City of Rochester Offers Fun, Safe Halloween Activities for Kids and Families

From costume parties and karaoke to crafts, spooky stories and trick-or-treating, Mayor Malik D. Evans invites children and families to celebrate a safe Halloween season with a variety of fun, festive, and family-friendly activities at the City R-Centers, libraries, and the Rochester Public Market.

“Halloween is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to have fun, get creative, and make lasting memories with their families and friends,” said Mayor Evans. “Our R-Centers, libraries, and Public Market are bringing the spirit of the season to neighborhoods across Rochester with activities that are both exciting and safe. I encourage families to take advantage of these opportunities to celebrate together.”

Upcoming City Halloween activities include the following. Activities are free unless otherwise noted:

• Thursday, Oct. 22, 3-6 p.m. – Family-Friendly Costume Karaoke Night: The Monroe Branch Library, 809 Monroe Ave, invites families to dress in their Halloween best and take the microphone for an evening of musical fun.

  
  

• Thursday, Oct. 22, 3:30-4:30 p.m. – Tweens & Teens Halloween Wind Chimes Craft: The Lincoln Branch Library, 851 Joseph Ave, invites young people to get creative and make Halloween-themed wind chimes.

  
  

• Thursday, Oct. 22, 3:30-5:30 p.m. – Family Halloween Party: The Charlotte Branch Library, 3557 Lake Avenue, hosts a festive celebration for children and families.

  
  

• Sunday, Oct. 25, 4:30-7 p.m. – Halloween at the Market: The Rochester Public Market, 280 N. Union St., welcomes families for a Halloween celebration at one of the City's favorite community gathering places.

  
  

• Tuesday and Wednesday, Oct. 27 and 28, 5:30 to 8 p.m. – Edgerton Haunted House: The Edgerton R-Center, 41 Backus St, gets into the Halloween spirit with a haunted house experience. $5 per person at the door.

• Wednesday, Oct. 28, 4-5 p.m. – Halloween Mask Kids Craft: The Charlotte Branch Library, 3557 Lake Avenue, invites all ages to decorate their own Halloween mask. Supplies are limited.

  
  

• Thursday, Oct. 29, 3-4:30 p.m. – Halloween Karaoke Dance Party: The Frederick Douglass Community Library, 971 South Ave, invites participants to enjoy music, dancing and Halloween fun.

  
  

• Thursday, Oct. 29, 5-6 p.m. – Halloween Craft Night: The Monroe Branch Library, 809 Monroe Ave, invites children ages 3+ for a paintable Halloween craft. Registration is required at https://calendar.libraryweb.org/event/17777507.

  
  

• Thursday, Oct. 29, 5:30-7 p.m. – Trunk or Treat: The Adams R-Center, 85 Adams St, offers a festive Halloween gathering for children and families to trick-or-treat among the creatively decorated trunks of local organizations. Enjoy face painting and fun activities.

  
  

• Friday, Oct. 30, 10-10:30 a.m. – Spooky Stories in the Secret Room: The Central Library, 115 South Ave, invites children ages 5 and under to enjoy Halloween-themed storytelling in a unique setting.

  
  

• Saturday, Oct. 31, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. – Creatures of the Night at Maplewood Nature Center: Join educators at the new Maplewood Nature Center, 107 Bridge View Drive, to explore the unique creatures that lurk in the night — owls, bats, raccoons and more. Enjoy free, family-friendly, nature-based activities throughout the day.

  
  

• Various Dates and Times, Oct. 24-31 – Themed Tours by The Friends of Mt. Hope Cemetery: Embrace the spooky season with themed tours of the Mt. Hope Cemetery including “Mischief, Murder & Mayhem,” and “Halloween in Rochester: Food, History, and Mt. Hope Cemetery.” For cost information and registration, visit www.fomh.org.

Mayor Evans also reminds families to make safety a priority as they celebrate Halloween, particularly during neighborhood trick-or-treating on Saturday, Oct. 31. Please observe these safety tips:

• Trick-or-Treat Early: Consider starting your trick-or-treating fun early in the evening before the sun sets at 6 p.m.

  
  

• Cross Safely and Be Visible: Use sidewalks and crosswalks whenever possible, look both ways before crossing streets, and avoid crossing between parked vehicles. After dark, carry flashlights to ensure you are visible to others.

  
  

• Drive with Care: Motorists are asked to be especially mindful of pedestrians. Slow down and remain alert.

For more information about Rochester Public Library locations, hours and activities, visit www.roccitylibrary.org.

For more information about City R-Center locations, hours and activities, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/rcenters.

For more information about the Rochester Public Market, visit www.cityofrochester.gov/publicmarket.