It’s almost time for Halloween! Here in Astoria, events are spaced out over the next couple of weeks. There are parties, movies, festivals, plenty of fun for the kids, and even a haunted house. Read on!

Saturday, October 19

The Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park happens from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is their biggest event of the year. There will be Halloween costume workshops run by Socrates artists; a Canine Costume Contest for your furbaby; face-painting, art-making, and harvest foods from local restaurants, as well as the weekly Saturday greenmarket (yours truly will be doing a cooking demo, too)! Free, and the event happens rain or shine. 32-01 Vernon Blvd, Astoria/LIC

The Greater Astoria Historical Society is organizing their annual Halloween Walking Tour at 12pm on Saturday that will focus on murders and death along the East River in Astoria/LIC, including those on ships like the General Slocum. The tour will start under the Hell Gate Bridge at Astoria Park and continue to Socrates Sculpture Park. The tour will be held rain or shine. $20 non-members, and $15 members and those who come in costume. Bring your camera!

Astoria Park Alliance Halloween Parade starts at 1 p.m. at the track at Astoria Park. The parade will move around the track and there will be snacks! Free, and the event happens rain or shine.

Friday, October 25

Rocky McBride’s is holding their annual Halloween party. “Wear your scariest costume concoction dead or alive!! Prizes for best costume and best couple costume!!” Festivities start at 8 p.m. and DJ Ric Rude starts spinning at 10 p.m. 27-01 23rd Ave, Astoria

MOMI is screening the horror/proto-slasher flick, Halloween, as part of their See It Big series. “John Carpenter knew how to use the super wide CinemaScope movie frame better than any other horror director, and his proto slasher film, about a masked maniac with a vendetta, stalking babysitters in suburban Illinois, remains the most elegantly shot and composed film of its kind.” The movie starts at 7 p.m. Free with museum admission, and free for museum members. 36-01 35th Ave, Astoria

Riccardo’s is hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner, where the audience participates. The mystery dinner theater troupe, The Killing Kompany will orchestrate the drama. “Come in costume if you dare!” $45 gets you a five-course meal and plenty of murder mystery action, all starting at 8 p.m. 21-01 24th Ave, Astoria

Saturday, October 26

Lockwood’s Kids Halloween Party should be a great time for the family! There will be gourd painting, mask making, Halloween crafts, and free Trick or Treat bags. It all happens from noon to 3 p.m. 32-15 33rd Street, Astoria

The NY Irish Center hosts their 3rd Annual Oiche Shamhna Celebration. “It is said the origins of Halloween, or Oíche Shamhna, in Gaelic, can be traced back to ancient Ireland. Families can explore Oíche Shamhna with two drama and visual arts workshops, followed by a traditional Irish Halloween party. The party lasts from noon to 6 p.m. and is geared toward children and families. Admission: $15 child. Family discounts available. 10-40 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City

The Hell Gate Horror makes an appearance again this year! This Ditmars-area haunted house is a popular seasonal destination. Gates open from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Here’s a testimonial from last year. 22-34 21st Street, Astoria (under the Hell Gate Bridge)

Alewife is hosting their Halloween Bash, with prizes for best dressed. There will also be “bewitching brews” and “scary snacks.” The fun starts at 8 p.m. 5-14 51st Avenue, Long Island City

Victory Garden Cafe hosts their Halloween Party again this year, complete with Halloween drinks, festive treats, and a costume contest—cash prizes for top winners, and a chance for a free dinner for two and a free bottle of champagne. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. 21-69 Steinway Street, Astoria

Ovelia’s Annual Halloween Masquerade Ball is a go again this year. There will be a costume competition, “Prizes awarded for best costume include Tixx to : Wicked, Suicide Girls: BlackHeart Burlesque and New Yorker Magazine’s New York Taste 2013.” The party starts at 11 p.m. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria

Sunday, October 27

The Queens Distance Runners (“Home Of The Queens Running Community”) will hold a Costume Party 5K at 9 a.m. “The course includes two loops around Astoria Park and participants are urged to wear their scariest and most creative costume.” This event is presented by Astoria Energy. Admission: $20; $15 students with ID. 18th Street and Astoria Park South, Astoria

Queens Comfort brings us Halloween in Dixie, Queens with a special brunch experience. “We’ve already invited some invisible demons, along with DJ Jojo Soul, spinning ol’ dirty south hip hop for you with a live mc in tow. ‘Food?’ you ask? Our special will be none other than the Purple People Eaters: deep-fried purple sweet potato croquettes with maple chipotle aioli. Plus: candy apples and praline pecan bacon. You know how we do… So we’ll see you at the shop, dressed appropriately in costume of course!” Brunch lasts from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 40-09 30th Avenue, Astoria

The Astoria Halloween Parade will start at the CVS on Ditmars Blvd and 31st at noon. It will end with an afterparty near the Bohemian Beer Garden; here is a map of the route. This is a great event for the kids, so bring your little munchkin along to enjoy. The parade is organized by the Astoria Moms Meetup Group and co-sponsored by Queens Mamas. Free!

House of Mysteries, the magic and mystery-oriented cafe on Vernon, is having its first ever Kids Halloween Party. “Come dressed as your favorite monster and creature of the night and get ready to dance and play some fun Halloween games! Oh, and don’t forget to bring your pumpkin. We’ll have a carving section full of art supplies so you can make your creepy pumpkin come to life.” Festivities start at noon. Admission is $15. 31-01 Vernon Blvd, Astoria/LIC

LIC: living and Ricky’s NYC have teamed up for their First Annual LIC Children’s Costume Contest Party. “Bring your cute, creepy, and creative ones decked out in their Halloween best! Enjoy complimentary food and beverages while browsing the best in style + home at LIC: living. Then head over to Ricky’s NYC Halloween Superstore (at 5-29 50th Ave) to find a costume or make your own Costume Concierge appointment for yourself, your child, or your pet! There will be prizes for the top three costumes – 1st Prize: $125 Ricky’s NYC Gift Card + Puzzle; 2nd Prize: $75 Ricky’s NYC Gift Card + Jump Rope; 3rd Prize: $50 Ricky’s NYC Gift Card + Activity Book. The costume Contest starts at 3 p.m. and prizes will be awarded at 3:30 p.m. If you would like to have your child styled for the event, go to the Ricky’s Halloween Superstore between 12-2 pmbefore the event. Styling packages start at $25.” 5-35 51st Avenue, Long Island City

City Ice Pavilion is holding their Monster Skate again for the third year, where you can skate to Halloween music from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dress in costume and the best one wins a free session of skating school. Admission $8, skate rental $4. 47-32 32nd Pl, Long Island City

Wednesday, October 30

The Strand Smokehouse will host a raucous Pumpkin Carving and Narragansett Beer can crushing competition.They’ll provide pumpkins to carve (or BYOP), plus whoever finishes off and crushes the most cans of Narragansett lager will win a surprise prize. 25-27 Broadway, Astoria

Thursday, October 31

The Quizmasters Presents: Quiz-O-Ween! “Your weekday Halloween has risen from the dead! Come by to test out your costume before the weekend while trying to win some prizes, cash or maybe just some respect. (Actual zombies may or may not be present.)” Takes place at the Irish Rover at 7:30 p.m. $10/team and winner takes the pot. 37-18 28th Ave, Astoria

Fireside Ghost Stories start up again at LIC Bar, just in time for Halloween! There will also be live music to accompany these scary tales. Stories start at 8:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 8 p.m. $5 suggested donation. 45-58 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City

Trick or Treating comes to Astoria Heights Playground, complements of ConnectionNYC. There will be Trick or Treating stations, bounce houses, popcorn, and a costume contest (toddler contest winner announced at 6:30 p.m. and older kids winner announced at 7 p.m.). Great fun for the whole family! 30th Road between 45th and 46th Streets

Waltz-Astoria has in store a night of some spooky madness (in costume, of course). Enjoy a night with a variety of music, comedy, spoken word and magic with some amazing up-and-coming artists and performers. These include Chris Joslin ” Hops ” (hip hop), Joseph Mulholland (spoken word), Karen Joy Pangantihon (music), Billy Conahan (hip hop), The Subtle Covers (music/comedy), and Mackenzie Greer (spoken word). $8 cover/1 drink minimum per person, 8-11:30 p.m. 23-14 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

The Shillelagh Tavern features Rocco & Rusty “spinning today’s and yesterday’s hits.” There will be a costume contest and drink specials, including Zombie Juice, Pumpkin Punch, and more. 9 p.m to 1 a.m. 47-22 30th Avenue, Astoria

Bistro 33 is hosting an Orange is the New Black Halloween themed celebration called “Pumpkins and Prisons,” starting in the evening (think 8 or 9 p.m.). There will be food and drink specials with an homage to the TV show, and other colorful additions. “Sport your finest cellblock attire or just don Orange and Black.” 19-33 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria

Sweet Afton’s spooky Halloween party is a 2-night event, both Thursday, October 31st and Friday, November 1st. They’ll be having some drink specials, including $5 Pumpkin Draft Beer and $7 Pumpkin Punch! Also, there will be a costume walk-off at midnight. Whoever has the best costume will receive a $100 gift certificate!

The Strand Smokehouse is hosting a costume contest and Halloween party. They’ll have drink specials (for anyone in costume) featuring whisky and local craft beers on tap, and a prize for best costume. “Extra points for a meat dress.” The fun starts at 11 p.m. 25-27 Broadway, Astoria

Singlecut Brewery is hosting a huge Halloween party! The party includes live music all night—the evening will start with local singer-songwriters, and then three bands will take care of music for the remainder of the night. Musical acts include Sage (Astoria locals), Adam Cohen, The Good Goods, Crooked Tails (Queens locals), and The Green Gallows (more Astoria locals). There’s also a costume contest, as well as haunted brewery tours happening. It’s a one of a kind party in Astoria! Doors open at 4 p.m. 19-33 37th Street, Astoria

Snowdonia Gastropub’s Halloween party will have “deadly” drink specials all night, “frightful flicks” playing on the flat-screens, as well as a movie-themed Costume Contest! Come dressed as your favorite movie character for a chance to win a $100 gift certificate to Snowdonia Gastropub! Doors open at 4 p.m., and the contest officially starts at 10 p.m. More info on how to win can be found here. 34-55 32nd Street, Astoria

Friday, November 1

Sweet Afton’s spooky Halloween party is a 2-night event, both Thursday, October 31st and Friday, November 1st. They’ll be having some drink specials, including $5 Pumpkin Draft Beer and $7 Pumpkin Punch! Also, there will be a costume walk-off at midnight. Whoever has the best costume will receive a $100 gift certificate!

Saturday, November 2

Enter the Fear returns to Studio Square for the fourth year. There will be live DJs, drinks specials, giveaways, and a costume contest ($500/$300/$200 for first, second, and third place, respectively). Doors open at 8 p.m/, $10 to enter, 21+ only. 35-44 37th Street, Astoria

Z Hotel brings us The Monster Mash Bash! They’re billing it as “The Biggest Costume Contest in Queens.” There will be $500 in cash prizes, too. DJ Alex Kouros spins hip hop, reggae, dance, freestyle, latin, greek, and pop all night. Open bar from 9-11 p.m. with a Sweet Treat Buffet. 11-01 43rd Ave, Long Island City

Finally, have you stopped by this house on 28th Street near 24th Ave that does an epic Halloween decoration of the front yard? They’ve got the decorations out and it’s wonderfully over the top, as usual. That’s where we saw this: