The best Halloween events for 2025 in NYC

Carving a jack-o'-lantern may be a time-honored American tradition for many, but nobody—and we mean nobody—does pumpkin carving quite like Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze.

Every fall, pumpkins aplenty decorate this festive, family-friendly attraction. This year promises thousands of intricately carved jack-o'-lanterns in mesmerizing displays, plus dazzling new experiences.

Blaze: Hudson Valley runs at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County from September 12 through November 16. Get tickets here.

Step into the magical worlds of Halloween Town and Christmas Town at a frightfully fun immersive experience coming to the New York Botanical Garden this fall. After its debut last year, Disney Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail is returning to the Bronx with brand new scenes, festive music and video projections.

This all-ages evening experience was inspired by the timeless classic 1993 movie known for its stop-motion animation and iconic characters such as Jack Skellington. The light trail promises to bring the film to life against the botanical beauty of the garden. The experience runs on select evenings from Thursday, September 25 through Sunday, November 30, with tickets starting at $33 for children and $45 for adults.

Visitors can walk through more than 8,300 square feet of dazzling light installations featuring interactive video projection, intelligent LED lighting, and 3D-printed sculptures of the film's iconic characters. 

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine’s annual Halloween Extravaganza returns to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve on Friday, October 24 and Saturday, October 25 at the uptown house of prayer.

The long-standing Upper West Side tradition was born decades ago under the direction of Artist in Residence Ralph Lee, founder of the Mettawee River Theatre Company. This year, the cathedral honors that legacy with an evening featuring frightening Mettawee performers who will haunt the audience with tricks and treats. 

The evening will kick off with a showing of The Phantom of the Opera in celebration of the film’s 100th anniversary. Additionally, the Cathedral will celebrate the return of the Great Organ to the Halloween Extravaganza with live accompaniment by Tim Brumfield.

Showings begin at 7pm on both days for the Halloween Extravaganza, with $50 tickets available on the cathedral's website starting September 2.

The only thing better than the Bronx Zoo is the Bronx Zoo at night. The famed zoo's annual family-friendly celebration, Harvest Glow, is back and at its best. 

Every Thursday-Sunday from September 25 until October 31, families are invited to explore this immersive jack-o'-lantern trail with its own spin: the 5,000 pumpkins are animal themed, of course! Senses will be heightened as you explore "creatures of the darkness" through the use of music, special effects and dramatic lighting to make sure that you really feel the spookiness. 

And if that wasn't enough, visitors will have the opportunity live in the Mesozeric Era while walking amongst over 60 animatronic dinosaurs and pterosaurs at the event's Dinosaur Safari. Paired with the darkness, this prehistoric adventure is not to be missed.

Also expect pumpkin carving demos, games, face panting and tons of photo opps.

Being single on Halloween doesn't have to be scary. Find your "boo" at the Halloween Singles Soiree happening on Halloween night hosted by Single and the City at House Watch in the East Village. 

Things will kick off around 8pm with a "Scary Movie" icebreaker designed to get conversations flowing. The rest of the night will be full of dancing, with a DJ spinning hip-hop, R&B and top 40. Costumes are also highly recommended, as there will be a costume contest voted on by all attendees. The night ends around 2am—plenty of time to find your person for life (or just the night). 

Earlybird tickets are $25 if purchased online beforehand, otherwise they're $40 at the door (they might sell out, so booook early). 

Need some plans for Halloween? Queens' iconic Bohemian Hall Beer Garden will play host to Quiet Events Silent Scream Halloween Extravaganza, a silent disco experience from 9pm to 1am on October 31. 

Upon arrival, every guest will receive glow sticks and a pair of glowing wireless headphones to wear for the night, which will play three different live DJs, spinning different genres all night. Pick from the red channel to hear '80s and '90s throwbacks; the blue channel will have hip-hop and R&B; green will have EDM and a top 40 playlist. 

The night promises costumes, craft brews, a full bar and a historic beer garden as the backdrop. Tickets are $25 if purchased early online, or $35 at the door. 

On Halloween night, step into the shadows of the Financial District for a night of cinematic mischief and Halloween heat at NYC's very own crimson Continental Club, A.K.A., the iconic spot where they filmed some scenes from the John Wick movies. 

The doors open at 8pm (arrive before 10:30 at least), and start off with some drink specials until 9pm to fuel up before the mayhem begins. The rest of the night will have DJs, dancing and of course, wicked costumes. The night doesn't end until 1am so you can keep the dance floor alive all night long. 

Expect a night that feels like a scene out of a movie (literally) and you're the star. Earlybird tickets are on sale now for $25, or you can get in for $40 at the door. 

Calling all real life supermen! Are you and/or a friend searching for love? Head to House Watch in the East Village on Friday, October 24 for the "Rescue Me Halloween Party" dedicated to men that are first responders and women of all professions. 

Whether your a firefighter, EMS/paramedic, cop or military personnel, this event promises thrills, chills and maybe some mouth-to-mouth resucitation. Come in your uniform/gear or wear a costume—ladies, costumes are highly recommended. Mix and mingle with NYC's finest and bravest from 8pm to 1am (arrive before 10:30pm to get in). 

Heads up that this part is open ONLY to men who are legitimate and active/retired first responders. However, their civilian guy friends can tag along, too. First responders with valid agency ID get to drink for free from 8-9pm. 

Get tickets early now for $25 or at the door for $30. 

The Rocky Horror Picture Show, a beloved cult-classic is known for its midnight showings and devoted fans—but this show takes it to the next level. Throughout the month of October, the House of Yes in Brooklyn is providing five opportunities to experience Rocky Horror in all of its live, immersive glory in "LIPS: Rocky Horror @ HoY!"

Now in its third year of production, LIPS goes above and beyond to deliver a fully theatrical performance with aerial acrobatics, circus, burlesque, live tattooing, water features and boundary-pushing reinterpretations of Rocky’s iconic moments. Directed by Hex Winter and produced by Winter and Kat Lloyd, the progressive and transgressive spirit of Rocky Horror is alive and well in this reimagining for today’s audiences.

Beloved by fans and even praised by original cast members (Little Nell herself declared Columbia’s Peter Mercury “too fanbloodytastic”), LIPS has become a must-see for Halloween season in NYC.

Show dates are: October 9, 16, 17, 23 and 30.

Autumn is the time to pick two of the season’s most emblematic fruits: apples and pumpkins. Fortunately there are some fantastic farms where you can go apple and pumpkin picking near NYC. These farms and orchards will get you into that fuzzy fall feeling in no time.

There’s nothing quite like taking a bite out of a crisp apple straight from the tree (even better, taking home a basketful for making pie), and your Halloween pumpkin will be that much more special when you pick it right off the vine. You’ll find a wide variety of apples and pumpkins at these farms, plus fun activities like hayrides, corn mazes and petting zoos. Don’t miss hot apple cider and other fresh-made treats at the farmstand. 

From pumpkin kegs to molecular mixology, these bars go all out for the season. Expect creepy decor and maybe even a haunting or two. 

Get ready ghouls and girls for an epic Halloween in NYC! The city is bursting with terrifying haunted houses, Halloween parties and more pumpkin-packed events. 

It’s the freakiest time of year, and we couldn’t be more excited to scream our guts out at NYC's scariest haunted houses.

Come October 31st, New Yorkers will more than likely want to include a stop at some of the Halloween bars NYC has to offer.

In the city that never sleeps, there are haunted places in NYC whose inhabitants might keep you up at night.

One of the best things to do in the fall in New York is check out The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in Hudson Valley, New York. Trust us, it’s worth the trip. 

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