Halloween in New York City is more than just one night. Throughout October, families can celebrate with costume parades, pumpkin patches, trick-or-treating, and festive activities across the five boroughs.
With Halloween falling on a Saturday in 2026, there's even more reason to make a weekend of it. From hands-on crafts 70 floors above Manhattan at Top of the Rock to Boo at the Zoo and the Park Slope Halloween Parade, here are five family-friendly Halloween events to add to your calendar.
1. Boo at the Zoo at the Bronx Zoo
Saturdays and Sundays through November 1
Celebrate Halloween with a wild twist at the Bronx Zoo's annual Boo at the Zoo. This family-friendly fall tradition features costume parades, dance parties, magic shows, and seasonal activities for children of all ages.
Kids can follow the candy trail, enjoy free face painting, and watch expert carvers transform giant pumpkins into elaborate creations. New for 2026, families can also explore a hay maze and challenge trail, play carnival-style games, and learn more about wildlife during special animal chats.
Most activities run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with the candy trail open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., while supplies last. Boo at the Zoo is included with Bronx Zoo admission and is free for members.
2. Fall for the City at Rockefeller Center
Sundays, October 11, 18, and 25, and Saturday, October 31
Celebrate the fall season high above Manhattan with Fall for the City at Top of the Rock. Kids ages 5–12 can take part in festive, hands-on workshops featuring pumpkin decorating, slime cauldron making, candy apple decorating, and more. Each 45-minute activity includes admission to all three floors of the Top of the Rock Observation Deck.
On Halloween, Saturday, October 31, kids can decorate their own trick-or-treat bags while dressed in their favorite costumes, making for a memorable holiday celebration 70 floors above the city.
There's more fall fun throughout Rockefeller Center. Every Saturday in October, Rockefeller Center and Art Production Fund present Art Sundae, a free art-making workshop where children can paint colorful planters inspired by artist Kenny Scharf. Workshops take place from 10 a.m. to noon on the Plaza, and advance registration is required.
Families visiting Top of the Rock can also enjoy free face painting for kids every Saturday and Sunday in October from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with extended hours until 4 p.m. on Halloween. Face painting is complimentary with Observation Deck admission.
3. Día de los Muertos at the New York Botanical Garden
Through November 2
Celebrate the traditions of Día de los Muertos at the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx. This colorful celebration honors loved ones through art, music, flowers, and cultural activities for the whole family.
Throughout October, visitors can explore vibrant marigold displays, a larger-than-life Catrina sculpture, and a community ofrenda where guests can leave photographs or written memories of loved ones. Weekend programming includes live music and hands-on workshops inspired by traditional Mexican crafts, including papel picado and silk flowers.
The celebration continues into November with giant puppets, dance performances, and a Día de los Muertos Parade on Sunday, November 1, at 2 p.m.
Programming is included with the All-Garden Pass.
4. Halloween on the Farm at Queens County Farm Museum
October 31, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
For a Halloween celebration with a countryside feel, head to Queens County Farm Museum in Floral Park.
The 47-acre historic farm hosts its annual Halloween on the Farm event, featuring trick-or-treating at nine candy stations, festive hayrides, and the three-acre Amazing Maize Maze.
Families can also explore the pumpkin patch, enjoy seasonal treats like cider donuts and pies, visit farm animals, and shop a Halloween craft market. With activities for kids and adults alike, it's an opportunity to enjoy classic fall traditions without leaving New York City.
The event runs rain or shine, and tickets are required. Free on-site parking is available.
5. Park Slope Halloween Parade
October 31, 6:30 p.m.
Grab your costumes and head to Brooklyn for the annual Park Slope Halloween Parade, a neighborhood tradition since 1986.
Organized by the Park Slope Civic Council, the family-friendly parade features costumed children, parents, and festive entertainment making their way through the neighborhood.
The parade begins at Seventh Avenue and 14th Street at 6:30 p.m., traveling north to Third Street before ending at the Old Stone House in Washington Park. Families planning to march should arrive by 6 p.m. to line up.
Make an evening of it by exploring the neighborhood's Halloween decorations and trick-or-treating before the parade. Participation is free.
What to Know Before You Go
- Halloween is a Saturday. The Park Slope Halloween Parade and Halloween on the Farm both land on October 31, so pick one anchor for the day and build around it.
- Book ahead where it's required. Halloween on the Farm requires a ticket to enter the grounds on event day. The Bronx Zoo requires advance tickets for Boo at the Zoo, which is included with admission and free for members.
- Arrive early for the parade. Families start lining up around 6 p.m. Candy along Seventh and Fifth Avenues is best in the late afternoon, before the crowds build.
- Check costume rules. Some venues set their own costume guidelines, so check before you go. Costumes that limit vision or movement are best saved for photos and costume parties.
- Watch the weather. The Queens farm event runs rain or shine. At the New York Botanical Garden, the November 1 parade procession is canceled in bad weather, though other activities continue.
- Getting there. For Halloween service and route changes, check the MTA's trip planner before you head out.
FAQs
What are the best Halloween activities in NYC for toddlers?
Boo at the Zoo is the best fit for toddlers. The Bronx Zoo designs it for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-age kids, and everything happens in daylight, from the parades to the candy trail. For an evening outing that still works for little ones, the Park Slope Halloween Parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. and moves at a neighborhood pace, with candy from shops along Seventh Avenue beforehand.
Can we do more than one event on Halloween?
It's possible, but it's a stretch: Halloween on the Farm wraps up at 5 p.m., and the Brooklyn parade steps off at 6:30 p.m., with most of the city between them. Most families are better off picking one and making a full day of it. Older kids and teens who want a later night can head to the Village Halloween Parade, which kicks off at 7 p.m. on Sixth Avenue in Greenwich Village; only people in costume can march.
Are there free Halloween events in NYC?
Yes. The Park Slope Halloween Parade is free to attend, while Rockefeller Center offers free Art Sundae workshops on Saturdays in October. Advance registration is required for Art Sundae. Other seasonal activities may be included with regular venue admission.
Is Día de los Muertos the same as Halloween?
No. Día de los Muertos is a Mexican tradition that honors loved ones who have died, and it's celebrated on November 1 and 2. At the New York Botanical Garden, the focus is on marigolds, music, and a community ofrenda rather than costumes and candy, which makes it a thoughtful way to close out the Halloween season.
What are some Halloween activities for kids who don't like scary experiences?
New York City offers plenty of Halloween fun without the frights. Boo at the Zoo features costume parades, crafts, and animal encounters, while Fall for the City at Top of the Rock offers hands-on seasonal activities. The New York Botanical Garden's Día de los Muertos celebration is another option for families looking for a cultural experience.
Where can families find pumpkin patches, hayrides, and corn mazes in NYC?
Yes, at Queens County Farm Museum in Floral Park. The Amazing Maize Maze is New York City's only corn maze, open on weekends through November 1, and Halloween on the Farm adds a pumpkin patch and nine candy stations.
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