ASTORIA — Halloween is right around the corner, and the next week is packed with events in western Queens to help adults, kids and even dogs celebrate the holiday right.
Locals can visit a haunted mansion or dress up their pooch in a pet costume parade, or If you're looking to head out of the neighborhood, check out DNAinfo's list of Halloween events citywide.
►Watch a Traditional Harvest Festival Dance
Celebrate the season at Socrates Sculpture Park's annual Halloween Harvest Festival, which will take place Saturday, Oct. 24 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Festivities will include costume workshops, face painting and shadow puppet shows for kids.
There will be a traditional harvest festival dance at 12 p.m. followed by a dog costume contest at 1 p.m., while Urban Shaman Mama Donna will be blessing pets starting at 2 p.m.
►Dress Up Your Dog
What's better than a dog in costume? Woodside on the Move will hold its annual "Woofside" Halloween Festival on Oct. 24 at Windmuller Park, located on 52nd Street and 39th Drive.
The free event runs from noon to 2 p.m., though pet owners who want to enter the costume contest should register beforehand starting at 11 a.m. at Skillman Pet Store at 49-16 Skillman Ave. for a $10 donation.
►Hear Astoria's Haunted History
Every neighborhood has its ghost stories, Astoria included. Local resident and tour guide Marie Carter will host two spooky events this week at event space Q.E.D. which will look at the area's haunted history.
The first, to take place Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m., will delve into the life and death of 1920s film star Rudolph Valentino, whose ghost was supposedly spotted in Astoria, where he shot one of his movies. A second lecture on Nov. 1 will talk about local legends and ghost stories. Each event costs $10.
►Catch a Horror Flick
Fans of legendary horror director David Cronenberg can celebrate with a film festival, as the Museum of the Moving Image will show six of his movies throughout Halloween weekend. Screenings will include "The Fly," "The Brood," and "Dead Ringers." Tickets to each cost $12. A full schedule can be found here.
►Trick-or-Treat Down Vernon Boulevard
Long Island City's annual Halloween parade returns, and will take place this year on Oct. 31 starting at 1:30 p.m. in front of the 108th Precinct. The LIC-YMCA will perform the "Thriller" dance, and kids will march down Vernon Boulevard for trick-or-treating (free tote bags will be provided to carry all that candy).
►Check Out Astoria's Haunted Mansion
Local organization Astoria Music and Arts is hosting a haunted house at the Federation of Hellenic Societies' cultural center at 22-51 29th St., where they'll transform the space into a series of spooky rooms, each with a different horror theme. The haunted mansion will be open Oct. 30 and 31 from 7 to 10 p.m. Entry will be donation-based.
►Party at MoMA PS1
The Long Island City art museum will throw its annual Halloween ball from 8 p.m. to midnight on Oct. 31, featuring costumes, DJs and dancing. Tickets cost $15.
