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42 Kid-Friendly Halloween Events for Your Family To Enjoy

By DNAinfo Staff | August 16, 2016 9:54am | Updated on October 31, 2016 10:22am

 Kids can trick-or-treat, show off their costumes, or go on haunted tours all across New York City this Halloween.
Kids can trick-or-treat, show off their costumes, or go on haunted tours all across New York City this Halloween.
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Jack-o-Lanterns and costumed kiddies and candy, oh my! 

This year New York City kids have plenty of chances to show off their costumes. From cute to spooky, here are the best Halloween celebrations of 2016.

Jump to listings in ► Manhattan  Queens ► Brooklyn  The Bronx ► Staten Island

MANHATTAN

Mini Pumpkin Carving

When: Saturday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: TurnStyle, enter at 57th or 58th Street and Eighth Avenue, Columbus Circle

Kids can paint their own mini pumpkin with the help of Posies Bouquet bar at TurnStyle, the new shopping hub connected to the Columbus Circle train station. The event is free but an RSVP is advised as space is limited.

Live Pumpkin Carving

When: Saturday, Oct. 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  
Where: TurnStyle, enter at West 57th or 58th streets and Eighth Avenue, Columbus Circle

Take your pumpkin carving game up a notch with a live pumpkin carving demonstration from Brooklyn's Maniac Pumpkin Carvers, who won the Food Network’s "Halloween Wars".

► Halloween Murder Mystery

When: Friday, Oct. 21, Saturday, Oct. 22 and Friday, Oct. 28 at 6:15 and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden, 421 E. 61st St., Upper East Side

Solve the mystery of an unidentified skeleton that's been discovered at the Mount Vernon Hotel. Explore the museum by candlelight and collect clues to solve the case based on a historic newspaper account. This event costs $25 for adults and $15 for children under 12 and museum members. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 212-838-6878. 

Doughnut Decorating Class 

When: Saturday, Oct. 22, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: TurnStyle, enter at 57th or 58th Street and Eighth Avenue, Columbus Circle

Doughnuttery is hosting a doughnut decorating class or kids. Participants can create custom spooky flavors and take home their treats. The class is geared towards kids ages 4 to 7 years old. RSVP early as the event is capped at 12 children. 

Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade

When: Saturday, Oct. 22, 12 to 3 p.m.
Where: Tompkins Square Park, East Village

Dress your dog up in their Halloween best for the 26th annual Tompkins Square Dog Parade. The runway competition to crown best in show will start at noon. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door.

Asphalt Screams

When: Friday, Oct. 28, 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Asphalt Green at 555 E. 90th St. on the Upper East Side, and at 212 North End Ave. in Battery Park City

Come dressed in your best Halloween costume for tricks, treats and Halloween games, including sports, like a "Spooktacular Soccer Shootout." The first 500 kids at each campus will get a goody bag. Entry is free but any donations will support Asphalt Green's free community programs. RSVP online.

► Spooky Halloween Party at Gracie Mansion

When: Friday, Oct. 28, 5 to 7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 29, 2 to 3 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 30, noon to 3 p.m.
Where: Gracie Mansion and 88th Street and East End Avenue, Yorkville

Take a Halloween party tour through Gracie Mansion, enjoy activities on the front lawn, including face painting, story-telling, a magic show, and arts and crafts. Guests are asked to bring a non-perishable food item for the Halloween Food Drive. Families can enter to win four tickets to the event. 

Haunted High Line Halloween

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: On the High Line between 14th and 16th streets, Chelsea

From story time to dancing, there's plenty to do at this ghost-filled Halloween event. Kids can get their faces painted, play in an old-time photo booth, go on a scavenger hunt, and more. Be sure to wander from area to area to learn about the High Line's history. Enter at 14th Street at 10th Avenue.

Trick or Treat Tea at The Plaza

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, through Monday, Oct. 31, noon to 5 p.m.
Where: The Palm Court at The Plaza, Midtown

Treat yourself and your family to a Halloween-themed Eloise "Trick or Treat Tea" featuring fall streets like pumpkin spice cotton candy, black and white Oreo cream-filled macarons, and pumpkin and gingerbread meringue tarts with the Eloise tea fare. Children will take a trip to the "Trick or Treat Candy Cart" during tea to gather their own bags of handmade candies. $65 per person.

Roosevelt Island's Halloween Parade & Extravaganza

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, from noon to 3 p.m.
Where: The Blackwell House, 500 Main St. (645 Main St. is the rain location)

Enjoy Halloween-themed games, rides, treats and live music at Roosevelt Island's free parade event.

Hamilton Heights' 1st Annual Pet Costume Parade

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Convent Garden located at 152nd Street and St. Nicholas Avenue., Harlem

Dress your pooch, feline, bird or turtle as a zombie, clown, angel or butterfly and bring them to the 1st Annual Pet Costume Parade in Hamilton Heights. A red carpet will serve as a runway for all pets participating in the contest.  Local business owners will serve as judges. The winning pets will receive special goodie bags and services from participating businesses.  

Trick or Treat at TurnStyle

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12:30 to 4 p.m.
Where: TurnStyle, enter at West 57th or 58th streets and Eighth Avenue, Columbus Circle

Parade through TurnStyle, the new shopping center within the Columbus Circle subway station, in costume. Stores will be offering special treats for trick or treaters. 

Brookfield Place Halloween Party

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12 to 3 p.m.
Where: Brookfield Place, 230 Vesy St., Battery Park City

This "FANGtastic" party features "Sesame Street" guest star Mario the Magician, a lab fit for a young mad scientist, and a Halloween dance party. Kids will also get to walk the red carpet on the Costume Catwalk.

Halloween Kidz Karnival

When: Sunday, Oct. 30, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.                                                                                 Where: Pier 26, West Street at North Moore Street, TriBeCa

Pier 26 is being transformed into "Halloween central" for kids, with face painting, mask decorating, wax hands creation, spin art, cotton candy, rides and much more to keep kids and parents in the Halloween spirit all afternoon.

Trick or Treat with East Midtown

When: Monday, Oct. 31, from 3 to 7 p.m.
Where: Check in at Tramway Plaza at East 59th Street and Second Avenue, Midtown East

Children 12 and under can hit the town to trick-or-treat at businesses around Midtown East. Be sure to check in at Tramway Plaza to pick up a map and treat bags and get your face painted. There will also be a spooky photo booth.

► Village Halloween Parade

When: Monday, Oct. 31, from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
Where: Sixth Avenue from Spring to 16th streets, Greenwich Village

March in the 43rd annual edition of the parade or take the kids to watch the costumes and floats along Sixth Avenue. You can expect hundreds of puppets, bands, dancers, artists and more.​ ​

► Inwood Pumpkin Pageant

When: Tuesday, Nov. 1, 5 to 9 p.m.  
Where: Isham Park at Isham Street and Broadway, Inwood

Bring your carved pumpkin to the 3rd annual Inwood Pumpkin Pageant and check out how creative locals get during this spooky season.    

QUEENS

► Haunted Lantern Tours at Water Battery

When: Friday, Oct. 28, and Saturday, Oct. 29, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Water Battery at Fort Totten Park (meet at the Water Battery Gate at Shore Road), Bayside

NYC Parks Urban Park Rangers will lead kids and parents on a lantern-lit walking tour of the Water Battery at Fort Totten. They'll be mixing history with haunted Halloween fun. You must be in line at the Water Battery Gate at Shore Road no later than 8:15 p.m. to attend. This event is free.

Halloween Harvest Festival

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, from 11 to 3 p.m.
Where: Socrates Sculpture Park on Vernon Boulevard, Astoria 

Make your costume, watch a magic show, or watch the Annual Canine Costume Contest at this Halloween celebration. This event is free and will happen rain or shine.

► Halloween Festival

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, from 12 to 3 p.m.
Where: Parade Grounds in Fort Totten Park, Bayside

Bring the kids to the park for this spooky afternoon filled with crafts, games, rides and music! This event is free.

► Trunk or Treat

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: Maple Grove Cemetery, 127-15 Kew Gardens Road at the Lefferts Boulevard and Kew Gardens Road entrance, Kew Gardens

Families will decorate their cars and give away candy from their trunks as part of the annual “trunk-or-treat” at Maple Grove Cemetery. The participating cars will line up in the Victorian portion of the cemetery and will take part in a competition for the best decorated trunk. The event will also include a food drive to help the needy. Residents can bring canned food goods, which will be later donated to local food pantries. Vehicle set-up will take place from 1 to 2 p.m.; trunk judging will occur at 4 p.m.; trunk-or-treating will start at 2 p.m. and continue until 5 p.m. To register your car and for further information email info@friendsofmaplegrove.org  or call 347-878-6614.

► Queens International Night Market Halloween Contest

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Behind NYSCI, 47-01 111th St., Corona

The family-friendly food market is hosting a Halloween costume contest for everyone from kids to adults. The event is free, and food and drinks are affordable, with items capped at $5 to $6.

► Halloween Dog Costume Celebration

When: Sunday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Little Bay Park Dog Run, Bayside

Dress up Spot and show off his spiffy costume in this pooch-friendly free event. 

► 1st Annual Batty Over Halloween Celebration

When: Oct. 30, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Where: Astoria Park’s Great Lawn, between Astoria Pool and the Hell Gate Bridge

The Central Astoria Local Development Coalition is hosting this family-friendly event for the first time in the park, which will include music, face-painting, balloon twisting and cotton candy.

 Jackson Heights Halloween Parade

When: Oct. 31, 5 to 6:30 p.m.
Where: 37th Avenue from 89th to 77th streets

The second largest Halloween parade in New York City is kid-friendly, featuring local school bands and plenty of costumes. Kids can grab goodie bags at the end of the route, and enjoy treats along the way, too.

BROOKLYN

Halloween Harvest

When: Saturday, Sept. 24 to Sunday, Oct. 30 (Saturdays 12 to 11 p.m.; Sundays 12 to 8 p.m.)
Where: Luna Park, Coney Island

The park is starting the celebrations early this year with plenty of seasonal activities. Pick out the perfect pumpkin at the "best pumpkin patch in New York City," go to the petting zoo, or take a pony ride. Magicians and face painters will also be there to entertain kids.

Dog Parade and Costume Contest

When: Saturday, Oct. 15, from 12 to 8 p.m.
Where: Luna Park, Coney Island

Dress up your pooch in their Halloween best for a parade and costume contest. A distinguished panel of judges will crown Audience Choice, Cutest, Mister/Miss Congeniality, Most Original and Best in Show. (This event was originally scheduled for Oct. 9 but was moved)

► Greenpoint Children's Annual Halloween Parade, Spooktacular Party & Zombie Nerf War

When: Saturday, Oct. 22, 2:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Polish & Slavic Center, 176 Java St. Greenpoint

Greenpoint's costumed kids will march around the neighborhood and then loop back for a Halloween Party with arts and crafts, games, a bouncy castle and Nerf gun battles for the older kids. The parade is free. Tickets to attend the party are $15. Proceeds go to support a local Boy Scouts troop.

► Howl-A-Ween, Dog Costume Contest and Pet Day

When: Saturday Oct. 22, from 12 to 3 p.m.
Where: Irving Square Park at Wilson Avenue and Halsey Street, Bushwick

Come out for a Bushwick community pet day with a pet costume contest starting at 1 p.m. and resources for pet owners from vaccines, adoptions, pet Reiki and a Q+A with a vet.

Marc and the Maniac Carvers

When: Sunday, Oct. 23, from 12 to 8 p.m.
Where: Luna Park, Coney Island

Watch Brooklyn-based carvers transform a giant pumpkin into a masterpiece for the fourth year in a row.

Free Community Haunted House

When: Wednesday, Oct. 26 to Sunday, Oct. 30, 3 to 9 p.m.
Where: NYPD 78th Precinct stationhouse, 65 Sixth Ave., Prospect Heights

Police at the 78th Precinct spend weeks creating this free fright fest. This year there will even be a special room devoted to creepy clowns. Little kids who might get too scared can stay upstairs and chow down on free candy while brave older kids and parents venture into the precinct’s basement.

Halloween Festival

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 11 to 2 p.m.
Where: Pier 6 Lawns, Brooklyn Bridge Park

Gather in the park for three hours of Halloween weekend fun. Performances include the CityPark's PuppetMobile's "Puss in Boots." Kids can also enjoy pumpkin carving, arts and crafts, and games.

Halloween in Prospect Park

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12 to 5 p.m.
Where: Various locations in Prospect Park 

The Prospect Park Alliance is putting on its 37th Haunted Halloween Walk and Carnival. The afternoon will be packed with fun activities for kids including animal encounters, a haunted carousel, and story time. Many of the events are free.

Ghouls and Gourds Festival

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12 to 5:30 p.m.
Where: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 150 Eastern Parkway, Prospect Heights

Live music, stilt walkers, a costume parade and rutabaga Skee-Ball are on tap at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's wacky Halloween event for families. Costumes are encouraged and kids under 12 get in free.

CALABAZAFEST 2016

When: Sunday Oct. 30, 12 to 4 p.m.
Where: Maria Hernandez Park at Knickerbocker Avenue, Bushwick

The seventh annual CALABAZAFEST will feature Mariachi and dance performances, pumpkin carving, a costume contest and tasty cooking demos.

► Cobble Hill Halloween Parade

When: Monday, Oct. 31, 4 p.m.
Where: Begins at Cobble Hill Park at Clinton Street and Verandah Place

The neighborhood’s annual parade draws more than a hundred grownups and kids in their finest ghoulish attire. Beginning at Cobble Hill Park, it makes its way through the neighborhood onto Congress Street, Henry Street, past Cobble Hill Health Center and onto Warren and Clinton streets. There will be plenty of candy to go around, and the parade is typically followed by trick-or-treating on Clinton Street.

► 10th Annual Bed-Stuy Halloween Trick-or-Treat Blocks Map

When: Monday, Oct. 31, 4:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Halsey to Monroe streets, Marcus Garvey Boulevard to Tompkins Avenue

Get your fill of tricks and treats at this annual Bed-Stuy event, where organizers have mapped participating neighborhood blocks. Follow the orange and black balloons in the area and pick up a map at the Foodtown on Fulton Street near Brooklyn Avenue.

Halloween Celebration

When: Monday, Oct. 31, from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Where: Old Stone House, Washington Park on Third Street between Fourth and Fifth avenues, Park Slope

Head out to Park Slope on Halloween night to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year. 

BRONX

► Boo at the Zoo

When: Friday, Oct. 21, to Sunday, Oct. 23, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Bronx Zoo

Get an early start on the spookiest holiday of the year at the Bronx Zoo. There will be more than 40 stations, animal demonstrations, keeper chats and a hay maze. A DJ will also be spinning Halloween classics while magicians and jugglers entertain little trick-or-treaters. Tickets will go on sale Sept. 9 for members and Sept. 16 for non-members.

► Halloween Parade

When: Saturday, Oct. 29, 12:30 p.m.
Where: East 163rd Street and Simpson Street, Longwood

Kids and adults can show off their Halloween costumes at this South Bronx Halloween Parade, where cash prizes will be awarded for best toddler (ages 4 and under), best child (ages 5 to 15) and best adult (ages 16 and older).

STATEN ISLAND

Halloween in Richmond Town

When: Friday, Oct. 28, 3:30 to 5 p.m. 
Where: Historic Richmond Town, 441 Clarke Ave.

Put on your costumes and go trick or treating in a historic village. Kids will also get to do crafts and play Halloween games. This event is rain or shine and costs $6 for adults and $12 for kids. Reservations are required and can be made my calling 718-351-1611 or emailing events@historicrichmondtown.org.