New Yorkers and those visiting town for the spooky season, we have a full guide for this time of year! It’s the perfect place to be for the month of October because there is so much happening. I’d say we have the top things and best places to check out for all things Halloween. From family-friendly immersive exhibits to Halloween bashes and pop ups to bring your friends to, we’re rounding up the major attractions this fall season. Here is everything to see and do this month!
Celebrate Halloween
This is one of our favorite holidays! So much goes into it from decor to costumes to pumpkin carving activities. Stay tuned for some great costume options this year but for now, here is a list of top places to trick or treat in NYC. I’ll be putting out a bunch of fun Halloween themed recipes all month long to enjoy!
Tea Around Town is a bright pink bus you can enjoy tea on. See all the sights around town and have a tea party with your friends! It’s all pink, so it’s basically got my name all over it and they have great finger sandwiches and pastries to enjoy along with the tea. The 90 minute experience has tickets starting at $69. Book it with friends for a fun day out or even a birthday!
Looking for a family-friendly Halloween activity this weekend? Brookfield Place is having a Halloween bash on the 28th from 12-3PM, where you can make spooky crafts, boogie with a DJ, show off your costume, explore liquid nitrogen, trick or treat and more! Bring your reusable bags to stay sustainable. See you there!
Bucketlisters is back with a spooky event this month! Frankenstein’s Cocktail Lab is an immersive bar experience where mixology meets science fiction. Located in the heart of Manhattan, this venue transports you into a quirky laboratory setting inspired by the iconic Frankenstein tale. Everyone can indulge in a variety of lab-themed cocktails. From bubbling concoctions to spooky presentations, the drinks are as much a spectacle as they are a delight to enjoy. The interactive atmosphere, complete with lab equipment and playful decor, makes for a memorable night out. It runs through Halloween and you can book everything on Bucketlisters’ website.
If you’ve been to the city, you’ll know this is a top attraction. There are so many things to do at The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. I suggest making a whole day out of it! Begin your day out by going ice skating, they have a great rink with free admission with nice rental skates. Then head on over to the Holiday Shops where you can find really cool gifts for loved ones this season. Finish your day by unwinding with the best hot chocolate. They also have cocktails and food options to offer at Bryant Park. With food at The Lodge and igloos to enjoy, there is so much to experience. Officially, they open on the 25th for the season!
Go to a Pumpkin Patch
Ever since my kids were babies, we have been going to pumpkin patches! Not only is it a fun family friendly activity, but you get to leave with cute pumpkins to decorate. One of my favorite parts are the apple cider donuts! Here’s a list of our favorite pumpkin patches near the city! There’s even a brand new rooftop in LIC that has pumpkins to choose from! Tickets begin at $15/person.
Go Apple Picking
Apple picking is another family friendly activity we enjoy! We have already begun going and love to make apple pie from the apples we gather. I have a fabulous list of some of the very best orchards not too far from New York City linked here.
The circus is back in town! Tickets are officially on sale for the Big Apple Circus. They actually open November 8th, but tickets will fly off the shelves, so you will want to get your hands on those ASAP. This year, the show’s theme is “Hometown Playground” for a magical show. My kids love going, so think about making a family fun day out of it!
Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest is here! It will run through October 6th, so if you’ve been craving a beer and giant pretzel, now is the time more than ever to get it. This is a fun day out with friends, too if you want to bar hop!
Who doesn’t love a good parade?! Especially when you get to dress up! Beginning at 7PM on the 31st, the parade begins in Greenwich Village and the parade route ends in by Union Square on 6th avenue and 15th street. It’s free, there will be puppets, live music and so much more! Dress up to have the best time! Elaborate costumes are welcome! It’s on rain or shine. After all, who doesn’t love a good Halloween party?! This is one of the most special events at the end of October and for good reason. It’s Halloween night!
The Meatpacking District in New York City is now home to an amazing public art installation: 100 life-sized Indian elephant sculptures. Running through October 20, 2024, “The Great Elephant Migration” features elephants created by the Coexistence Collective from India. This installation is one of the largest in NYC and aims to promote wildlife conservation and human-animal coexistence. It also supports indigenous conservation efforts and raises funds for global wildlife projects. The exhibit is complemented by related artworks and events throughout the Meatpacking District, celebrating both the artistry and the crucial message of peaceful coexistence. Go check it out, located at 448 W 16th Street!
Now that spooky season is officially here, Luna Park in Coney Island is kicking off its 11th annual Halloween Harvest celebrations. Running through October 27th, this event has a variety of fun activities for all ages, including balloon twisting, caricature portraits, trick-or-treating, tractor racing, pumpkin decorating, and a delightful pumpkin patch. It’s the perfect spot for families and friends to get into the Halloween spirit. Don’t miss out on seasonal treats like pumpkin-spiced funnel cakes, churros, handmade gelato, and crispy fried Oreos to satisfy your festive cravings!
Pumpkin Nights at the Bronx Zoo transforms the zoo into a magical, pumpkin-themed wonderland. This immersive experience features over 1,000 illuminated jack o’lanterns, each carved with spooky designs and arranged in stunning displays. Walk along the illuminated pathways to encounter whimsical pumpkin sculptures, dazzling light shows, and seasonal decorations that create a captivating ambiance. It’s family-friendly! It’s running through the 27th.
Fall foliage cruises are pretty popular around here, but have you been on a Halloween themed horror cruise? Have a dance party in your costumes, enter the costume contest and enjoy a live band. They have an open bar form 7-10PM and so much fun is to be had! Check out their timing and tickets on their site.
Sometimes on the weekends, I just want to relax in nature and we can’t always do that in the city. The Fall Foliage Cruises are a great way to fulfill this desire because you can see all of NYC and the leaves changing, while experiencing a great meal. They have drinks, as well! This also makes for a great date! Cruises run between 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours, depending on which you sign up for. Sail along the Hudson River in the crisp fall air. It’s one of my favorite things to do for a date night in the autumn season. It’s always a good time!
It’s back! Located in Hudson Valley or on LI, you can see thousands of carved pumpkins light up in the night. The magical walk through experience is perfect for families or even a fall date night. Tickets are available now and they have free parking! Each location has different times and dates but the latest it runs is November 17th. Check it out this holiday season!
The “Nightmare Before Christmas” at the New York Botanical Garden is a holiday event that brings Tim Burton’s beloved film to life in a dazzling display of lights and botanical artistry. Set in the garden’s lush landscapes, this experience features intricately crafted scenes and characters from the movie, illuminated with festive lights that create a mesmerizing atmosphere. Explore gardens transformed into scenes from the film, complete with Jack Skellington, Sally, and other iconic characters. It combines the charm of the botanical garden with the magic of the holiday season, offering a family-friendly adventure that celebrates the creativity and spirit of “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in a stunning, immersive setting. It opened up on September 27th and is only here for 9 weeks!
We all know how much I love finding vintage finds and admire vintage flair. This is a ticketed event running October 18th-20th. A few cool things to note are there will be a dj, onsite tailor, photobooth, fitting rooms and more!
If you don’t know what this is, basically it where you can bring your carved pumpkins and watch them set sail in Central Park! It’s actually adorable, they light them so they can be seen at night! This is a totally free event, no tickets necessary, either. There will be plenty of activities and entertainment, as well. So bring your pumpkin and have a great time! It’s all happening on the 30th from 4-7PM.
Welcome to the annual event for the Pumpkin Fest at The Seaport! All month long, there will be Halloween activities and things to see. First and foremost, the pumpkin arch is back on Pier 17. This is a the best spot to get pictures! You’ll be able to spot it until November 7th on the northside of the pier. Make an afternoon out of it and dine at the delicious restaurants over there or check out a movie at the Seaport Cinema.
It’s time for the Haunted Hues! To celebrate the spooky season, they will be having treats, scavenger hunts, photo opportunities and their very own version of a pumpkin patch! This is a fantastic spot to have a family friendly day and the Halloween fun is even better. It’s here until November 3rd.
The New York Film Festival is at Lincoln Center until October 15th! The lineup is phenomenal and tickets are still available! I think this is one of the most fun things to experience in the city, as it’s not something you get to see just anywhere. I love supporting the arts and this is a great way to do so!
Comic and pop culture fans– New York Comic Con is back October 17th-20th at the Javits Center! There’s a great lineup of guests and plenty of occasions for photo ops. There are panels, exhibitors and the artists alley to explore. Now is the perfect time to get tickets, it’s always best to be prepared!
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