Hey Manhattanites, Greenwich dwellers, and all you NYC thrill-seekers!
By Michela Lucantoni, Cultural Contributor / Editor
Did you grab your usual iced latte this morning? If you did, you definitely noticed that the vibe in the air has totally shifted. There’s that crisp autumn chill that bites right through your coat, the smell of bakery spices around every corner, and best of all, a unreal visual transformation: New York is officially getting all dressed up for Halloween.
The West Village brownstones outdid themselves again this year. Stoops are completely buried under waterfalls of pumpkins of every shape and size, giant skeletons are scaling the balconies, and the cobwebs look so real they’ll make you second-guess knocking on the door. People in fake bloody outfits are already sharing L train cars with suit-and-tie professionals, while costume and makeup shops down in Lower Manhattan have lines wrapping around the block.
But let’s be real: Halloween in New York wouldn't really be Halloween without the main event of the season, the legendary Village Halloween Parade.
What started almost by accident back in 1974—thanks to puppeteer Ralph Lee in his Greenwich Village backyard—went from a small neighborhood kid parade to a full-blown global spectacle with over 50,000 marchers and a million spectators lining 6th Avenue. It’s one of the rare moments of the year where literally anyone, as long as you're in costume, can crash the parade and march right alongside giant puppets, Caribbean drumlines, and brass bands.
Here are the absolute must-do events this month:
The Village Halloween Parade (October 31st): The undisputed GOAT. This year’s theme centers around folklore and creatures of the night—show up in costume on 6th Avenue around 7:00 PM if you want to march!
Halloween Harvest at Coney Island’s Luna Park: For anyone looking for a nostalgic vibe with old-school rides and pumpkins right on the boardwalk.
Crypt Crawl at St. John the Divine Cathedral: If you’re into the spookier, historical side of things, these guided tours through the crypts of the city's largest cathedral will give you genuine chills.
Lace up your comfy sneakers, pull out your wildist costume, and we'll see you out on the streets. Happy Halloween, NYC!
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