Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, and New Jersey is ready: Liberty Science Center wraps up Spooky Fest, the New Jersey State Museum holds its costume parade in Trenton, and Union County floats glowing jack-o’-lanterns across Echo Lake on Sunday night. Indoors, Ballet Hispánico brings its flamenco-flavored “CARMEN.maquia” to New Brunswick, and Portuguese fado star Mariza returns to Newark.
Editor’s picks
Culture: Ballet Hispánico, the nation’s leading Latino dance company, performs “CARMEN.maquia,” a reimagining of Bizet’s opera that blends ballet, flamenco and contemporary dance.
When: Sunday, Nov. 1, 3 p.m.
Where: State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick (Middlesex)
Cost: From $34, including fees; recommended for ages 12 and up
Details
Science: Spooky Fest’s final weekend at Liberty Science Center packs in a Halloween laser show in the planetarium, creepy animal encounters, daily trick-or-treating and the “Power of Poison” exhibition, plus a weekend pumpkin patch and spooky train ride.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Where: Liberty Science Center, Liberty State Park, Jersey City (Hudson)
Cost: General admission tickets sold online; pumpkins $2; parking $7
Details
Outdoors/Seasonal: The Great Pumpkin Sail sends a flotilla of lit jack-o’-lanterns across Echo Lake for an evening stroll along the shore. Space is limited, so buy tickets ahead.
When: Sunday, Nov. 1, sessions at 5:15, 6:45 and 8:15 p.m. (rain date Monday, Nov. 2)
Where: Echo Lake Park, Mountainside (Union)
Cost: $12 Union County residents, $16 nonresidents, per ticket covering up to six family members; advance purchase required, limit two tickets per family
Details
North Jersey
Halloween Harvest Night — NJPAC turns its plaza into a family Halloween party with a two-DJ silent disco, dance performances, glow-in-the-dark pumpkin decorating and an all-ages costume contest.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 6 p.m.
Where: Chambers Plaza, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark (Essex)
Cost: RSVP required through the event page
Details
Mariza — The Portuguese fado singer returns to Newark with songs spanning her career; guitarist Derek Gripper and Duo Andalus open.
When: Sunday, Nov. 1, 6 p.m.
Where: Prudential Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark (Essex)
Cost: Tickets vary; see NJPAC
Details
Fall Family Drop In and planetarium shows — Families can make fall-themed art at the Newark Museum of Art’s drop-in session, and the museum’s planetarium runs shows all weekend.
When: Drop-in Saturday, Oct. 31, 1–4 p.m.; planetarium shows Friday, Oct. 30, 2 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, 1 p.m.
Where: Newark Museum of Art, 49 Washington St., Newark (Essex)
Cost: Drop-in free with general admission tickets
Details
Fall Farm Fun — The last day of Fosterfields’ autumn weekends brings apple cider pressing, wagon rides and pumpkin picking on the historic farm.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown (Morris)
Cost: $15 per person; pumpkin guaranteed only with preregistration
Details
Little Farm Friends: Pumpkin Pick n Paint — Preschoolers pick a pumpkin from the patch, visit the farm animals and decorate their find.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Where: Fosterfields Living Historical Farm, Morristown (Morris)
Cost: $10 per child, ages 2½ to 5 with an adult; registration required
Details
Mushroom Walk — A naturalist leads adults along the trails to learn how to identify local fungi.
When: Sunday, Nov. 1, 3–4 p.m.
Where: Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, Boonton (Morris)
Cost: $8 per person; registration required
Details
A.R. Rahman Symphonic Experience — Next week, the two-time Oscar-winning composer of “Slumdog Millionaire” joins the New Jersey Symphony for an orchestral tour of his hits.
When: Tuesday, Nov. 3, and Wednesday, Nov. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Prudential Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark (Essex)
Cost: Tickets vary; see NJPAC
Details
Central Jersey
Get The Led Out — The Philadelphia tribute band recreates Led Zeppelin’s studio sound with three guitarists, an acoustic set and some deep cuts.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m.
Where: State Theatre New Jersey, New Brunswick (Middlesex)
Cost: From $34, including fees
Details
Halloween Spooktacular — Costumed kids can march in a trick-or-treat parade on the museum’s front lawn, then play games, make crafts and join a Boo hunt; participants get a planetarium discount coupon.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.; parade at 11 a.m.
Where: New Jersey State Museum, Trenton (Mercer)
Cost: Not listed; call 609-292-6464
Details
Inspired by the Collection: Adult Art Workshop — Adults of any skill level practice observational drawing from bones and skulls in the State Museum’s collection; supplies are provided.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2–4 p.m.
Where: STEAM Center, New Jersey State Museum, Trenton (Mercer)
Cost: Free; registration required, class size limited
Details
Family Fun: Build a Scarecrow — Families stuff and dress their own scarecrow among the sculptures.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. and 1–2:30 p.m.
Where: Grounds For Sculpture, Hamilton (Mercer)
Cost: $10 materials fee plus admission ($25 adults, $12 students, free for 5 and under); timed tickets required
Details
Weekend Ecology Walk — A casual hour-long stroll on the former Duke estate covering wildlife, ecology and conservation, with a different theme each week.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 10–11 a.m.; meet behind the Farm Barn Orientation Center
Where: Duke Farms, Hillsborough (Somerset)
Cost: Free parking pass required for Saturday visits; reserve in advance
Details
Rutgers Community Farmers Market — Shop for produce, baked goods, prepared foods and handmade gifts, mostly from New Jersey vendors; SNAP, WIC and FMNP benefits are accepted.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 11 a.m.–3 p.m. (Rutgers Gardens); Saturday, Oct. 31, 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (Jones Avenue pavilion)
Where: Rutgers Gardens, North Brunswick, and RCFM Market Pavilion, 178 Jones Ave., New Brunswick (Middlesex)
Cost: No admission listed
Details
The Shore
Toad the Wet Sprocket — The California band marks its 40th anniversary with its first all-acoustic tour.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, 8 p.m. (doors 7 p.m.)
Where: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank (Monmouth)
Cost: See the Basie Center for ticket prices
Details
The Blair Witch Project screening and Q&A — On Halloween night, stars Heather Donahue, Joshua Leonard and Michael C. Williams take questions after a screening of the 1999 found-footage horror film.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m. (doors 7 p.m.)
Where: Hackensack Meridian Health Theatre, Count Basie Center for the Arts, Red Bank (Monmouth)
Cost: See the Basie Center for ticket prices; meet-and-greet add-on available
Details
Hidden Stories of Nature — A naturalist-led forest hike for adults explains twisted trees, odd mounds and bare patches in the woods.
When: Sunday, Nov. 1, 10–11:30 a.m.
Where: Thompson Park, Lincroft (Monmouth)
Cost: $15; registration required
Details
Historic Portland Place tours — Docents lead small groups through the restored 18th-century house and its exhibits in Hartshorne Woods Park.
When: Friday, Oct. 30, through Sunday, Nov. 1, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
Where: Portland Place Visitor Center, Locust (Monmouth)
Cost: Free; sign up at the visitor center the day of the tour, 10 people per tour
Details
Cookstove demonstration — See how recipes and cooking techniques have changed since the 1890s in the farm’s outdoor kitchen.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Where: Historic Longstreet Farm, Holmdel (Monmouth)
Cost: Free
Details
Mill demonstrations — Watch corn ground into meal at Waln’s Mill in short demonstrations for all ages.
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, 12:30, 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m.
Where: Historic Walnford, Upper Freehold (Monmouth)
Cost: Not listed; call 609-259-6275
Details
Have an event for the NJTODAY calendar? Email details to cmdeditor@gmail.com with “Calendar” in the subject line. Times and prices can change; check with organizers before you go.
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