We all have a favorite candy, right?  That being said, and in the spirit of Halloween (i.e. best candy day of the entire year!) I think it’s safe to say that a seasonal candy-wine pairing is just what this holiday calls for!

Picture this…the doorbell has rung for the last time and with it, the final Trick-or-Treaters.  Kind of bittersweet.  You are getting ready to turn off all the lights.  Halloween will officially be over.  Thoughts turn to all of that leftover candy.  What’s a girl with too much candy and sentimentality to do???  Change into your most cozy sweats, cue up the Sarah Jessica Parker, Bette Midler, Kathy Nijimy classic “Hocus Pocus” and settle back with a big glass of bubbly and a handful of Candy Corn.  Happy Halloween!!!

Friday, October 28th 7pm-9pm and 10pm-11:55pm

HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA

The Cathedral’s annual Halloween celebration returns with the screening of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), complete with live organ accompaniment.  Following the film, the full stretch of the Cathedral’s Nave is at the disposal of Ralph Lee’s  Mettawee Theater Company’s fantastic creatures of the night.  Visitors are encouraged to brace themselves for ghostly mischief and ghoulish tricks.  Beware the hooked nose of a demon, the mossy nails of a witch or the bulging flushed cheeks of a ghostly manchild.  The tickets are $25 per person.

Friday, October 28th & Saturday, October 29th

CRYPT CRAWL: SPOTLIGHT ON HALLOWEEN

Shake your spirits loose!  Hear the stories of the entombed, learn about the origins of Halloween (it began as an ancient Celtic New Year celebration, eventually becoming All Hallows Eve), then  creep into the Cathedral’s crypt.  Space is limited $25.00 per adult.

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave (112th Street)  Tickets @ http://stjohndivine.org/visit/calendar/events

Where better to celebrate Halloween than in the historically bucolic town of Sleepy Hollow (Westchester County)!  Experience author Washington Irving’s  “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow“ come to life!  Enjoy the one-of-a-kind Great Jack O’ Lantern Blaze (featuring over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated jack-o-lanterns), get bespooked by the super scary Horseman’s Hollow at historical village Philipsburg Manor (the best haunted experience ever!)

More info and tickets @http://hudsonvalley.org/halloweenfun

SLEEPY HOLLOW CEMETERY EVENING LANTERN TOURS

A trip to Sleepy Hollow isn’t complete without a taking an evening Lantern Tour of Sleepy Hollow Cemetery and its famous residents including Elizabeth Arden, Brooke Astor, Washington Irving and Andrew Carnegie.  Trace the footsteps of Washington Irving’s most iconic literary character, Ichabod Crane in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”  as you walk to the authors’ final resting place in the cemetery.

More info @http://visitsleepyhollow.com/things-to-do/sleepy-hollow-cemetery-tours

NEVERMORE

October 21st, 22 & 23

Nevermore is a circus-theater adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Raven.”  In this visually stunning 45 minute show, audiences witness gravity-defying storytelling with aerialists and acrobats, all under an intimate circus tent.

Horan’s Landing, 9 River Street  Sleepy Hollow  Tickets & info @http://nevermoresleepyhollow.com

Monday, October 31st  7pm

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The Halloween Parade of Greenwich Village is a true cultural treasure!  This party/parade shuts down over a mile of 6th Avenue where giant puppets, bands, dancers and artists comingle with over 50,000 spectators.  When puppeteer and Greenwich Village resident Ralph Lee first began a simple neighborhood holiday stroll between homes for his children and their friends, little could he have fathomed what this now  largest Halloween celebration of its kind would become!  Costumes are mandatory for anyone who wants to walk.  C’mon, get in on the action – go big or go home!

The Parade runs up Sixth Avenue from Spring Street to 16th Street starting at 7 pm

October 29th – 31st

Of all the numerous Day of the Dead celebrations that take place in NYC, the Mexican culture organization named “Mano a Mano” throws one of the best.  Held at St. Mark’s Church on the lower east side, this free 3-day fest includes a marketplace featuring native food, wares, live music and dance performances.  I love the colorful yet sacred communal alter where you can place photos and other memory tokens of your deceased loved ones.

St. Mark’s Church,  131 East 10th Street

Williamsburg is fast becoming the gastronomic heaven of  NYC neighborhoods.  Whatever your particular pallet pleasures, you’re sure to find it here among the ramen shops, wine bars, burger joints and brunch spots.

Here are some especially good ones to check out:

Allswell, 124 Bedford – Rustic interior and enjoyable eats, stop by for brunch and enjoy their excellent bloody marys.

Egg– This restaurant is known for-you guessed it-breakfast.  Known as one of the best brunch spots in Williamsburg, their delicious southern dishes are made with ingredients from their upstate farm.

Four Horsemen, 295 Grand Street-Wine bar serving charcuterie and small dishes

Lilia, 567 Union Avenue-Bringing the best of Italy to Williamsburg this restaurant housed in a re-done auto-shop offers wood-fired Italian fare and homemade pastas.

Diner, 85 Broadway-Housed in a slanted dining car, this restaurant is about simple locally sourced food, try the burger!

Marlow & Sons, 81 Broadway-From the same people as Diner and just a few feet away, Marlow & Sons is a specialty market in front and a restaurant in back. The menu constantly changes but anything you get will be great.

St.Anselm, 355 Metropolitan Avenue-No reservations for small parties, so be prepared to wait (or get there by 6) But you will be rewarded with what some have called the best steak in town, make sure to order the pan-fried mashed potatoes.

Okonomi, 150 Ainslie-By day, Okinomi is a place where you can get traditional Japanese breakfast or lunch.  On weekday nights, it’s a walk-in ramen shop.  On weekend nights they offer a ramen omakase.