Columbus Day Weekend: Top 10 things to do in NYC

Columbus Day is fast approaching and with a sunny clear forecast for the weekend, here are some fun things to do:

Bunkerbash: Kick off the weekend with a boogie in Williamberg at the Public Assembly (70 North 6th St between Kent and Wythe Aves, Williamsburg, Brooklyn;) DJ Spinoza's Bunberbash will bring a line up of the city's premier techno and electronic house showdowns. Tickets can be bought in advance from www.publicassemblynyc.com for $15.

Pumpkin Party New York Botanical Gardens: Starting at 10 a.m. on Saturday the botanical gardens will open their doors to their haunted pumpkin gardens that displays pumpkin sculptures, scarecrows, snakes and spiders designed by artist Michael Natiello. A scary puppet show will be put on for children and treats will be given out to the whole family courtesy of Whole Foods Market. Visit: http://www.nybg.org/exhibitions/haunted-pumpkin-garden/index.php for tickets.

NY Hispanic Day Parade: A day before the annual Columbus Day Parade comes the Hispanic Day parade where more than 10,000 participants are expected to travel along the New York City thoroughfare with live music and bright consumes. The parade, which is in its 48^th year, will take place on Sunday starting at Fifth Ave from 44^th to 68^th streets.

Columbus Day Parade: The annual Columbus Day New York Parade will kick off on Monday at 9.30am starting on Fifth Avenue at 44th Street and continuing up Fifth to 79th Street. Around 35,000 marchers and one million spectators are expected to participate. The procession that has taken place since 1929, marks the day that Christopher Columbus landed in the Americas. It also celebrates the heritage of the Italian- American community.

Columbus Day Festival Spyglass Telescope: On Monday at 3 p.m., children will be invited to the Children's Museum of Manhattan located on 212 W 83rd St (at Amsterdam Ave) to make their own telescopes. The activity is free with museum admission.

Bryant Park Petanque Tournaments: Petanque tournaments will take place in Bryant Park on Saturday and Sunday between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Petanque is a French game of boules (French for balls), where each player strives to throw metal balls as close as possible to a smaller wooden ball, named the cochonnet. Most games are played in teams, and are staged on the gravel area near the Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street corner. Tournaments are played on the gravel paths around the Bryant Park lawn. Game strategies include pointing when a player throws his ball to have it roll as close to the cochonnet as possible, and shooting when a player aims for the ball of an opponent, hoping to move him out of a favorable spot.

20^TH Annual Broadway Fall Festival: One of the years biggest street fairs will take place between 12-5 p.m. on Sunday on Broadway between 90^th -96^th streets. Arts, Crafts, Entertainment and much more.

Gimme Some Truth: The Artwork of John Lennon: This weekend an exhibition including exclusive never seen songs and artworks by John Lennon will be on display at a benefit for City meals-on-Wheels. Viewing hours are Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; 76 Wooster Street, Soho.

New York City Police Museum: Photographs from the Sept.11 attacks will be going on display at the New York City Police Museum this weekend between 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets are $8 or $5 for students. The exhibition will carry on through to January.

Greek Festival: Greek culture, food and music will be celebrated at the Greek Orthodox Shrine Church of St. Nicholas, 196-10 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, and Queens throughout the weekend. Friday, 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. All events will be free.