Witches Ball, OCC drive-thru trick-or-treating, Food Trucks: 15 things to do in CNY

It is Halloween weekend and across Central New York, folks are putting their finally touches on their costumes and getting ready for the big day.

This weekend features spooky, creepy and fun events for all ages across the region.

Catch a “spooky” classical music concert from Symphoria, go on a cemetery tour in Oswego, participate in a costumed bicycle ride around downtown Syracuse, and get a start on your trick-or-treating at a drive-thru at Onondaga Community College.

Remember to visit our Halloween and haunted houses list here for more events and happenings.

Know of an event you would like to see on this list? Email us at features@syracuse.com.

Onondaga Community College's Halloween drive-thru

Visitors enjoy Onondaga Community College's Halloween drive-thru, Onondaga, N.Y., Saturday October 31, 2020. Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.comScott Schild | sschild@syracuse.

OCC drive-thru trick-or-treating

Onondaga Community College and the Southwest YMCA invites families to a drive-thru trick-or-treating event on Sunday. From 1 to 2:30 p.m., “dress up and mask up” and drive along the campus for treats provided from local businesses and organizations lining the road. Enter at the Route 175 main entrance. The event is free.

Where: 4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse

When: Sunday from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

How much: Free

Witches Ball

The Landmark Theatre will be hosting the Inaugural Witches Ball of CNY on Saturday night. Presented by the Witches and Heathens of CNY and sponsored by the Sabbath Project, the theme of the evening is 1920′s spiritualism. There will be catered food, music, performers, and a costume contest. Visit the Witches Market on the second floor for authentic witchcraft supplies, or down in the Walnut room where the Psychic Parlour delivers messages from gifted local readers. An authentic Witch ritual written by Jeff Cullen of The Vodou Store will be performed. The event is for people 21 years and over. Tickets are limited, visit landmarktheatre.org/event/inaugural-cny-witches-ball for more details.

Where: 362 South Salina Street, Syracuse

When: Saturday from 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.

How much: General admission tickets are $75. VIP packages range from $150 to $750.

#SYR FoodTrucks Truck or Treat

The food truck season comes to an end on Saturday at the parking lot of the Great Northern Mall. There will be 20 locally owned food trucks and Halloween costume contests and candy for kids. Toss & Fire Wood-Fired Pizza, Nikki’s Cupcake Creations, Cafe Jarosz Food Truck, and Byblos Street Grill are just some of the trucks who will be participating. Visit StreetFoodFinder.com/GreatNorthernMall for a full list.

Where: 4155 Route 31, Clay

When: Saturday from noon to 6 p.m.

How much: Free to attend. Food prices vary.

“You Design It, We Make It”

The Corning Museum of Glass has a fun Halloween event this Sunday. For weeks the museum has asked for submissions from the public of a new spooky character and ideas of what they might be up to on All Hallows Eve. (You still have a chance to submit your drawing. They will be accepted until Thursday at noon. Go to www.cmog.org/glassmaking/you-design-it-we-make-it) The new ghoul or spirit will come to life during a live-streamed demonstration from 10 a.m. to noon on Sunday. The stream will later be uploaded to the museum’s YouTube page.

Where: Virtual event

When: Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon

How much: Free

Syracuse Bike Party Costume Edition

The Syracuse Bike Party invites you to Clinton Square on Saturday evening for a group bicycle ride in your favorite Halloween costume. Dress in your “most frightful attire” for a chance to win first place in a classic costume contest. The event starts at 6:45 p.m. and is free. Be sure to bring your bike light.

Where: Clinton Square

When: Saturday at 6:45 p.m.

How much: Free

Ghost and History Storytelling Tour

Come out to the Oswego Town Rural Cemetery on Friday evening for a “Ghost and History Storytelling Tour.” Directed by Professor Joel Langenfeld and performed by the SUNY Oswego Storytelling Class, the tour will include costumed performers who will recount the stories of Edward Austin Sheldon, Dr. Mary Walker, Harriet Tubman, Queen Lili’uokalni Kamaka’eha, and many more. The event is free and starts at 6 p.m., rain or shine. Please dress appropriately and bring an umbrella. It starts at 6 p.m. No tickets are needed.

Where: 242 Cemetery Road, Oswego

When: Friday at 6 p.m.

How much: Free

Take time for music, arts and crafts

Symphoria is streaming its concerts virtually from its Inspiration Hall during the COVID-19 pandemic. Symphoria photo Courtesy of SymphoriaCourtesy of Symphoria

Spooky Symphoria

One of Symphoria’s favorite traditions is its annual Halloween concert for children. It returns this Saturday morning, in-person and virtual, with creepy classical music and family-friendly activities. Due to Covid, the costume parade has been cancelled. The concert begins at 10:30 a.m. Go to http://experiencesymphoria.org/event/spooky-symphoria/ for more details.

Where: 709 James Street, Syracuse

When: Saturday at 10:30 a.m.

How much: Adults $15, seniors $10, college students $5, kids under 18 are free. Same prices, except for kids, for livestream.

Syracuse vs. Clemson

Syracuse fans react vs. Clemson at the Carrier Dome, Syracuse, N.Y., Friday October 15, 2021. Scott Schild | sschild@syracuse.com

Syracuse versus Boston College

After SU’s thrilling victory at Virginia Tech on Saturday, the hope is back on that the Orange could make a late push for a bowl game. The team battles long-time rival Boston College at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Carrier Dome. Tickets are available at cuse.com.

Where: 900 Irving Avenue, Syracuse

When: Saturday at 3:30 p.m.

How much: Tickets start at $15

“The One Act Play that Goes Wrong”

The comedy smash from Broadway and London makes its Central New York debut from Le Moyne College Department of Visual and Performing Arts. It debuts Friday and Saturday nights. The play deals with the opening night of “The Murder at Haversham Manor,” where things are “quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous,” with an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that cannot play dead, and actors that trip over everything, including their lines. Call (315) 445-4200 for more information and order tickets from https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-play-that-goes-wrong-tickets-194465981987.

Where: 1419 Salt Springs Road, Syracuse

When: Friday and Saturday from 8 p.m. The play continues next weekend.

How much: $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $5 for students and the Le Moyne community.

Halloween Trick or Treat Drive Boo

Get a jump on trick-or-treating on Sunday afternoon with Halloween “Drive Boo” at Goettel Park in Central Square. Last year about 400 kids came out to the drive-thru where local businesses and organizations hand out treats. The free event runs from 1-3 p.m. “Come dressed up and ready to be spooky.”

Where: Route 11, Central Square, across from Reymore Chevrolet

When: Sunday, 1-3 p.m.

How much: Free

Halloween at the MOST

Visit the MOST’s “spooky science stations” throughout the museum all weekend long. Costumes are highly encouraged while doing activities, games, giveaways and more. There will be a candy station, temporary tattoos, Boo Bubbles demonstration and much more. The Halloween fun is free with museum admission.

Where: 500 South Franklin Street, Syracuse

When: Saturday and Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How much: Free with museum admission. $12 for adults, $10 for children (2-11) and seniors.

Friends of Chamber Music

- The Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music present the Ulysses Quartet on Saturday night at Syracuse’s St. Paul's Episcopal Church. They will be performing music by Haydn, Janacek, Richter, and Mendelssohn. Courtesy of the Syracuse Friends of Chamber MusicCourtesy of the Syracuse Friend

Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music downtown concert

The Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music present the Ulysses Quartet on Saturday night at Syracuse’s St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. They will be performing music by Haydn, Janacek, Richter, and Mendelssohn. The Ulysses Quartet has won top prizes at many prestigious international competitions. The performance and artist interviews will be available to ticket holders virtually for two days following the concert. It starts at 7: 30 p.m. For more info, visit www.SyrFCM.org, or call 315-682-7720

Where: 220 East Fayette Street, Syracuse

When: Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

How much: $25, Senior $20, under 35 $15, full-time students are free.

1981 Press Photo SU basketball's Erich Santifer reaches for ball, Big East game

Syracuse University basketball guard Erich Santifer (40) reaches under a University of Michigan player's arm, trying for the ball, in this 1981 basketball game at the Carrier Dome Syracuse Post-StandardSyracuse Post-Standard

SU basketball book signing

Former Syracuse University basketball star Erich Santifer, who played for the Orange from 1979-83 and finished his career as the school’s second-leading scorer, tells his life’s story in a new book, “Everyday God, Promises Made, Promises Kept!” He will be signing copies of the book at the SU bookstore on Friday from 3-4 p.m. Preorder a copy of the book at www.syrcampusstore.com/books/book-events. Santifer will also be signing at the DeWitt Barnes and Nobles on Saturday from 1-3 p.m., and at the Cicero store on Sunday from noon to 2 p.m.

Where: 200 Waverly Avenue, Syracuse

When: Friday from 3-4 p.m.

How much: Book costs $26.40

Blood Bath at Wunderbar

Come down to Wunderbar on Saturday night for the Halloween party “you’ve been looking for.” The theme for this “Blood Bath” party is “RED, RED, RED,” so “pull together a look which screams Scarlet, Ruby Cherry and Blood” for a night of dancing, themed cocktails, and drag. A DJ will be playing music from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. There is a $5 cover and is for people 21 and over. Covid vaccination is required.

Where: 201 South West Street, Syracuse

When: Saturday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

How much: $5 cover.

Syracuse Vinyl Records and CD Fair

“Syracuse, We’re Back!” Vendors from all over the Northeast will be at the Ramada Inn in Liverpool on Sunday for a Record and CD Fair. Browse through more than 100,000 records, CDs, 45s, 78s, and DVDs, from all genres of music. Free admission to the show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., $5 early admission starting at 8 a.m. Masks are strongly encouraged.

Where: 441 Electronics Parkway, Liverpool

When: Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

How much: Free. $5 admission for early admission starting at 8 a.m.

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