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New Yorkers know a thing or two about Halloween. Each year, the city goes all out to celebrate. No matter your interests, you’ll find some of the best Halloween events in NYC!
Just make sure you come prepared in your best costume.
Parties
Every year, Sleep No More’s theatre space, The McKittrick Hotel, becomes a three-night massive party immediately following their evening performances. How they manage to transform the space from the Macbeth-inspired immersive play, into a magnificent NYC Halloween party, is truly theatre magic. Just like you’d walk through the various rooms of the McKittrick to experience the play Sleep No More, each room in the “hotel” manifests a different aspect of the year’s Halloween theme. And of course a massive dance floor.
For a fully exhilarating night out, experience Sleep No More, grab dinner after the show at Ovest Pizzoteca across the street, then go right back into the McKittrick for the Halloween party.
Read More: The Best Fall Activities in New York City
Places
Looking to venture out of the city for some Halloween adventures? Sleepy Hollow, New York is a 50-minute train ride from Grand Central. Made famous by Washington Irving’s short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, the town goes all out with numerous haunted activities in the week leading up to All Hallow’s Eve. You can even take an evening tour through the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the infamous burial ground for Irving’s Headless Horseman.
If you want to be scared out of your mind, and not leave New York City to do it, look no further than Blood Manor. It’s a haunted house in Lower Manhattan that is designed to scare you witless and conjure up your worst fears. Seriously, if you thrive on horror, this is the place for you.
Interested in taking a spooky tour? You can find a small group ghost tour to take you around all of the haunted New York City sites. Or take an underground tour of the Subway. Better yet, try a haunted walking tour of the Broadway theaters. The eerie opportunities are endless.
Read More: Your Guide to Navigating the New York City Subway System
Parades
The best and biggest celebration is the Village Halloween Parade. Starting on Sixth Avenue at Canal Street at 7 p.m., anyone is welcome to walk as part of the parade totally free, but only if you’re in costume. If you want to skip the masses, start lining up early, or VIP tickets are available for purchase which will place your walking position more towards the front. Just by showing up in costume, you’re entered into their yearly costume contest, and the winners are announced after the parade.
Read More: The Best Fall Festivals in NYC
If, however, pups are more your speed, then please feel free to attend my favorite New York City Halloween parade at the East River Park Amphitheater from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. It is the one, and NOT the only, Halloween Dog Parade. A Halloween party for dogs in New York City. Yes, there are dogs in costume. Yes, anyone can attend. And yes, of course, they’re all adorable!
Located more uptown? There’s also the Fort Greene Park Converatory’s The Great PUPkin dog costume contest. Look at that, you have multiple opportunities to see dressed-up pups!
No matter your preference, Halloween in New York City is a pretty singular experience. Not one you’re sure to forget anytime soon!
What parties are you planning to attend for Halloween this year? Do you have any favorites for the best Halloween events in NYC? Let me know!
Your posts continuously inspire me to plan one or more trips to New York. There are so many bucket list items that I want to check off in New York. I can’t believe that in all my years living in Boston and visiting New York of which I didn’t take advantage, Can’t wait to take this trip!
Thank you so much Jean! So happy to hear you’re coming back for a visit! Plan allll the trips 😆 If you have any questions about sights or experiences, please feel free to reach out!