UPPER MANHATTAN — Whether you are looking for a place to show off your creative costume and pumpkin-carving skills, or an alternative to Halloween activites, there are plenty of great option for Uptown outings this weekend. Check out these six events:
Friday, October 31
► Children and parents are invited to a free Halloween event hosted by New York Presbyterian Hospital at the Fort Washington Armory from 5 to 7 p.m. It will feature a DJ, magician, balloon artists and carnival booths. Hospital employees dressed as characters, including Elsa and Anna from “Frozen,” will also be on hand to help entertain the children. Kids are encouraged to dress in costume. All participants will take home a treat bag with candy, toothbrushes, school supplies and backpacks with reflector strips.
► If you’re looking for an alternative to trick-or-treating, check out the closing night of the Kid Cinema Fest at Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center at 530 W. 166th St. The free event features a screening of the Dominican-made film "Los Supers," the story of a former Olympic champion and single mother who joins forces with a street hustler and a radio technician to fight a wave of crime in their neighborhood. The screening begins at 7 p.m. Those who are interested should RSVP at kidcinemafest@gmail.com .
Saturday, November 1
► Pied Piper Children’s Theatre invites neighbors to a fundraiser to benefit the Holy Trinity Church. Night of the Living Composers & Dead Poet Society will feature live performances of new works by New York composers, dramatic poetry readings of works by Edgar Allan Poe, and a tale of the historical roots of All Hallow’s Eve given by The Reverend Rebecca Barnes. The evening will also include a silent auction. The event will be held in the church at 20 Cumming St. beginning at 6 p.m.
► Recycle your jack-o-lantern in style at the first-annual Inwood Pumpkin Pageant in Isham Park. Drop off your carved pumpkins at the park anytime before 5 p.m. on Saturday. The jack-o-lanterns will be lit for a final display between 5 and 8 p.m. All pumpkins will be composted later at Swindler’s Cove.
Sunday, November 2
► Carry the spooky theme through the weekend by taking in a performance of the creepy classic "Turn of the Screw" by Henry James. Everyday Inferno Theatre Company presents a new adaptation of the story of a governess coping with the possible haunting of her young charges. The show is a site-specific staging produced in partnership with The Morris-Jumel Mansion. Tickets are $18 per person and $13 for members and can be purchased online at www.morrisjumel.org. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. Sunday's performance begins at 6 p.m.
► After a weekend of kid-centirc activities, enjoy a night out with other Uptown moms. Organizer Deirdre Cipolla describes the event as a chance for moms to get together and talk about anything from high school applications to the best pumpkin patch options to cursing third-graders and mommy meltdowns. The night begins at 6 p.m. at the New Leaf Restaurant and Bar in Fort Tryon Park. New Leaf is offering drink specials and a "Mom’s Night" cocktail.