Weekend Planner: The Best New York City Events (October 28-30)

Head to Asphalt Green’s Upper East Side or Battery Park City campuses for a Halloween-themed fitness experience for all ages, including a “Spooktacular Soccer Shootout” and a Haunted Maze, plus music, refreshments, and more. (Friday)

Photo: asphaltgreen.org

This Saturday enjoy the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale of “The Ugly Duckling” performed by the award-winning Lightwire Theater at Symphony Space. The company, featured on “America’s Got Talent,” will bring the story to life with high-tech wiring to create glow-in-the-dark 3-D puppets and props. (Saturday)

Photo: symphonyspace.org

Bring your little ghouls and goblins to Lincoln Center where a festive Halloween celebration will take over its plazas, including costumes, candy, live performances, and more. Activities abound such as a scavenger “haunt,” a craft workshop with the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, a costume parade, story-time with author Peter Brown, and a David Bowie-themed children’s dance party! (Saturday)

Photo: lincolncenter.org

Learn all about the history of the West Side of Manhattan during this free celebration at the High Line. Listen to historic tales about the meatpacking district with the Meatpacker Ghost, and enjoy face painting, a scavenger hunt, dancing, and live music! This event is free and will take place rain or shine. (Saturday)

Photo: thehighline.org

This artisan market in Hudson River Park is the perfect spot to take your kids! With music, food, crafts, and activities for all ages, the entire family is sure to have a great afternoon. (Saturday)

Photo: meatpacking-district.com

Take part in Brooklyn’s wackiest Halloween parade at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden! Kids will jump at the chance to dance with “Victorian creatures” from the Mettawee River Theatre Company and have the opportunity to learn all about creepy crawly bugs at Dr. Rutledge’s Insectorium and Petting Zoo. Plus, don’t forget to stop by the Children’s Book Barn for readings and autographs from local authors and illustrators such as Melanie Hope Greenberg and Nancy Carpenter. Entertainers scheduled to perform include the Shinbone Alley Stilt Band, Billy Jonas & the Band, and Phydeaux’s Flying Flea Circus of Fate. (Saturday)

Photo: bbg.org

Spend the day before Halloween at the Queens County Farm Museum’s Children’s Fall Festival. The afternoon will feature games, bounce houses, the ConEdison Ecology booth, pig races, live country music, a Haunted House, pony and hay rides, and much more. All are encouraged to come dressed in costume! Fest-goers are urged to arrive early. (Sunday)

Photo: queensfarm.org

Head to Central Park for a costume parade, pumpkin carving demos, spooky stories with Story Laurie, and a pumpkin flotilla on the Harlem Meer. This year’s event will feature a live bat demon-stration presented by the Organization for Bat Conservation and a craft project hosted by Martha Stewart Living. (Sunday)

Photo: centralparknyc.org

How about a pink Halloween? Party attendees at The Plaza will be painting pumpkins pink and decorating them with pink glitter and gems. A selection of pumpkin tea, pink lemonade, chicken sliders and french fries, and lovely pink desserts including pink candy corn will be served. (Sunday)

Photo: theplazany.com

Stop by the New York Hall of Science with the kids for Chemistry Day. Demonstrations by local college students and industries will surely pique their interests in science. (Sunday)

Photo: nysci.org