NYC’s Best October Events—The Village Halloween Parade, Comic Con & More

Spooky season is upon us, and with it comes many exciting things to do in October in NYC . If you’re channeling all-things scary, we’ve rounded up parades, haunted houses, and beyond for your autumnal adventures that would make Freddy, Jason, and Michael proud. Should you prefer something that doesn’t involve shrieks and screams, no sweat — we’ve got you covered there, too. Unless you’re heading to NoHo’s new bathhouse that is. (More on that below.) No matter what kind of fall you envision, we know the best way to spend it. Have a look at the can’t-miss events, openings, and beyond taking place in your favorite city. Attend scary-good Halloween events throughout NYC ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From fall festivals and haunted houses to pumpkin patches and parades , NYC takes spooky season quite seriously, and its list of events is *frighteningly* good. If you’re having a little trouble picking a costume or deciding what sweets to hand out during trick-or-treating, we’ll eliminate any confusion on NYC’s extensive seasonal to-do list. Our **Halloween guide**has anything and everything you goblins and ghouls need to know. Stop by the world’s largest Halloween parade in the Village ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Though it goes without saying, NYC’s annual **Village Halloween Parade**is truly a show-stopper. With a crowd of nearly 80,000 costumed spectators, there will be no shortage of sights. However, our cold black hearts are partial to its grand finale: a city-wide performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The festivities will kick off on October 31st at 7pm, and the parade route runs from Sixth Ave from Canal St to 15th St. Bring your pup to the Tompkins Square Park Dog Parade ----------------------------------------------------- A must for four-legged friends and their human companions, the Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade is arguably more enticing than the Village Halloween Parade. (Dogs in costumes — c’mon!) Although the 2025 details are still TBD, we’ll be sure to fill in you and your furry friend as soon as we learn more. Explore NYC’s best Halloween neighborhoods --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ghosts, and ghouls, and goblins, oh my! Halloween decorations in NYC run the gamut from creepy to kooky and everything in between. While we love a good costume party and can’t resist marching in the Village Halloween Parade , some of the best Halloween events in NYC consist of simply walking down the street. Allow us to be your guide to the boroughs’ best. Grab a scary read from NYC’s first horror bookstore ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If your bookshelf could use a little spooky sprucing, you’re in luck: The Twisted Spine , NYC’s first-ever horror bookshop, has just opened its doors in Williamsburg. The quaint shop is filled with a dark academia vibe, well-stocked black shelves, and cozy leather couches. While you peruse the selections, be sure to indulge in a pastry and coffee, take your buys out to the backyard, and have a look at the upcoming events section for signings, book clubs, and more. 📍 306 Grand St, Brooklyn Have a sleepover at the Museum of Natural History -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- After a five-year hiatus, kiddos can *finally* spend the night at the American Museum of Natural History and live out their *Night at the Museum* dreams IRL. From fossil hunting and trivia, to nightlight tours and late-night snacks, experiencing AMNH after-hours is not something you’d want to miss. The first session kicks off in October. **Check out the full schedule online**. Grab tickets to a Candlelight concert ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A feast for the ears and eyes, Candlelight concerts deliver in spades. String musicians gather in some of NYC’s most stunning locations — including the Gothic Revival St. Ann’s Church in Brooklyn Heights — to play classical renditions of your favorite artists. Tickets are available online. Wander through *The Nightmare Before Christmas* Light Trail ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The New York Botanical Garden is taking a cue from Tim Burton’s book once again and lighting up its bucolic trails in honor of the spooky sensation, *Nightmare Before Christmas*. And honestly, who’s more appropriate for a fall celebration than the Pumpkin King, Jack Skellington ? No one. Wander through 8,300 square feet of Jack’s world via tunnels, light projections, and the Oogie Boogie lair. If we didn’t know any better, we’d say there’s magic in the air! 🗓️ September 25th to November 30th Pay a visit to Blood Manor ---------------------------------------------------------- Consider yourself a horror fan? Then the 10,000 square foot attraction complete with eerie rooms, costumed characters, and twists and turns will be right up your alley...right?! If you’re looking to test your bravery, **snag tickets online**. 🗓️ From October 3rd Marvel at 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins ------------------------------------ If you thought the art of sculpting a jack-o-lantern was easy, wait until you stop by the Hudson Valley. The area’s iconic **Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze** returns for another spectacular season, and the display is considered The Met of pumpkin decor. The sculpted, illuminated creations make for a great fall photo opp. **Learn how to get tickets**. Enjoy waves and waterfalls at this new museum ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- The second location in the US, the **Arte Museum**is a 5,000 square footimmersive experience centered around the theme“Eternal Nature.” For some amazing sights, some zen vibes, and more, check it out! 📍61 Chelsea Piers, New York Track fall foliage throughout NY -------------------------------- NYC is about to undergo a colorful makeover. As the leaves begin to change, make sure to keep an eye on the [I Love NY fall foliage map](https://secretnyc.co/i-love-ny-fall-foliage-report-2025/) to see when your area is in for its peak autumnal goodness. We’ve also rounded up the **best spots throughout NYC** to catch a glimpse of the gorgeous foliage if you fancy an afternoon walk this fall. Stop by a magic show -------------------- If there’s ever a time to indulge in the inexplicable, spooky season would be it. For a few brain-busting, sleight of hand maneuvers from a pro, head over to **Greg Dubin’s Magic at the Clock Shop**— a Carroll Gardens storefront that isn’t exactly what it appears. Once you make your way beyond the “clock shop’s” front door, you’ll enter a small, cozy room with velvet curtains, Persian rugs, quirky artwork, ventriloquist dolls, and plenty of tricks that’ll leave you scratching your head. Make sure to order a cocktail while the show gets underway. 📍 449 Court St Try your hand at pinball ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did you know that pinball in NYC was once *illegal*?! That’s right: the arcade staple was once a no-go, but fortunately for us, that’s no longer the case. At Red Hook’s Pinball Museum , hidden behind the Seaborne bar, you can try your hand at machines that are over 140 years old!. 📍 228 Van Brunt St, Brooklyn Snag free reads from The House of SpeakEasy Bookmobile ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Free books? Say no more. The House of SpeakEasy Bookmobile is making its rounds throughout NYC this fall, and if you happen to be in its general vicinity, you could snag a complimentary new read. **Check out the schedule**. Get tickets to Comic Con ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Now is the time to assume a superhero mindset and **snag NYCC 2025 tickets**— your inner vigilante is calling. From panels and signings to celeb appearances and plenty of merch , the pop culture and cosplay extravaganza offers no shortage of fun moments. This year will be especially fun to horror aficionados with the “Haunted” theme. Find your best costume and head to the Javits Center. 🗓️ October 9th-12th See new Broadway shows debuting this fall --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Midtown marquees will set the Great White Way aglow with names of the new Broadway shows arriving in NYC this fall. From love stories and returning favorites to star-studded productions — move over, *Othello* and *Good Night, And Good Luck* — the 2025 lineup is one for the books. Expect a*Bill & Ted* reunion of sorts with Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter in *Waiting for Godot *, plus *Chess *, the Cold War-era love triangle with Lea Michele at the helm. Oh, and let’s not forget a spooky-season must: the return of ***Beetlejuice***. Visit NYC’s new two-story bathhouse ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Lore**, the 6,200-square-foot wellness experience, acts as a combo of hot and cold therapy with saunas, cold plunges, and other features to help you get your zen on. Plus, unlimited monthly memberships are on tap. 📍 676 Broadway Check out the season’s best concerts ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Laufey , Sabrina Carpenter , and Renée Rapp are all NYC-bound this spooky season. Which concerts are you catching? Stop by one of NYC’s best museums — for free ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Trust us, it’s true: there \is\ such a thing as free museums, NYC. You just have to be privy to each attractions’ perks — and that’s where we come in. Have a look at our list of the **best free museum days**happening throughout the city and mark your calendar accordingly. Get a taste of Miami right in NYC --------------------------------- Miami’s cult-favorite restaurant, **Motek**, has made its way to NYC with $5 happy hour deals and all-day brunch. The Mediterranean hotspot got its reputation for its shakshuka, Middle Eastern dumplings and Turkish lamb kebabs, among other dishes. Plus, **Miami’s beloved Faena Hotel**has also touched down in NYC with close proximity to the Highline, a massive spa, and balcony showers. (Might want to save that for the warm weather, though.) Grab something at NYC’s first-ever all-Indian cocktail bar ---------------------------------------------------------- Butter chicken cocktails? Believe it, folks. INDN just landed in NoMad, and the bar pays homage to our favorite Indian Dishes, except it makes them in drink form. Of course, you’ll be able to grab a bite to eat as well thanks to the Chakhna menu—a style of food traditionally paired with alcohol. 📍30 W 30th St Try all-things pumpkin at Salt & Straw -------------------------------------- Feeling autumnal? Get a taste of fall’s best flavors at **Salt & Straw**, thanks to their new Pumpkin Spiced Waffle Cone and Pumpkin Spiced Brownie Sundae. Co-founder Tyler Malek tells Secret NYC, “We worked with the best spice company in the world, Diaspora Spice Co, to use spices that have more depth and character than the basic stuff you’d get at the grocery store, spiking it with a few unexpected heroes like black pepper and grinding it coarser for a fresher flavor.” Malek continued, “I’m in love with this take on the classic “pumpkin spices” and excited for people to taste our rendition of a more elevated state.” 📍 360 Amsterdam Ave & 540 Hudson St Grab your ice skates ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Although it might be hard to believe, ice skating season is upon us, and the Rink at Rockefeller Center reopens on October 12th. Reservations are officially open, so why not try to snag a spin around the iconic rink before the tourists make their way into town? Source: https://secretnyc.co/things-to-do-in-october-in-nyc-2025/