From the famous Village Halloween Parade to festive celebrations at the iconic cultural institutions and museums to neighborhood trick-or-treating and over-the-top costume parties, New York City is one of the best places to celebrate spooky season. Ahead, discover some of the best Halloween happenings across the five boroughs this year.
Parades
52nd Annual Village Halloween Parade
Greenwich Village, Manhattan
October 31 at 7 p.m.
The annual Village Halloween Parade wants to bring people together. This year, the theme is “It’s a Potluck!” to celebrate coming together during challenging times. Appropriately, the grand marshal is City Harvest, New York City’s largest food rescue organization. Now in its 52nd year, the legendary parade, which is free to participate in and attend, takes place on October 31, along Sixth Avenue, from Canal Street to 15th Street. An after-party, with a costume contest, will be held in Industry City starting at 9 p.m.
Park Slope Children’s Halloween Parade
Park Slope, Brooklyn
October 31, 6:30 p.m.
One of the city’s cutest Halloween events is happening in Park Slope. The Children’s Halloween Parade, the largest of its kind in New York City, kicks off on October 31 at 6:30 p.m., moving along 7th Avenue, from 14th Street to Third Street, and ending at Washington Park. Festivities start earlier with trick-or-treating at local stores along 7th and 5th Avenues from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For the pups
Barktoberfest
Pier 57 Rooftop Park, 25 11th Avenue, Manhattan
October 25 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
DOWNTOWN Magazine is hosting its annual Barktoberfest on Pier 57’s rooftop park, inviting pet owners to dress up their furry friends and enter them in a costume contest. Winners can take home prizes such as a dinner for two at Nobu, a night at the Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, a fall foliage cruise for two, and more. The event is free and open to the public. Register your pet here.
27th Annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest
Fort Greene Park, Brooklyn
October 25 at 12 p.m.
Furry friends of Fort Greene will come together for the 27th annual Great PUPkin dog costume contest this month. On Saturday, October 25, hundreds of pups will show off their spooky and adorable get-ups at Fort Greene Park. While tickets to participate are now sold out, spectating is free and on a first-come, first-served basis.
Washington Square Park Dog Halloween
Manhattan
October 25 at 12 p.m.
Get into the “Howl-o-ween” spirit this month and cheer on some of New York City’s best-dressed pups at Washington Square Park. The festivities kick off with a costume parade at 12 p.m., followed by a costume contest showcasing the city’s most creative canine looks. Contest registration is free and opens on-site at 9 a.m. the morning of the event, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Día de Muertos Ofrenda
American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog, 101 Park Avenue, Manhattan
Through November 2
Celebrate Día de Muertos at Murray Hill’s Museum of the Dog, where, through November 2, visitors can contribute to an ofrenda with photos of recently departed pets. This tradition both honors and celebrates the lives of the deceased, as families create altars decorated with images, flowers, butterflies, skulls, and offerings for the spirits. You can make a submission to the ofrenda here.
Pumpkin patches
DeMatti’s Tot Pumpkin Patch
DeMatti Park Fieldhouse, 430 Tompkins Avenue, Staten Island
October 24 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
The whole family is invited to DeMatti Playground’s festive pumpkin patch, where you can pick your own sugar pumpkin and decorate it at a creative crafting station. The event is free and open to the public.
Greg’s Pumpkin Patch
Greenwood Park, 555 Seventh Avenue, Brooklyn
New Yorkers know one of the best places to pick up a Halloween pumpkin is Greg’s Pumpkin Patch. The seasonal pop-up offers a bounty of fall goods, from towering scarecrows and cornstalks to sunflowers, plants, and more. The patch boasts one of the city’s best selections of pumpkins, including Greg’s famous Howden carving pumpkins, sugar pumpkins, field pumpkins, Long Island cheese pumpkins, and other rare varieties.
Cityside Pumpkin Patch
The Summer Club, 8-08 Queens Plaza South, Queens
Through November 2
Offering one of the city’s largest Halloween extravaganzas, Cityside Pumpkin Patch features a full lineup of fall fun, from a fully operational pumpkin patch filled with locally harvested pumpkins to pumpkin smashing and scarecrow archery. The immersive rooftop experience runs through November 2, with tickets starting at $17, available for purchase here.
Pumpkin Smash
Hudson River Park, Pier 84
November 1 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Relieve stress this Halloween season at Pier 84, where Hudson River Park invites guests to bring their pumpkins the day after Halloween and smash, squash, or smush them into compost to help maintain the park’s lush beauty. Just bring a pumpkin—the park provides the rest. A fall favorite, the Pumpkin Smash is a fun, sustainable way to celebrate the season while giving pumpkins a second life. Participants get 15 minutes to break down their pumpkin using a bat, hammer, or shovel, aiming to smash it into the smallest pieces possible.
Family-friendly events
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail
New York Botanical Garden, 2900 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
Through November 30
Venture down a whimsical light path inspired by Disney’s “Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas” at the New York Botanical Garden. Returning after a successful debut in 2024, the immersive experience surrounds visitors with the world of the iconic film, where Jack Skellington, Sally, and Zero come to life amid the garden’s lush landscape. Created by Adventurelive, the producing team behind Broadway’s “Hamilton,” the 8,300-square-foot installation includes 24 character stops, a host of new scenes and music, and takes roughly 45 minutes to explore. Tickets for adults cost $39 per person and can be purchased here.
Halloween at the Bronx Zoo
Halloween lovers will find plenty to enjoy at the Bronx Zoo this month. The institution is hosting two of its most popular seasonal events: “Boo at the Zoo” and “Harvest Glow.” During Boo at the Zoo, families can enjoy daytime Halloween fun with pumpkin gardens, candy trails, and dance parties. After dark, Harvest Glow returns bigger and brighter than ever, featuring an illuminated animal-themed jack-o’-lantern trail, live pumpkin carving, games, and more. Guests are encouraged to come in costume and take part in the festivities. Learn more about both events here.
New York Aquarium Ascarium
602 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn
Saturdays and Sundays from October 11 through 26 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The city’s Halloween festivities extend under the sea this month at the New York Aquarium. Running Saturdays and Sundays through October 26, “Ascarium” transforms the Coney Island institution into a family-friendly Halloween adventure filled with spooky fun, all included with admission. Visitors can enjoy marine-themed magic shows, Halloween crafts, wildlife theater performances, games, and more. You’ll also get to meet fascinating sea creatures like piranhas, wolf eels, and spider crabs, and discover why these misunderstood animals aren’t as frightening as they seem.
Halloween at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum
145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn
Sunday, October 26, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Crown Heights’ Brooklyn Children’s Museum is inviting young New Yorkers and their families to a full day of Halloween fun. Guests can trick-or-treat around the museum, show off their costumes on the runway, make anime-inspired art, and enjoy story time with professional cosplayers. The event also features an episode screening of “Little Witch Academia,” a performance by the New York Budo Association, yokai mask–making, and a visit from a mad scientist with live insects and animals. General admission tickets cost $15 and can be purchased here.
Halloween at the American Museum of Natural History
200 Central Park West
Friday, October 31, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
It’s a Halloween celebration of “prehistoric proportions” at the American Museum of Natural History. On October 31, the Upper West Side museum invites trick-or-treaters to enjoy some festive activities under the iconic Blue Whale, including treat stops across the museum, arts and crafts, a performance from magician Magical Monty, live animal demonstrations, and costume contests. There will also be free screenings of “Hocus Pocus” at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m., in the LeFrak Theater. The event is available with the purchase of general admission. Learn more here.
Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla at the Harlem Meer
Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park
October 30 at 4 p.m.
A beloved Halloween tradition returns to Central Park’s scenic Harlem Meer later this month. During the annual Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla, guests are invited to bring their own carved pumpkins and set them afloat on the water, joining hundreds of glowing jack-o’-lanterns in a dazzling nighttime display. The event is free to attend.
The Amazing Maize Maze
Queens County Farm Museum, 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens
Saturdays, Sundays, and select Mondays and Thursdays through October 26
The city’s only corn maze is back for another year, inviting guests to navigate its twists and turns. Each visit begins with a “Stalk Talk” to prepare you for clue-finding and puzzle-solving on the way to Victory Bridge, where panoramic views of the 3-acre labyrinth await. Tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for children ages 4 through 11 and can be purchased here.
Tricks and Treats at Bryant Park
Manhattan
October 30 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Bryant Park’s annual Tricks and Treats night transforms the iconic public green space into a spooky playground filled with costumes, treats, and haunted attractions. Free for kids of all ages, this year’s event will feature an eerie magic show, face painting, arts and crafts, pumpkin decorating, and more.
Halloween Boo Bash
White Garden, Randall’s Island Park, Manhattan
October 25 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Bring your best costume to Randall’s Island’s scenic White Garden for a lively Halloween celebration hosted by the city’s Department of Parks. Guests can enjoy Halloween-themed music, pastries from local bakeries, spooky storytelling, and more. The event is free and open to the public.
Performances, movies, and live music
Halloween at Edge
Edge, the city’s highest outdoor observation deck, has plenty in store this fall, from live music in a serene candlelit setting to an explosion of gothic-inspired floral designs that transform the space into a mystical escape. Through October 27, the observation deck is hosting “Candlelight Evenings,” featuring 90-minute live concert performances with thousands of candles and panoramic views of all five boroughs as a backdrop. Edge is also presenting “Garden of Shadows,” showcasing towering floral creations by world-renowned florist Fleurs de Villes. Guests can wander through the space, taking in floor-to-ceiling installations while the stunning city skyline remains in view through the windows.
Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra performs Nosferatu
Plymouth Church, 57 Orange Street, Brooklyn
October 25 at 7:30 p.m.
The Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra will perform the original score from the classic 1922 silent horror film “Nosferatu,” arranged and conducted by Rodney Sauer. The film’s haunting imagery is enhanced by the immediacy of the live orchestral performance, immersing audiences in its eerie, gothic world.
Days of the Dead at FRIGID New York
Under St. Marks Theater, 94 St. Marks Place, Manhattan
Through November 2
Take part in Día de los Muertos festivities at FRIGID New York, an off-off-Broadway theater in the East Village. The annual Day of the Dead festival celebrates independent theater and performance, featuring a lineup of shows exploring death, the afterlife, and all things Halloween. This year’s program includes “All Hallows Eve,” “Blood Lust,” “Bright White Light,” “Buried Alive! A matchbox theatre,” “Cabaret: A Night with the Dead,” “CLOSER,” and more. Tickets are on sale here.
For the 21+ crowd
Drunk Black History Halloween Edition
ISOLA Brooklyn, 361 Metropolitan Avenue, Brooklyn
October 27 at 7 p.m.
For this special Halloween edition of Drunk Black History, comedian Brandon Collins will lead a booze-fueled lesson in Black history and gothic lore, joined by friends. The event offers a fun, spooky way to celebrate Halloween with laughter, learning, and drinks, and special prizes will be awarded to guests with the best costumes. Tickets are $32.56 and available for purchase here.
The Vampire Ball: Halloween Festival
Industry City, 220 36th Street, Brooklyn
October 31 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.
The Vampire Ball, the official afterparty of the Village Halloween Parade, returns for another unforgettable night at Industry City. This massive indoor-outdoor festival features seven stages of music, a “blood rave,” cabaret performances, “bone and blood” readings, a cursed potion bar, and more. General admission costs $75 per person and can be purchased here.
Halloween Night of the Zombies Skate Night
Xanadu, 262 Starr Street, Brooklyn
November 1 at 7 p.m.
Hosted at Bushwick’s retro roller disco and nightclub Xanadu, this special Halloween edition of Vinyl Nights invites guests to wear their best zombie costumes and skate the night away to live DJ sets and performances by professional dancers. The Thriller Dancers—a beloved troupe known for their appearances in the Village Halloween Parade—will perform the iconic Thriller routine throughout the evening. Tickets start at $25.60 per person and can be purchased here.
Boo Bash Halloween 2025
Continental Sports Lounge, 82 Beaver Street, Manhattan
October 31 from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
The Financial District’s Continental Club—best known as the hotel featured in the “John Wick” films—is throwing a Halloween bash to remember. Guests can don their most eye-catching costumes, enjoy a variety of drink specials, and dance the night away to a live DJ. Early-bird general admission tickets start at $28.52 per person. Learn more about ticket options here.
For the fear factor
Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours
Rattle down the cobblestone streets of Brooklyn aboard a Victorian trolley while hearing eerie tales of local folklore and legends. Described as a “spooky history lesson on wheels,” Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours take riders through the historic neighborhoods of Park Slope, Williamsburg, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, and Prospect Park, stopping at sites with dark and fascinating pasts often overlooked amid the city’s everyday bustle. Tickets cost $69 per person, and you can find more information here.
Haunted NYC Bank
415 Broadway, Manhattan
Step inside a vault of terror this Halloween at the Haunted NYC Bank in Soho. Set within a real abandoned bank, this immersive experience leads visitors through shadowy corridors where live actors lurk in the darkness, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Once the vault door slams shut, guests are plunged into a spine-chilling journey that blurs the line between reality and nightmare. All guests ages 16 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets cost $45 per person and can be purchased here.
Wicked Walker Haunted House
Walker Park Field House, Staten Island
October 24 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Take a haunted journey through the Walker Park Field House in Staten Island, transformed into a spine-chilling Halloween attraction. After exploring the haunted house, guests can pick a pumpkin from the patch, create spooky arts and crafts, and enjoy fun games. The event is free and open to the public.
Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center Haunted House
3225 Reservoir Oval East, Bronx
October 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Families and kids are invited to the annual haunted house at Williamsbridge Oval Center, where creaking stairs and dusty cobwebs set the scene for lurking ghouls, witches, and ghosts. The attraction is recommended for children ages 10 and up and is free and open to the public.
Haunted history
Candlelight ghost tours at the Merchant’s House Museum
29 East 4th Street, Manhattan
Friday, October 24; Saturday, October 25; Sunday, October 26; Wednesday, October 30
50-minute tours every half hour, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Delve into the haunted past of Manhattan’s Merchant House Museum, where the spirits of the family who once lived there are said to linger. The Treadwell family occupied the home for nearly 100 years, with at least eight family members passing away inside. Reports of strange and supernatural occurrences have persisted since Gertrude Treadwell, the last surviving family member, died in 1933. Candlelight ghost tours, led by paranormal investigator Dan Sturges, guide visitors through the house while highlighting the latest research and findings about its reported hauntings. Tickets cost $45 for a 50-minute tour for non-members and $70 for a 90-minute tour for non-members.
Living History After Dark
Fraunces Tavern Museum, 54 Pearl Street, Manhattan
October 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
New York City’s oldest and most historic bar is inviting guests on a candlelit adventure through the renowned Fraunces Tavern Museum this spooky season. As part of its exclusive Living History After Dark event, visitors can interact with costumed interpreters, view rare artifacts unveiled only for the night, and immerse themselves in tales of the building’s revolutionary past. Costumes are encouraged but not required. Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased here.
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