Halloween is something special in New York. Americans really go all out for Halloween, and already in early October, you start seeing pumpkins and spiderwebs appearing outside the old brownstone houses.
There are also plenty of Halloween parties at bars and nightclubs throughout the city, and then, of course, there’s the Village Halloween Parade, which is the highlight of it all. Here are some of the things I think you should experience if you’re in New York for Halloween.
1. See the Halloween Decorations on the Brownstones
One of my favorite things about Halloween in New York is walking around looking at all the decorated houses. Some people keep it simple with a couple of pumpkins on the front steps, while others go all out with giant skeletons, tombstones, and ghosts. The West Village is one of my favorite neighborhoods to explore, but you’ll also find plenty of impressive decorations on the Upper East Side, Upper West Side, and in Brooklyn.
2. Experience the Village Halloween Parade
The Village Halloween Parade is New York’s biggest Halloween event and something you definitely shouldn’t miss. The parade takes place every year on October 31 and makes its way up 6th Avenue through Greenwich Village. You’ll see some incredible costumes, along with music and dance performances. The parade starts at 7 p.m., and I’d recommend arriving early, as the sidewalks along the route fill up quickly.
Thousands of people turn out to watch, and if you’d like to join the parade yourself, you can do that too. The only requirement is that you wear a costume.
3. Take a Ghost Tour in Greenwich Village
Halloween is the perfect excuse to go on one of New York’s many ghost tours. Steve and I went on Hauntings & Ghouls of Greenwich Village, a guided walking tour through Greenwich Village with stories about haunted houses and the neighborhood’s darker past.
We started at Washington Square Park, where we learned, among other things, that the area was once a burial ground. The tour continued past old buildings with spooky stories attached to them, including Jefferson Market Library and a house where Mark Twain once lived. Our guide was really good, and the hour or so we spent on the tour flew by. A fun and slightly spooky way to experience Greenwich Village from a different perspective.
4. Go to a Halloween Party
If you’re in the mood to party for Halloween, there are plenty of options in New York. Many bars, rooftop bars, and nightclubs host Halloween parties, with people showing up in some pretty impressive costumes. Depending on which day of the week Halloween falls on, there are often parties both the weekend before and on Halloween itself.
In 2026, Halloween falls on a Saturday, so I’m sure the city will be especially lively. It’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance.
5. Go Pumpkin Picking at Fishkill Farms
If you feel like taking a little trip outside the city, I can recommend Fishkill Farms in the Hudson Valley, north of New York City. You can pick apples, buy pumpkins, and enjoy that classic American fall atmosphere.
On weekends from September 12 through November 1, Fishkill Farms hosts its Fall Harvest Festival. Steve and I went the last weekend before Halloween, and the place was buzzing. It almost felt like a festival, with music, food stalls, hot apple cider, and freshly baked apple cider donuts.
6. Carve Your Own Halloween Pumpkin
If you’re staying in New York, carving your own Halloween pumpkin is also a fun thing to do. If you can’t make it to Fishkill Farms, you can buy large pumpkins at several places around the city, including Whole Foods.
When you’re scooping out the pumpkin, remember to save the seeds. The big pumpkins used for Halloween decorations aren’t particularly good for cooking, as the flesh tends to be watery and stringy, but the seeds are great for roasting in the oven. I usually toss them with harissa and a little salt, and they’re delicious both as a snack and as a crunchy topping for salads and soups.
