Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and the weekend around it has a little of everything: candy by the trunkload on Friday, a new musical opening at the Depot, a day with the Revolution's losing side at Boscobel, and one more walk through Manitoga's woods before the leaves are gone. Clocks fall back an hour early Sunday morning, so enjoy the extra sleep. Here are the picks for October 30–November 1.
Some events require tickets or registration. Check each listing before you go.
Don't Miss: Friday, October 30
Comrade What's-His-Name · 7:30 PM · $40
The Depot Theater opens the world premiere of The Glorious Death of Comrade What's-His-Name, a new musical farce adapted from Nikolai Erdman's 1928 play The Suicide, the comedy that got its author's work banned under Stalin. An out-of-work dreamer decides a spectacular exit may be his only ticket to fame, and a band of schemers sees a revolution in it. Raymond Bokhour, Douglas Goodhart, Christine Bokhour, and Maia Guest star. The show plays weekends through November 22, so if opening night is full, there's time. Tickets are $40.
Friday, October 30
Loyalist Symposium · 10 AM–3 PM · $35
Boscobel spends a day with the people who ended up on the losing side of the Revolution: Loyalists, Native Americans, African Americans, and tradespeople reluctant to break with Britain. Speakers from Preservation Long Island, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and NYS Parks bring artworks and heirlooms for show-and-tell, alongside Boscobel's exhibition Loyalist Legacies. Lunch is included. Students, educators, museum colleagues, and artists can register free with the code LOYALIST26.
Mahjong Meetup · 10:30 AM
The Desmond-Fish Library in Garrison sets up one table for experienced players and one for anyone learning, so all skill levels are welcome. Free.
Play & Chat: Caregiver Meetup · 10:30 AM
Supervised playtime for children up to age 3 at the Desmond-Fish Library, while caregivers compare notes and Putnam County maternal and child health nurses answer questions about feeding, sleep, and milestones. Free, no registration.
Trunk or Treat at Haldane · 3–5 PM
Families go car to car through decorated trunks in the Haldane high school parking lot on Craigside Drive. Free.
Halloween Storytime · 3:15 PM
The Butterfield Library gathers around a pretend campfire for sorta-scary books and roasted mini marshmallows, then makes a spooky craft. For ages 5 and up; costumes welcome. Free; register on the library calendar.
Raveling and Unraveling · 6 PM
Artist Bill Papaleo talks about his solo show at Move on Chestnut Street, which follows his journey from the Hudson Valley to southern Italy. RSVP to katie@movecoldspring.com.
Philipstown Rec Trunk or Treat · 6:30 PM
Round two: Philipstown Recreation lines its Trunk-or-Treat Trail with decorated cars and fire trucks at the Community Center in Garrison. Kids just show up in costume. Free.
Saturday, October 31
Cold Spring Farmers' Market · 9 AM–1 PM
Start Halloween on the grounds of Boscobel, where regional farmers and makers sell apples, squash, bread, cheese, pies, and pasture-raised meat and eggs. It's the last market on summer hours; from November 7 it opens at 10. SNAP/EBT is accepted.
Record Player Storytime · 10 AM–5 PM
Drop in at the Butterfield Library any time, pick a storybook record, put it on the Fisher-Price record player, and listen along. For ages 3 and up. Free.
Digging Deeper: Power of Place · 3–5 PM · $40
Manitoga's landscape staff lead a Garden Conservancy walk through Russel and Mary Wright's woodland garden and Mid-century Modern home, looking at how Wright used the language of the forest to bring disturbed land back to life. Part lecture, part moderate hike, so wear good walking shoes. The morning session is sold out; this one isn't yet.
Sunday, November 1
Artist Toolbox Series: Getting the Work Out · 11 AM · $45
Artist Stephen Mallon, with almost twenty years of gallery representation, starts a three-part Garrison Art Center series on getting your work in front of galleries, museums, festivals, and open calls. Bring copies of your slides or your website. Each session stands on its own.
Open Makerspace Hours · 3 PM
The Desmond-Fish Library's Innovation & Learning Center opens its 3D printers, Cricut, laser cutter, and vacuum former for self-directed projects, for all ages. Free.
Planning your weekend? Tap Xen at the bottom of the page and ask for help fitting it all in.