Today is officially Halloween, and it’s time to get into a spooky mood. It’s no secret that NYC goes all out every Halloween, and we expect this year to be no different! Whether you love dressing up in a costume, getting freaked out in a haunted house, or just like taking in the fall decor, there’s a little Halloween magic for everyone. We put together our ongoing list of the best Halloween events in NYC happening throughout the month. Let’s let the spirits guide us to your next adventure…
If you have little ghosts and goblins running around, our list of Halloween events for kids, like Trick-or-Streets and pumpkin picking on Governors Island, will sure to delight all of those in a festive state of mind.
1. NYC Village Halloween Parade
If there’s one NYC Halloween tradition unlike any other, it’s the yearly NYC Village Halloween Parade that goes up Sixth Ave from Canal St to 15th St each Halloween night (Thursday, Oct 31)! Every year’s event always nets about 50,000 people, always dressed the part with hellish and spooky costumes that are enough to scare anyone! Walking in the parade is completely free as long as you have a costume. You can also live stream the parade on their website. Learn more info about the parade here!
Where: Greenwich Village
2. Squid Game: The Experience
The new competition and immersive experience from one of Netflix’s most popular shows is officially in Midtown Manhattan! Squid Game: The Experience tickets are available now and are selling fast! Play classic games like “Red Light, Green Light,” shop for exclusive merch and experience the incredible Night Market at the Manhattan Mall, steps from K-town.
Find out about general admission tickets and special VIP tickets here!3. Jimmy Fallon Tonightmares
The first-ever ‘Jimmy Fallon Tonightmares‘ is an intimate haunted experience, taking place in Rockefeller Center. Step inside 10 themed rooms each inspired by Fallon’s greatest nightmares. This is no laughing matter, the event isn’t recommended for kids under 13-years-old.
👻 For more details and tickets go here!
4. Black Lagoon pop-up
The annual Halloween pop-up Black Lagoon is back again in NYC this year, this time at Someday Bar in Brooklyn. The goth and horror theme creates an immersive Halloween cocktail experience, with spine-chilling drinks! This year’s pop-up is running now through October – 31st! Learn more here.
Where: 364 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn
5. Tricks and Treats at Bryant Park
Stop by Bryant Park on Halloween to check out their annual free Tricks and Treats event which is happening this Thursday (4 – 6 pm). Perfect for the little ones, the event will feature all sorts of magic, entertainment, and treats for families and children of all ages! There will be plenty of activities, like face painting, a magic show, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, live music, and a costume parade. Adults can also shop the recently opened Bryant Park Winter Village too!
Where: Bryant Park
6. Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze is one of the most stunning visual Halloween experiences that comes each year, and it’s because of the 7,000+ uniquely carved pumpkins forming all sorts of art installations. From their gorgeous Pumpkin Bridge to the jaw-dropping Pumpkin Planetarium, there are tons of illuminated art pieces that are surreal to see in person (including NYC staples like the Statue of Liberty and a subway station entrance).
The blazin’ pumpkins are slightly outside of NYC in Hudson Valley, but are surely worth the train ride up! The experience is celebrating their 20th year, and it’s running on select days from now through November 17. Learn more here.
Where: Van Cortlandt Manor (525 S Riverside, Croton-on-Hudson, NY)
7. Halloween parties in NYC
We’d be silly not to mention the Halloweekend nightlife that brings an eclectic energy to NYC. There’s so much going on this year from a going out perspective, including rooftop Halloween parties to warehouse raves. No matter what vibe or bar you’re looking for, we’ve got some of the hottest parties you couldn’t be caught dead missing. This weekend is the grand finale of this year’s two “Halloweekends.”
8. Halloween bars in NYC
Put your spirit to the test at one of NYC’s ghoulish bars before the 31st. Treat yourself to a seasonal cocktail at a bar or speakeasy that gives off the spook-tacular vibes you’re after! Check out our guide to the best spooky bars and restaurants in NYC for Halloween vibes.
Where: Various Locations
9. Trick-or treating around NYC
Get out your candy buckets and figure out your trick or treating route because the night has come! No matter what borough you’re in, nothing beats going door to door for some sweet treats. Check out the best neighborhoods to going trick or treating in NYC right here!
10. The Spirits’ Speakeasy
A spooky soirée is happening this Halloween season, full of magicians, mentalists, and mediums! The Spirits’ Speakeasy is a full-on immersive speakeasy and theatrical experience that will truly blown your mind…in an evening that blends magic with the supernatural. The whole event is inspired by historical figures like Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini, so you know it’s an incredible time. Learn more about The Spirits’ Speakeasy and how to book tickets via their website.
Where: Sincerely, Ophelia (221 2nd Ave Suite B)
When: Now – November 3rd
11. Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch
NYC’s amazing annual pop-up patch, Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch is back and we couldn’t be any more excited. It has taken over Greenwood Park Beer Garden through October 31st, bringing a massive selection of pumpkins, fancy gourds, and tons of Halloween decor. Plus, there will be tons of pumpkin painting activities, Instagrammable photo ops, hay bales, corn stalks, painted pumpkins for sale, and Fall Mums.
Where: 555 7th Ave, Brooklyn
12. Halloween movies at Rooftop Cinema Club
Get the last watch of your favorite Halloween movie this week at Rooftop Cinema Club, who’s screening classic themed films all week long leading into Thursday! Their night time showings include some of the best flicks like A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist, and special Halloween night screenings of Hocus Pocus, Halloween (1978), and more. Check out the full lineup of this week’s screenings via their online calendar.
Where: 60 W 37th St
13. Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tour
Hop aboard Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours for a chilling ride through Brooklyn’s shadowy past. This unique tour, conducted in a Victorian-style trolley, unveils 400 years of history with tales of mob murders, Revolutionary War battles, and even alien abductions. Madame Morbid’s Trolley Tours are NYC’s #1 ghost tour, offering a spooky yet educational adventure. Along the way, explore hidden cemeteries and historical sites while enjoying engaging trivia and mini-documentaries.
Where: Brooklyn, NY
When: Now through November
14. SLEEPY HOLLOW: AUTUMN’s HARVEST
Step into the world of Washington Irving’s timeless tale at SLEEPY HOLLOW: AUTUMN’s HARVEST, a new immersive experience from HERO at Rockefeller Center. After the wildly successful BLOOM exhibit earlier this year, this festive experience brings the legend of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman to life through eight themed rooms, including a lifelike cornfield and a toadstool-themed bounce house. Plus, there will be weekly events, including costume parties, spooky movie nights, and happy hours. Learn more about it and grab tickets here!
Where: 610 5th Avenue (Rockefeller Center)
When: Now – November 10th
15. Halloween at Chelsea Market
The Halloween takeover at Chelsea Market is in full swing, and they have an exciting Halloween day event coming up that you should bookmark! On October 31st, Chelsea Market will be hosting trick-or-treating ALL-DAY for children throughout the market’s lower level.
16. Haunted houses in and near NYC
Get ready for a spine-chilling adventure as you visit some of the most terrifying haunted houses in and around NYC this Halloween season. From the eerie “Jimmy Fallon Tonightmares,” which brings to life the TV host’s bizarre nightmares, to the immersive Ridgewood Asylum with its escape room elements, these attractions promise an unforgettable fright night. Let out some screams and feel your bones chill as you explore dark mansions and face ghoulish demons. Whether you’re in the mood for a quick scare or a full-blown horror experience, there’s something for everyone.
Where: Various locations around NYC
When: Various dates through November
17. Pumpkin picking in NYC and beyond
Spooky season is right around the corner, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by visiting the top pumpkin picking spots in NYC and its surroundings! Whether you’re decorating your home with a cute or creepy gourd, or looking to enjoy a day out, these locations offer a variety of pumpkins, Instagrammable moments, and more. Don’t miss out on the full list of must-visit pumpkin patches, including options for apple orchards and corn mazes to complete your fall adventure.
Where: Various locations in and around NYC
When: Various dates through Halloween
18. Seaport Pumpkin Arch
One our favorite Halloween photo opps is back on the NYC waterfront in the form of the Seaport Arch. With the Brooklyn Bridge perfectly in the background, this pumpkin themed spot is the perfect place to grab your Halloween Instagram photos! It’s back at Seaport through November 3rd. Learn more here.
Where: Seaport District (Fulton St. to Pier 17)
19. Halloween decorations in NYC neighborhoods
While still a bit aways still, you know New Yorkers always go all out when pulling out their Halloween decorations! From the haunted Greenwich Village to the residential Upper East Side, there are tons of neighborhoods to walk through and admire their spookiness. This is one of our favorite free ways to spend a few hours getting into the Halloween spirit!
Check out our favorite neighborhoods for decorations here!
Where: All around NYC
20. Fall programming at The Green-Wood Cemetery
The Green-Wood Cemetery is gearing up for Halloween these next couple of weeks with some intimate Green-Wood After Hours walking tours! New Yorkers can explore the historic grounds at night and stroll through catacombs and sectors of the cemetery which are typically closed off to the public. They’re happening on the weekends, and you can learn more about them (along with other awesome events), online via their website!
21. Mercer Labs’ Dark Matters – Nightmare Before Midnight
Mercer Labs’ limited-time exhibition Dark Matters – Nightmare Before Midnight is an eerie Halloween immersive exhibit that’s meant to dig deep into the human psyche and paranormal expression, which will send chills up your spine. The event, “a mirror to our fears and fascinations with the unknown” is only sticking around until October 30th, so don’t wait to take a peek.
22. Circoloco New York Halloween 2024
The iconic Ibiza brand, Circoloco, is back again this weekend for the second week of the 2024 takeover. This year’s event, in partnership with Teksupport, consists of 3 nights of house and techno music in Brooklyn, which kicked off last weekend with two sold out shows. This weekend’s grand finale (November 1st) includes top dance music artists like Bedouin, Jamie Jones, Seth Troxler, Âme vs Dixon, plus more. For more details on this exciting event, check out the our Circoloco guide.
Where: Brooklyn Store House
When: November 1st, 10 pm – late
23. Grab your gear at one of NYC’s best Halloween costume shops
From Spirit Halloween pop-ups to local mom and pop shops like Gothic Renaissance, there are plenty of places that will help you look downright creepy (or not-so-creepy) for your Halloween parties and weekend pumpkin picking adventures. You can’t possibly celebrate October without a cool costume — we’d go as far as to say it’s unacceptable.
24. Watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show and eat burgers at Burger Joint
Stop by Burger Joint inside Thompson Central Park New York (behind the red curtain and neon sign), and try out special Halloween menu items inspired by The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The food spot will be screening the film on a projector at 5, 7, and 10 pm on Halloween night and serving special items like the “I’m Eating Eddie?!” Burger and The “Cherry Red Lips” Milkshake.
Plus, there will also be a Rocky Horror costume contest!
Where: 119 W 56th St (film screenings at 5, 7, 10 pm and costume contest at 9 pm)
When: October 31st
25. Halloween at the RoofTop at Exchange Place
Venture to Jersey City for a spooky-cool panoramic Halloween experience at RoofTop, complete with frighteningly-cool decor, delicious eats, and fun drinks like Witches Brew (B&B Brandy, peach schnapps, and triple sec infused with tropical juices and a touch of activated charcoal), served in a cauldron. The RoofTop’s “Haunted Heights” festivities kick off October 31st and keeps the spooky season alive through November 3rd. Expect a DJ and access to the Haunted Cabana. Reserve a table online.
Where: 1 Exchange Place, Jersey City, NJ
When: October 31st to November 3rd
26. Catacomb tours of Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral
A creepy 200 year old cathedral is just waiting to be uncovered, and that’s what you’ll get with this 90 minute walking tour of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral. With the help of a tour guide and pure candlelight, you’ll explore otherwise off-limit parts of this haunting church, like the two walled cemeteries. Be ready to step into something you’ve never seen before… Learn more here.
🕯️ Buy your tickets to the Catacombs by Candlelight Tour here!
27. New York City Ghost Tours
Boo! How haunted do you think NYC is? Well you’re about to find out…Greenwich Village is notoriously one of the most haunted neighborhoods in the city and this walking tour will bring you around the area and spook you out on the way. Learn about scary Manhattan history all while walking in the shoes of ghosts past!
Where: 131 E 10th Street, St Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery