Princeton Halloween Weekend Picks

Friday, October 28

Princeton Hometown Halloween Parade – The annual traditional parade kicks off at Palmer Square Green at 5 p.m. and marches to Hinds Plaza. The procession will be led by the Princeton University Marching Band!

Following the parade, enjoy the Princeton Public Library’s Haunted House in the community room. After leaving the haunted house, families are invited to head over to the YMCA on Paul Robeson Place where the fun continues with “trunk or treat” (trick-or-treating in the parking lot), a spooky trail, carnival games and a bounce house. Starting at 7:30 p.m. there will be an outdoor screening of the movie “Monster House.”

While on the way up Paul Robeson Place to the YMCA, families are invited to stop by the Paul Robeson Center for the Arts, where Arts Council staff and volunteers will offer a trick-or-treat surprise.

All of the events are free, and parking is also free at the YMCA.

Saturday, October 29

Halloween Story Time at the Princeton Public Library – Come dressed in your costumes and enjoy treats (but no tricks!) and celebrate Halloween with some great stories, including “Goodnight Goon”, 11 a.m.

Princeton Shopping Center Annual Spooktacular Halloween Parade – Contest & Party runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. with 1st, 2nd & 3rd place prizes awarded to winners in four age groups: 1) parents & strollers; 2) New Walkers to 3 yrs; 3) 4-6 yrs.; and 4) 7 yrs & above. Every child will win a prize and receive a goodie bag.

Halloween Games, Crafts and More at the Updike Farmstead – Pumpkin painting, games, decorating halloween treats, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission to the farmstead $5 per person, $8 for two, $10 for three, $15 for four.

A Ghoolish Saturday Art Project – Take a spooky self-guided tour of Princeton University’s gargoyles and make your own scary beast in a clay workshop! Event is co-sponsored by the Arts Council of Princeton and the Princeton University. Meet at Princeton University’s Murray Dodge Theater. Two sessions available, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. To register call 924-8777. Registration is $10 for non-members and $8 for members. Each adult accompanied by a child is free. All ages are welcome. Children aged seven and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Haunted House for Teens at the Princeton Public Library – A scarier haunted house than the one the night before, this one is suitable for middle and high school students. This version includes interactive characters lurking behind every corner. Starts at 6 p.m. in the community room.

Cafe Improv – This monthly event always features wonderful and wacky performers, Halloween or not. Host Tom Florek has been known to sometimes entertain the crowd with some funky accordion music, and a few borough merchants have been spotted strumming the guitar and singing some tunes. Music, poetry, comedy and more. Starts at 7 p.m., usually runs until 10 p.m. Come for the whole show or just part if it. At $2 a ticket, it’s a cheap date. To see what Improv is brewing for the evening, visit www.cafeimprov.com.

Sunday, October 30

Chocolate Lovers’ Club Open House – Celebrate the anniversary of the Chocolate Lovers’ Club at Forrestal Village with free food, prizes and chocolate treats for the kids,  noon to 4 pm.

Final Fall Harvest Festival at Terhune Orchards – Hot cider, wagon rides, corn maze and more. Music from noon to 4. Children wearing costumes to the festival get a small prize. Festival runs from 10a.m. to 5 p.m., 330 Cold Soil Road.