5 Spooktacular Things to Do on Halloween Night in NYC (Family-Friendly Fun!)

Halloween night in New York City is spectacular – the streets come alive with costumes, candy, and a playful spooky spirit. As a local Halloween enthusiast, I’ve explored NYC’s coolest Halloween happenings with family and friends. Whether you’re into dazzling shows, glowing pumpkins, or dancing in the streets, here’s my personal guide to the five best things to do in NYC on the evening of October 31. Each of these events is fun, cool, and totally family-friendly – so grab your costume and let’s dive in!

5. Park Slope Halloween Parade – Brooklyn’s Neighborhood Treat 🍬🧚

Location: 7th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn (Parade route from 14th St to 3rd St)

Time: 6:30 PM on Halloween (steps off at sunset)

Costumed kids and parents hit the streets for a neighborhood Halloween parade in Brooklyn.

For a warm, community vibe on Halloween night, Brooklyn’s Park Slope Civic Council Halloween Parade is an absolute delight. This is perhaps the largest children’s Halloween march in NYC, a beloved neighborhood tradition that’s been bringing spooky fun since 1986. As dusk falls on October 31, hundreds of costumed kids (and kids-at-heart) gather to parade down 7th Avenue – you’ll see mini superheroes, princesses, dragons, and adorable ghosts toddling along while proud parents walk beside them. The sidewalks overflow with cheering neighbors and whimsical decorations, making it one of Brooklyn’s most joyful family celebrations.

What’s great is that it doubles as prime trick-or-treating: local merchants along Seventh and Fifth Avenues hand out candy to the parade of kids as they go by. It feels like an old-fashioned Halloween block party, but on a whole neighborhood scale. The parade usually kicks off around 6:30 PM (just after dark) at 14th Street, led by community leaders, and winds its way to the Old Stone House area where festivities continue. There’s music, occasional dancing, and lots of smiling families – it’s the kind of event where you run into classmates, neighbors, and make new friends along the route. If you want an experience that’s more sweet than spooky and truly community-oriented, head to Park Slope. Throw on a costume (parents, you too!) and join the fun – this parade is open to kids of all ages, and the more the merrier. 🎉

4. Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail at NYBG – A Disney Halloween Wonderland ✨🎩

Location: New York Botanical Garden (Bronx)

Time: Select evenings through Halloween (entry times between ~6–9 PM)

Ever wished you could step into Tim Burton’s Halloween Town for a night? The New York Botanical Garden has basically done that with their Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. This brand-new immersive experience brings the worlds of Jack Skellington to life across the garden’s grounds in a spectacular light show. Visitors of all ages can stroll through 8,300 square feet of dazzling light installations, featuring scenes and characters from Disney’s The Nightmare Before Christmas. As you wander under the autumn night sky, you’ll encounter Jack, Sally, Zero the ghost-dog, and more, all amid the garden’s beautiful foliage transformed by spooky projections and colorful lights. It’s like the movie jumped off the screen and into a real-life Halloween playground.

What makes this experience extra special is the atmosphere: the trail is set to an eerie-yet-whimsical soundtrack from the film, and there are themed refreshments (yes, Pumpkin King cupcakes might be a thing) and merchandise available to complete the night. The whole family can enjoy this – it’s more enchanting than scary, so even younger kids will be wide-eyed at the sights rather than spooked. The light trail runs on select evenings from late September through the end of October, including Halloween night itself, so you can make it your grand finale after trick-or-treating. Tickets do require a timed entry, so be sure to reserve a slot. Trust me, taking a moonlit walk with Jack Skellington is a Halloween memory you won’t forget – it’s the closest thing to visiting Halloween Town without a magic portal!

3. Bronx Zoo’s Harvest Glow – A Wildly Illuminating Night 🌟🦁

Location: Bronx Zoo

Time: Evening timed entries (select nights in Oct, including Oct 31)

A family enjoys an illuminated jack-o’-lantern installation at the Bronx Zoo’s annual Harvest Glow event.

For a more enchanted, kid-friendly adventure, head up to the Bronx Zoo for their Harvest Glow nighttime experience. The zoo gets a pumpkin-powered makeover after dark: more than 5,000 hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns light up the paths in whimsical animal shapes and scenes.

Walking through this immersive jack-o’-lantern trail is like entering a glowing jungle – fittingly, this year’s theme is “Creatures of Darkness,” so you’ll spot carved creatures from Arctic wolves to bioluminescent fish illuminating the night. It’s spooky in a storybook way – nothing too scary for little ones, just lots of “ooh!” and “ahh!” moments.

One of the highlights we loved the most was the Nighttime Dinosaur Safari: imagine riding through the darkness as 60+ life-size animatronic dinosaurs growl and roar from the shadows! Along the trail there are also fun activities like live pumpkin carving demonstrations, costumed characters, games, face painting, and hot cocoa and treats for when you need a break. Harvest Glow runs on select evenings in October (Thursday through Sunday nights, with the final night on Halloween itself). It’s a perfect option if you want a gentle Halloween outing filled with lights, nature, and just a pinch of fright. Don’t forget to grab tickets in advance, and bring a jacket – those fall nights at the zoo can get chilly among the glowing pumpkins!

2. Greenwich Village Halloween Parade – NYC’s Costume Carnival 🎃👻

Location: Sixth Avenue in Manhattan (from Canal St to W. 15th St)

Time: 7:00 PM onward (line-up starts around 6 PM)

Giant skeleton puppets march down Sixth Avenue during NYC’s legendary Village Halloween Parade.

When it comes to iconic Halloween events, nothing beats the Village Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village. Every October 31st, Sixth Avenue transforms into a carnival of costumes and creativity – complete with giant skeleton puppets, dance troupes, live bands, and tens of thousands of New Yorkers in wild costumes. The energy is electric and a little eerie in the best possible way. It’s truly the city’s “most spirited, can’t-miss Halloween tradition” – I still get goosebumps seeing the sheer spectacle of it all.

What I love is how inclusive it is: anyone in costume can join the parade for free, marching alongside over 50,000 fellow costumed revelers up Sixth Avenue. Dress up as your favorite superhero, monster, or character and just jump in! (One year I went as Toño Rosario and ended up dancing next to Placido Domingo, only in NYC, right?) Even if you don’t join the procession, it’s a blast to watch from the sidelines as the amazing floats and performers pass by. The parade kicks off at 7 PM, but get there early to snag a viewing spot – or catch it live on TV if you prefer to avoid the crowds. This is NYC Halloween at its finest – loud, creative, a little chaotic, and absolutely unforgettable.

1. The Vampire Circus at United Palace – A Thrilling Halloween Spectacle 🎪🦇

Location: United Palace Theater (4140 Broadway, Washington Heights)

Time: Doors 7:30 PM, Show 9:00 PM (Halloween Night)

If you do only one thing this Halloween in NYC, make it The Vampire Circus. I’m a sucker for a good show (pun intended), and this cirque-style extravaganza blew me away with its spooky magic and jaw-dropping acrobatics. Part gothic fantasy, part high-flying circus, The Vampire Circus feels like Tim Burton meets Cirque du Soleil in the best way. World-class performers will fly, twist, and vanish before your eyes in a 90-minute immersive thrill ride that’s equal parts spooky, funny, and mesmerizing.

This one-night-only Halloween spectacular is making its NYC debut at the historic United Palace theater, an ornate 1930s movie palace that only adds to the eerie elegance. The show is perfect for all ages – it’s a “Halloween spectacular for all ages” and guarantees an unforgettable evening for the whole family. Costumes are encouraged (yes, you can absolutely show up as a vampire!) And take pictures in this amazing setting. If you’re looking for a truly unique Halloween night outing, The Vampire Circus is my top pick for a fang-tastic time.

(Insider tip: Tickets have been popular, so snag them in advance if you can – and don’t forget your cape and fangs!)

Final Thoughts: Halloween in NYC offers something for everyone, from spectacular shows in grand theaters to glow-in-the-dark adventures at the zoo, massive city parades, and cozy community celebrations. The five experiences above are my personal favorites for a memorable Halloween night that’s as fun and family-friendly as it is spooktacular. So plan out your evening, get those costumes ready, and prepare to make some un-BOO-lievable NYC Halloween memories. Whether you’re screaming with laughter at acrobatic vampires or collecting candy on a Brooklyn street, one thing’s for sure – there’s no Halloween quite like a New York Halloween. Enjoy, stay safe, and Happy Halloween! 🎃👻

Sources:

1. The Skint – Vampire Circus at United Palace description

2. SecretNYC – Village Halloween Parade overview; FOX5 News – NYC Halloween events

3. SecretNYC – Bronx Zoo “Harvest Glow” event details; Rockefeller Center – Harvest Glow highlights

4. SecretNYC – Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail details; Rockefeller Center – NYBG light trail description

5. FOX5 News – Park Slope Halloween Parade (children’s parade) info