Brave the shadows that loom over New York City this Halloween, armed with our comprehensive guide to the most spine-tingling events and supernatural hotspots. Uncover the layers of New York City's spooky sediment with our guide, a geological survey for fossil phantoms and curious excavators.
Popular events abound during this eerie season, including the NYC Village Halloween Parade, where vibrant costumes and spirited performances transform the streets into a lively celebration. With its impressive array of carved pumpkins, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze lights up the night, captivating visitors with its artistic displays. And the Halloween at the American Museum of Natural History is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a unique exploration of the spooky side of science. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around New York City
- NYC Village Halloween Parade (New York)
- Halloween at the American Museum of Natural History (New York)
- The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze (Croton-on-Hudson)
- Boo at the Zoo (Bronx)
- RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns - Long Island (Wheatley Heights)
- Blood Manor
- Fall-O-Ween at New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)
- Children’s Halloween Parade at Washington Square Park (New York)
- The Official Halloween Bar Crawl (New York)
- Halloween Harvest at Luna Park (Brooklyn)
See these and even more events listed below!
New York City Area Haunted Experiences
Spooky Sleepover at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience within a historic aircraft carrier.
Description:
Experience a spooky night at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum with guided tours, interactive exhibits, and eerie activities that bring the museum's history to life in a thrilling way.
Where: New York City | More Info: Spooky Sleepover at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum
Glendale Halloween Festival
What to Expect:
Immersive and interactive haunted experiences with various themed attractions.
Description:
Experience the world-famous Fear Farm Haunted Fairgrounds & Corn Maze, Glendale's legendary Halloween event. The 2024 attractions include the Slaughterhouse, Red Pumpkin Pale Carnival, and Captain Rust Hook's haunted experiences. Visitors can also enjoy a spooky carnival experience, a zombie shooting range, and immersive fear-inducing activities. Each attraction offers a unique and terrifying experience that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Where: Glendale | More Info: Glendale Halloween Festival
Darkness Rising
What to Expect:
Immersive horror experience with two distinct haunted houses.
Description:
Darkness Rising is a highly-rated haunted house attraction on Long Island, featuring two back-to-back haunted houses set in a futuristic research facility on Mars and a foreboding mansion haunted by demonic possession. The event offers a 12,000 square foot immersive experience with interactive actors, eerie settings, and a thrilling storyline.
Where: Copiague | More Info: Darkness Rising
Deepwells Haunted Mansion
What to Expect:
An immersive Halloween experience featuring 16 rooms of horror, a freaky fairytale forest, and a big screen movie.
Description:
Deepwells Haunted Mansion is a spine-chilling experience where history and horror intertwine. This haunted historic estate transforms into a peculiar spectacle where all your nightmares come to life. Visitors will encounter bizarre and disturbing sights in the Cabinet of Curiosities, followed by unsettling encounters in the freaky fairytale forest and a final test of bravery in the graveyard. The event is not suitable for young children under 12 years old and does not offer handicap access.
Where: Saint James | More Info: Deepwells Haunted Mansion
Yaphank Trail of Terror
What to Expect:
A guided, 20-minute walk through dark woods ending in a haunted maze.
Description:
The Yaphank Trail of Terror is a 20-minute haunted walk through dark woods, culminating in a haunted maze. This annual event, held on the grounds of the Yaphank Presbyterian Church, supports the church and Curtain Up Entertainment. It offers a unique blend of psychological scares and immersive experiences, making it a must-visit for Halloween enthusiasts.
Where: Yaphank | More Info: Yaphank Trail of Terror
Blood Manor
What to Expect:
Immersive and interactive haunted house experience with state-of-the-art special effects.
Description:
Blood Manor is a 10,000 square-foot haunted house attraction in New York City, featuring three new rooms, all-new costumes, and state-of-the-art special effects. The experience includes a labyrinth of themed rooms and eerie corridors designed to exploit your darkest fears. Visitors are led in groups of six for a 20-minute journey filled with jump scares and surprises.
Where: New York City | More Info: Blood Manor
Rolling Hills Asylum
What to Expect:
Explore nearly 60,000 square feet of haunted space with guided tours and investigations.
Description:
Rolling Hills Asylum offers a variety of paranormal experiences, including guided flashlight tours, detained public ghost hunts, and captive public ghost hunts. The asylum, dating back to the 1800s, is known for its haunted history and offers an immersive experience for those interested in the paranormal. Visitors can explore the nearly 60,000 square feet of haunted space, equipped with historical markers and a rich history of legends and lore.
Where: East Bethany | More Info: Rolling Hills Asylum
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near New York City
NYC Village Halloween Parade
What to Expect:
A cat-themed Halloween celebration with a grand marshal and special sections for cat enthusiasts.
Description:
The 51st Annual Village Halloween Parade in New York City is a free, rain-or-shine event celebrating Halloween with a feline twist. The parade, themed "Meow," features Broadway icon André De Shields as the grand marshal. Participants and spectators alike are encouraged to don cat-themed costumes, with special sections like "Cat Ladies Unite!" adding to the festive atmosphere. The parade runs from 7 pm to 11:30 pm on October 31, 2024, along Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to 15th Street.
Where: New York | More Info: NYC Village Halloween Parade
Seaport Pumpkin Arch
What to Expect:
The unique feature of the Seaport Pumpkin Arch is its massive pumpkin installation that frames the Brooklyn Bridge, creating an ideal backdrop for seasonal and Halloween-themed photos.
Description:
The Seaport Pumpkin Arch is a seasonal photo installation featuring hundreds of pumpkins and fall foliage, perfectly framing the Brooklyn Bridge. This idyllic backdrop makes it a must-visit spot for capturing memorable Halloween photos.
Where: New York | More Info: Seaport Pumpkin Arch
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
What to Expect:
Immersive pumpkin art installations with synchronized lighting and an original soundtrack.
Description:
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is a spectacular Halloween event featuring over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins set against the 18th-century backdrop of Van Cortlandt Manor. The event includes synchronized lighting, an original soundtrack, and various interactive experiences like meeting life-sized dinosaurs and spotting a giant Kraken rising from the Croton River. It also offers a new VIP experience, The Gourd & Goblet Tavern, and exclusive souvenirs at the Blaze Boo-tique.
Where: Croton-on-Hudson | More Info: The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze
Halloween on the Farm (excluding general farm activities)
What to Expect:
A festive celebration with a variety of activities and delicious food options in a picturesque autumn setting.
Description:
Experience the vibrant autumn wonderland at Schnepf Farms' Pumpkin & Chili Party. Enjoy an expansive pumpkin patch, taste a variety of mouthwatering chili recipes, navigate through a challenging corn maze, and indulge in delicious food options. The event features live music performances, Hillbilly Bob’s Pig Races, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Where: Queens | More Info: Halloween on the Farm (excluding general farm activities)
Halloween at the South Street Seaport
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with unique maritime-themed activities aboard a historic tall ship.
Description:
Join the South Street Seaport Museum for a spooktacular Halloween celebration Engage in creative activities like scrimshawing gourds, participate in family-friendly Halloween crafts, and enjoy a spooky scavenger hunt aboard the historic tall ship Wavertree. This festive event is perfect for all ages, offering a unique blend of maritime history and Halloween fun.
Where: New York City | More Info: Halloween at the South Street Seaport
Halloween House Long Island
What to Expect:
A completely immersive, family-friendly Halloween experience with no jump scares or gore.
Description:
Halloween House Long Island is a family-friendly, immersive Halloween experience where visitors are transported to an all-Halloween world. Each room is meticulously decorated with unique themes, including the Spiderweb Light Tunnel, the ToFright Show, and the Trick or Treat Room. This attraction focuses on fun and enchantment, making it suitable for all ages without the fear factor.
Where: Hicksville | More Info: Halloween House Long Island
RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns - Long Island
What to Expect:
The event features the World's Longest Jack O'Lantern Trail with over 10,000 illuminated objects.
Description:
RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns - Long Island is a family-friendly fall event featuring the World's Longest Jack O'Lantern Trail. This year, it returns for its 11th season with over 10,000 illuminated objects, including 7,000 hand-carved jack o'lanterns and 3,000 specialty lanterns. The event will be held at Usdan Summer Camp for the Arts in Melville and will be open on 18 select nights between October 4th and October 28th, 2024.
Where: Wheatley Heights | More Info: RISE of the Jack O'Lanterns - Long Island
Children’s Halloween Parade at Washington Square Park
What to Expect:
A festive afternoon filled with live performances, games, and treats for families and children in Washington Square Park.
Description:
Join Manhattan Community Board 2 and NYU for an afternoon of fun at one of the city's largest free children's events. The 34th Annual Children's Halloween Parade will feature live performances, games, treats, and more. Families and children will gather at 3:00 PM at the arch in Washington Square Park. After the parade, activities will be held on LaGuardia Place between Washington Square South and West 3rd Street.
Where: New York | More Info: Children’s Halloween Parade at Washington Square Park
Halloween Harvest Festival
What to Expect:
A festive celebration featuring a dog costume contest, workshops, and food vendors in a scenic park setting.
Description:
Celebrate the autumn season with the Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park. Enjoy a spookiest dog costume contest presented by Chateau le Woof, along with workshops, music, and food vendors. This festive event offers a unique Halloween experience that combines art, community, and seasonal fun.
Where: Long Island City | More Info: Halloween Harvest Festival
Fall-O-Ween at New York Botanical Garden
What to Expect:
The event transforms the New York Botanical Garden into a festive fall setting with a variety of fun-filled activities for all ages.
Description:
Fall-O-Ween at the New York Botanical Garden transforms the garden into a vibrant fall setting with plentiful pumpkins, gourds, and fall flowers. The event features special weekends with pumpkin carving face-offs, beer sampling events, and Halloween costume displays. Visitors can enjoy an evening light trail, explore the giant pumpkins display, and participate in various family-friendly activities.
Where: Bronx | More Info: Fall-O-Ween at New York Botanical Garden
Boo at the Zoo
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration in a zoo setting with various family-friendly activities and spooky encounters.
Description:
Boo at the Zoo is a family-friendly Halloween celebration at the Bronx Zoo, featuring a Halloween maze, face painting, a creepy crawly mystery wall, and more. Guests can enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, and spook-tacular animal encounters. The event includes various activities like magic shows, pumpkin carving demos, and a wildlife theater with a super scary Halloween show. It is a unique way to experience the zoo in an eerie and enchanting atmosphere.
Where: Bronx | More Info: Boo at the Zoo
Halloween Harvest at Luna Park
What to Expect:
A festive fall-themed celebration with a variety of Halloween activities and seasonal treats.
Description:
Halloween Harvest at Luna Park in Coney Island is a month-long celebration of fall and Halloween. Enjoy iconic rides in a festive fall atmosphere, participate in activities like pumpkin decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, tractor racing, and trick-or-treating. Savor pumpkin-spiced treats and indulge in autumn flavors. This event is perfect for families and friends to create lasting memories.
Where: Brooklyn | More Info: Halloween Harvest at Luna Park
Halloween at the American Museum of Natural History
What to Expect:
An immersive, interactive, and illuminated Halloween experience with various live performances and exhibits.
Description:
Boney Island is an immersive Halloween light-up experience at the Natural History Museum. It features whimsically transformed Nature Gardens with ghoulishly glowing exhibits, fascinating creatures of the night, and thrilling surprises. Guests can explore the Skeleton Stroll, Deadwood Forest, Hauntington Gardens, Primeval Pass, and Walk of Fame, among other attractions.
Where: New York | More Info: Halloween at the American Museum of Natural History
Halloween Food, Drink, and Parties Near New York City
The Official Halloween Bar Crawl
What to Expect:
A night of spooky spirit and good times with drink specials, a costume contest, and an electric atmosphere.
Description:
Join the ultimate Halloween celebration in New York City with The Official Halloween Bar Crawl. This 7th annual event promises a spooktacular night with drink specials, a $1000 national costume contest, and an awesome after-party. Explore some of the best bars in NYC, enjoy electric atmosphere, and meet new people dressed in their most creative costumes. Don't miss out on this hottest Halloween event!
Where: New York | More Info: The Official Halloween Bar Crawl
BeetleHouse NYC
What to Expect:
A fully immersive year-round Halloween spectacle with darkly delicious meals and haunting bubbling cocktails.
Description:
BeetleHouse NYC offers a unique dining experience where guests enjoy darkly delicious meals and haunting bubbling cocktails in a fully immersive year-round Halloween spectacle. The venue provides a ghastly atmosphere with sights and sounds that entertain wayward mortals who cross the threshold into the afterlife. There are sights to see, frights to have, and tricks and treats galore.