Start celebrating Halloween this weekend, October 8 and 9!

No need to wait until the 31st for ghoulish festivities. The city is full of spooky and not-so-spooky outings all month long. We've rounded up the best ones, so grab those costumes and start celebrating. Here are the festive happenings taking place this weekend, October 8 and 9.

Pumpkin Patch and Oktoberfest:
Step into the members-only Sunnyside Gardens Park; it's open to the public for one day only. Once inside, you and your kids can explore playgrounds, nosh on German food and, of course, pick out the perfect pumpkin. Sat Oct 8 noon–5pm. Sunnyside Gardens Park, 48-21 39th Ave at Barnett Ave, Sunnyside, Queens (718-817-8700, sunnysidegardenspark.org). Free. All ages.

Spooktacular Pumpkin Party
Join master puppeteer Ralph Lee for a puppet-making session and listen to scary stories in the Haunted Pumpkin Garden. While you're there, explore a pumpkin house, play with puppets in the pumpkin theater and check out the decorations in the Everett Children's Adventure Garden. Sat Nov 8–Mon Nov 10 10am–6pm. New York Botanical Garden, Bronx River Pkwy at Fordham Rd, Bronx (718-817-8700, nybg.org). Free with garden admission. Ages 5 and up.