‘Tis the season to be spooky, and we uncovered the best Halloween events for kids in NYC to satisfy little ghosts and goblins this October.
In typical fashion, NYC offers plenty of way to ring in All Hallow’s Eve with festivals, exhibits, and themed events that are sure to pique your li’l monster’s curiosity.
Have a look below at some of our favorite kid-friendly Halloween celebrations this year:
1. Visit Jack Skellington & co. at NYBG
“What’s this? What’s this? There’s color everywhere!”
Disney’s Tim Burton The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail has taken over 8,300 square feet of the New York Botanical Gardens with vibrant hues that bring the classic stop-motion holiday tale to life. Visitors can expect tunnels, light projections, character installations, and the very popular Oogie Boogie Lair!
📍2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx
2. Stop by the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade
Little ones will get a kick out of dogs in costume, and let’s be honest, it just might inspire you to take a trip to the shelter.
Check out the adorable four-legged fun on Sunday, October 19th at 1pm in the East Village.
3. Get dressed up for Boo at the Zoo…
There’s nothing like an afternoon at the Bronx Zoo, especially during the Halloween season. On weekends until October 26th, families can arrive in costume for Boo at the Zoo and enjoy the Boo Dance Party, a walk through the Pumpkin Garden, and of course, an up-close look at the coolest animals in the world.
📍 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx
4. …or Harvest Glow
Up until Halloween, Bronx Zoo visitors will be able to explore the inhabitants of our various ecosystems in a unique way: through 5,000 hand-carved pumpkins.
See the animal kingdom come to life in a fitting way for the Halloween season.
📍 2300 Southern Blvd, Bronx
5. Enjoy fall festivities in a hidden location
Did you know there’s a hidden rooftop garden above Radio City? Well there is, it’s going to be decked out in all-things autumn come Thursday, October 23rd. Families have plenty of fun to choose from at the Radio Park Fall Festival: candy apple making, pumpkin painting, and of course, sweet treats. Tickets start at $31.
📍Radio Park, New York
6. Visit the largest Asphalt Screams ever!
Are those costumes ready? The largest Asphalt Screams in history is expected in 2025 with nearly 7,000 attendees — and your kiddo has to be one of them. The free event offers entertainment that’s perfect for spooky season: a haunted maze, soccer darts, a bounce house, and plenty of other neat offerings. All ages and abilities are welcome. RSVP online.
📍 Litwin Field at Asphalt Green, 1750 York Ave.
⏰ Sensory Hour: 2:30pm-3:30pm Event: 3:30pm-6pm
7. Head to the BKLYN Boo bash
Downtown Brooklyn Partnership and City Point BKLYN are once again hosting their frighteningly fun — and free! — festivities on Halloween itself from 2-5pm.
There’s plenty to keep little goblins and ghouls entertained throughout the afternoon: a Halloween puppet show, double dutch, and an epic Labubu dance-off!
Additionally, City Point BKLYN will host a free event on Sunday, October 19th from 11am to 1pm for pumpkin decorating, photo opps, and more on the grounds. (445 Albee Sq West).
📍 Abolitionist Place, Willoughby St + Albee Square W., Brooklyn
8. Take a deep dive into the New York Aquarium Ascarium
On Saturdays and Sundays until October 26th, the New York Aquarium will make a splash with marine-themed magic shows, seasonal activities, a scavenger hunt, and a deep dive into some “scary” critters of the deep — like wolf eels and bat sea stars — to celebrate the Halloween season.
📍 602 Surf Ave, Brooklyn
9. Enjoy a unique take on Halloween
Halloween with a Japanese influence? You can find it at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum on Sunday, October 26th with the celebration of the spooky season and Kawaii Kreature Festival.
Attendees can trick or treat their way through the museum, participate in a yokai mascot mask-making with Zelda Arts, see what a mad scientist has cooking, and meet creepy crawlers up close, and more.
📍145 Brooklyn Ave, Brooklyn
10. Head to the Queens Botanical Garden
Queens’ go-to greenspace is going all out in autumn: photo opps, trick or treating through spooky trails, a magic show, and so much more. The fun gets underway on Sunday, October 26th at noon.
📍 43-50 Main St, Flushing
11. Go trick-or-treating in NYC’s best neighborhoods for Halloween
For the sweetest candy, the coolest costumes, and the scary-good scenery, we have you covered.
Our guide to trick or treating in NYC will help make October 31st extra memorable.
12. Stop by the Pumpkin Smash
Once the spooky fun comes to a close on November 1st and the holiday swoop in practically immediately, you and your little one will have a chance to do some (family-friendly) pumpkin smashing at Hudson River Park, where all jack o’ lanterns will become compost for the park. Stop by on Saturday, November 1st beginning at noon.
📍 Pier 84, New York