The annual Village Halloween Parade will take place on Halloween itself, but you can start celebrating the Halloween season at a multitude of events earlier in October. Here are some spooky events for people of all ages that are happening across the five boroughs.
The Bronx
Bronx Zoo’s Annual Boo at the Zoo
Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29
The zoo’s event will feature a costume parade that will also feature stilt walkers and Halloween-themed puppets; pumpkin-carving experts showing off their skills; a magician doing hourly shows; and a place to make crafts. Visitors will also have access to view the animals and exhibits.
Tickets are required. Parking may be limited on weekends.
New York Botanical Garden Fall-O-Ween
Saturdays & Sundays through Nov. 12
Fall-O-Ween offers special weekends of pumpkin parades, pumpkin carving, a display of giant pumpkins and a chance for children to dress in their best Halloween costumes. The event will allow visitors to enjoy the grounds as fall takes over the garden.
Tickets are required. Parking is available at a cost.
Brooklyn
Halloween at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The “costumed fun” at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum’s Halloween-themed event includes trick-or-treating around the museum exhibits, a performance of “The Smack-Dab in the Middle of the Day Show” and a free screening of Muppets Haunted Mansion.
Tickets are required.
Saturdays & Sundays through Oct. 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The New York Aquarium’s “Ascarium” is “spooktacular seaside fun” for families. The event combines marine life and Halloween through Wildlife Theater shows, games, magic shows and crafts. The event is included with admission to the aquarium.
Tickets are required. Parking is limited.
Manhattan
Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade
Saturday, Oct. 21 at 12:30 p.m.
The 33rd annual dog parade is back after temporarily being canceled last month. The parade will take place on Avenue B from East 6th Street to East 14th Street. The parade is open to all. An exclusive costume competition will be held inside of the park.
Free. Wristband required for costume competition.
Halloween Teen Night at the Whitney Museum
Friday, Oct. 27 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Teens can enjoy a night at the Whitney Museum that includes artist-led workshops, spooky photo booths, snacks, music and more. The event listing suggest that teens learn more about the #IAmNotACostume campaign to make sure they wear costumes that are respectful and do not perpetuate harmful stereotypes
Free for teens. Registration is required.
Saturday, October 28th and Sunday, October 29th
A two-day Halloween celebration will transform Gracie Mansion into a haunted experience featuring costumed characters, the opportunity for trick-or-treating, a haunted cemetery and a corn maze. The event will be open to all families, as well as 300 families from the city’s Department of Homeless Services shelter systems and asylum-seeking families.
Free. Reservation is required. Tickets distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Queens
Sunday, October 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Queens County Farm Museum invites families to enjoy a three-acre cornfield puzzle, hayrides, a pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating, a donut shop and cider booth, and more.
Tickets are required. Parking available.
Jackson Heights Halloween Parade
Tuesday, Oct. 31 from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.
The annual Halloween Parade in Jackson Heights welcomes adults, kids and pets to dress up in their costumes and take part. The route runs along 37th Avenue from 89th Street to 76th Street.
Free.
Staten Island
Staten Island Zoo Spooktacular
Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The Spooktacular event at the Staten Island Zoo will feature scare zones, costumed characters, photo ops, a pumpkin patch and more for families. The ticketed event gives families access to the zoo grounds.
Tickets are required. Children ages 2 and under can attend for free but must be registered.
Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Michael Pelczar, a local historian and the founder of Spooky Staten Island, hosts a series of nighttime walking tours on Snug Harbor’s haunted history. An extended version of the tour is available on Halloween, with the same start times.
Tickets are required.