Halloween in the City: Top Things to Do for Spooky Fun in NYC
Every October, New York City offers a captivating haven of Halloween delights, the perfect pairing to the red and golden leaves and the new chill in the air. From haunted attractions to thrilling parades, the city offers an array of activities for those seeking spooky fun.
Whether you're a visitor or a local, here with family or friends, NYC promises an array of unforgettable Halloween experiences that blend spine-chilling scares with buzzing excitement. These are the best activities to attend to celebrate Halloween in the city that never sleeps.
Village Halloween Parade
Join in on the most iconic Halloween event in New York City — the Village Halloween Parade. Held annually in Greenwich Village, this parade is the largest of its kind in the world, featuring over 50,000 participants each year. With dazzling costumes, giant puppets, parade floats, and live marching band music, this massive parade is a sight to behold, offering participants and spectators the chance to immerse themselves in the city's festive spirit.
As always, this year’s Village Halloween Parade will be held on the evening of October 31st, at 7 pm.
Blood Manor
For a bone-chilling experience, venture into Blood Manor, NYC's premier haunted house attraction. This high-quality maze experience is not for the faint of heart. With its high-quality production value, terrifying actors, and over 10,000 square feet of space to haunt, Blood Manor is sure to offer heart-pounding scares that will leave you shaking.
Book your ticket here. Opening weekend is September 29 and events last through November, on a schedule you can find at the same link.
Central Park Pumpkin Flotilla
A beloved annual Halloween tradition, the Central Park Pumpkin Flotilla is the perfect opportunity for family-friendly fun. Head to Central Park's Harlem Meer to take part, where you’ll see a floating armada of jack o’lanterns, equipped with eerie LED glows. You can even bring your own carved pumpkins to be floated on the water, helping to create a magical, picturesque, and spooky scene. That’s not all, though — there will also be other arts-and-crafts activities, entertainment, and costumed fun.
This year’s pumpkin flotilla will take to the water around 6:30pm on October 31st.
Ghosts of New York Walking Tour
Laughter and terror are in equal supply on the Ghosts of New York Walking Tour, a renowned experience that uncovers the darker side of the city's past. Led by expert guides, these tours reveal haunted sites, tales of unsolved mysteries, and spooky stories that continue to haunt NYC's streets.
There are three options:
- The Greenwich Village Ghost Tour, which immerses guests in the history of the lost cemetery at Washington Square Park.
- Ghosts of Grand Central, a private tour that explores the legends and creepy corners of the iconic train station..
- The Phantom Pub Crawl, a more festive exploration of the city’s purportedly haunted pubs, where you might be able to have a drink with the ghost of Edgar Allen Poe.
Dia de los Muertos Celebrations
In this multicultural melting pot of a city, you can also experience a different culture’s celebration of the dearly departed. New York City offers many opportunities to embrace the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which is a time to honor the departed in a festive way. Explore colorful altars, enjoy live performances, and indulge in traditional foods at various cultural events throughout the city.
This year, Dia de los Muertos falls on November 2, and there will be an array of fascinating events and activities to partake in.
House of Spirits Cocktail Soirée
Looking for a more adult-oriented Halloween event? The annual House of Spirits Cocktail Soirée has you covered. Held in a historic, five-story mansion, this party is more than a celebration – it’s a spooky, immersive experience featuring live actors, magic shows, tarot card readings, and even a giant Ouija board. Commune with the spirits and other lovers of Halloween at this creepy cocktail party.
Follow House of Spirits on Instagram for information on the date/time of the party and how to book tickets.
Ghost Stories of the Met Tour
The Metropolitan Museum of Art may not scare you at all during the day — but, in its massive collection, it is home to some truly creepy and potentially supernatural artifacts (if you are inclined to believe such things). The exclusive Ghost Stories of the Met tour is a two-hour experience perfect for art and history aficionados. The guide will spin scintillating tales of the spooky and paranormal, all related to the museum’s exhibits and holdings. Held from 6:00 pm to 8 :00 pm in the evenings, you can purchase your tickets here.
From festive parades to fearsome haunted houses, New York City provides a captivating environment for celebrating this ghostly holiday. Whether you're looking for family-friendly fun, hair-raising scares, or costume parties, the city’s Halloween festivities promise a unique and memorable experience.
NYC’s spookiest events are waiting! Book your stay at The Wallace today.