Spooky season is in full effect and coming to its dramatic conclusion. After spending too much time and money on a costume (Raygun dressed as Beetlejuice? The Guy From “The Bear” wearing a Travis Kelce jersey?), you’re going to want to show off that creativity, but where?
Ranging from free to not-so-cheap, here’s our guide to get the most out of your Halloween in the Big (Candy) Apple with or without an Instagram-ready costume.
Village Halloween Parade (Oct. 31 7 p.m.)
The big one. The Halloween event in the city. The annual pageant of the macabre will showcase some of the best costumes in the city and offer some premiere people watching whether you’re gawking or marching along with the other ghouls, goblins and people wearing cat ears (this year’s theme is “Meow”).
The parade starts at Canal St. and Sixth Ave. and heads north to 15th St. It’ll also be livestreamed/televised on NY1 from 8 – 9:30 p.m.
Village Costume Ball (Oct. 31)
Theater for the New City‘s annual event will take place outdoors from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 at East Tenth Street between First and Second Avenues with special performances and a costume competition for kids. After 8, the party continues inside at 155 First Ave. for a $20 entry. Attendees can dine at a pop-up restaurant called The Witch’s Cauldron, ballroom dance to Art Lillard’s Heavenly Swing Band and Mister Pablo and enjoy an aerial dance concert by Constellation Moving Company.
Haunted Houses (Open Now)
What better way to get the blood pumping then having a stranger pop out at you wielding a chain-less chainsaw while wearing some truly gnarly zombie makeup? The city has no shortage of haunted houses where a few dozen bucks can give you a bushel of scares before you head off to your next spooky adventure.
Rockefeller Center — 630 5th Ave. (Midtown)
A haunted house at Rockefeller Center inspired by the funny-man’s worst dreams “with sinister characters and scares around every corner.”
Miscellaneous horrors are pictured inside Blood Manor on September 24, 2020 in New York.
359 Broadway, between Franklin and Leonard (Tribeca)
The concrete jungle location (which Jimmy Fallon once visited with Kevin Hart, possibly inspiring the above) “is a first class haunted house attraction comprised of approximately 10,000 square feet of themed rooms, corridors, and a labyrinth of passageways designed to to maximize one’s fears.”
100 W 33rd St. (Midtown)
Head on over to Manhattan Mall and “battle through five intense challenges inspired by the show.” When and if you make it out alive, you can pick up unique merchandise, dinner and cocktails at the space’s “Korean-inspired Night Market.”
Vacations BK, 48 Cypress Ave, Brooklyn (East Williamsburg)
This mashup of a haunted house and an escape room offers “true horror as you try to escape this fun, immersive haunted attraction with your friends and family!”
Ticket prices vary and could sell out, so act fast.
Parties, parties, parties
Looking to dance the scaries away? Why not check out some of these extravagant soirees where ticket prices vary wildly.
Friday Night Vibes Halloween Costume Party at Time Out Market
55 Water St., Brooklyn (DUMBO)
The weekly party at the food hall/event space’s 5th floor starts at 7 p.m. The bars and food stalls will be open so you can drink or snack while catching your breath and peeping the view of the East River, the NYC skyline and the Bridges Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Brooklyn Horror Story at 3 Dollar Bill (Oct. 31)
260 Meserole St., Brooklyn (Bushwick)
The Bushwick party spot is hosting “a queer Halloween rave with drag queens” based on the “American Horror Story” franchise.
Pumpkins and stuff for the whole family
Bronx Zoo Pumpkin Nights and Boo At The Zoo
2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx
If looking at thousands of animal-themed jack-o’-lanterns on a half-mile trail is more your speed, the zoo is offering just that this weekend. There’s also pumpkin-carving, games, “Wildlife Theater” and plenty of other fun.
If being at the zoo after dark gives you the willies, the “daytime family-friendly Halloween tradition” will have face painting, a maze, a dance party and a “Creepy Crawly Mystery Wall.”
Tickets required for both.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas light trail
2900 Southern Boulevard
Still in the Bronx? The New York Botanical Garden is showcasing light installations with interactive video projections and sculptures of characters from the classic Disney film.
Van Cortlandt Manor (Westchester) and Old Bethpage Village Restoration (Long Island)
Take a commuter train in one of two cardinal directions and enjoy thousands of intricately carved pumpkins “in elaborate displays that light up the night at two historic locations in New York” and “create a magical, family-friendly experience for all ages.”
Central Park Pumpkin Flotilla (Oct. 30)
Fifth Ave and E. 108th Street (Harlem)
Head on over to Harlem Meer around 4 p.m. for a parade of floating pumpkins, a magic show, story time, arts and crafts. Floats and candles will be provided.
Tricks and Treats at Bryant Park (Oct. 31)
4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Another family-friendly event at a city park, with sweets, face painting, magic and Triad Brass Band providing tunes during the costume parade.
73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens (Floral Park/Glen Oaks)
It wouldn’t be Halloween without a corn maze and this is the only one in the city . This year’s maze at the Queens County Farm Museum is shaped like a butterfly. Visitors will find clues and solve puzzles to conquer the “3-acre living labyrinth.” Online tickets required.
“Wicked”-themed tea party at The Plaza Hotel
768 5th Ave. off Central Park South (Midtown)
While you can’t necessarily defying gravity, you could defy seasonal expectations and enjoy afternoon tea service with a twist based on the popular musical (and upcoming movie adaptation).
Times vary. Check out a full list of events at city parks here.
Look at decorations!
Taking a stroll is never a bad idea in our fair city — especially with next week’s promising forecast. So why not dawdle while seeing a gigantic paper-mache spider, comically large skeleton or a scarecrow dressed as a mummy.
Don’t know where to go? Think stoops and porches.
The Upper West Side is always a good bet for creative tableaus.
Dyker Heights usually pulls out all the stops when it comes to holiday decorating and Halloween is no different. No time to head to south Brooklyn? Check out some of this year’s best houses here.
Spooky stuff, in spooky locations
Sometimes a location alone can creep you out, but some of the city’s top haunting haunts have plenty of events lined up over the coming days.
Brooklyn’s historic Greenwood Cemetery (25 St. and 5th Ave.) is putting a Halloween spin on its popular After Hours event on Saturday and Sunday. There’s also The Spirited Stroll on Sunday morning, a walking tour “filled with intriguing stories of murder, mystery, unearthly spirits, and captivating oddities.”
Halloween decorations are seen on Albemarie Rd. in Brooklyn, New York on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022.
The hilly burial ground will also be part of TalkDeath’s 2024 Halloween Cemetery Scavenger Hunt on Sunday afternoon.
After those events, you can head to Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch at Greenwood Park Beer Garden and pick up a last-minute gourd. It promises thousands of gourds, fall fall and “everything from hay to z.”
Greenwich Village Haunted Tour
A walking tour of one of the city’s most-haunted neighborhoods.
Try one of four downtown tours of spectral spots.
Tours in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Roosevelt Island that are “in-depth, meticulously researched creations.” Highlights include “Ghosts of the Seaport” and “Witches of Old York.”
Scary movies at the theater
What’s better than getting a popcorn and fountain drink only to lose some of both during a big jump scare? Plenty of old and new classics are playing in theaters. Check out the holidays offerings at these theaters that will let you plus up that fountain soda to a beer or cocktail.
Alamo Drafthouse is playing “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Ghostbusters,” “Halloween” and “Creature From The Black Lagoon.”
See “Smile 2,” “The Ring,” “The Substance,” “The Empty Man,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer “and “Nosferatu” (with a live band!) at Nitehawk Park Slope and Nitehawk Williamsburg.
“Jeepers Creepers,” “Practical Magic,” “Longlegs,” “Beetlejuice,” “Death Becomes Her,” “Rosemary’s Baby,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Exorcist” are on at Rooftop Cinema Club.
“Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter,” “Hush” and more will screen at IFC Center.
Check listings for each theater location as shows may sell out.
If you don’t want to be frightened, per se, head over to Burger Joint — the speakeasy slider spot in the lobby of the Thompson Central Park hotel — on Halloween for a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The late show will also have a costume contest.)
Things that sound a little off-the-wall
Monster Ball at Joanne Trattoria (Oct. 30)
70 W. 68th St. (Lincoln Square)
The westside red sauce spot owned by Lady Gaga’s parents & cookbook author Art Smith is throwing a Halloween-themed spin on its weekly dinner and drag show. Diners are encouraged to dress like the version of Lady Gaga that speaks to them the most.
Roastferatu, The Roast of Dracula (Oct. 31)
7-9 p.m., 308 Hooper St., Brooklyn (Williamsburg)
If all of the above is too scary and you’d rather laugh your fears away, head to Williamsburg’s Fiction Bar and Cafe to see 30 costume-wearing comedians make The Count turn red with embarrassment.
If you have an upcoming weekend event you’d like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: [email protected] with the details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.