Brooklyn fall festivals for families: Prospect Park, Botanic Garden and Fort Greene

Three Brooklyn parks and gardens are holding family fall festivals this month. A new Harvest Festival in Prospect Park runs through Nov. 1, and Brooklyn Botanic Garden and Fort Greene Park both have events on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Prospect Park Harvest Festival: hours and prices

This is Prospect Park’s first Harvest Festival, and it is at the LeFrak Center at Lakeside, 171 East Drive. Through Nov. 1 it is open Thursdays and Fridays from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Kids can walk through a pumpkin patch, try a kid-friendly corn maze, decorate pumpkins and play cornhole, giant checkers, Connect 4 and other yard games.

The pumpkin patch is free to enter, but pumpkins cost $10 each. The corn maze and the yard games are $5 each. A $20 all-access pass covers the maze, the games, pumpkin painting, a small pumpkin and entry to the festival grounds. Seasonal food and drinks are for sale, and face painting is offered on select weekends. Craftopia runs craft workshops, including a trick-or-treat tote session on Oct. 31.

Saturday, Oct. 24: Botanic Garden and Fort Greene Park

In Prospect Heights, Brooklyn Botanic Garden holds its yearly Fall Harvest Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its grounds at 150 Eastern Parkway. Cherry Esplanade will have giant Jenga, cornhole and Connect 4, and there will be rounds of musical chairs and freeze dance through the afternoon. At 3 p.m. the percussion group Batalá New York leads a costume parade. Bands will play Zydeco and Cajun dance music as well as blues, soul and funk. Food will be sold, and local makers will supply a beer and cider garden. Tickets are $38 for adults and $17 for ages 12 to 17. Children under 12 get in free, and members pay a discounted price. A separate VIP ticket is available for guests 21 and older. Brooklyn Botanic Garden says last entry is 4:30 p.m., even though the festival runs until 5 p.m. Brooklyn Botanic Garden. The Garden does not allow Frisbees, balls or scooters, so families should leave them at home even though the festival has lawn games. Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Outside food and drink are not allowed at the festival, except bottled water, baby bottles and pocket snacks for people with dietary restrictions. Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

The same day, Fort Greene Park holds a free Halloween party from noon to 4 p.m. at its Myrtle Avenue entrances, between North Portland and St. Edwards streets. There will be spooky stories, eerie music, face painting, games and a pumpkin patch for photos, and near the end kids can pick a pumpkin to take home. It is open to all ages and no registration is needed. If it rains, the party moves to Sunday, Oct. 25. Families who arrive early can catch Hopalong Andrew, who performs a special show starting at 11 a.m., an hour before the party opens, on the park’s big Central Lawn.

What it means for you

Brooklyn Botanic Garden says its festival programs go ahead in rain, so there is no rain date for the Garden event. Brooklyn Botanic Garden.