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 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 illuminating ecosystems 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 to 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). 

Frigid New York gives you the chills in a festival inspired by Mexico's dead-lifting Día de los Muertos. The lineup features spooky variety shows, short horror plays, Edgar Allan Poe works, a traditional ofrenda, psychic mediums, a tiny interactive matchbox theatre, a murder ballad musical, necromancer burlesque, and other tales of the macabre. Among them are The Witching Hour by Andrew Agress, One Man Poe performed by Stephen Smith and Death Owns an Ice Cream Parlor, written by Maeve Aurora Chapman & Liam Corley. 

Visit the festival's website for a schedule and a full list of offerings for shows running October 16 through November 2. 

Cheer for all the cute doggos in their Halloween finery during this year's 27th Annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest on Saturday, October 25. Held every year by Fort Greene Park Users and Pets Society since 1998, the event is held at the bottom of the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument stairs, where more than a hundred dogs run around in silly and creative costumes from RBG to hot dogs and more.

Each dog is presented to a panel of judges, but the audience decides the top three winners with rounds of applause.

The entry fee for each participant is $20. No walk-up, on-site registration will be available. It's free to watch the show with no registration required. The event will also be streamed live on the Fort Greene PUPS instagram in case you can't make it in person.

Celebrate the season with under-the-sea animals at the New York Aquarium's Ascarium. Kids can enjoy a marine-themed magic shows, Halloween crafts, a scavenger hunt, a costume parade, games and storytelling. Plus, visit with amazing aquatic animals including piranhas, wolf eels, bat sea stars and spider crabs to learn why they're not as "spooky" as you might think.

New activities this year include a hands-on shark fossil dig where kids can uncover shark teeth to keep. Plus, kids of all ages can add their personal touch to a huge mural the NY Aquarium community is making together to celebrate Halloween, the aquarium and ocean wildlife. 

Ascarium is included with aquarium admission and runs on October 11–13, 18–19, and 25–26 from 11am-4pm in Coney Island. See the whole list of events and the schedule here. 

At this beautiful annual event, look on as the Harlem Meer lights up with a flotilla of floating pumpkins at twilight on Thursday, October 30. Plus, march in a costume parade, listen to not-so-scary stories, enjoy some live brass music and make crafts at this family-friendly Halloween event at Harlem Meer. Activities start at 4pm.

If you would like to see your own jack-o'-lantern float in the parade, bring your masterpiece to the information table at the Charles A. Dana Discovery Plaza before the event starts (between 4-5:30pm). Space on the float is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. The flotilla sets sail at 6pm (don't worry, you can retrieve your gourd afterward!).  

Halloween on the Harlem Meer is free to attend, but advance registration is requested here.

Don't just watch a Halloween movie, become a part of the movie. The Apollo is teaming up with Harlem-based film collective Melanin Madness for an interactive movie screening on Thursday, October 30. Watch Eddie Murphy’s cult classic Vampire in Brooklyn with games, props, call-and-response moments, a costume contest, and plenty more surprises. 

Led by Obie-Award Winner Eric Lockley, his team of multidisciplinary artists have been creating immersive theater for over five years. "It's a night of community, culture, and pure fun—like movie night with your favorite cousins," as The Apollo puts it.

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. 

Reading Edgar Allan Poe’s goosebump-inducing poems and stories in print is creepy enough. But this October, you can see them performed live at two New York City performances. British actor Stephen Smith will perform his rendition of several of Edgar Allan Poe's best blood-curdling pieces this month as part of his One Man Poe series.

— Friday, October 17: See The Tell-Tale Heart and The Pit and the Pendulum at Under St Marks Theater. 
— Saturday, October 18: See The Black Cat and The Raven at The Poe Cottage in the Bronx where Poe himself lived in the 1840s. 

Smith, of Threedumb Theatre, has long been a Poe fan, recalling reading Poe's work as a child. But it wasn't until the pandemic that he felt compelled to perform The Tell-Tale Heart, a one-man show set in one room that worked well on Zoom and eventually moved to bigger stages. He admired the richness of Poe's language, both for the audience and the actor.

"I don't adapt the stories in any way. I just have memorized 13,000 words of original Poe, and I perform that live on stage," Smith told Time Out. "I like to think that my show is the most faithful theatrical adaptation that you could ever get. It's not adapted; it's exactly what Poe intended but live on stage."  

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. 

On Halloween night, don't miss out on the biggest (and freakiest) party at Industry City in Brooklyn—The Vampire Ball. Serving as the official afterparty for the Village Halloween Parade, the event features seven stages of music and spectacle, including a full Blade "Blood Rave" recreation (blood will literatty rain from above you as you're dancing), kinky activations in the "House of Pain" and a live heavy metal ritual led by The Pale Hand. 

Also expect seven uniquely different genres, spanning house, techno, baltimore and jersey club, electro and more. The programming is spread out across a labyrinth of indoor and outdoor spaces spanning multiple cavernous buildings. Come prepared to get messy. 

Early arrival tickets are on sale now for $35—get them soon before the price increases. 

Through Halloween, The Greenwood Park Beer Garden (555 Seventh Ave. in Brooklyn) has transformed into Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch with plenty of family-friendly fun through All Hallows Eve. Pick from a massive selection of pumpkins, fancy gourds and festive Halloween decor, from corn stalks to fall mums. 

Autumn-loving kids and adults alike can participate in pumpkin painting, pose in Instagram-ready photo set-ups, wander through a hay maze and, if they've got a family pooch at home, get their furry friend all dressed up and enter them into the fan-favorite dog costume parade. 

You pawsitively won't want to miss Catbaret, a cat-themed variety show at Caveat in the Lower East Side. This purrfect variety show features comedy, burlesque (actually purr-lesque) and music in celebration of all things feline. For the Halloween edition on Friday, October 31, come in your most "cat-tastic" costume for a chance to win the contest. The show's hosted by local cat lady Gemma Smith and includes free cat ears for all.  

The lineup includes The Randy Andys, a post-modern Broadway vocal trio putting a feline twist on classic pop hits; Fem Appeal known for delightfully weird performances; Neysa Lozano with a live tarot performance piece; Joy Vicious as a Cheshire Cat; James Koroni, a cat-loving comedian; and Kinsey Three with a campy Cats mash-up. Stage kittens Jenny Purrson, founding executive director of the Cat Museum of NYC, and Amanda B., host/producer of the 6 Degrees of Cats podcast, will lend a hand—er, paw.

This year Weruva is sponsoring the show and donating $500 of product to Rescue NYC, which also provides adoptable cats to Koneko Cat Café right across the street from Caveat.

Kick off Halloween a little early at the Brooklyn Children's Museum for the second annual Kawaii Kreature Festival on Sunday, October 26.

In partnership with AniTOMO Con, the museum invites you to dive into the world of anime while dressed in your Halloween costume to trick-or-treat and show off at the kids' costume runway. Meet creepy crawlies from BCMS's living collection and enjoy Japanese-inspired art workshops, performances and stories read by professional cosplayers. You can also check out free screenings of anime cartoons in the movie theater. 

Tickets are on sale now for $15. 

What’s more elegantly spooky than a classic horror film accompanied by a live orchestral score? On Saturday, October 25, the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra will set the stage for a spine-tingling Halloween with a performance of the 1922 silent film Nosferatu inside the Gothic-style Plymouth Church in Brooklyn Heights.

The orchestra will perform Rodney Sauer’s compiled and arranged score live alongside F.W. Murnau’s masterpiece, expanding the cinematic concert tradition into a grand 1,000-seat hall. To preserve the authenticity of the silent-era experience, this Nosferatu performance will feature six musicians from the Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra, with Sauer at the piano, re-creating the intimate yet visceral sound that would have filled theaters a century ago.

Guests are invited to wear costumes to truly immerse themselves in this hour-and-a- half performance starting at 7:30pm. Expect a night full of unforgettable music, film and Halloween spirit.

Bring your pup aboard this Circle Line boat for a howling good time on Saturday, October 25. The Pup Cruise, which invites all dogs and their humans aboard (preferably in costume), travels down the Hudson River, passing landmarks like Hudson Yards, One World Trade Center, High Line Park and the Statue of Liberty.

During the 90-minute cruise, participate in a spirited pup costume contest judged by VIP guests. Plus, check out a mobile adoption event hosted by North Shore Animal League America back at Pier 83 from 10am to 2pm. In support of this partnership, 100% of Pup Cruise ticket sales will be donated to help save homeless animals.

Tickets are $40 and are expected to sell out quickly. Purchase your ticket here. 

Ooh and ahh (and aww) over the cute dogs in costumes at the Washington Square Park Dog Halloween event presented by The Farmer's Dog. From decked-out doodles to costumed corgis, all the goodest doggos will be dressed up in their finery for this fall festivity on Saturday, October 25. The parade starts at 12pm followed by the costume contest. 

Entry is free, just be sure to register on-site on the day of the event starting at 9am. And heads up, try to get there early—the first 100 dogs to sign up get a free treat bag!

This Halloween, two gothic icons are coming together for a reimagined, campy and electrifying new performance: Dracula and Frankenstein are hitting the stage with comedy. 

Put on by The Mechanicals, The Brooklyn Music Kitchen is hosting a series of Programs on October 31 and November 1. The night kicks off with an opening stand-up comedy show, "Dracula: A Campy Remix," a playful spin on the legendary vampire. Then there's "Frankenstein: A Twisted Reboot," a parody stitched together with shock, wit and laughter. Finally, there's an afterparty to close off the night, making it a true "monster's ball."

Doors open at 7:30pm and costumes are highly encouraged. Tickets are on sale now for $20. 

Shhh... an unbelievable, exclusive four-night Halloween Masquerade Party is taking over the former McKittrick Hotel at the end of October. Every floor of this historic location will be transformed into a multi-level, immersive nightlife production, each night offering a unique theme inspired by Hieronymus Bosch’s oil painting "The Garden of Earthly Delights."

More than 250 artists, performers and musicians are coming together to make this experience unlike anything the city has ever seen, inviting guests to wander through six levels of hidden chambers, forbidden gardens and surreal stages, all with live music, art and interactive installations. Each night is a living labyrinth where worlds collide, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that evolves with every visit.

Guests are encouraged to dress to seduce in "a decadent masquerade that blurs boundaries and heightens fantasy." Events run on October 24, 25, 31 and November 1. October 31, Halloween night, promises to be one of the largest gay Halloween parties in NYC. 

Don't miss out, get your tickets now. 

Halloween-themed drag brunches are coming to Stella 34 Trattoria all month long. Each event will combine high-energy drag performances with a full brunch menu for the perfect blend of brunch plus spooky season entertainment. Costumes are encouraged. You can view the whole drag brunch menu here. 

Here's the lineup with ticket links: 

— Sunday, October 12: Rocky Horror Picture Show Drag Brunch
Hosted by Olivia Lux from RuPaul's Drag Race, the queens will be serving looks and laughs inspired by the cult classic with themed performances throughout the brunch.

— Sunday, October 19: '80s vs. '90s Halloween Movie Drag Brunch
A nostalgic showdown featuring performances inspired by iconic Halloween films from both decades. Performers will battle it out to determine which decade reigns supreme with show-stopping numbers and comedic lip-syncs.

— Sunday, October 26: Hocus Pocus Drag Brunch
A frighteningly fun tribute to the beloved film featuring performances inspired by the Sanderson sisters. Expect dancing, comedy, and Halloween magic as the performers bring the witchy energy to life. 

The Summer Club rooftop is getting a makeover for fall: the breezy Long Island City spot (8-08 Queens Plaza S) has been transformed into Cityside Pumpkin Patch, a.k.a. "NYC's biggest pumpkin patch," for the Halloween season.

Now through November 2, the rooftop space will be decked out as an immersive Halloween experience with over 10,000 pumpkins (locally harvested from upstate New York) spread across the 25,000-square-foot space. 

Embark on an adventure to choose your own locally sourced-pumpkin—any pumpkin on display could be yours. Pumpkins are included in most ticket packages, but are also available for purchase.

Celebrate amidst a variety of interactive spooky photo moments while you indulge in the rich flavors of the fall with an array of autumn-inspired treats and beverages. Don’t miss out on a series of signature activities (Smash-o-Lantern Zone, Scarecrow Archery, Pool of Pumpkins, Carnival Games, Face Painting, Tarot Card Reading) onsite.

Check out more information and ticket pricing at the event website. 

For the past 50 years, the Queens County Farm Museum has served as a rural oasis within the New York City limits. And what better way to celebrate an anniversary than by creating a complex corn maze for New Yorkers to get delightfully lost in?

The Amazing Maize Maze is back this fall with a sunburst design celebrating five decades of the museum's existence. Expect plenty of twists, turns and tricks inside this three-acre living labyrinth. The Amazing Maize Maze is open on Saturdays and Sundays through October 26, with an additional open date on Monday, October 13 at 73-50 Little Neck Parkway, Floral Park. Tickets cost $16 for adults and $10 for kids aged 4-11; kids under 3 are free. 

If you're convinced of your super-solving skills, check out Maze by Moonlight where you'll have all the fun of the laborious labyrinth with the added feat of darkness. Stroll through the interactive maze under the starry skies for a spooky experience made for brave souls. We'd recommend bringing a headlamp for some extra light. That's available on October 18 and 31 with tickets priced at $18 adults; $14 kids.

The fun doesn't stop on Halloween night! On Saturday, November 1, A.K.A., the Day of the Dead, join Vinyl Night's "Night of the Zombies" Skate Night presented by Rebecca Lynn. Spend the night in Bushwick at Xanadu with the Thriller Dancers of the NYC Parade, and enjoy lively performances from DJ's Misbehaviour, Operator Emz and Carozilla. And don't forget—the dress code is zombies.

The event is from 7pm to 2am (showtimes at 9pm, 10:30pm and midnight). Also don't miss the costume contest at 10:35! Lace up your skates for a fun late night out.

The Queens Craft Brigade hosts an exceptional community of makers exclusively from the borough of Queens. The independent, queer-owned market at Katch Astoria brings together talented makers exclusively from around the borough and has created monthly curated events featuring artwork, jewelry, fashion, crafts and more. This year marks the eigth year anniversary of QCB.

For Halloween, check out the Queens Witchcraft Brigade featuring a costume contest on October 25.

Dress up your pet for Barktoberfest's costume contest—and you could win some pretty epic prizes. DOWNTOWN Magazine is hosting this adorable dog costume contest on Pier 57's nearly two-acre Rooftop Park on Saturday, October 25.

Here are examples of the prizes you can win: a Nobu Restaurant dinner for two, a Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown one-night stay with breakfast in bed, a pet photography package with Josh Owens, or a Classic Harbor Line Fall Foliage Cruise for two. 

Even if you don't have a pet, all are invited to watch and can enjoy the festivities amongst spectacular views of the Hudson River and Lower Manhattan (costumes for humans are encouraged, too!). This year’s event will showcsae Muddy Paws Rescue, a local foster-based dog rescue organization.

Check in is at 11am and the show begins at 12pm. The event is free, but registration is required to participate. 

Remember dearly departed dogs at AKC Museum of the Dog's Dia de Muertos ofrenda. The community altar will a collection of photos of dogs who have passed on, and you're welcome to contribute a photo of your own dog here until October 26. The ofrenda will be on display until November 2. 

Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a celebration to honor and commemorate the lives of the deceased and welcome the return of their spirits. Come to the museum to learn more about this meaningful day and celebration of loved ones, as well as its historical connection to dogs.

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. 

Before it turns Christmasy, the Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park is going spooky. From 4pm to 6pm on Thursday, October 30, families and kids of all ages can enjoy a free afternoon full of festive enchantment, live entertainment and sweet treats. 

Some events happening at this year of Tricks and Treats include face painting, pumpkin decorating, eerie magic tricks and other arts and crafts. Kids can also trick-or-treat their way through the shops while parents kick off their holiday shopping early. Entertainment includes a 4pm puppet show with WonderSpark Puppets and a 5pm magic show with Zach the Magician. 

Additional information for Tricks and Treats can be found on the Bryant Park website. 

Lions, tigers and bears—oh my! The Bronx Zoo goes all out every Halloween season, and this year is no exception, with a month of spooky festivities. Guests can enjoy costume parades, pumpkin carving demos, magic and mind-reading shows, spooky storytelling, Wildlife Theater, face painting, Halloween crafts, a digital scavenger hunt, the Trick or Truth Maze, the Extinct Animal Graveyard and more.

Highlights this year include a new pumpkin sculpture garden with four giant animal-themed installations, an expanded candy trail for kids, and a final chance to walk among 60+ life-sized animatronic dinosaurs at Dinosaur Safari before it closes on November 2. 

Activities run on Saturdays and Sundays through October 26, including Monday, October 13. Boo at the Zoo is included with Bronx Zoo admission and is free for members.

There’s no spookier way to welcome the Halloween season than to visit Blood Manor, the popular 10,000-square-foot haunted house that’s actually deemed too scary for children under 14 years of age.

Visitors will confront their deepest fears as they journey through dark, sinister corridors filled with twisted characters and scares at every turn. Incorporating state-of-the-art special effects, BloodManor brings unparalleled realism to the haunting experience. 

This year features all new costumes from Abracadabra, NYC's ultimate Halloween store, plus a terrifyingly talented team of trained actors, set designers, make-up artists and more. Expect an unprecedented level of horror and excitement, spanning three new rooms—from cursed mansions to abandoned asylums, every theme promises to invoke terror and adrenaline. 

Blood Manor is open every weekend and some weekdays from October 3 to November 8 at 359 Broadway in downtown Manhattan. General admission starts at $50 per ticket. You can purchase tickets for a timed entry here.

New Yorkers who like their spooky season with a side of skyline views are in for a treat: Edge at Hudson Yards is turning into a “Garden of Shadows” this fall—and it’s going to be dramatic.

Through November 3, the city’s highest observation deck will be adorned with floor-to-ceiling Gothic floral installations designed by Fleurs de Villes, the global outfit renowned for its extravagant flower shows. The result is a Halloween spectacle that trades pumpkins for petals, all 1,131 feet in the air.

The floral takeover isn’t just for snapping envy-inducing selfies (though, yes, it’s perfect for that). Select nights and Sundays will bring the displays to life with an eclectic roster of performance artists.

Rooftop Cinema Club takes movie-going to a whole new level—literally. This rooftop film series at a midtown skyscraper offers stunning views and an impressive lineup of films. 

In addition to the movie magic, the venue also offers movie snacks, a full bar and cute photo opps. This season features a Gilmore Girls marathon, a drag night, singles events and plenty of Halloween fun to make the most of fall 2025.

As for seating, you'll get to choose a standard high-back lounge chair or a premium lounge chair that comes with extra cushions. You'll book your ticket type, then get to pick your exact seat on-site, first-come, first-served. Ticket prices range from $23-$29/person depending on your seating preference and movie time.

What are you doing at 10pm on a Thursday night? Sleeping? We have a better idea: Brolesque at Balcon Salon in Hell's Kitchen.

This weekly—and did we mention free—strip revue, Fortunes of Love, was created by Lockhart Brownlie (Katy Perry's Super Bowl choreographer) and is a night full of tarot cards, choreography and plenty of skin.

For the entire month of October, Brolesque presents "a cheeky, camp parody where spooky icons like Frankenstein, Wolfman, and Michael Myers get undressed with a wink, all led by a blood-thirsty, showtune-slinging Dracula host." Expect Thriller-style dance numbers, seductive solo acts, flirty audience games (with prizes), and a disco-fueled finale that transforms the entire venue into a glitter-drenched Halloween party. Heads up that there's a two-drink minimum.

Perhaps you're more into LOL thank BOO. Upright Citizens Brigade in the East Village has got you covered with a variety of seasonal comedy shows, including UCB Presents: Rocky Horror Picture Show and Gone Trick or Treatin'. Think less jump scare and more fall out of your chair laughing.

The trolley tour that's outfitted to look like a Victorian funeral parlor—think chandeliers and velvet curtains—and takes you on a trip through the shadows of historic Brooklyn is back. The tour visits the secret location where Murder, Inc. disposed of bodies, alien abduction sites along the Brooklyn Bridge, a brothel and more spooky sites spanning 400 years of Brooklyn history. 

Even if you're a supernatural skeptic, it's fascinating to see hidden cemeteries, mobster dumping grounds, and an EPA Superfund site. Plus, get the chance win prizes with spooky trivia.

More than 100 businesses in the East Midtown district are throwing open their doors to welcome trick-or-treaters aged 12 and under and their families to their annual Halloween celebration on Friday, October 31 from 3pm to 7pm.

Families are invited to painting pumpkins at Sunrise at East 56th, get their faces painted, snap photos under the Maniac Pumpkin jack-o-lantern arch display at 919 3rd Avenue and, of course, go trick-or-treating at the participating businesses.

Families can check in at one of two locations: 919 Third Avenue (56 Street) or Sunrise at E. 56th. You can check out more information at their website here. 

In Michael Shaw Fisher's head-spinning spoof, Emma Hunton (Spring Awakening) stars as an actress who becomes possessed by a demon while starring in a musical adaptation of The Exorcist. After more than a decade in development, this wickedly potty-mouthed rock musical is live in NYC for the entire month of October at The Asylum.

Among the guest stars scheduled to pop in during this latest run are Jaime Cepero, Nicci Claspell, Garrett Clayton, Frankie Grande, Lena Hall, Nina West, Marissa Jaret Winokur and Evan Rachel Wood.

Experience history in a whole new light in this spooky event. Living History After Dark transforms the legendary Fraunces Tavern Museum into a magical, candlelit adventure where every shadow holds a story on Thursday, October 30.

Meet passionate costumed interpreters and discover rare artifacts unveiled from the Revolutionary era just for this night while immersing yourself in tales meant to spark your imagination. 

Costumes are encouraged, but not required, at this all-ages event. Heads up: secure your ticket now and receive a special themed goodie bag as you leave. Doors open at 5:30pm and the night ends at 7pm. 

This Halloweekend, Ellen's Stardust Diner is pulling out the fishnets and transforming into the ultimate midnight musical extravaganza with "The Rocky Horror Show: Live! at Ellen's Stardust Diner."

The show will be for two nights only on October 31 and November 1. Don't miss out on the immersive, full-scale live performance of the cult classic musical featuring the vocal and theatrical talents of the Stardusters. This isn't a typical, traditional shadow cast screening, but a complete, fully rehearsed stage production. 

While you watch, enjoy Rocky Horror-inspired treats like "Frank-N-Futers" (hot dogs) and the Rocky Horror Milkshake, made with vanilla ice cream infused with flavors of Granny Smith apple and caramel, topped with whipped cream. You can even make it a boozy milkshake if you're over 21.

The event is for ages 18+ and doors open at 11pm. 

Enjoy the city lights by candlelight at Edge, the highest indoor/outdoor sky deck in NYC, for a Halloween-inspired evening this month. Thousands of candles will fill the room while you enjoy live music and sweeping views at these Candlelight Concerts.

A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics will be held on October 27. Tickets are on sale now for $75 for adults and $70 for children. 

Bid adieu to Halloween with a smashing good time at Hudson River Park's Pumpkin Smash. Bring your own jack-o-lantern or pumpkin, along with some safety goggles, and smush your pumpkin into compostable bits. 

You’ll get to choose a bat, hammer or shovel to break up your gourd. Then, stick around to learn how composting works. Park staff will convert the gooey bits into nutrient-rich compost to nourish the park's plants. In past years, more than 6,000 pounds of pumpkin scraps were collected and used for compost (and kept out of the landfill!). 

It's all happening at Pier 84 on Saturday, November 1 from 12pm to 3pm.   

Prepare your costumes and your crosswalks—Halloween is about to take over the streets. The city’s Department of Transportation just announced the return of Trick-or-Streets, its annual Halloween celebration that turns Open Streets and plazas across the five boroughs into car-free zones for candy, costumes and community. This year’s edition will be the biggest yet, with a record 137 events (and counting) planned between October 17 and October 31.

Expect everything from pumpkin patches and hay bale photo ops to live performances, games and Día de los Muertos celebrations. A full list of Trick-or-Streets events and participating locations will be available on the NYC DOT website—because in this city, Halloween is best celebrated curbside.

Join Brandon Collins' critically acclaimed show Drunk Black History for a special Halloween-themed edition at Isola Brooklyn on Tuesday, October 28. This one-of-a-kind, booze-fueled show will dive deep into the dark, gothic side of Black history. 

This special Halloween edition will include costume prizes, a fun exploration of Black representation in horror films and hilarious commentary. The show features a star lineup of comedians, writers and experts who will recount stories of overlooked figures and moments in Black history (while hilariously tipsy). Expect plenty of laughs, drinks, twists and fascinating facts about Black culture and how its shaped what we drink and eat. 

Tickets for this event are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. They can be purchased here. 

The pun, that most democratic of jokes: At its best, it’s sublimely satisfying to the reptilian part of our brains that loves easy comedy. At its worst, it produces a groan so gut-deep, it’s almost as good as a belly laugh. The form is mined for all it’s worth at this monthly tournament, hosted by Rodney Dangerfield impersonator Fred Firestone and his daughter, Jo.

A fixture on the NYC comedy landscape for more than a decade, this show at Littlefield in Brooklyn is like a rap battle, only much nerdier. Hear pun pros face-off in the All-Star Tournament of Pun Champions where punsters deliver two-minute pun-stand-up routines, after only two minutes of preparation.

For Halloween, the October 29 show features themed puns and pun costume compuntitions.

This isn't your grandma's Bingo game. Instead, head to the The Standard High Line for three nights of Bingo with a spooky twist this October. The Halloween edition of Not Your Standard Bingo is happening at The Standard High Line every Sunday at 9pm until October 26.

Book a table for you and your crew for one of the following nights: October 12 is Michael Myers Bingo; October 19th is Halloweentown Bingo; and October 26 wraps up with Addams Family Bingo.

Cemeteries are, of course, always good places to remember lost loved ones. But this season, Brooklyn's Green-Wood Cemetery is taking that to new heights as it unveils Reposo y Recuerdo (Rest and Remember), an expansive Día de Muertos ofrenda by acclaimed artist Laura Anderson Barbata.

All are welcome to bring photos, flowers or keepsakes to the community altar, creating "a collective gesture of remembrance and care." The installation, which features handwoven hammocks, colorful papel picado and cascades of paper marigolds, will be on view in Green-Wood's historic chapel from October 11 through November 16. 

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. 

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.

From pumpkin kegs to molecular mixology, these bars go all out for the season. Halloween bars have got plenty of range this Halloween season: heavy-metal horror, adorable witchiness, a creaky tavern that serves pot pie with a side of horrifying lore. Want Zombies? We got ‘em. Ghosts? Yup. Vampires? Covered.