The spookiest time of the year is upon us again, and before you know it the streets of Brooklyn will be crawling with little ghouls and goblins threatening tricks and demanding treats! If you’re looking for a fun alternative to the traditional house-to-house routine, here are loads of great activities, parades, festivals and concerts. With so much to do, this year’s Halloween could turn into a fortnight festival of fright — so here’s GO Brooklyn’s definitive clip-and-save calendar.
SATURDAY OCT 18
HAUNTED HOTEL: City Tech’s annual theme park-quality Halloween happening is crawling with skeletons, gypsies, pirates and ghosts — and it’s better than ever. $6, $4 students. 1–5 pm and 6–9 pm. Not appropriate for very young children. New York City College of Technology [186 Jay St., north of Tillary Street in Downtown, (718) 260-5109].
SUNDAY OCT 19
HARVEST FESTIVAL: Do you still have last year’s costumes stuffed at the back of your closet? If they’re clean and in good condition, bring them in and swap them for brand-new old costumes. Free. 11 am to 4 pm. Old Stone House in JJ Byrne Park [Fifth Avenue between Third and Fourth streets in Park Slope]. For info, visit www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org.
THURSDAY OCT 23
HAUNTED PUBLIC LIBRARY: Have you ever wanted to walk around the Brooklyn Public Library in a completely outrageous costume? Now’s your chance! Dress up at the Brooklyn Public Library and enjoy stories, treats, activities and more. Free. 6 pm. Brooklyn Public Library’s Central branch [Grand Army Plaza near Flatbush Avenue in Park Slope, (718) 230-2100].
HAUNTED HOTEL: 1–5 pm. See Sat., Oct. 18.
FRIDAY OCT 24
HAUNTED HOTEL: 1–5 pm. See Sat., Oct. 18.
SATURDAY OCT 25
HALLOWEEN PARADE: March through Brooklyn Heights in your scariest costumes! There will also be a bake sale to benefit the Brooklyn Heights Playground Committee. Free. 10 am. Brooklyn Heights Playground [Pierrepont Street and the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights]. For info, visit www.bhplaygrounds.org
MASQUERADE PARTY: A little old to be trick-or-treating? Then how about a grand costume ball? Wear your most outrageous get-up (George Washington, anyone?) — and benefit the historic Old Stone House at the same time. $40. 8 pm. The Brooklyn Lyceum [227 Fourth Ave. at President Street in Park Slope, (718) 768-3195].
WYCKOFF FARMHOUSE: Halloween comes amid the full blast of autumn, and what better way to celebrate than a harvest festival? Fresh cider, apples dipped in delicious caramel, and face painting are sure to make this a great time. “Halloween Harvest in Old Brooklyn.” Free. Noon. Wyckoff Farmhouse Museum [5816 Clarendon Rd. between East 58th Street and Ralph Avenue in Canarsie, (718) 629-5400].
SEA MONSTERS: How many haunted houses can claim real, live monsters? How about ones with giant tusks, big wet flippers and long whiskers? The haunted house at the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium is the only place in town filled with arts, crafts, face painting and, of course, walruses. $13, $9 kids under 12 (kids in costume free with a paying adult). Noon. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium [Surf Avenue at West Eighth St. in Coney Island, (718) 265-3474].
FORT GREENE PARK FEST: This year’s Halloween Festival will include hayrides, face-painting, interactive children’s music and games. Don’t miss the park ranger table with all the creepy crawly creatures you can handle! Free. Noon. [Great Lawn at Washington Avenue and DeKalb Avenue in Fort Greene. (718) 722-3218]. For info, visit www.forgreenepark.org.
CARNIVAL: PS 372 is turning into a crazy haunted Halloween carnival! Free. Noon. Recreation Center of PS 372 [First Street between Third and Fourth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 768-3703]. For info visit www.puppetryarts.org
HAUNTED HOTEL: 6–9 pm. See Sat., Oct. 18.
ECO-FRIENDLY HAUNTED HOUSE: Habana Outpost is teaming up with the Green School to design a completely “green” haunted house. It’s free fun for kids of all ages. After a scare in the haunted house, give back to people in need and give blood to the New York Blood Center. 2–7pm. [757 Fulton Street between South Oxford Street and South Portland Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 858-9500].
FA-BOO-LOUS FESTIVAL: A haunted house, a “Fear Factor”-style eating contest and a fun Monster Mash dance will make for a very scary time! 2–6 pm. [388 Atlantic Ave. between Hoyt and Bond streets in Boerum Hill, (718) 625-6923].
PROSPECT PARK HAUNTED WALK: Take a walk to Lookout Hill and see Halloween creatures like zombies, witches and wolf men, as well as a puppet parade! Also, stop by the carnival on the Nethermead for games and treats. Noon–3 pm. Free. [Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street in Prospect Park].
SUNDAY OCT 26
CANINE COSTUME CONTEST: Dress your dogs up and paint pumpkins, listen to music, and take a tour of native Brooklyn plants. Free. Noon–5 pm. Narrows Botanical Gardens [Shore Road between 69th and 72nd streets in Bay Ridge]. For info, visit www.narrowsbg.org
DOGGIE COSTUME PARADE: Halloween’s not just for humans any more. Man’s best friend wants in on the action now, so come see some crazy canines get dressed up and strut their stuff! $25. 1 pm. Brooklyn Heights Promenade [Remsen Street entrance in Brooklyn Heights (718) 834-2054]. Must pre-register by Oct. 25.
GHOULS AND GOURDS: Bring costumes, musical instruments and a silly attitude to this annual Halloween extravaganza at the Botanic Garden. There will be live music, arts and crafts workshops and a book fair. Adults, $8, kids under 12, free. Noon. Brooklyn Botanic Garden [1000 Washington Ave. at Crown Street, (718) 623-7220].
STORYTELLING: Several noted storytellers will be weaving their scary webs for kids pre-kindergarten and older. 2:30 pm. $10. Brooklyn Lyceum [227 Fourth Ave. at President Street in Park Slope, (718) 398-7301].
SEA MONSTERS: Noon. See Sat., Oct. 25.
ECO-FRIENDLY HAUNTED HOUSE: 2 pm. See Sat., Oct. 25.
PUMPKIN PATCH: Packer Collegiate Institute will be “packed” with crazy rides, a barbecue and a dunk tank as the private school holds its annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser. 11 am-4pm. $40. Packer Collegiate Institute [170 Joralemon Street between Clinton and Court streets in Brooklyn Heights]. For info, visit www.packer.edu/pa/pumpkinpatch.
MONDAY OCT 27
ECO-FRIENDLY HAUNTED HOUSE: 2 pm. See Sat., Oct. 25.
FRIDAY OCT 31
PREHISTORIC HAUNTING: Brooklyn Academy of Music is hosting a caveman’s Halloween, complete with dinosaurs, pterodactyls, ghouls and goblins! Free. 4 pm. BAM [30 Lafayette Ave. between Ashland Place and Fulton Street in Fort Greene, (718) 636-4100].
ENCHANTED FOREST: Walk through a haunted forest, trick-or-treat trail, pony rides and much more at the Owls Head Park. $5 donation requested. 3:30 pm. Owls Head Park [68th St. at Colonial Road in Bay Ridge, (718) 238-6044].
THE BIG PARADE: It’s the Park Slope Halloween parade, the biggest children’s parade in the United States! Don’t miss large-scale puppets built by the Park Slope Parents’ Puppet Team and a costume contest MC’d by our own editor! Free. Parade starts at 6:30 pm. [Seventh Ave. at 12th Street in Park Slope, (718) 832-8227].
MOSTER MASH: Touch slithery snakes, get your face painted, and hear spooky stories. It’s the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s first Halloween Monster Mash since the big makeover, and the 109-year-old institution is showing off the renovated space in style. 2:30–4:30 pm for kids under 5; 5–6pm for all ages. Free. Brooklyn Children’s Museum [Brooklyn Avenue between St. Marks Ave. and Prospect Place in Crown Heights, (718) 735-4400].
WITCHES’ WALK: Willyburg Witch will lead a mini-parade, starting at Flying Squirrel and including pit stops with lots of activities. Free. 5 pm. Flying Squirrel [North Sixth Street between Wythe Avenue and Berry
