Weekend Best Bets

Friday
The Columbus Theatre will be holding a tribute concert for Dave Hemingway, a local drummer and beloved fixture of the Providence music community who sadly passed away recently after his battle with cancer. Bands including Sasquatch and the Sick-a-billys, Muss and Woozy, all bands Dave had performed with, will be playing the upstairs room. All proceeds will go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. $10, 7pm. 270 Broadway, Providence. More info…

It’s the time of year for haunted houses, and Fear Town in Seekonk is open for scares. Weave through decades old run-down buildings and try to survive whatever might be lurking in the woods. $12-26. 1710 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk. More info… 

The only thing better than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is watching it under the stars. Cruise on down to the beach for their drive-in movie series. Pack a snack, load up the car and enter a world of pure imagination. $10 per carload, 8pm. Wuskenau Town Beach. 316 Atlantic Avenue, Misquamicut. More info… 

Saturday

It’s the return of a Rhode Island Halloween tradition. Roger Williams Park Zoo’s Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular lights up the night with 5,000 carved pumpkins. Wander through the zoo and marvel at the hand carved Jack-O-Lanterns showing off famous moments from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Ticket prices vary, gates open at 6pm. 1000 Elmwood Avenue, Providence. More info…

Head to Barrington for Harvest Stroll at Town Hall. Live music, pumpkin carving and face painting make for a fun-filled day with the whole fam in honor of the town hall’s 125’s birthday. 1-4pm. 283 County Road, Barrington.

Wander through the works of over 100 artists at the 3rd annual Wakefield Art Festival. Featuring everything from paintings to sculptures to accessories for the house, there’s bound to be something to satisfy everyone’s taste. Plus everyone’s favorite space aliens, Big Nazo, will be making an appearance. 10am-5pm. Main Street and the river, Wakefield. More Info…

Sunday
October is THE month for harvest festivals and if you missed partying in Barrington on Saturday than you’ve got a second chance. The East Bay Harvest Festival brings music, games and more to the Bay Spring Community Center. $5, 2-5pm. 170 Narragansett Avenue, Barrington. More info… 

Field of Artisans is redefining the pop-up market. Want to shop? Have at it. Feeling crafty yourself? Take part in a workshop. The line between makers and buyers has been blurred. Welcome to a brand new world of craft markets. 10am-4pm. 716 Mooresfield Road, South Kingstown. More Info… 

All Weekend
Gloria Gemma’s annual Flames of Hope: A Celebration of Life returns to kick off another October of raising breast cancer awareness. The weekend will feature live music, entertainment and food, but the main focus is on providing resources and a sense of community for women with breast cancer, as well as all cancer patients, survivors and their families. Various times/locations, Saturday and Sunday. More info… 

Family memories are waiting at the Norman Bird Sanctuary’s 41st Harvest Fair. Find handcrafted gifts, great local food and live entertainment. $3 for kids, $6 for adults, 10am-5pm. 583 Third Beach Road, Middletown. More info… 

In Charlestown, The Rathskeller isn’t holding Oktoberfest celebrations necessarily, but they are throwing a fest in October. Their third annual Fall Fest will be going on all weekend and will feature live music and a backyard buffet throughout the weekend, plus a cornhole tournament and an inflatable obstacle course for kids. On Sunday the Twin Peaks Preservation Stroll, a charity 5K, starts at the Rathskeller at 10am with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society. 489a Old Coach Road, Charlestown. More info...