A Ghoulish Guide to Fall Fun in New York City!
Between horror movie marathons, pumpkin spiced everything and haunt-tacular things to do, what’s not to love about New York City in the fall?!
Aside from a huge list of events and limited time to get around to them all, it’s a recipe for making memories and checking out the greatest of seasonal fun. We’ve personally rounded up some places to go, things to see and wonders to taste if you’re trying to get your frolic on. Here’s our guide to ghoulish fun in the Big Apple right now.
Pick & Paint Pumpkins at Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch
Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch
If you’ve never been before, prepare to have your heart warmed by Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch, a family friendly, family-run business bringing ghostly joy to the Greenwood Park Beer Garden at 555 7th Avenue now through October 31st. Explore a massive selection of pumpkins and fancy gourds of all shapes and sizes perfect for adding a bit of spirit to your desk or kitchen table. From hand painted mini pumpkins to carving kits and tons of Halloween decor, there is something special for everyone.
Tip: Attend the special child-friendly and adult pumpkin painting workshops and make time to experience Instagrammable photo opportunities, hay bales and corn stalks throughout.
Discover Seasonal Vintage Gems at Grand Bazaar NYC
Whether you need to revamp your wardrobe, spruce up your home or find a special something for a loved one that adores the season, Grand Bazaar NYC has everything you need. Located at 100 W 77th Street for more than 40 years, this indoor and outdoor market showcases over 150 curated vendors rain or shine, making it the city’s longest-running and largest market. Every Sunday, the iconic Upper West Side sells everything from vintage fashion, designer bags, antiques, and one-of-a-kind jewelry to artisan home goods, upcycled finds, and other classic treasures.
Tip: Plan to explore the market during one of their upcoming seasonal weekends including the Spooky Spectacular Bazaar on October 25th.
Celebrate Fall with Fornino During the Harvest Festival
Fornino at Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 6
Delight in a wood-fired pie from Fornino while you take in sweeping waterfront views during Brooklyn Bridge Park’s annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 17th from 11 AM to 3 PM at Pier 6. This free and family-friendly celebration will feature a mini pumpkin patch where kids can pick and decorate their own pumpkins, fall-themed arts and crafts activities, face painting, games, live music, a stiltwalker, and educational activities from the park’s horticulture and education teams. Guests can watch professional pumpkin carver Lenny Calvin in action and enter a giveaway for the chance to take home one of his creations. Free coffee and lattes will be available from In The Raw and Brooklyn Roasting Company, while additional refreshments will be available for purchase from Fornino.
Tip: Wear your best Halloween costumes for festive photo opportunities on-site.
Face Thrills & Terror at BloodManor
New York City’s long favored haunted attraction BloodManor is back this season, and brings with them two decades of expertise in delivering spine-chilling scares. Located at 359 Broadway, BloodManor is a Halloween season staple, known for delighting and terrifying millions of visitors over the years. This year promises an unprecedented level of horror with new rooms, eye-catching costumes from Abracadabra, and a terrifyingly talented team of actors, set designers, make-up artists and more!
Tip: If you’re looking for something more immersive, opt in for BloodManor’s Scare Actor Experience, a ticketed option which allows attendees to go behind the scenes in monster make up and a costume to scare guests throughout the night.
Clinton Hall Celebrates Oktoberfest with Themed Bites and Stein-Hoisting
Oktoberfest at Clinton Hall
Clinton Hall is going all out for Oktoberfest this year with festive food and drinks at all of their Manhattan locations, now through October. Visitors can play themed games like Pretzel Toss or Beer Pong with Steins, and witness Clinton Hall's annual Stein-Hoisting Contest which will take place weekly on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays starting at 7 PM with a $50 gift card up for grabs each go around. Expect Oktoberfest-themed music, a rotating fest beer flight for $20 and fun oversized bites like their jumbo pretzels, German Burger served on a pretzel roll, 'wurst' tots, and the Wurstfest Oktoberfest Platter ($35). There will be plenty of photo-worthy moments to capture—from giant pretzels and wurst platters, to stein-hoisting triumphs.
Tip: Guests looking for a challenge can take on Clinton Hall’s Challenge Burger which features a 20 oz signature beef patty, nueske's bacon, yellow and white american cheese and toppings like barbecue chicken tenders, crispy onion rings and CH sauce on a sourdough roll and bed of french fries served with a 16oz Gigawatt beer. Finish it and it’s FREE.
Attend A Spooky Movie Night & Sip Seasonal Cocktails at Foxtail
Get cozy and spooked during Freaky Movie Fridays, a monthlong activation at Foxtail located within Arlo SoHo’s “Living Room” at 231 Hudson Street. The speakeasy atmosphere and themed cocktails and bites will help guests get into the Halloween spirit while enjoying films like Hereditary on October 16th, The Craft on October 23rd, and The Shining on October 30th. This series coincides with the release of Foxtail’s new Fall Espresso Martini Flight featuring a Roasted Pumpkin Spice option topped with a pumpkin cookie.
Tip: Make it a nostalgic dinner and a movie experience by ordering their Spooky Deal which includes a sandwich, chips, and cookie for just $19.
Pumpkin Carving & A Beer Festival in Dumbo at TOMNY
Time Out Market New York located in Brooklyn at 55 Water Street is hosting a lineup of fall festivities on their DUMBO waterfront. Start with the upcoming 5th Annual Fall Beer Festival on Saturday, October 24th, which offers beer lovers an afternoon of live music, a variety of brews to sip and a chance to explore the market’s local eateries while taking in views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge and city skyline. Check out the Halloween Pumpkin Carving Workshop from October 27th to 30th, offering a hands-on experience to make jack-o’-lanterns during a 90-minute workshop. On Halloween morning, families can enjoy a Children’s Halloween Concert featuring Suzi Shelton, presented in partnership with Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW, which takes place on the market’s fifth floor at 10 AM and is suitable for young kids and babies. Later that evening, the Halloween Horror From Above party runs from 9 PM to 2 AM featuring host and media personality Ken Starr (@kenstarrz) (Hot 97 / Revolt TV / Seeing Starz), alongside a special lineup of friends bringing authentic NYC energy all night long.
Tip: There will be a $100 gift card prize for the best costume so prepare to wow judges with your killer look.
Dance the Night Away During Taylorween, An Eras Night Dance Party at Slate
Taylor Swift fans can indulge in an evening of dancing and Swiftie mayhem at Slate (54 West 21st Street) in Chelsea during Taylorween, An Eras Night Dance Party from DJ Ricky and Ricky’s House Presents on Monday, October 26th! This 21+ Halloween celebration invites party-goers to arrive dressed in their favorite Halloween costumes and spend the evening singing along to Taylor Swift’s most popular hits, spanning every era. Taking place from 7:30 PM to 11 PM, Taylorween offers a pop-fueled way to kick off Halloween week with a full night of music, costumes and dancing in the heart of Manhattan.
Tip: Plan to explore the venue’s 16,000 square foot space with mini bowling, arcade games, ping pong, pool, Skee-Ball, social darts, gaming simulators, and Slate's iconic 20-foot slide.
Attend Harry Styles Themed Harryween Parties at Golden Child
Harry Styles super fans can celebrate Halloween with Golden Child, located atop Hotel Park Ave. at 444 Park Ave S on October 30th and 31st. The special themed cocktail menu with showcase three $18 Harry Styles-inspired cocktails including The Golden Styles, a honeybee hive cocktail made with Absolut Elyx Vodka, Beehive Honeydew, wildflowers, Prosecco and lemon; Sunflower, a bright, sunny sipper featuring Great Jones bourbon, apple, lychee, matcha and lemon; and Sign of the Times, a romantic cocktail made with Tom Cat Gin, mango and cardamom. Kick things off on Friday, October 30th, during a Harry-ween Costume Contest, with those dressed as their favorite Harry receiving their first drink on the house, valued up to $22.
Tip: Dress to impress since the best costume will win a free dinner for two at Park Rose, a modern Italian American restaurant at the hotel, valued at up to $150.
Pregame Ahead of the Halloween Action at TOMUS
Get into the Halloween spirit with a fun pre-game at Time Out Market Union Square, located at 124 East 14th Street, from 7 PM to 11 PM on October 31st. Arrive in costume, bring your friends and order cocktails to kick things off before departing right into the heart of the city. It’s the perfect place to launch your arrival to parties or grab a good viewing spot of the NYC Village Halloween Parade.
Tip: Make sure to come hungry since vendors like Kam Rai Thai and BKLYN Wild offer delicious bites to fuel your fun all night long.
