Tag: Halloween events NYC

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: Fun Things to Do in NYC Today: Friday, October 2nd — Comedy, Dancing, Free Museums & More

Friday is already off to the races in New York, and if you’re still figuring out your plans, good news — the city has done the heavy lifting for you. From a free morning up in the woods to a 10 PM dance party with Kim Petras on the bill, Friday, October 2nd is one of those days where there’s genuinely no excuse to stay home.

The early part of the day is already underway — Forest Fridays got going at 9 AM in Van Cortlandt Park, the Noguchi Museum is running its Free First Friday from 11 AM, and Poster House opened its doors for First Friday at noon. Missed those? Don’t sweat it. The real action is tonight.

Afternoon: take it outside

Central Park hosts We Belong Here at 4 PM — worth the trip even if you just want an hour of fresh air before the evening kicks in. Then head to Bryant Park, which is pulling double duty at 5: Evening Birding if you want something mellow, or the New Games Social if you’d rather meet people and play. Two events, one park, zero effort getting between them.

Evening: dance, laugh, get spooky

Six o’clock is when Friday really ignites, and you’ve got three strong options: FREE Latin dancing at the Bronx Museum (hard to argue with free), the NY Burlesque Festival at 3 Dollar Bill for something with a little edge, or the WHIPPED CREAM rooftop party at Elsewhere. Rooftop season in October is living on borrowed time, so catch this one while you can.

At 7:30, the choice is between The Night Shift Comedy in Industry City and the Spooky Snug Harbor Tour at Snug Harbor — pick the latter if you’re already leaning into Halloween mode. Jurassic Panic takes over Wonderville at 8 PM, and at 10 PM, Kim Petras closes out the night with a Halloween dance party in Brooklyn. Yes, Halloween energy in early October — nobody in New York was going to wait.

However you slice it, today is the kind of Friday that reminds you why you live here. And if tonight’s plans roll straight into tomorrow’s, this weekend’s stacked festival lineup is right behind it. Already thinking spooky season? We’ve got 20 haunted houses in and around the city mapped out, plus the 41st Annual Bronx Halloween Parade coming up on October 24.

Details via @nycfunevents on Instagram. Event info comes from the original post — double-check times with the venue before heading out.

Prince Mario-Max Schaumburg-Lippe: 20 Haunted Houses In and Around NYC to Visit This Spooky Season

Spooky season is officially here, and New York doesn’t do Halloween halfway. From massive professional scare attractions to elaborate home haunts tucked away in quiet neighborhoods, the five boroughs and beyond are stacked with places built to make you scream — the good kind.

Some of these are full walkthroughs with live actors, animatronics and jump scares. Others are residential home haunts that neighbors spend all year perfecting. Either way, here’s where to get your fix this October.

Manhattan: Blood Manor

Blood Manor is the name that comes up every year in conversations about NYC’s scariest walkthroughs, and this season is no different. This Manhattan haunt is one of the city’s best-known professional scare attractions, packed with live actors and detailed sets. If you only brave one haunted house this year, plenty of locals would point you here.

Brooklyn: Ridgewood Asylum

Over in Brooklyn, Ridgewood Asylum delivers the full asylum-horror experience — dark corridors, live performers and the kind of jump scares that stick with you on the subway ride home. It has a loyal following among Brooklyn horror fans who go back year after year.

Queens: A Haunting in Hollis

Queens gets its frights from A Haunting in Hollis, a homegrown haunt that has become a neighborhood staple. It’s the kind of place that reminds you the scariest experiences sometimes live on a regular residential block.

The Bronx: Fright on Flint

The Bronx brings Fright on Flint to the lineup. Home haunts like this one are the heart of NYC Halloween — built by hand, run with love (and a love of scaring people), and every bit as intense as the big-ticket attractions.

Staten Island: Twisted Trails

Staten Island’s Twisted Trails takes the scares outdoors, where the darkness does half the work. Add in the borough’s legendary home haunts — Staten Island has some of the most over-the-top residential displays in the city — and you’ve got a full night of frights on one island.

Long Island: Bayville Scream Park

Just past the city line, Bayville Scream Park goes big: a full scream park experience with multiple attractions, live actors and the works. It’s worth the trip if you want a whole evening built around getting scared.

New Jersey: Brighton Asylum

Across the Hudson, Brighton Asylum rounds out the list for anyone willing to cross state lines for their frights. New Jersey’s haunt scene punches well above its weight, and this one is a favorite.

Don’t Sleep on the Home Haunts

Beyond the big names, there are wild home haunts scattered across Staten Island, Queens and Long Island — elaborate residential setups that rival professional productions. Part of the fun is discovering them: follow local haunt maps and community pages, and plan a drive-by night to see how far your neighbors are willing to go.

Whether you’re into professional scare mazes or grassroots garage haunts, this is the month to get out there. Bring a friend — you’ll want someone to grab onto. And if you’re planning a full fall itinerary, save the dates for NYC’s 2026 holiday tree and lights celebrations coming right after spooky season, or check what else is happening around the city this week.