When many of us were little, Halloween meant wearing a sheet out of which your mom had hastily cut eyeholes, or perhaps that long black cloak that someone—no one really knows who—bought one year and could interchangeably be a witch or Darth Vader. But not anymore. Halloween is huge, especially in New York. But if you're wondering how Halloween may have changed this year, you're not alone. We've got the lowdown on virtual events and phu [caption id="attachment_2799" align="alignnone" width="700"]
Get your spooky on with eerie pumpkins this Halloween.[/caption] Village Halloween Parade The Village Halloween Parade is the main attraction in New York—On Halloween itself, literally thousands of New Yorkers will dress up, let loose, and carry on—all while dressed as...well, just about everything. The parade starts at 7 PM on Sixth Avenue between Canal and Spring Streets, and marches uptown. This year’s Grand Marshall: Zohra, the giant spider. (You’ll just have to see it in person.) Pumpkin Flotilla If you prefer Halloween to come with a side of pumpkins, check out the Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla in the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center in Central Park. On Oct. 30 from 4-7 PM, families (really, everyone) can enjoy pumpkin carving, crafts, a costume parade, spooky stories, and more. The main event? The Pumpkin flotilla, which is exactly what it sounds like: Pumpkins are set free to float across the Harlem Meer at twilight. (Best part: it’s free, and tickets aren’t required.) [caption id="attachment_2794" align="alignnone" width="700"]
Pick a pumpkin in a pumpkin patch![/caption] Latin Halloween Party Halloween comes with a Latin twist at the Latin Halloween Party NYC Skyline on Infinity on Oct. 31. Latin music, DJs, costumes, performers, dance floors, and many bars are the draw here. The Cauldron Nothing says Halloween like a bar that offers "an immersive potions experience”; Harry Potter and Halloween vibes are both on display here. Partake of the molecular cocktail bar and gastropub, or buy a ticket for Potions Class. (You get to use a magic wand!) Either way, you can have your Halloween and drink it too. [caption id="attachment_2828" align="alignnone" width="700"]
Bottoms up at bars around the city this Halloween![/caption] The Great Pumpkin Blaze Though it’s not in the city itself (it’s in Croton-on-Harmon), this one is worth the trip. Why? Well, is it worth it to see 7,000 (yes, you read that correctly) carved glowing pumpkins? (The answer is yes, it most definitely is.) You’ll also find the Pumpkin Planetarium and an appearance by Sleepy Hollow’s own Headless Horseman. Something for everyone! Boo at the Zoo Where can you go to experience bands, beer, and a bird meet and greet? Plus magic shows, a corn maze, and a costume parade? Why, it’s Boo at the (Bronx) Zoo, of course! For a walk on the spookier side, mind reading, a skeleton and bones activity, and even an extinct animal graveyard also make an appearance. Weekends through Nov. 3. [caption id="attachment_2797" align="alignnone" width="700"]
Zoos are just one of the places that pull out the stops for Halloween[/caption] Blood Manor We like an event that tells it like it is. If you love being scared, Blood Manor is out to do its very best to scare the living daylights out of you. It’s got 10,000 square feet of freaky corridors, endless passageways, and things that go bump in the night. This one is not for the faint of heart; it’s designed to “maximize your fear,” so if that’s your cup, of, um blood, may the ghouls be with you. [caption id="attachment_2827" align="alignnone" width="700"]
Halloween vibes are everywhere![/caption] Looking for more fun activities in New York? Check out our tips for great fall activities in New York!
