Monday

10-20-2025 Vol 2119

Halloween Season in New York City: A Guide to Celebrations in 2025

As the leaves turn and the air gets crisp, Halloween in New York City evolves into an exhilarating season packed with events, celebrations, and unique experiences.

From immersive pop-ups to thrilling nightlife and family-friendly activities, the city transforms into a festive playground that caters to all interests and age groups.

With less than 21 days until the big night, it’s time to plan your spooky itinerary in the vibrant setting of NYC.

### Nightlife Celebration: After Dark Events
For those seeking pulsating nightlife, the city offers numerous Halloween-themed parties and events.

Kicking off the festivities is **Signal** in East Williamsburg, which hosts a 60-hour Halloween marathon running from October 31 to November 3.

Expect a blend of underground energy with artful design during this event, featuring renowned DJs like Devoye, Shyboi, DJ Bone, and Tama Sumo & Lakuti.

**Signal** guarantees an immersive experience with a strict no-photo policy, ensuring a seamless flow in music and atmosphere as the event unfolds from 9 PM on October 31 to 2 AM on November 3.

Meanwhile, **House of Yes** in collaboration with Industry City brings four weekends of electrifying parties, culminating in **The Vampire Ball** on October 31.

This grand finale will showcase seven stages and a Blade-style Blood Rave along with immersive installations.

Next, head over to **Magic Hour Rooftop** in Times Square for a haunted glamour experience featuring skyline views.

On October 31, this rooftop venue requires patrons to don their costumes while enjoying a signature black Moira Rose cocktail and dancing beneath the illuminated Empire State Building.

On October 30, **Nebula NYC** will host a cosmic Halloween Launch Party showcasing massive LED visuals and guest DJs, with tickets available starting at $18.

**Alegria Halloween 2025** promises a two-day party marathon at Palladium Times Square and Harbor NYC, immersing attendees in a medieval fantasy theme from November 1 to 2, with tickets starting at $90.

For a more intimate celebration, **So & So’s Piano Bar** presents **Tansy’s Polite Society: A Haunting Affair** on October 30, combining burlesque, music, and cocktails for an enchanting experience.

### Pop-Ups and Seasonal Specials
As Halloween draws closer, a variety of pop-up events and cocktail specials entice festive spirits.

**Nightmare on 33rd St.** at The Bronze Owl introduces whimsical pumpkin spice RumChata ghost mugs that promise to be an Instagram favorite.

At Limusina, the **Frozen Vampiro** cocktail offers a bold blood-red tequila blend that evokes the essence of Halloween.

For those seeking a hidden gem, **Nothing Really Matters** unveils **Skull Duggery**, a speakeasy where pumpkin-hazelnut cocktails await guests.

Additionally, **Sweet Graffiti** features Halloween Bonbons in various flavors, including Candy Apple and Gingerbread, while **The Mark x BonBon Halloween Cart** offers a luxe trick-or-treating experience complete with a Devil’s Blood Margarita on the Upper East Side.

### Family-Friendly Daytime Activities
Halloween festivities are not just for the night owls; family-friendly events abound in New York City.

On October 25, Grand Central Terminal will host a Halloween Celebration featuring face painting, music, and a costume contest from 11 AM to 3 PM, with free entry but an RSVP required.

The **Brookfield Place Halloween Hunt** offers excitement during a week-long scavenger hunt from October 25 to November 2, allowing kids to engage in challenges that lead to candy and prizes.

For creative fun, the **Sloomoo Institute** invites families to bask in the wonders of Halloween slime during **Sloomooween**, including DIY crafts and glow-in-the-dark slime parties throughout October.

Additionally, **Movies on the Cobbles** in the Meatpacking District will screen **The Rocky Horror Picture Show** on October 20, celebrating its 50th anniversary at 6:30 PM.

**Trick-or-Streets**, NYC’s annual car-free Halloween celebration, returns to transform open streets and plazas into family-friendly zones filled with live music, performances, arts and crafts, and themed activities from October 17 through October 31 across the five boroughs.

### Broadway Highlights and Live Performances
Broadway also embraces the spirit of Halloween, with performances adding an extra layer of excitement.

**Beetlejuice on Broadway** will conduct costume contests, giveaways, and singalongs, providing an interactive theatrical experience for attendees.

Another Halloween treat, **The Rocky Horror Show: Live!**, will take place at **Ellen’s Stardust Diner** with late-night performances on October 31 and November 1.

Additionally, costume aficionados can participate in the **Operation Mincemeat Costume Contest** for a chance to win prizes and dinner for two.

### Costume Parties and Parades
The city boasts a plethora of vibrant costume parties, like those at **The Standard High Line** hosting spooky bingo nights and tarot readings on October 26 and 31.

**Gansevoort Meatpacking** invites guests to the Graveyard Disco costume bash on October 31, while **The Mean Fiddler** offers bottomless brunches with themed cocktails throughout the weekends leading to Halloween.

The highlight of the season, the **Village Halloween Parade**, returns for its 52nd year on October 31, inviting participants in costume to join the procession at 7 PM in the West Village.

Filled with puppets, dancers, and live music, this parade embodies the city’s most spirited Halloween tradition, making it a can’t-miss experience for residents and visitors alike.

As Halloween approaches, New Yorkers and tourists alike have a variety of thrilling options to celebrate the spooky season in style.

image source from:fox5ny

Charlotte Hayes