrepid Museum on its Astronomy Day, led by experts from the Rockland Astronomy Club. Oooh, ahhh. (Saturday)

You’ll want to dance the night away at New York Theater Ballet’s first Dance on a Shoestring performance this season. Guess which nursery rhyme will be featured? (Saturday)

The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial reopens at the American Museum of Natural history with leaf-printing crafts, bird walks, and more. Dive in! (Saturday)

BONUS TIP:

What’s fall without a slew of pumpkin treats? To satisfy your family’s seasonal cravings, we searched high and low to gather these 15 delicious recipes, from mini cheesecakes to pie fudge to French toast. Enjoy!

Chickenshed NYC

Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company that began in the UK in 1974. Chickenshed NYC is a young organization bringing that same ethos and unique methodology to the USA. Chickenshed&rsquo;s mission is to create entertaining and outstanding theatre that celebrates diversity and inspires positive change. Chickenshed's model of Inclusive Theatre is based in the belief that everyone can flourish when everyone is included. At Chickenshed everyone is welcome, everyone is valued, and together we produce remarkable theatre. We want to break down barriers between people to create a world without labels and where differences no longer divide. At Chickenshed, support is given to those who need it, and given by those who can . We believe that creative activities, self-expression and performance should be available to anyone who has the desire, no matter their background or circumstances. We know that when everyone has the opportunity to shine, amazing things happen. Chickenshed NYC provides programming for little ones, children and youth through semester-long activities and performances.

Athletic Association of Yorkville Youths

Serving the families and children of NYC for over 50 years with high-quality recreational activities that foster life-lessons which empower young people to succeed beyond sports. Our programs encourage positive attitudes and growth through teamwork and sportsmanship, attendance, fair play, respect, hard work, integrity and fun. Your child can participate in clinics and leagues in such sports as baseball, basketball, flag-football, lacrosse, soccer, hockey, wrestling, track, and tennis. We also offer weekly dodgeball tournaments, drama and musical theater workshops, and after school programs.

Young Actors at Strasberg

Young Actors at Strasberg&nbsp;offers a comprehensive array of acting programs for students in grades 2 &ndash;&nbsp;12. Classes provide kids and teens with a foundation in Lee Strasberg's Method Acting and the tools to succeed in the professional industry &ndash;&nbsp;all while maintaining a fun and playful environment. Programs are tailored to encompass students at all levels, from those just beginning their acting journey to Broadway veterans and professional child actors. Young Actors at Strasberg alumni include Lady Gaga, Sophia Lillis, Angelina Jolie, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson and Rosario Dawson! Young Actors&nbsp;Programs are available online and in-person at our New York Campus, located in Union Square. Saturday, After-School and Online classes are offered during the traditional school year (Fall, Winter, and Spring) and Monday through Friday day camps and intensives are held in&nbsp;July and August. About The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute: Founded in 1969 by Lee and Anna Strasberg, The Lee Strasberg Theatre &amp; Film Institute is the only school that teaches Lee Strasberg's work in its complete and authentic form. The Institute's goal is to provide students with a craft that will help them create a reality and respond truthfully in imaginary circumstances, regardless of the style or form of material being used. LSTFI is proud to have award-winning alumni from around the world working as writers, directors, and actors in all mediums.