Maria Lawton, of ‘Maria’s Portuguese Table,’ to speak at Whaling Museum

“What do you want to do?”

If you need an answer to this age-old question for making plans, we’ve got you covered.

In Things To Do, we take a look at, well, things to do, happening every week in the Greater Fall River area and around the SouthCoast.

From weekdays to weekends, there’s always plenty going on.

And we’re not only taking a look at what’s happening this week, we’re also giving you a heads up for events that are coming soon.

This week, we’ve got lots of seasonal events, a look ahead at the Moby-Dick Marathon in New Bedford, a special lecture with Maria Lawton, book signings, concerts, and more.

So when someone asks you what you want to do, you’ve got your plans ready to go.

Here are Things To Do around Fall River and beyond this week:

Halloween for all: Fall River’s Downtown Spooky Stroll

On Halloween, Tuesday, Oct. 31, from 2 to 5 p.m., Viva Fall River is hosting the Downtown Spooky Stroll. A prelude to the annual Greater Fall River Re-Creation Halloween Party, the Spooky Stroll offers a unique, downtown trick-or-treat adventure. More than 25 participating businesses will have candy stations offering spooky treats, in a ghostly gathering for all ages. Don your costumes and get ready to haunt downtown. For more information, visit www.vivafallriver.com.

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Spooky fun: Greater Fall River RE-CREATION Halloween Party

On Tuesday, Oct. 31, 45 Rock St., Fall River, is going to be a happening place. From 5 to 7 p.m., Greater Fall River RE-CREATION will be holding its annual Halloween party. They’ll be handing out ghoulish goodies, including free candy and food. There will be pizza and trick or treating, plus a spooky hallway. Plus they’ll have face painting, and a costume contest. The party is on, rain or shine.

Halloween parade: Marion Art Center brews up costumed event

The Marion Art Center will present its annual Halloween parade on Tuesday, Oct. 31, with participants meeting up at 4 p.m. Costumed characters of all ages are invited to participate, and should meet up in front of the Marion Music Hall, before lining up on Cottage Street. Under the direction of Hannah Moore, the Sippican Elementary School drummers will lead the parade. The parade route will head south on Front Street, up Main Street, north onto Spring Street and back down Cottage Street to the Music Hall. After the parade, Marion Art Center will be handing out surprise goodie bags.

History and books: Moby-Dick Marathon and Portuguese culture at Whaling Museum

There’s plenty happening now and into the end of the year at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill.

Their annual Moby-Dick Marathon isn’t until January, but if you’ve ever wanted to participate in the read-a-thon, now’s your chance to sign up.

The Portuguese and Lusophone World Lecture series continues on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m., with special guest Maria Lawton. The popular author, producer and host of the award-winning PBS series “Maria’s Portuguese Table” will be the guest lecturer, diving deep into conversations about Lusophone heritage, Azorean traditions, and the inspiration behind her series. Admission is free, but registration is required.

Book signing: Meet author Nicholas P. Sullivan in Westport

Partners Village Store and the Westport River Watershed Alliance will be hosting a “meet the author” event at the River Center, 493 Old County Rd., on Thursday, Nov. 2, at 5:30 p.m. Author Nicholas P. Sullivan will be discussing his new book, “The Blue Revolution.” He will also be doing a book signing, and books will be available for purchase. This event is free. For questions and more information, call 508-636-3016, Ext. 1003, or email outreach@wrwa.com.

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Classical concert: Copland and Tchaikovsky with Plymouth Philharmonic

Join conductor Steven Karidoyanes and the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, Nov. 4, for a performance of Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Acclaimed violinist Julianne Lee, formerly Principal Second Violin of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, takes the spotlight for this masterpiece. The concert will take place at Plymouth North High School’s Performing Arts Center, 41 Obery St., Plymouth, at 7:30 p.m. There will be a pre-concert talk with Karidoyanes at 6:30 p.m. Individual tickets are $30 and $65. Purchase tickets online at plymouthphil.org or by calling 508-746-8008. There will also be an after-concert reception. Admission is $25, and guests can mingle with musicians while enjoying desserts and a cash bar.

Exhibit: ‘Poetry by Design’ at Westport library

The Poets’ Table, a poetry group that meets twice a month at the Westport Free Public Library, 408 Old County Rd., is putting on an exhibit. “Poetry by Design” will be on display in the library’s Community Room, from Nov. 6 to 30. This exhibit is a fusion of members’ original poetry framed with visual interpretations by Barbara Wackowki-Faria. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, Nov. 9, from 4 to 6 p.m., where guests can meet poets and add their voices to the conversation.

Have a community event or activity you’d like to see featured? Send us an email at  kfontes@heraldnews.com or news@heraldnews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Herald News: Maria Lawton, of ‘Maria’s Portuguese Table,’ to speak at Whaling Museum