New York City Village Halloween Parade
Nation's wildly creative public event where anyone in costume can march.
Unique & Unusual Halloween Events Near Hillside 2026
26 unique & unusual Halloween events near Hillside.
For those seeking the iconic spectacle of the NYC Village Halloween Parade, or a more intimate, family-friendly adventure like the Watson Adventures’ Ghosts of Greenwich Village Scavenger Hunt, Hillside area residents have many paths to Halloween enjoyment.
From major city events to neighborhood traditions, there are numerous ways to celebrate. Consider the larger-than-life parades or the more local traditions, some of which require advance tickets while others offer free admission.
All Unique & Unusual Halloween Events Around Hillside
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Family-Friendly Fall Activities
1 of 44
Historic Irvington Halloween Festival
Irvington
An 80th annual week-long community Halloween celebration with a street fair.
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Food, Drink, and Parties
1 of 52
Front-Row View of New York's 53rd Annual Village Halloween Parade
New York
VIP second-floor and gated outdoor viewing of the Village Halloween Parade.
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Haunted Experiences
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City of Gods Halloween Festival
Brooklyn
Immersive music and arts festival co-created by House of Yes and ZERO.
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Movies, Theater, and Entertainment
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Día de los Muertos
Bronx
Mexican folk music, giant puppets, dance, and a community ofrenda.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do we plan around lantern parades and night processions in Hillside?
Stake out the route, not the staging area: arrive 30-45 minutes early at a mid-route spot with a wall or storefront at your back for kids' sightlines. Bring your own lantern or glow items only if the event invites it. Transit beats driving, since road closures wrap the route, and know the dispersal point so your group reunites after the crowd releases.
How can we volunteer or participate in Halloween events in Hillside instead of just attending?
Community events run on volunteers, and signing up transforms the season: host a trunk at a trunk-or-treat, judge a costume contest, staff a festival craft table, or join a parade group. Sign-ups post in September through schools, libraries, and neighborhood groups, and shifts are usually two or three hours, leaving time to enjoy the event. Volunteering is also the best free ticket in town.
What should we wear on a ghost tour in Hillside?
Ghost tours are night walking tours, so dress for 60-90 minutes outdoors in October: real walking shoes for cobblestones and uneven sidewalks, a warm layer you'd want an hour after sunset, and rain gear when the sky is ambiguous, since most tours run in drizzle. Skip the flip-flops and the costume; hands-free is best for the dark stretches between stops.