Here’s What’s Happening (in order of appearance):

Pumpkin Smash / Día de Muertos Week throughout the Flatiron District & NoMad /  The 10th Precinct Community Council / Spooky Streets Trick or Treat / Halloween Events at Verdi Cannabis / Down to Earth Farmers Market Chelsea / Free Outdoor Screening of Hocus Pocus /

PICK OF THE WEEKEND: Pumpkin Smash: Saturday, November 2, 11am–2pm at Pier 84 at Hudson River Park (btw. the Intrepid & Circle Line docks) | Those carefully carved Jack-o-lanterns have been holding court on your stoop like they own the place. Someone needs to tell them that Halloween is over and your outdoor entrance has aged into a new era of wreaths and pine cones. Fortunately, Hudson River Park (HRPK) has an annual event that sends those pumpkins off in grand style, imbuing them with new, eco-friendly purpose. Just try not to mention out loud that it’s called a “Pumpkin Smash.” Yes, from 11am-2pm on Saturday, November 2, bring your pumpkins to Pier 84, That’s where they’ll be broken down into compost and used to fertilize park foliage. Promise the organizers, “You’ll get fifteen minutes of smashing fun and your choice of a bat, hammer, or shovel to break up your gourd into the smallest pieces you can!” Hang around after you go to town on your pumpkin to learn from the HRPK team how composting works at the Park, partake of free fall refreshments, and enjoy family-friendly performances. For more info, click here.

PICK OF THE WEEK: Día de Muertos Week: October 28 – November 1 throughout the Flatiron District & NoMad | The Flatiron NoMad Partnership, an area BID (Business Improvement District), invites you to their week-long Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, celebration that fatures interactive, family-friendly events. The week begins with October 28’s 4-6pm Taste of Mexico, with free food samples at participating businesses Tacombi, Mamazul, and Casa Carmen. October 28 through November 1 outside 29 West 23rd Street’s Iron 23 is the outdoor photo exhibit Living Memories: Portraits of Dia de Muertos. The photos, by Fernando Avila Aguilar, feature celebrations around Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México. For a complete rundown of what the week has to offer

The 10th Precinct Community Council: Wednesday, October 30, 7pm at the 10th Precinct (230 W. 20th St. btw. 7th & 8th Aves.) | This citizen-run interactive opportunity, hosted by Council President Larry O’Neill, takes place at 7pm on the last Wednesday of the month unless otherwise noted. A Q&A session comprises the lion’s share of these gatherings, with O’Neill moderating exchanges between attendees and top 10th Precinct leadership. Representatives from the offices of local elected officials are often in the room, occasionally providing perspective from the legislative point of view, or noting recent actions. Likewise, a rep from the Manhattan District Attorny’s Office is often among the attendees, to weigh in on evergreen topics of concern including criminal recidivism. Follow the Community Council on Facebook by clicking here. 

The Hudson Yards Hell’s Kitchen Alliance Presents Spooky Streets Trick or Treat / A Free Event on Thursday, October 31, 3pm-5pm at Bella Abzug Park (33rd St. to 36th St. btw. 10th & 11th Aves.)| Free candy, of course, is the guaranteed reward for trick or treaters who venture into Bella Abzug Park on Halloween. While there, it would be a frightful shame to pass by the Bouncy House without getting an insider’s feel for the place. Other activities will be offered, along with a special Halloween menu from @paradisinthepark including pumpkin soft serve and churros!

Halloween at Verdi Cannabis (158 W. 23rd St. btw. 6th & 7th Aves.)| We’ll resist the urge to say “high times” can be had at Verdi Cannabis. But good times are to be had, for sure, at Chelsea’s legal cannabis distributor, whose music, art, and special events happenings cultivate a friendly, sociable vibe. Add “chills” and “thrills” to the emotional harvest, with a few chechmarks on the Verdi calendar custom-made Halloween.

First and foremost, the shop is decked out in traditional Halloween tropes, from the flying bats on the wall to the pumpkin-headed scarecrow near the entrance, who seems to be positioned to give a second opinion as you present valid ID to gain entry. On Thursday, October 31—Halloween—Verdi will be running an all-day Costume Contest, with prizes for Best Individual Costume, Scariest/Spookiest Costume, Best Group Costume, and Best Pet Costume. “We plan on having a Photo Booth for people to take mini-Polaroids with them throughout the day,” says co-curator Kenny Cunningham. The whole shindig is sponsored by cannabis brand names Bloom, HighSkrapers, and Supernaturals—whose local rep will be part of the fright’s (sorry, the night’s) entertainment, when the band OG’s Noise plays OCM (Original Cannabis Music). To keep up with what else is up with Verdi, click hereto visit their website.