BEST HALLOWEEN EVENTS FOR KIDS IN QUEENS

Get all the information on the best Halloween festivals for kids and families in Queens this year, including an Oktoberfest celebration in Sunnyside, a Halloween Harvest Festival in Long Island City, and a Carved Pumpkin Contest and Costume Parade in Kew Gardens.

Miniature superheroes, witches, and pumpkins line up for the Children's Costume Parade at Maple Grove Cemetery on October 29.

Although it's all the way at the end of October, kids start dreaming about Halloween long before the leaves start changing colors. With that sort of dedication to a holiday filled with colorful costumes, brilliantly lit jack-o-lanterns, and (of course) candy, why not celebrate all month long? With so many events to choose from, the hardest decisions your family will have to make is what to dress up as and what to do first. Here are some options to get you started:

Kick off the festivities by heading over to the usually-members-only Sunnyside Park for the Pumpkin Patch and Oktoberfest. Kids will enjoy running through the pumpkin patch to pick out their favorite for the family porch, as well as face and pumpkin painting activities. Adults can sample the yummy food and Oktoberfest brews available inside the park. October 8, 12-6pm. FREE.

Sunnyside Gardens Park, 48-21 39th Avenue, Sunnyside

If you want a Halloween event that even the family's four-legged members can attend, head over to Socrates Sculpture Park for the 11th Annual Halloween Harvest Festival. In addition to artist-led crafts workshops, live music, and local fall foods, you can dress up Fido and enter him in the Canine Costume Contest. October 22, 11am-2pm (rain or shine). FREE.

Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City

Got a talented pumpkin carver in the house? Give her the opportunity to show off those sculpting skills at Maple Grove's Great Halloween Festival & Carved Pumpkin Contest. Kids (older than 12) and adults who enjoy a good scary movie from time to time should start off the festival at 2pm with The Strange and Unusual with a Touch of the Paranormal Walking Tour. From there, parents can see their kids all dressed up in a Children's Costume Parade before diving into some arts and crafts, listening to expert storytelling, and checking out all those beautifully carved pumpkins. October 29, 2-6:30pm: Walking Tour begins at 2pm; Costume Parade begins at 3:45pm; other activities begin at 4pm. $5; free children younger than 12.

Maple Grove Cemetery, 83-15 Kew Gardens Road, Kew Gardens

More Fun

Find even more Queens Halloween events in our constantly updated Calendar of Events

Get Halloween recipes, costume ideas, and more at www.nymetroparents.com/halloween

Enter our Halloween photo contest for a chance to win tickets to Broadway's spookiest show, The Addams Family!

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