Halloween 2013: The Bucket List

Who doesn't love Halloween? There's the pumpkins, the candy corn, the decorations, the candy corn, kids in adorable costumes, the candy corn... We've looked high and low to find the 10 best Halloween-related events in our area for you and your goblins. And, for those truly adventurous, we've included information on the grande dame of all parties – the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, which was canceled last year due to Super Storm Sandy. So start planning as October is right around the corner.

As a side note: If you are headed to the Bronx, go early enough in the day and look around for street parking (especially on Sunday) and skip the paid parking lots. Don't forget Arthur Avenue for Italian specialties (www.arthuravenuebronx.com) is right down the road with its great pizza stores and pastry shops. Last, call ahead to verify times and admission costs to avoid disappointment.

New York Botanical Gardens
What: Halloween Fun
When: September 21-October 31
Where/Website: 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx (718) 817-8779; www.nybg.org
Prices: Depending on when you go, prices for adults start at about $20.
Just down the road, the NYBG has enough programs to keep even a witch happy all day including Haunted Pumpkin Garden activities, Ugh! Bugs & Creepy Creatures of Halloween, Pumpkin Carver's Studio, Gone Batty! Live Bat Encounter, Scarecrow Weekend, and Spooky Nighttime Adventures.

Special events include:
Giant Pumpkin Carving Weekend
October 19 and 20; 10 am - 6 pm
Clay Family Picnic Pavilions
Giant pumpkins from around the world, expected to weigh in at more than 1,800 pounds each, will be on display at the Garden. Arranged in collaboration with the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, the recognized standard of weights, measurements, and fairness of competition, these winners of global pumpkin weigh-offs will be transformed by Master Carver Ray Villafane of Food Network fame.
Q&A with the Master Carvers and Growers
October 19 and 20; 12:00 noon, 1:00 pm, 2:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 4:00 pm

Master carvers share how they came up with their creative ideas to transform the giant pumpkins into works of art before your eyes and the growers of these giants tell of the unique techniques used to get them so big. This is your time to ask these artists and farmers any questions you might have.

MasterCard Budding Masters Creepy Pumpkin Carving Workshop
October 19, 9:30 am–12:00 noon

Kids will get up-close and personal with some of the biggest pumpkins in the world during this hands-on pumpkin carving workshop. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit MasterCard's Priceless New York (www.priceless.com)

The Bronx Zoo
What: Boo at the Zoo: Dragons and Dinos
When: Weekends October 5-November 3
Where/Website: 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx (718) 220-5100; www.bronxzoo.com/boo/
Prices: Buy your tickets online for the most savings. Prices range from $28.95 for adults to $18.95 for children and include unlimited access to Dinosaur Safari ride, 4-D Theater, Bug Carousel, Congo Gorilla Forest, JungleWorld, Butterfly Garden, Zoo Shuttle and Wild Asia Monorail.
A New York holiday tradition. October weekends are chock full of events including Dinosaur Safari, 3-D Carved Pumpkin Demonstrations, Costume Parade, Musical Theater: Beasts of the Magical World, Hay Maze, Live Music, Animal-themed Magic Shows, Creepy Crafts, and the Extinct Animal Graveyard.

Van Cortland Manor *****Top Pick****
What: The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
When: October 5-6, 11-14, 17-20, 24-31, November 1-3, 8-11
Where/Website: 525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson; www.hudsonvalley.org
Prices: Tickets must be purchased on line: Adults, $16, Children 3-17, $12; (Saturdays $20, $16).
See more than 5,000 individually hand-carved, illuminated jack o'lanterns in this elaborate walk-through experience. Brand new at Blaze 2013: Art of the Pumpkin. This exhibit of pumpkin-inspired sculpture features work by 25 area artists. This event sells out early each year, so if you are interested, buy your tickets as soon as you are ready to commit to going.

Old Dutch Church
What: Reading of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
When: October 5-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, November 1-2
Where/Website: parking for this event is at Philipsburg Manor at 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org
Prices: On line ticket prices start at $16.00

Held at the Old Dutch Church, the oldest church in New York State, built in 1685 by the lord of Philipsburg Manor. Master storyteller Jonathan Kruk offers a dramatic performance of Washington Irving's classic tale, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, written in 1819, complete with organ music and props.

Philipsburg Manor
What: Horseman's Hollow
When: October 5-6, 11-13, 18-20, 25-27, November 1-2
Where/Website: 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow; www.hudsonvalley.org
Prices: You must buy tickets on line. Prices range from $16 for adults to $7 for children
From the website, "Philipsburg Manor transforms into a terrifying landscape ruled by the undead, the evil, and the insane. Visitors begin walking a haunted trail, stumbling upon scary scenes of a town driven mad by the Headless Horseman. The Hollow's unfortunate inhabitants are all too ready to keep visitors from ever leaving. Creatures, human and otherwise, lurk in the shadows, ready to terrify the unsuspecting while incredible special effects disorient and unsettle. Elaborate costumes and the work of award-wining feature-film makeup artists make it all too real."

Scarsdale Recreation Events
Register for all events on line at http://reconline.scarsdale.com

What: Costume Parade and Halloween Fun
When: October 31
Where: Starts and ends at Chase Park; Line-up will begin at 3:30 pm. Parade will start at 3:45 pm
Price: Free

What: Halloween Window Painting Contest
When: October 20 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Various locations around Scarsdale
Price: $14 for individuals; $20 for double

What: Parent/Child Halloween Window Painting
When: October 20 from 9:00 am-4:00 pm
Where: Various locations around Scarsdale
Price: $20 per entry

What: Scarecrow Festival
When: October 12 at 10:00 am and 2:30 pm
Where: Pool Parking Lot on Mamaroneck Road
Price: Free; advanced registration is essential as space is limited

Weinberg Nature Center
What: Bat & Owl Prowl
When: October 25, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Where/Website: 455 Mamaroneck Road, Scarsdale (914)722-1289; or http://www.weinbergnaturecenter.org
Price: $6.00 per person/children under 2 free

This annual evening event includes a Kiddie Costume Contest (everyone wins), "Creature of the Night" live animal presentation, "Star-Gazing for Kids" night hike into the woods (bring flashlights), Make a Mask, snacks, games and crafts.

Rye Nature Center
What: Ghost Stories by the Campfire
When: October 26, 6:00 pm
Where/Website: 873 Boston Post Road, Rye (914) 967-5150; www.ryenaturecenter.org
Price: Members free; non-members $10

Bring a flashlight, hot dogs and your courage. Listen to stories and poems about Westchester's haunted forests, houses, and caves. Marshmallows provided.

Greenburgh Nature Center
Registration information at www.greenburghnaturecenter.org

What: Fall Festival
When: October 20 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Address: 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale; (914) 723-3470
Scarecrow building and pumpkin carving or painting, cider making, petting zoo, scavenger hunts, tractor rides and more.
What: Scarecrows and Pumpkins Parade
When: October 27 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Address: 99 Dromore Road, Scarsdale; (914) 723-3470
A fun Halloween event for young children. Follow friendly scarecrows along our pumpkin trail; meet storybook characters along the way. Come in costume and enjoy cider and treats, tattoos and more.

Greenwich Village, New York City
What: The 40th Annual Village Halloween Parade;
When: October 31 at 7:00 pm
Where/Website: On 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 16th Street; http://www.halloween-nyc.com/
Price: Free
Lineup begins at 6:30 pm and the parade runs until 9:00 pm. Only costumed marchers are allowed. Don't miss the most wildly creative, largest public participatory event in the greatest city in the world!