Halloween in NYC 2026: Parades, Haunted Houses and Events Near Times Square

Halloween in NYC ranges from giant puppets marching through Greenwich Village to haunted houses, ghost tours, family events and late-night costume parties. Whether you want full-scale scares, an afternoon with the kids or a front-row view of the city’s biggest parade, there is plenty happening across New York throughout October.

Times Square makes a practical Midtown base, but it is important to plan for some travel. The Village Halloween Parade takes place in Greenwich Village, while other popular events are held in downtown Manhattan, the Bronx and Brooklyn. Subway connections from Midtown make these areas accessible, but journey times, road closures and Halloween crowds should all be factored into your plans.

Planning Halloween in New York

• The Village Halloween Parade takes place on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
• Arrive early because Sixth Avenue becomes extremely crowded before the parade begins.
• Costumes are required to join the parade but not to watch.
• Book haunted houses, ghost tours and ticketed parties in advance.
• Use the subway because road closures can make taxis unreliable.
• Check age restrictions before booking nightlife or haunted attractions.
• Confirm event times and ticket details directly with organizers before traveling.

What Are the Biggest Halloween Events in NYC in 2026?

Village Halloween Parade

Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Start time: 7:00 p.m.
Route: Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to 15th Street
Best for: Costumes, live entertainment and the full NYC Halloween experience
Admission: Free to watch or join in costume

The Village Halloween Parade is New York’s biggest Halloween event, bringing giant puppets, performers, bands and thousands of costumed marchers to Greenwich Village. The parade begins at 7:00 p.m. at Canal Street and travels north along Sixth Avenue to 15th Street.

Spectators can watch from Sixth Avenue without wearing a costume. Anyone who wants to march must arrive in costume and join the participant line near Canal Street and Sixth Avenue. The official organizer advises marchers to arrive between 6:30 and 9:00 p.m., following the published directions into the lineup area.

If you plan to watch, arrive well before 7:00 p.m. to find a position. Movement becomes limited as the sidewalks fill, so avoid trying to meet friends directly beside the route. Choose a meeting point several blocks away and travel to the area together.

From Times Square, take the A, C or E subway from 42nd Street–Port Authority toward Canal Street. Check MTA service updates before leaving, as weekend work or event-related changes may affect the journey. Avoid taking a taxi directly to the parade because road closures and heavy traffic can cause considerable delays.

The parade is not ideal for anyone uncomfortable with dense crowds. A ghost tour, haunted attraction or earlier neighborhood walk may offer a more relaxed way to celebrate.

BloodManor

Location: 359 Broadway, Manhattan
Best for: Horror fans, adults and older teenagers
Time required: Approximately one hour, plus time for entry
Admission: Timed ticket required

BloodManor is one of the best-known haunted houses in NYC. Its approximately 10,000-square-foot setting features themed rooms, corridors and passageways filled with live performers and intense scares.

Unlike the public atmosphere of the Halloween parade, BloodManor is a controlled, ticketed experience designed specifically to frighten visitors. It is not recommended for children under 14, and younger teenagers must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Timed entry helps manage the flow of visitors, but October sessions can still sell out. Check the official 2026 calendar, ticket options and visitor guidance before booking.

Boroughs of the Dead Ghost Tours

Locations: Greenwich Village, the East Village, Lower Manhattan and the Seaport
Best for: History, storytelling and atmospheric walks
Time required: Around 90 minutes to two hours
Admission: Advance tickets recommended

Boroughs of the Dead explores New York’s darker history through walking tours across several Manhattan neighborhoods.

Options include the Ultimate Greenwich Village Ghost Tour, East Village Ghosts, Ghosts of the Seaport and Forgotten Dark Histories of Lower Manhattan. These tours focus on historical stories and local legends rather than staged jump scares, making them a good choice for visitors who want something atmospheric without entering a traditional haunted house.

Most tours involve extended periods of walking and standing, so wear comfortable shoes and dress for the evening weather. October dates can sell out, particularly around Halloween weekend.

A Greenwich Village tour can be paired with an early dinner before the parade, although you should leave extra time to navigate the growing crowds on October 31.

Boo at the Zoo

Location: Bronx Zoo
Best for: Families and younger children
Time required: Half a day
Setting: Primarily outdoors
Admission: Zoo tickets and advance reservations required

Boo at the Zoo is the Bronx Zoo’s annual daytime Halloween celebration, combining costumes and seasonal activities with the zoo’s animal exhibits.

The event is better treated as a half-day family trip than a quick stop from Midtown. Allow additional time to reach the Bronx, enter the zoo and explore the grounds without rushing between activities.

The full 2026 Boo at the Zoo schedule has not yet been published, so families should check the official program, dates and admission details before making plans. Avoid combining a long zoo visit with several downtown activities on the same day, especially when traveling with younger children.

Halloween on the Harlem Meer

Location: Northern Central Park
Best for: Families with younger children
Time required: Around two to three hours
Admission: Traditionally free, subject to the final 2026 program

Halloween on the Harlem Meer traditionally brings crafts, family entertainment and a pumpkin flotilla to the northern end of Central Park. It is a calmer alternative to the Village Halloween Parade and is particularly suited to younger children.

Visitors should note that the Harlem Meer is much farther north than the most familiar Central Park attractions. It requires additional subway or bus travel from Times Square and should not be treated as a short walk from the southern park entrance.

The Central Park Conservancy has not yet released the full 2026 event details. Check its official events calendar closer to October before relying on the event in your itinerary.

Madame Tussauds Icons of Horror

Location: West 42nd Street, Times Square
Best for: Rainy days, older children and horror movie fans
Time required: Around 90 minutes to two hours
Admission: Included with general admission

Madame Tussauds New York offers one of the most convenient Halloween-themed attractions for visitors staying in Times Square. Its Icons of Horror experience brings together recognizable Warner Bros. horror characters and cinematic sets inside the main attraction.

It is less intense than BloodManor, making it a more approachable option for families with older children or visitors who enjoy horror films but do not want live performers jumping out at them.

Because the experience is indoors and close to Margaritaville Resort Times Square, it also works well when wet or cold weather changes your plans.

What Are the Best Halloween Events for Different Travelers?

Best Halloween Activities for Families

Families with younger children may find the Village Halloween Parade overwhelming, particularly once the sidewalks become crowded. Daytime events provide more space and a less hectic atmosphere.

Boo at the Zoo works best for families prepared to spend half a day in the Bronx. It is primarily outdoors, requires tickets and includes access to the zoo alongside Halloween programming.

Halloween on the Harlem Meer is better suited to younger children who enjoy crafts, costumes and family entertainment. It has traditionally been free, although the 2026 program still needs to be confirmed.

Madame Tussauds Icons of Horror offers an indoor option in Times Square. Allow around 90 minutes to two hours and purchase admission in advance during busy weekends.

Fall-O-Ween at the New York Botanical Garden may provide another family-friendly combination of fall displays and Halloween activities if it returns in 2026. Check the garden’s official calendar before adding it to your plans.

Families can also explore decorated streets in the West Village during daylight hours. Look for pumpkin-lined stoops and seasonal brownstone displays without promising children a formal event on every block.

Best Halloween Activities for Adults and Groups

For adults and groups, the Village Halloween Parade delivers the biggest atmosphere. Watch from Sixth Avenue or join the procession in costume before continuing to a ticketed bar or party.

BloodManor is a stronger choice for groups who want a concentrated haunted-house experience. Timed tickets make it easier to build into an evening, although the attraction should be booked well ahead of Halloween weekend.

Boroughs of the Dead tours suit visitors more interested in macabre history and storytelling. The Greenwich Village and Lower Manhattan options also place you close to restaurants and bars for the rest of the evening.

House of Yes in Bushwick is known for theatrical, costume-led nightlife, but it is not close to Times Square. Only add it to your plans if a specific 2026 Halloween event has been confirmed, and allow time for the subway journey into Brooklyn.

Best Free Halloween Activities in NYC

Watching the Village Halloween Parade is one of the biggest free Halloween events in NYC. You do not need a costume or ticket to watch, although arriving early is essential.

Visitors wearing costumes can also join the parade without paying. Follow the organizer’s official lineup instructions rather than attempting to enter the procession farther along Sixth Avenue.

Other free or low-cost options include:

• Walking through the West Village before the parade crowds arrive
• Costume-watching around Greenwich Village
• Exploring decorated brownstone streets during the day
• Halloween on the Harlem Meer, subject to its confirmed 2026 program

Not every neighborhood display is part of an organized event, so approach these walks as an opportunity to enjoy the seasonal atmosphere rather than expecting a fixed route or schedule.

Where Should You Eat Before the Halloween Parade?

Rosemary’s West Village

Rosemary’s is an Italian restaurant with a rooftop farm in the West Village. Its relaxed setting works well for couples and small groups planning an early meal before walking toward Sixth Avenue.

Book well in advance for Halloween night and leave sufficient time to finish dinner before the parade crowds build.

Boucherie West Village

Boucherie is a large French brasserie suited to groups or visitors who want a full sit-down meal. Its size can be helpful when smaller West Village restaurants feel crowded, although reservations are still strongly recommended for October 31.

Choose an earlier booking rather than trying to dine immediately before the 7:00 p.m. parade start.

Market Table

Located at Carmine and Bedford Streets, Market Table serves seasonal American dishes in a more intimate setting. It is best suited to couples and smaller groups planning an early dinner before moving toward the parade route.

Whichever restaurant you choose, avoid selecting a meeting point directly on Sixth Avenue. Meet at the restaurant or another quieter location before heading into the crowd together.

Where Can You Go for Halloween Drinks and Parties?

Specific Halloween parties in NYC are often announced closer to October. Check each venue’s official calendar before purchasing tickets or traveling across the city, and never assume that a recurring event will return in the same format.

Midtown Rooftops

Bar 54 sits on the 54th floor of Hyatt Centric Times Square, combining indoor seating with expansive skyline views. Its central location makes it a convenient choice for drinks before heading downtown or after returning from the Halloween Parade.

230 Fifth Rooftop Bar is a large, year-round indoor and outdoor venue in the Flatiron District, just a few blocks from the Empire State Building. Its relaxed atmosphere, skyline views and regular calendar of themed events make it a good option for groups

Daintree Midtown overlooks the Empire State Building from West 38th Street and is best suited to couples or smaller groups looking for a more intimate cocktail bar.

5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar is the on-property option at Margaritaville Resort Times Square, offering cocktails and skyline views without another trip across Manhattan after the parade.

Brooklyn Nightlife

House of Yes in Bushwick is known for theatrical performances, elaborate costumes and high-energy nightlife. It is best suited to visitors specifically looking for a late-night, costume-led experience.

Bushwick is not within walking distance of Times Square and requires a longer subway or car journey. Only include House of Yes in your final Halloween plans once the venue has published a specific 2026 event, ticket conditions and entry requirements.

How Can You Spend Halloween Weekend in New York?

Friday Evening

Start Halloween weekend with timed entry to BloodManor or take a Boroughs of the Dead ghost tour through Greenwich Village, the East Village or Lower Manhattan.

Afterward, return to Midtown for skyline drinks at The Skylark or Dear Irving on Hudson. Book ahead rather than relying on walk-in availability during Halloween weekend.

Saturday, October 31

Families can begin the day at Madame Tussauds in Times Square or travel uptown for Halloween on the Harlem Meer. If the dates align with the final program, Boo at the Zoo offers a longer daytime trip to the Bronx.

Adults can spend the afternoon exploring Greenwich Village before having an early dinner at Rosemary’s, Boucherie or Market Table.

In the evening, watch or join the Village Halloween Parade. Afterward, continue to a confirmed rooftop event or nightlife venue, then return to Midtown by subway.

Sunday, November 1

The 2026 TCS New York City Marathon takes place the morning after Halloween. Road closures and crowds will affect all five boroughs, with the race finishing in Central Park.

If you want to watch, choose a viewing area in advance and use the subway. Visitors leaving New York that day should allow additional time to reach Penn Station, Port Authority or the airports.

Even if you are not attending the marathon, check your route before setting out. Taxis and rideshares may take longer than expected while runners, spectators and road closures move through the city.

Where Should You Stay for Halloween in NYC?

Halloween in NYC can mean packed sidewalks, late-night subway rides and hours spent moving between events. At Margaritaville Resort Times Square, the atmosphere shifts as soon as you step inside, giving you a relaxed retreat from the costumes, crowds and commotion outside.

Settle into one of the resort’s comfortable rooms and suites, head up for a skyline cocktail at 5 o’Clock Somewhere or refuel with island-inspired dishes at Margaritaville Restaurant & Tiki Bar. Having rooms, drinks and dining in one place is especially useful after a late parade, ghost tour or haunted-house visit.

Greenwich Village and downtown Halloween events require a subway ride, but staying in Times Square keeps you close to Port Authority, Penn Station and several subway lines. It also leaves plenty to explore nearby before the evening begins. Browse the latest Exclusive Offers and turn Halloween night into a full Midtown getaway.

Plan Your Fall Getaway