Get ready for one of New York City’s most unforgettable Halloween nights — the Cathedral of St. John the Divine’s legendary Halloween Extravaganza is making its spine-chilling return this week with the beloved Procession of the Ghouls.
This Friday, October 24, and Saturday, October 25, the massive Gothic cathedral on the Upper West Side will once again transform into an eerie wonderland where ghosts, goblins, and devils creep through the aisles in an unforgettable theatrical spectacle.
✨ A Spooky NYC Classic Returns
Created by Artist in Residence Ralph Lee, founder of both the Mettawee River Theatre Company and the iconic Village Halloween Parade, this gothic performance has captivated New Yorkers since the 1990s.
Blending medieval pageantry with Halloween revelry, the event is part eerie theater, part spirited celebration — a surreal mix you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
👻 What Makes the 2025 Edition Extra Special
- 🎬 100th Anniversary Screening — the night opens with the 1925 silent film The Phantom of the Opera, accompanied by live organ music for a hauntingly immersive experience
- 🎹 The Great Organ Returns — after years of meticulous restoration, the Cathedral’s famed Great Organ once again fills the nave with thunderous sound, performed by organist Tim Brumfield
Then comes the grand finale: a spectral parade of witches, ghosts, and mischievous ghouls from the Mettawee River Theater Company, prancing down the nave in the Procession of the Ghouls — delighting audiences with eerie surprises and ghostly theatrics.
🕯 A Sacred and Spooky NYC Experience
For two nights only, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine becomes a world where the sacred meets the supernatural. The flicker of candlelight, the echo of the organ, and the swirl of masked performers create a Halloween night unlike any other in New York City.
St. John the Divine Procession of the Ghouls
- 📍 Location: The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine – 1047 Amsterdam Ave.
- 🗓 Dates: Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25
- 🕖 Showtimes: 7 pm on both Friday and Saturday
- 🎟️ Tickets: $50 via the Cathedral’s website
Don’t miss one of NYC’s most haunting Halloween traditions, where the sacred meets the spooky!
Looking for even more frights? Don’t miss Blood Manor, New York’s most terrifying haunted house, or explore our full list of spooky Halloween events across NYC this season.