Halloween

Best Halloween Celebrations for NYC Kids on October 31

Submitted by Andy Fenwick on Sun, 10/29/2017 - 3:10pm

As holidays in New York City go, few rival the scope of Halloween. Our 2017 Halloween Fun Guide overflows with parades, parties, and trick-or-treating spots in each of the five boroughs, and Tuesday, October 31, remains the main event, when kids score all that candy a parent can responsibly "test" once young trick or treaters have collapsed at bedtime.

Some things are certain: both the trick or treating in Tribeca and the Park Slope Civic Council Children's Halloween Parade will be packed with pretty amazing costumes. BAM's annual BAMboo! block party will again treat kids to dancing and bounce-house jumping, and the Gravesend Inn Haunted Hotel will happily scare your tween or teen. But check out the new stuff, too, like Nitehawk Prospect Park or the Children's Museum of Manhattan's Magical S.T.E.A.M. Halloween.

Whatever you decide to do on October 31, arrive early and expect crowds. For the best ways to plan an epic Halloween night with your NYC kids, scroll on. Most of our picks are FREE or inexpensive.

Sweet Ways to Donate Your Halloween Haul to Those in Need

Submitted by Natalie Silverstein on Fri, 10/27/2017 - 9:30am

Got a Halloween candy hangover? Come November 1, parents across the country are wondering how they're going to get rid of all the candy their kids brought home. Some of it will be eaten, sure, but just one look at the amount of calories in an average Halloween haul and you'll want to make sure the bulk of it goes anywhere besides your family's stomachs.

There are a number of creative ways to get rid of Halloween candy, like using it for crafts or science experiments, having the Switch Witch take it in exchange for a small toy, or, you know, saving it until Easter and throwing it in the basket. (Hey, it's only six months away—how stale can that candy get?) But perhaps the best thing to do with Halloween candy is donate it. That way your kids can enjoy a truly special treat: The feeling of helping others. Here are eight charitable organizations who accept donations of unopened candy.

Safe, Organized, and Indoor Trick-or-Treat Options for LA Kids on Halloween Night

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 10/24/2017 - 2:01pm

We may have grown up cruising the streets unchaperoned eating loosely wrapped candy on Halloween night, but we’d no sooner let our own children do that than bounce around the back of a station wagon without a car seat. And while some of us are fortunate enough to have friendly, festive neighborhoods to walk our Moanas and Elsas through, many parents prefer the safety and self-contained nature of a mall, museum, or other organized trick-or-treat event.

Keep an eye on our events calendar and Halloween Fun Guide for complete listings; some venues hold their Halloween celebrations before Saturday, to maximize the weekend. October 31, of course, is the night for ringing doorbells, but for those who prefer to collect their candy in a confined space, we have more than 20 local options below.

13 Free Día de los Muertos Celebrations around Los Angeles

Submitted by Roberta B on Tue, 10/24/2017 - 4:41am

Here in Los Angeles, the skeletons of Halloween dance straight into the calacas of Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos. Traditional events featuring music, dancing, and ceremonial altars honoring loved ones spring up all over town. Whether the holiday is a familiar part of your culture or something you'd like to experience for the first time, free events welcome visitors of all ages with beautiful artwork and haunting imagery. Check out one of these dozen free events in LA and Orange County (including the haunting novenarios downtown).

Ultimate Guide to Halloween Events for Philly Kids

Submitted by Kristen Sullivan on Mon, 10/23/2017 - 10:00am

When it comes to Halloween, every kid knows it is all about the treats! As this spooky holiday settles into the Delaware Valley, Philly families must capitalize on every opportunities for sweet, scary, and downright terrifying fun that can be found in our event calendar. So, put on your Halloween costume, grab a plastic pumpkin bucket, and check out the ultimate Halloween activities for the little monsters, wizards, witches, ghosts, goblins, and ghouls in your haunted house.

Don't forget to plan out the rest of your fall family fun by viewing our Fall Activity Guide including the best fall events for preschoolers, kid-friendly fall hikes, and perfect fall family weekend getaways. For now, get spooked with our ultimate list below.

Ultimate Halloween Guide: 24 Best Celebrations in LA for Spooky or Free Fun

Submitted by Roberta B on Fri, 10/20/2017 - 7:44pm

If you've already spent on the Halloween costume (and perhaps a second one if you bought too early), and the pumpkin (and perhaps a second one if you bought too early), and the Halloween candy (and perhaps an extra aerobics class, if you bought too early), then you might have reached your limit with spending money on this mother-of-all kids' holidays. That's when it's time to start sniffing out which are the key Halloween activities, and which are the free ones, that keep the mood going at this haunting time of year. The following 24 events are the Halloween parties not to miss—the scream of the crop!

Ultimate List of Halloween Fun in Westchester

Submitted by Lisa Johnston on Fri, 10/20/2017 - 4:10pm

Halloween is almost here, and the number of activities in our area can be overwhelming. Have no fear for we are here to give you the nitty-gritty on more than two dozen(!) of our favorite events for kids in Westchester and the Lower Hudson Valley.

Looking for more family fun, even without a costume? Check out our Event Calendar and sign up for our newsletters.

Free Halloween Parades and Events for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by Thien August on Fri, 10/20/2017 - 3:00pm

Halloween is October 31, and events are happening on Long Island all week leading up to that celebrated day. Here are some fun and FREE Halloween events in which the family can take part. Kids (and grown-ups) love dressing in costumes, so attend multiple events to get the best use out of them.

Don’t forget to check your local library for any FREE Halloween events it may be hosting. And for more seasonal fun, check out our Long Island Halloween Guide, our October GoList, and our compilation of the best fall fairs and festivals on Long Island.