Halloween 2016 in NYC: The Ultimate Guide

NEW YORK, NY — It's hard to believe it's already upon us. But sure enough, here it comes, less than two weeks from fruition, the best holiday of them all: Halloweeeeen! And no one does the creepiest, crawliest, freakiest, deakiest day of the year better than New York City. (Take THAT, Tacoma!)

Because all this eventfulness can be a tad overwhelming, Patch has compiled an ultra-comprehensive — dare we say epic — one-stop compendium of all the top haunted houses, tours, raves, parties, parades, kid-friendly events and other ghoulish delights the city has to offer for Halloween this year. (Return to this post periodically; we'll be adding more events to the list as they surface!)

Meanwhile, RSVP lists are filling up fast, so make your plans now, people — and leave yourself plenty of time to glue the fun-fur on your Overwatch costume, natch.

PARADES

10/22 TOMPKINS SQUARE HALLOWEEN DOG PARADE

CNN calls it "the largest dog costume parade in the world. Bring your pooch and compete for prizes! When: Saturday, 10/22, Noon to 3.m. Where: Tomkins Square Park, East Village [map]. How much: $5 (suggested donation).

10/23 BLEECKER PLAYGROUND CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL

Lots of kid-friendly entertainment at this one, with a puppet show and magician and a fun "Thriller"-theme dance, but the star attraction is the kids costume parade. Come to watch or march! When: Saturday, 10/23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (parade participants line up at 9:45 a.m. sharp). Where: Bleecker Playground [map]; Parade begins at the adjacent Abingdon Square. How much: FREE (donations accepted to benefit the Friends of the Bleecker Playground).

10/29 CONEY ISLAND CHILDREN'S HALLOWEEN PARADE

For the 7th year in a row, kids in costumes take over the Coney Island Boardwalk for Halloween! Live entertainment, giveaways, goodie bags, and trick-or-treating! Plus, the first 1,500 registrants receive a free two-hour entry to Luna Park. When: Saturday, 10/29, at 10 a.m. Where: Riegelmann Boardwalk, Coney Island [map]. When: Saturday, 10/29, at 10 a.m. (Costume competition takes place at noon.) How much: FREE!

10/30 CENTRAL PARK HALLOWEEN PARADE AND PUMPKIN FLOTILLA

A costume parade, face-painting, pumpkin-carving demonstrations and a live bat presentation (!) bring Halloween to Central Park. It all finishes at twilight with the signature Pumpkin Flotilla. When: Sunday, 10/30, 3:30 to 7 p.m. Where: Charles A. Dana Discovery Center, Central Park [map]. How much: FREE!

10/31 VILLAGE HALLOWEEN PARADE

The grandaddy of them all! Since 1973, the best place to experience the insanity of Halloween in NYC. When: Monday, 10/31, 7 to 11 p.m. (Show up before 9 p.m. to march.) Where: Sixth Avenue, Greenwich Village (meet at Canal and Sixth Ave. [map] to participate). How much: Free to march, free to watch.

10/31 HALLOWEEN 313/CLINTON HILL HALLOWEEN WALK

A neighborhood tradition for 23 years, the Halloween 313 is less parade and more pageant - a 30-minute live show that runs repeatedly throughout the evening - coinciding with an organized trick-or-treat walk through Clinton Hill. When: Monday, 10/31, 5 to 9 p.m. Where: 313 Clinton Avenue (NOT Clinton STREET), Clinton Hill, Brooklyn [map]. How much: FREE!

HAUNTED HOUSES AND TOURS

NOW THRU 10/31 BLOOD MANOR

NYC's premier haunted house returns! When: Now through Halloween night, various times (closed Mondays except 10/31). Where: 163 Varick Street, SoHo [map]. How much: $35 to $45 (VIP passes allow you to avoid the line).

10/21-10/31 HAUNTED HAYRIDE ON RANDALL'S ISLAND

Three "zones" of outdoor frightfest include the iconic tractor-driven Haunted Hayride, a pitch-black maze filled with ghouls, and a Theater Macabre, in which actors portray legendary scenes from horror films with audience members as the victims! When: Thursday through Sunday and Monday, 10/31, 7 to 11 p.m. Where: 20 Randall's Island Park [map]. How much: $32 and up.

10/21-10/31 GRAVESEND INN HAUNTED HOTEL

The high-tech Gravesend Haunted Hotel is back for its 17th year on the campus of the New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn. When: Thursday through Saturday, 10/21 through 10/29, and Monday 10/31, until 9 p.m. Where: Voorhees Hall, 186 Jay Street, on the City Tech campus [map]. How much: $10 ($5 for students).

10/27-10/31 CANDELIGHT GHOST TOURS OF MERCHANT'S HOUSE

Eight family members died in "Manhattan's most haunted house." Hear the creepy tales of unexplained phenomena with only the light of a candle as protection from the horror! Tours are about 50 minutes long. When: Friday and Saturday, 10/21-22; Thursday through Sunday, 10/27-31; 6:30 through 9:30 p.m. Where: Merchant's House Museum, 29 East 4th Street, East Village [map]. How much: $25 to $35.

10/28-10/29 CATHEDRAL CRYPT CRAWL AND HALLOWEEN EXTRAVAGANZA

Now for something a little different. Tour the cathedral crypt of St. John the Divine or see a screening of The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) with live organ accompaniment! When: Friday, 10/28, and Saturday, 10/29, at various times. Where: The Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Upper West Side [map]. How much: $20 to $25.

10/28-10/29 HAUNTED LANTERN TOUR OF FORT TOTTEN

Follow the Fort Totten Park rangers on a tour of the historic Water Battery with a spooky Halloween flavor. When: Friday, 10/28, and Saturday, 10/29, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Where: Fort Totten Park, Bayside, Queens [map]. How much: FREE.

PARTIES

10/21 I FEEL: THE GILDED CAGE

Get your Halloween off to a bang with this all-night costume rave, featuring deep-house sounds and a community of like-minded artists ready for a little Halloween escapism. When: Friday, Oct. 21, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Where: Brooklyn. (Location provided to ticket purchases only.) How Much: $30 and up.

10/21, 10/22, 10/28, 10/29

'STRANGER THINGS' THEME PARTIES

The Netflix hit Stranger Things is taking over the season with, yes, THREE separate theme-costume parties. So here's your chance to do a little cosplay as your favorite character from the Upside Down.

Stranger Things at Lot 45: When: Friday, 10/21, Saturday, 10/22, and Sunday, 10/23, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Where: Bushwick, Brooklyn [map]. How much: $20 to $60.

Stranger Things With Candy: When: Friday, 10/28, 10:30 p.m. Where: Littlefield Performance + Art Space, Gowanus, Brooklyn [map]. How much: $5 to $8.

Stranger Things Masquarade Macabre: When: Saturday, 10/29, at 9pm.Where: Gemini and Scorpio (private events space in Gowanus; contact the venue for location). How much: tickets $20 to $30.

10/28 CROSSROADS: A HAUNTED MASQUERADE

A very cool concept: A masquerade ball with a built-in choose-your-own adventure. Live musical acts guide you through. Spend extra for a costumed pre-game in Brooklyn and spooky bus ride to the venue. When: Friday, 10/28, 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. Where: Paper Factory Hotel, Long Island City, Queens [map]. How much: $40 and up.

10/28 WORLD'S END

A fully immersive, costumes-mandatory rave experience with the theme of society's downfall and post-apocalypic resurrection! Presented by Babel and House of Yes. What's not to love? When: Friday, 10/28, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Where: Some secret location in Bushwick to be announced when you purchase your tickets. How much: $85 and up.

10/28-10/31 SLEEP-IN CINEMA

Watch Halloween-themed and horror movies in bed next to other folks, also in beds! Tickets include a bed for at least two people and a snack package. When: Friday, 10/28, through Monday, 10/31, with screenings throughout the day and evening. Where: The Standard High Line Hotel, Meatpacking District [map]. How much: Reserve a bed for $70 and up.

10/28-10/29 AND 10/31 INFERNO AT THE MCKITTRICK HOTEL

Dance the night away in the home of the immersive theatrical experience Sleep No More. Come dressed as your "sponsor monster" and enjoy live performance and an open bar all night long. Several levels of ticket offer extra goodies. When: Friday and Saturday, 10/28-10/29, and Monday, 10/31, midnight until late (earlier check-in available for additional cost). Where: The McKittrick Hotel, 530 West 27th Street, West Chelsea [map]. How much: $100 to $700.

10/29 BANG ON! WAREHOUSE PARTY

Party 'til the break of dawn with two stages of live turntables, costumes, a zip-line and other Halloween craziness in a new top-secret warehouse location with 30-foot ceilings. When: Saturday, 10/29, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.Where: Near Wyckoff and Dekalb, Bushwick [map]. How much: $50 to $130.

10/29 "GAME OF THRONES" COSTUME PARTY

Get your Halloween on the Westeros way at this rooftop theme party at Haven, atop the Sanctuary Hotel. Come dressed as your favorite Targaryen! When: Saturday, 10/29, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Where: Sanctuary Hotel, Midtown [map]. How much: $20.

10/29 PHANTASMAGOREY - THE HAUNTED BALLROOM

The Grand Prospect Hall, with its soaring 45-foot ceilings, is transformed into a spooky bacchanalia of yesteryear. Dance, mingle, and even imbibe a little absinthe with "spirits from the 18th, 19th, and 20th Centuries." When: Saturday, 10/29, 10 p.m. Where: Grand Prospect Hall, Park Slope, Brooklyn [map]. How much: $59 and up.

10/29 PEX HALLOWEEN BALL

Calling all Philly/Jersey crazies! (Or NYers looking to get out of town)! Party on a Battleship at the 11th Annual PEX Halloween Ball presented by Philadelphia Experiment, featuring more than twenty live acts and 120-ton guns pointed at Philly, just in case! When: Saturday, 10/29, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. Where: Battleship New Jersey, Camden, NJ [map] (across the river from Philly). How much: $50.

10/31 OFFICIAL HALLOWEEN PARADE AFTERPARTY

After you've spooked the heck out of all those parade-watchers (or been spooked by the parade-marchers!), head on over to Webster Hall for hours of Halloween debauchery. When: Monday, 10/31, 8 p.m. Where: Webster Hall, 11th Street in the East Village [map]. How much: $50 and up.

10/31 THE SALON: HALLOWEEN STOMP

The fourth annual hot jazz 'n' swing Halloween party features three floors of live music, burlesque, and go-go. Dance, drink, eat, party. Come in costume or else! When: Monday, 10/31, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Where: The DL, 95 Delancy Street, Lower East Side [map]. How much: $18-$30.

FOR THE KIDS

NOW THROUGH 10/30 HALLOWEEN HARVEST AT LUNA PARK

Luna Park kicks it up a notch for the holiday with themed karaoke, creepy crafts, a kids dance party, spooky storytelling, and tons of other family-friendly entertainment. When: Weekends from Noon to 6 p.m. Where: Luna Park, Coney Island [map]. How much: Standard park entrance fees are in effect, $20 and up.

NOW THROUGH 10/30 PUMPKIN PICKING AT DECKER FARM

Visit the historic 1800s Decker Farm - tour the farmhouse, take a hayride, and wander the corn stalk maze. And take home a pumpkin! When: Weekends 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Decker Farm at Historic Richmond Town, Staten Island [map]. How much: $6 each ($20 for a family of four).

NOW THROUGH 10/30 BOO AT THE ZOO

The Bronx Zoo gets in the Halloween spirit with all sorts of fun activities, including pumpkin carving, magic shows, a hay maze, and a parade of illuminated jack-o-lanterns. When: Weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Where: The Bronx Zoo [map]. How much: $33.95 (adults), $28.95 (seniors), $23.95 (kids).

NOW THROUGH 10/31 HANSEL AND GRETEL'S HALLOWEEN ADVENTURE

The Swedish Cottage in Central Park is always a crowd favorite among the under-8 set. This season, don't miss a special holiday show following our favorite brother-and-sister team on a Halloween-themed string of misadventures! When: Seven days a week in the morning and early afternoon, see website for complete list of showtimes. Where: Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre, Central Park [map]. How much: $10 (adults) and $7 (kids).

10/21-10/29 SCARECROW NIGHTS AT THE NY BOTANICAL GARDEN

Explore the Garden by flashlight for a creepy experience for kids of all ages. Scarecrows, of both the friendly and scary variety, await you around every bend! When: Friday and Saturday, 10/21-22, and Friday and Saturday 10/28-29, two timed entries at 6:30 and 7:15 p.m. Where: New York Botanical Garden [map]. How much: $20 ($15 for members).

10/22-10/23 ENCHANTED WAVE HILL WEEKEND

Visit the beautiful Wave Hill Public Gardens in the Bronx for a weekend of magical stories, live music, and especially seminars on how to tiny woodland dwellings for fairies and your very own magic wand! When: Saturday, 10/22, and Sunday, 10/23, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Where: Wave Hill Public Gardens [map]. How much: $8 adults, $4 students and seniors, $2 kids.

10/29 HAUNTED WALK + FAIR IN PROSPECT PARK

Tons of family fun, with a haunted walk, scary storytelling ($3 suggested donation), spooky carousel rides ($2 each), and a re-investigation of the creepy critters in the zoo. When: Saturday (10/29), Noon to 5 p.m. Where: In various locations within Prospect Park, Brooklyn [map]. How much: Mostly free, except as noted.

10/29 HALLOWEEN HARVEST AT SOCRATES SCULPTURE GARDEN

Pitch in on a collaborative sculpture. Get your face painted. Hear a spooky story. Compete in a costume competition, for humans and canines. Halloween fun for all, animals included: There is a "harvest animal blessing" from Urban Shaman Mama Donna at 2pm. When: Saturday, 10/29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Socrates Sculpture Garden, Astoria, Queens [map]. How much: FREE.

10/29 FORT TOTTEN HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL

Family-oriented Halloween fun includes games, inflatable rides, crafts, a costume contest, hay rides, a pumpkin patch, and goodie bags. When: Saturday, 10/29, Noon to 3 p.m. Where: Fort Totten Park, Bayside, Queens [map]. Cost: FREE.

Check back here with us periodically; we'll be adding more events to this list as they surface!

And always make sure to submit your event to arts@patch.com to be considered for our weekly events roundups.