What to do in New York for Halloween 2024

Spooky season is in full swing and nearing its dramatic conclusion. After spending too much time and money on a costume (Raygun dressed as Beetlejuice? The guy from “The Bear” wearing a Travis Kelce jersey?), you’re going to want to show off your creativity, but where?

Ranging from free to not-so-cheap, here’s our guide to making the most of your Halloween in the Big Apple (Candy) with or without an Instagram-ready costume.

Village Halloween Parade (October 31 at 7 p.m.)

The big one. THE Halloween event in the city. The annual spectacle of the macabre will feature some of the city’s best costumes and give spectators a sneak peek, whether you’re gawking or walking along with the other ghouls, goblins and people wearing cat ears (this year’s theme is “Meow”).

The parade begins at Canal St. and Sixth Ave. and heads north to 15th St. It will also be broadcast live/televised on NY1 from 8-9:30 p.m.

Village costume ball (October 31)

The annual Theater for the New Town event will take place outdoors from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on East Tenth Street, between First and Second Avenues, with special performances and a children’s costume contest. After 8 p.m., the party continues inside at 155 First Ave. for $20 entry. Attendees can dine at a pop-up restaurant called The Witch’s Cauldron, dance indoors with Art Lillard and Mister Pablo’s Heavenly Swing Band, and enjoy an aerial dance concert from Constellation Moving Company.

Haunted Houses (open now)

What better way to get the blood pumping than to have a stranger appear to you with a chainsaw without a chain while wearing truly gruesome zombie makeup? The city has no shortage of haunted houses where a few dozen dollars can scare you away before you embark on your next spooky adventure.

Jimmy Fallon, Tonight’s Nightmares

Rockefeller Center — 630 5th Avenue (Midtown)

A Rockefeller Center haunted house inspired by the comic’s worst dreams “with sinister characters and scares around every corner.”

Blood Manor

359 Broadway, between Franklin and Leonard (Tribeca)

The Concrete Jungle location (which Jimmy Fallon once visited with Kevin Hart, which may have inspired the above) “is a first-class haunted house attraction consisting of approximately 10,000 square feet of themed rooms, corridors and a maze of passages designed to maximize his fears. .”

Squid game: the experience

100 West 33rd Street (Midtown)

Head to Manhattan Mall and “take on five intense challenges inspired by the series.” When and if you make it out alive, you can purchase unique merchandise, dinner, and cocktails at the space’s “Korean-inspired night market.”

Ridgewood Asylum

BK Vacations, 48 ​​Cypress Ave, Brooklyn (East Williamsburg)

This blend of a haunted house and an escape room offers “real horror as you try to escape this fun and immersive haunted attraction with your friends and family!” »

Ticket prices vary and may sell out, so act quickly.

Parties, parties, parties

Are you looking to dance to chase away fears? Why not attend some of these extravagant parties where ticket prices vary wildly.

Friday Night Halloween Costume Party at Time Out Market

55 Water Street, Brooklyn (DUMBO)

The weekly party on the 5th floor of the food hall/event space starts at 7 p.m. Bars and food stalls will be open so you can drink or snack while catching your breath and admiring views of the East River, New York City skyline and Brooklyn Bridges. and Manhattan.

Brooklyn Horror Story on a $3 bill (October 31)

260 Meserole Street, Brooklyn (Bushwick)

The Bushwick party venue is hosting “a queer Halloween rave with drag queens” based on the “American Horror Story” franchise.

Pumpkins and stuff for the whole family

Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo and Boo at the Zoo

2300 South Boulevard, Bronx

If looking at thousands of animal-themed jack-o-lanterns on a half-mile trail is more your speed, the zoo is offering just that this weekend. There are also pumpkin carvings, games, “Wildlife Theater” and many other entertainments.

If being at the zoo after dark gives you goosebumps, the “daytime Halloween family tradition” will include face painting, a maze, a dance party and a “spooky, crawling mystery wall.”

Tickets required for both.

Shining Trail The Nightmare Before Christmas by Tim Burton

2900 South Boulevard

Still in the Bronx? The New York Botanical Garden features light installations with interactive video projections and sculptures of characters from the classic Disney film.

Great Fire by Jack O’Lantern

Restoration of Van Cortlandt Manor (Westchester) and Old Bethpage Village (Long Island)

Take a commuter train in one of two cardinal directions and see thousands of intricately carved pumpkins “in elaborate displays that light up the night at two historic New York locations” and “create a magical, family-friendly experience for all ages “.

Central Park Pumpkin Flotilla (October 30)

Fifth Avenue and E. 108th Street (Harlem)

Meet at Harlem Meer around 4 p.m. for a floating pumpkin parade, magic show, story time, arts and crafts. Floats and candles will be provided.

Tricks and Treats at Bryant Park (October 31)

4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Another family-friendly event in a city park, with treats, face painting, magic and the Triad Brass Band spinning tunes during the costume parade.

The incredible corn maze

73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Queens (Floral Park/Glen Oaks)

It wouldn’t be Halloween without a corn maze and this one is the only one in town. This year’s maze at the Queens County Farm Museum is shaped like a butterfly. Visitors will find clues and solve puzzles to conquer the “3-acre living maze.” Online tickets required.

“Wicked” themed tea party at the Plaza Hotel

768 5th Avenue, off Central Park South (Midtown)

While you can’t necessarily defy gravity, you can defy seasonal expectations and enjoy afternoon tea service with a twist based on the popular musical (and upcoming film adaptation).

Hours vary. See a full list of events at city parks here.

Look at the decorations!

Taking a walk is never a bad idea in our beautiful city, especially with next week’s promising forecast. So why not wander around and see a gigantic papier-mâché spider, a comically sized skeleton or a scarecrow dressed as a mummy.

Don’t know where to go? Think stoops and porches.

The Upper West Side is always a good choice for creative paintings.

Dyker Heights usually goes all out when it comes to holiday decorating and Halloween is no different. No time to head south to Brooklyn? Check out some of this year’s best homes here.

Scary stuff, in scary places

Sometimes a single location can scare you, but some of the city’s most haunting locations have plenty of events happening over the next few days.

Brooklyn’s historic Greenwood Cemetery (25th Street and 5th Avenue) puts a Halloween spin on its popular After Hours event on Saturday and Sunday. There’s also The Spirited Stroll on Sunday mornings, a walking tour “filled with intriguing stories of murder, mysteries, supernatural spirits and captivating oddities.”

The hilly cemetery will also be part of TalkDeath’s 2024 Halloween Cemetery Scavenger Hunt on Sunday afternoon.

After these events, you can head over to Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch at Greenwood Park Beer Garden and pick up a last-minute water bottle. He promises thousands of gourdes, autumn and “everything from hay to z”.

Greenwich Village Haunted Tour

A walking tour of one of the city’s most haunted neighborhoods.

Haunted Manhattan

Try one of four guided tours of downtown’s spectral spots.

Quarters of the Dead

Tours in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and Roosevelt Island that are “in-depth, meticulously researched creations.” Highlights include “The Ghosts of the Seaport” and “The Witches of Old York.”

Horror films at the cinema

What’s better than grabbing a popcorn and a fountain drink and losing a little of both during a big scare? Many old and new classics are playing in cinemas. Check out holiday deals at these theaters that will let you add this fountain soda to a beer or cocktail.

Alamo Drafthouse plays “Wes Craven’s New Nightmare,” “Hocus Pocus,” “Ghostbusters,” “Halloween” and “Creature From The Black Lagoon.”

See “Smile 2,” “The Ring,” “The Substance,” “The Empty Man,” “I Know What You Did Last Summer” and “Nosferatu” (with a live band!) at Nitehawk Park Slope and Nitehawk Williamsburg.

“Jeepers Creepers”, “Practical Magic”, “Longlegs”, “Beetlejuice”, “Death Becomes Her”, “Rosemary’s Baby”, “A Nightmare on Elm Street” and “The Exorcist” are showing at the Rooftop Cinema Club .

“Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter,” “Hush” and more will be screened at the IFC Center.

Check the listings for each theater location, as shows may be sold out.

If you don’t want to be scared per se, head to Burger Joint — the speakeasy located in the lobby of the Thompson Central Park Hotel — on Halloween for a screening of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at 5 p.m. 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. The late show will also feature a costume contest.)

Things that seem a little far-fetched

Monster Ball at Joanne Trattoria (October 30)

70 West 68th Street (Lincoln Square)

The west side red sauce restaurant owned by Lady Gaga’s parents and cookbook author Art Smith is offering a Halloween-themed version at its weekly dinner and drag show. Guests are encouraged to dress like the version of Lady Gaga that speaks to them most.

Roastferatu, The Roast of Dracula (October 31)

7 p.m.-9 p.m., 308 Hooper St., Brooklyn (Williamsburg)

If all of the above is too scary for you and you’d rather laugh at your fears, head to Williamsburg’s Fiction Bar and Cafe to see 30 costumed comedians make the Count blush with embarrassment.

If you have an upcoming weekend event that you would like to submit for consideration in an upcoming roundup, please email: nycevents@nydailynews.com with details. Consideration does not guarantee inclusion.