10 things to do this weekend, including Jewish Film Festival, Sendak exhibit, pet costume contest

The entertainment staff is pretty excited about the lineup for this weekend and beyond, and we think you will be, too. So much to do, so little time!

At the top of our list is the Circleville Pumpkin Show. The annual event highlights all things pumpkin, from pumpkin cream puffs and doughnuts to parades and some of the biggest pumpkins you'll ever see!

Next, Upper Arlington natives Evan Westfall and Taylor Meier will be performing with their band Caamp Friday night at Nationwide Arena. Their first arena show promises to be one to remember.

And let's not forget HighBall Halloween takes place on Saturday. Couture costumes, events for kids and lots of fun will fill the Short North street festival.

And those are just some of the weekend highlights. Read on for 10 more equally cool suggestions!

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Columbus Jewish Film Festival kicks off

The Columbus Jewish Film Festival — set to take place from Sunday through Nov. 13 at multiple venues throughout Columbus — will open with a screening of “Rock Camp, the Movie” at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Jewish Community Center of Greater Columbus, 1125 College Ave. The documentary centers on a rock ‘n’ roll fantasy camp that has campers interacting with rockers such as Alice Cooper, Roger Daltrey and Nancy Wilson. In attendance at Sunday’s screening will be camp founder David Fishof, an Orthodox Jewish man whose father was a cantor. Fishof will participate in a discussion with Dino Tripodis of Sunny 95. Tickets cost $35. (https://columbusjcc.org/columbus-jewish-film-festival/)

‘Black Adam’ to open in multiplexes

DC Comics fans throughout Greater Columbus, grab your popcorn: This week, multiplexes will be filled with the exploits of Black Adam, Doctor Fate and other figures familiar from DC comic books. The new movie “Black Adam,” opening Thursday, stars Dwayne Johnson as the title antihero, Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate, plus Aldis Hodge as Hawkman and Quintessa Swindell as Cyclone. Check theater websites for showtimes and ticket information.

Carpe Diem to perform at two venues

The Carpe Diem String Quartet — consisting of former Columbus Symphony concertmaster Charles Wetherbee, plus violist Korine Fujiwara, cellist Ariana Nelson and violinist Marisa Ishikawa — will begin its new season at 4 p.m. Saturday at the First Community Church South, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., and 2 p.m. Sunday at the First Unitarian Universalist Church, 93 W. Weisheimer Road. The performances will include a mix of old and new pieces, from Beethoven’s “String Quartet No. 10” to a work by quartet member Fujiwara and the world premiere of composer Peter Fribbins’ “Lachrimae.” Tickets cost $35, or $30 for senior citizens, $25 for church members, $10 for students. (www.carpediemstringquartet.com)

‘HOWLoween’ pet costume contest at Easton

We’re all looking forward to wearing our Halloween best for trick-or-treating, but in the meantime, why not dress up your pet in creative or creepy fashion? From noon to 3 p.m. Sunday at Easton Town Center, you can enter your furry friend in the “HOWLoween Pet Contest,” which will judge Best Group, Duo, Cutest, Funniest, Most Creative and Scariest pet costumes. Winners will be announced at 2:30 p.m. (https://eastontowncenter.com/event/howloween-pet-contest-fall-festival/)

Nightmares at the movies

Who doesn’t want to have a cinematic nightmare or two around Halloween? If you do, you’re the ideal audience for the Nightmares Film Festival, which will unfold Thursday through Sunday at the Gateway Film Center, 1550 N. High St. Among the countless categories of creepy movies to be shown are horror features, horror comedies, Ohio-based movies and too many short films to count — including one directed by the 22-year-old daughter of Martin Scorsese, Francesca Scorsese. VIP festival passes cost $149. For the full schedule and additional ticket information, visit https://gatewayfilmcenter.org/nff/.

'Rocky Horror' revival on tap

Let’s do the Time Warp again with Brad, Janet and the whole Transylvanian gang. Short North Stage is presenting the fifth annual revival of “The Rocky Horror Show,” the campy cult-classic sci-fi/horror musical comedy about the loss of innocence as a stranded newlywed couple meet a rocking biker, creepy butler, a musical man named Rocky and other wild characters in the eerie mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Performances continue at 8 p.m. Thursday, 8 and 11 p.m. Friday, 5 and 9 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday, and various times through Oct. 30 in the Garden Theater’s intimate Green Room, 1187 N. High St. Tickets cost $50.48 and $55.24. (cbusarts.com)

Seeking Halloween family fun?

Looking for family fun for Halloween? The Columbus Association for the Performing Arts will present its first “Trick-or-Treat at the Palace Theatre” at 6-8 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Palace, 34 W. Broad St. Show up any time for this community event, designed to offer a safe, weatherproof alternative to trick-or-treating. Everyone can explore a themed and spookier version of the theater, with selfie spots and other fun activities along the way. Snacks and toys will be given to children who attend; a special cocktail and mocktail will be available for purchase. Costumes are encouraged for kids and adults. Admission is free. (capa.com)

Peppa Pig will take guests on an adventure

Tiny fans of Peppa Pig can see her in action In "Peppa Pig’s Adventure" at 6 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Wexner Center Mershon Auditorium, 1871 N. High St. The one-hour show follows Peppa as she goes on a camping trip — with Papa Pig as bus driver — in the company of her school friends Pedro Pony, Suzy Sheep and Gerald Giraffe. Expect singing, dancing, games and plenty of surprises. Tickets: $26.75 (peppapigliveus.com)

Author Rumaan Alam to visit Main Library

Bestselling author Rumaan Alam will appear as part of the Carnegie Authors Series at 2 p.m. Sunday in the Siemer Family Reading Room at the Main Library, 96 S. Grant Ave. Alam, who graduated from Oberlin College, is the author of the unsettling dystopian thriller “Leave the World Behind.” Previous novels include “Rich and Pretty” and “That Kind of Mother.” The event will feature a talk, question-and-answer session, and a book sale and signing. Admission is free, but pre-registration is required. (columbuslibrary.org)

'Wild Things' opening at the Columbus Museum of Art

Adults and children alike should relish the latest exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art, 480 E. Broad St. “Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak” opens Friday and runs through March 5, 2023. The exhibit includes more than 150 sketches, storyboards and paintings, including the original work for books including “Where the Wild Things Are” and “Outside Over There,” as well as designs for Sendak's theater, opera, film and television productions. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursdays. Admission to special exhibits is $15 plus regular museum admission. (www.columbusmuseum.org)

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 10 things to do this weekend in Columbus, including Jewish Fim Festival