A Haunted Gingerbread House Competition will allow tweens and teens to compete with fellow peers to see who can create the creepiest, spookiest, haunted gingerbread house. All supplies will be provided during the program.

The Halloween Spooktacular concert by Symphoria will be offered from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at Inspiration Hall, 709 James St. Costumes are encouraged for ghouls and goblins of all ages for this concert, featuring some of the most frightening sounds of the season. And don't forget to come early for snacks and a special pre-concert instrument petting zoo provided by the Central New York Association of Music Teachers, beginning and 10 a.m.

Enjoy a spooky movie and a Halloween treat in the Community Room at Betts Branch Library will be held from 2 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29.

The Alliance of Communities Transforming Syracuse will have a public rally for justice to address issues critical to the community from 3 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church, 515 Oakwood Ave. ACTS will ask public officials if they support ending solitary confinement/isolation of children housed at the Justice Center, raising the age of criminal responsibility from 16 to 18 years in New York state and improving access to pre-kindergarten services – all recommendations developed by ACTS’ task forces during the past year. Other issues also will be addressed.

The Syracuse City School District will offer a Safe Kids Halloween Night featuring fun, games and treats from 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at Dr. King, Dr. Weeks, Delaware, Ed Smith, Franklin and McKinley-Brighton elementary schools.

Conversation groups are offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Central Library downtown for those who wish to practice their English speaking and listening skills. Adults who wish to join a class should call (315) 435-1835 for details.

If you’re interested in playing chess or want to learn how to play, come to Betts Branch Library. The library will have have chess sets available, but feel free to bring your own.

Are you interested in learning how to code or program a computer? Are you a coder looking to improve you skills and meet others with similar interests? Do you have a project that needs some code to get it off the ground? Come to the Central Library Makerspace for a weekly meetup of coders where you can share your projects, get help and learn new skills.

Children up to age 5 can come and play with Beauchamp Branch Library's educational toys and sensory materials as well as make new friends and enjoy books.

Teens age 13-18 are invited to join the Central Library for its monthly photography club. This club is shaped by teens' interests. The first themed photo session was based on the novel "The Double Bind" by Chris Bohjalian.