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Halloween Weekend 2024 in NYC: Trick-or-Treat, Halloween Parades, and More Things To Do

Dumboween is scarily entertaining, beginning with the annual March to the Arch followed by crafts, costume contests, live music, and trick-or-treating, of course! Photo by Hassan Mokaddam
Dumboween is scarily entertaining, beginning with the annual March to the Arch followed by crafts, costume contests, live music, and trick-or-treating, of course! Photo by Hassan Mokaddam
10/29/24 - By Drew Kristofik

Looking for the best things to do in New York City this Halloween weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for Halloween weekend.

We're in full spook mode at last, up to our eyeballs in Halloween activities. Our top picks for Halloween proper include the Jackson Heights Halloween Parade and Brooklyn's free fete, BAMBoo! When you're done parading and partying, you'll need this list of NYC's best trick-or-treat neighborhoods so you know where to source the goodies!

The fun doesn't end on Thursday, though. Saturday brings with it a Diwali celebration at Flushing Town Hall and Day of the Dead at El Museo del Barrio. Pint-sized theater-goers should book their tickets now to see New Shoes at the New 42.

More Things To Do in New York City this Week with Kids

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Visit this grand, corner-lot mansion in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, for Halloween decorations taken to the next level! Photo by Sara Marentette
Visit this grand, corner-lot mansion in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, for Halloween decorations taken to the next level! Photo by Sara Marentette

More Top Things To Do this Weekend in NYC with Kids

Broadway Magic Hour at the Broadway Comedy Club

Midtown West
Select Saturdays through Saturday, December 30
The Broadway Magic Hour features master magicians Jim Vines and Carl Mercurio in a performance that includes mind-boggling mysteries and hilarious comedy for all ages.  Witness magic, mind-reading, comedy, and grand illusions! READ MORE
Deal 40% Off Tickets!

Inwood Pumpkin Pageant in Isham Park

Inwood – FREE
Friday, November 1
The Inwood Pumpkin Pageant returns to Isham Park for another spooky display of Halloween artistry. Local residents bring their carved jack-o'-lanterns to the park the evening after Halloween for a grand community event. READ MORE

Día de Muertos Week in the Flatiron District

Flatiron – FREE
Through Friday, November 1
The Flatiron NoMad Partnership expands its annual Día de los Muertos celebration to a full week of happenings, with free food samples at participating businesses (while supplies last), a family-friendly event at Capitol Plaza, and more.  READ MORE

New Shoes at New 42 Studios

Midtown West
Opens Friday, November 1
Through playful puppetry and Spanish folk song, tender storyteller Tian Gombau unboxes the tale of young Tracalet, who discovers the people and places of his hometown while on a journey to enjoy a piece of cake. READ MORE

Hudson River Park's Pumpkin Smash

Midtown West – FREE
Saturday, November 2
Bring your jack-o'-lantern or uncarved pumpkin to Hudson River Park's Pier 84 to squash, smash, and smush it into compost to help keep the park beautiful, green, and growing. The fun-packed afternoon includes free face painting from Silly Cheeks and circus entertainment by Bindlestiff performers. READ MORE

Diwali Festival at Flushing Town Hall

Flushing, Queens
Saturday, November 2
Flushing Town Hall celebrates the Festival of Lights with its 10th annual Diwali Festival, featuring DJ Rekha and Kathak classical dancer Abha Roy, plus the Srijan Dance Company with a special guest dance troupe ADDA and Dr. Santa R. Nandi! READ MORE

Spooky Listening Party with Adam Gidwitz at BPL's Central Library

Prospect Heights, Brooklyn – FREE
Saturday, November 2
The Brooklyn Public Library's Central Library hosts a spooktacular Halloween listening party featuring the magical and creepy world of award-winning kids’ podcast Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest.  READ MORE

Day of the Dead 2024 at the Museum of the Moving Image

Astoria, Queens – FREE
Saturday, November 2
Celebrate a vibrant Day of the Dead at the Museum of the Moving Image with a performance of Aztec Mexica dance, ofrendas honoring loved ones who have died, fun digital media activities for kids and families, and music from Indigenous dance troupe Yayauhki Tezcatlipoka. Face-painting sessions are offered inspired by historical characters from Día de Muertos. READ MORE

Super Sabado: Día de los Muertos at El Museo del Barrio

East Harlem – FREE
Saturday, November 2
El Museo del Barrio celebrates the Day of the Dead with cultural performances, art-making activities, face painting, a communal altar, a Central Park procession, and more. READ MORE

Adventures from The Shed: Scarlett Goes to Space Camp at the 14th Street Y

Union Square
Saturday, November 2
It's Scarlett's first day at space camp and she wants to be prepared. Can your little one help Scarlett and Jeeves get ready before the bus comes? Designed for preschoolers and their grown-ups, this interactive show captivates young minds with a delightful blend of puppetry, music, and movement.  READ MORE

Peter S. Beagle at Books of Wonder

Chelsea – FREE
Sunday, November 3
Meet the legendary author Peter S. Beagle and celebrate the release of his newest book, I'm Afraid You've Got Dragons!   READ MORE

Harvest Dance Celebration

Floral Park, Queens
Sunday, November 3
Celebrate American Indian Culture through music and dance! The Harvest Dance Celebration showcases different Native American dances outdoors at the Queens County Farm Museum. READ MORE
All the superheroes and stars come out for BAMboo!, the over-the-top Halloween party at BAM. Photo by Elena Olivia
All the superheroes and stars come out for BAMboo!, the over-the-top Halloween party at BAM. Photo by Elena Olivia

Best Things To Do on Halloween in NYC with Kids

Trick-or-Streets

Citywide – FREE
NYC DOT partners with Open Streets, plazas, and other corridors in October and on Halloween to add pedestrian space during one of the busiest nights of the year. READ MORE

Spooky Snug Harbor Tour

Snug Harbor, Staten Island
Snug Harbor is one of Staten Island’s most beautiful historic destinations. And, if the legends are true, one of its most haunted… Journey back in time to learn about murder, mayhem, and hauntings at Snug Harbor, including a visit to the final resting place of Captain Robert Randall, whose wealth willed Snug Harbor into existence.  READ MORE

A MAD Halloween Party

Midtown West
Celebrate Halloween with the Museum of Arts and Design! Wear your crafty costumes and drop by for an afternoon of dancing, live DJs, and art-activities for the whole family.   READ MORE

Trick-or-Treating at the Whitney

Greenwich Village
Ghouls and goblins of all ages are invited to trick-or-treat in the lobby of the Whitney Museum all afternoon long.  READ MORE

Big Halloween Get Down in Brooklyn Bridge Park

Brooklyn Heights, Brooklyn – FREE
The Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy hosts an all-ages spooky dance party on the Pier 3 Plaza, with sounds by Herbert Holler. Doors open at 6pm and the dance party starts at 7pm. Advance online registration is encouraged. READ MORE

Trick or Treat at the Seaport

South Street Seaport – FREE
Pop on your costumes and bring the kids to the Seaport to visit a whole host of local restaurants, stores, and landmarks. Candy and friendly neighborhood vibes will be flowing from the restaurants on Pier 17 to the shops and eateries along Front Street, Fulton Street, South Street, and Peck Slip.  READ MORE

Halloween with Boo!KCM

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
The Brooklyn Conservatory of Music hosts an outdoor Halloween Party. Talented musical spirits give a spine-chilling performance in a haunted musical garden, and the candy is frightfully delicious. READ MORE

Trick-or-Streets at Essex Market

Lower East Side – FREE
The Lower East Side’s largest Halloween celebration invites ghouls and goblins of all-ages to take part in spooktacular activities at Essex Market, which is set to give away 1,000 pounds of candy.   READ MORE

Dumboween: Halloween March to the Arch

Dumbo, Brooklyn – FREE
Put on your most creative costume, and head to Dumbo for a Halloween March to the Arch. Beginning at Washington Street, between Front and Water Streets, costumed participants parade to the Dumbo Archway, led by live music and puppets. READ MORE

BAMboo!

Fort Greene, Brooklyn – FREE
BAM’s annual free community Halloween celebration happily haunts the neighborhood with family-friendly music, carnival games, arts and crafts, candy giveaways, trick-or-treat popcorn, and family-friendly Halloween short films in the BAM Rose Cinemas. Costumes are encouraged. READ MORE

Jackson Heights Halloween Parade

Jackson Heights, Queens – FREE
The Jackson Heights Halloween Parade—NYC’s largest children’s Halloween parade—lines up once again at 89th Street and 37th Avenue and marches down 37th Avenue to PS 69. READ MORE

Halloween Parade and Costume Contest in Washington Square Park

Greenwich Village – FREE
One of the city's largest free children's events on Halloween features live performances, games, treats, and more! Gather at 3pm at the Washington Square Park Arch to begin the parade. READ MORE

10th Annual Halloween in East Midtown

Midtown East – FREE
The East Midtown Partnership welcomes kids ages 12 and under to the free, 10th annual Halloween in East Midtown spooktacular. Paint ghastley pumpkins with the seniors at Sunrise at East 56th Street, snap selfies at the spooky jack-o'-lantern display by Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, and trick-or-treat for candy and other phantasmic treats at more than 100 participating businesses around East Midtown. READ MORE

Bryant Park Tricks and Treats

Midtown West – FREE
Bryant Park hosts a Halloween celebration with magic tricks, face painting, pumpkin decorating, arts and crafts, and a costume parade! READ MORE

Park Slope Halloween Parade

Park Slope, Brooklyn – FREE
The Park Slope Civic Council hosts the spookiest parade in Park Slope. Marchers line up at 7th Avenue and 14th Street and wind their way to the Old Stone House. Come early to trick-or-treat. READ MORE

Wave Hill-O-Ween

Riverdale, the Bronx – FREE
For the first time—it’s Halloween at Wave Hill! Venture through the iron gates (if you dare!) for an evening adventure with treats, tricks, and good old spooky fun. Grab a map to guide you on an eerie treasure trail through the gardens with “gourdgeous” photo-ops along the way. Personalize a treat bag and decorate a mini-gourd favor, then dance away the eve with family-friendly tunes in spooktacular Armor Hall. READ MORE

51st Annual Village Halloween Parade

Greenwich Village – FREE
The world's most famous Halloween parade weaves through the streets of Greenwich Village once again. READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

Brooklyn Bridge Park
BAM Peter Jay Sharp Lobby and Lepercq Space