The NYC Halloween Parties Everyone's Dressing Up For This October
Costumes, rooftops and dance floors take over Manhattan every October, and the best NYC Halloween parties reward anyone who plans ahead. This guide ranks the top celebrations by distance from The Wallace Hotel, starting with a neighborhood favorite just a short walk away.
Elsie Rooftop's Skyline Costume Party
Looking to dress up for a big crowd? Elsie Rooftop hosts its Halloween party on Saturday, October 31, at 1412 Broadway near Bryant Park. The 25th-floor penthouse gives guests skyline views, DJs, craft cocktails, and a heated indoor lounge beside an outdoor terrace, so your costume survives any October chill.
Snap costume photos against the Manhattan skyline before the dance floor fills. Elsie sits about 2.5 miles from The Wallace Hotel, roughly a 25-minute rideshare in normal traffic, so budget extra time on Halloween night. Guests must be 21 or older, and the party starts at 9 p.m. The venue encourages costumes but does not require them, which makes this a relaxed pick for first-timers.
Marquee Skydeck's Sky-High Halloween
Few Halloween clubs in NYC rise higher than Marquee Skydeck, which takes over the 100th floor of Edge at 30 Hudson Yards on Saturday, October 31. DJ Bob Sinclar headlines the night, and the party runs from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Guests must be 21 or older. Weather decides whether the party happens on the outdoor observation deck or moves indoors, so dress in layers.
Marquee Skydeck sits about 2.4 miles from The Wallace Hotel, roughly a 15-minute rideshare in normal traffic. Enter through the dedicated Hudson Boulevard entrance instead of the standard Edge entrance. Entry runs by table reservation or general admission, and early tickets started around $80.
American Whiskey's Friday Kickoff
Want to start the celebration early? American Whiskey kicks off Halloween weekend on Friday, October 30, at 247 West 30th Street in Midtown. This bar promises live DJs, costume contests, prizes, and giveaways from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Since the night runs late, arrange your ride back before you head inside.
It sits about 3 miles from The Wallace Hotel, or roughly a 25-minute rideshare in normal traffic. A Friday NYC Halloween party like this one lets you save Saturday for the parade and still show off your costume twice. Tickets usually climb in price as the date nears, so book early.
The Salon's Halloween Stomp
Prefer swing over a DJ set? The Salon's Halloween Stomp celebrates its 13th anniversary on Saturday, October 31, from 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. This vintage-inspired Halloween New York party fills three floors of a private social club at 243 East 34th Street with hot jazz, jump blues, and swing music, so pack your best flapper or dandy costume.
The event welcomes all ages, though guests must be 21 or older to drink, and staff check IDs. The club sits about 3.3 miles from The Wallace Hotel, roughly a 30-minute rideshare in normal traffic. The night wraps up around 12:30 a.m., so you can dance until the final song.
The Village Halloween Parade
New York's 53rd annual Village Halloween Parade steps off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, October 31, and marches up Sixth Avenue through Greenwich Village. Performance artist Joey Arias serves as this year's Grand Marshal, and anyone in costume can join the march by lining up at Canal Street and Sixth Avenue between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Expect giant puppets, bands, and thousands of costumed marchers. Spectators watch for free, and the festivities run until about 11 p.m.
Arrive by 6 p.m. to claim a spot, because the stretch between Bleecker Street and 14th Street packs in first. If you prefer the couch, Spectrum News NY1 airs the parade live at 8 p.m. The route sits roughly 5 miles from The Wallace Hotel. Skip the rideshare, because Sixth Avenue closes to traffic shortly after 6 p.m. Instead, take the approximately 4-minute walk to the 79th Street station on the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line, ride the 1 train downtown, and stroll the last few blocks to the route.
Once the parade wraps up, the official celebration continues with a Vampire Ball after-party, giving costumed revelers a chance to keep the Halloween festivities going into the night.
Tips for Halloween Weekend
Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, so the biggest NYC Halloween parties cluster on October 30 and 31. Bring a government-issued photo ID, because most venues admit only guests who are 21 or older. Buy tickets early, since prices at many venues jump sharply as Halloween approaches. Leave oversized props at home too, because venues can ban any accessory that resembles a weapon. Finally, decide whether you want one epic Saturday or a two-night plan that pairs Friday's kickoff with the parade.
Stay Close to the Costumes
After a night of dancing, few things beat an easy trip back to a comfortable room. The Wallace Hotel sits on West 76th Street between Broadway and West End Avenue, about a 4-minute walk from the 79th Street subway station and roughly 12 minutes on foot from Central Park. Warm up before you head out at The Wallace Lounge, where live music plays Thursday through Sunday evenings, then return to the Upper West Side when the party ends. Whether you spend the evening close to the hotel or across town, a comfortable bed waits at the end of every ride.
Book your stay at The Wallace Hotel today, and celebrate the best Halloween parties in NYC from the comfort of the Upper West Side.