Village Halloween Parade. Photo credit: Joe Mazzola via Flickr.
If you’re in New York City during the last week of October, get to a costume shop (or thrift store) and start scouting out the festivities near your neighborhood—there’s always fun to be had in NYC, but on Halloween, you get to dress up while having it!
One of the Big Apple’s biggest draws on Halloween is the Village Halloween Parade, when dozens of musical groups, dancers, puppets, and artists (not to mention hordes of costumed fans) come together to enjoy the celebration. The event is in its 39th year and will take place on Oct. 31 with the theme ‘Tick! Tock!’ The parade starts at 7pm; you can watch from 6th Avenue (from Spring Street to 16th Street).
Killers: A Nightmare Haunted House is not for the faint-hearted! The Zodiac Killer, Ted Bundy, Albert Fish, and other psychopaths await those willing to take on the labyrinth. The event goes from Sept. 28 to Nov. 3 and is located between Rivington and Delancey on Suffolk Street. Kids under 10 are not allowed, and kids under 15 are strongly cautioned and not permitted inside without a guardian. It takes just under a half an hour to go through; expect lots of uneven footing and interactive scares.
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine will have its annual Halloween Extravaganza and Procession of the Ghouls (following a screening of Nosferatu with organ accompaniment); tickets are $20.
Watson Adventures hosts scavenger hunts for both adults and kids; the Ghosts of Greenwich Village hunt guarantees a pretty good time—and a nice change of pace from the typical Halloween parties.
Bars and clubs will most likely have their own versions of celebratory fun, and (hopefully) drink specials to go along. As in any big city, keep track of your belongings and be aware of your surroundings—especially if you’re in costume and get separated from your group; it’s easy to get disoriented on holidays where millions of people are running around with you!
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October 3, 2012 by Natalie Grant
Festivals & Events, Local Recommendations, Things To Do