Everything to Do and See in NYC this October

It’s spooky month in New York City and some of the best things for Halloween are happening. Leading up to the holiday season, we think this is one of the best times to visit the city or take advantage of all the things going on here. There’s no more perfect time to fully jump into halloween season in the big apple and we’ve found tons of family friendly unique experiences. We might be biased but we think NYC is the perfect place to be in the fall season. Here are all of the special events and cool things to see in the city this month.

Every fall, the annual Morningside Lights parade transforms Morningside Park into a glowing wonderland of handmade lanterns. Community members and artists come together to design imaginative illuminated sculptures, filling the night with color and creativity. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience that blends art, performance, and neighborhood spirit, perfect for soaking in the magic of an autumn evening.

Step into a Halloween-meets-holiday dreamscape at the Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail. This immersive experience combines dazzling light installations with eerie seasonal décor, inspired by Tim Burton’s cult classic. Whether you’re a fan of Jack Skellington or just love a spooky photo opportunity, it’s the perfect way to celebrate October in a festive and slightly haunting way. It’s running through the end of November.

NY Food and Wine Festival

The New York Food and Wine Festival is a must for food lovers, bringing together celebrity chefs, local restaurants, and tastemakers for four days of indulgence. From grand tastings to intimate dinners, guests can savor everything from global flavors to hometown favorites. It’s not just about the bites, the proceeds benefit charity, so you can feel good while enjoying some of the city’s best culinary creations.

NAILCON

For beauty enthusiasts, NAILCON is the ultimate celebration of nail art, self-care, and style. The event features live demos, product launches, and a chance to connect with industry leaders and fellow nail lovers. Whether you’re a pro or just someone who loves a fresh manicure, it’s an inspiring and creative way to spend a fall weekend.

Handmade Happy Hour

Handmade Happy Hour brings together NYC’s community of makers for a casual evening of creativity and connection. Guests can sip drinks, shop unique handcrafted goods, and meet the artists behind them in a relaxed, social atmosphere. It’s a perfect October outing for anyone who loves supporting local talent and finding one-of-a-kind treasures. Check out their schedule on their site to find a happy hour that works best for you and your friends.

Celebrate Halloween

This is one of our favorite holidays! So much goes into it from decor to costumes to pumpkin carving activities. Stay tuned for some great costume options this year but for now, here is a list of top places to trick or treat in NYC. I’ll be putting out a bunch of fun Halloween themed recipes all month long to enjoy!

If you’ve been to the city, you’ll know this is a top attraction. There are so many things to do at The Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park. I suggest making a whole day out of it! Begin your day out by going ice skating, they have a great rink with free admission with nice rental skates. Then head on over to the Holiday Shops where you can find really cool gifts for loved ones this season. Finish your day by unwinding with the best hot chocolate. This year, they will be featuring over 180 new and returning vendors offering cozy winter wear, festive décor, gourmet food, and seasonal treats to fuel your shopping and skating fun. They open at the end of the month for the holiday season and this is a fantastic place to get gifts for the holidays.

Go to a Pumpkin Patch

Ever since my kids were babies, we have been going to pumpkin patches! Not only is it a fun family friendly activity, but you get to leave with cute pumpkins to decorate. One of my favorite parts are the apple cider donuts! Here’s a list of our favorite pumpkin patches near the city! There’s even a brand new rooftop in LIC that has pumpkins to choose from! Tickets begin at $17/person.

Go Apple Picking

Apple picking is another family friendly activity we enjoy! We have already begun going and love to make apple pie from the apples we gather. I have a fabulous list of some of the very best orchards not too far from New York City linked here.

The circus is back in town! Tickets are officially on sale for the Big Apple Circus. They actually open October 9th, but tickets will fly off the shelves, so you will want to get your hands on those ASAP. This year, the show’s theme is “Hometown Playground” for a magical show. My kids love going, so think about making a family fun day out of it!

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is here! It will run through October 5th, so if you’ve been craving a beer and giant pretzel, now is the time more than ever to get it. This is a fun day out with friends, too if you want to bar hop!

Who doesn’t love a good parade?! Especially when you get to dress up! Beginning at 7PM on the 31st, the parade begins in Greenwich Village and the parade route ends in by Union Square on 6th avenue and 15th street. It’s free, there will be puppets, live music and so much more! Dress up to have the best time! Elaborate costumes are welcome! It’s on rain or shine. After all, who doesn’t love a good Halloween party?! This is one of the most special events at the end of October and for good reason. It’s Halloween night!

Boo and the Zoo is located at the Bronx Zoo. The zoo transforms into a magical, pumpkin-themed wonderland. This immersive experience features over 1,000 illuminated jack o’lanterns, each carved with spooky designs and arranged in stunning displays. Walk along the illuminated pathways to encounter whimsical pumpkin sculptures, dazzling light shows, and seasonal decorations that create a captivating ambiance. It’s family-friendly! It’s running through the 26th.

Fall foliage cruises are pretty popular around here, but have you been on a Halloween themed horror cruise? Have a dance party in your costumes, enter the costume contest and enjoy a live band. They have an open bar form 7-10PM and so much fun is to be had! Check out their timing and tickets on their site.

Sometimes on the weekends, I just want to relax in nature and we can’t always do that in the city. The Fall Foliage Cruises are a great way to fulfill this desire because you can see all of NYC and the leaves changing, while experiencing a great meal. They have drinks, as well! This also makes for a great date! Cruises run between 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours, depending on which you sign up for. Sail along the Hudson River in the crisp fall air. It’s one of my favorite things to do for a date night in the autumn season. It’s always a good time!

It’s back! Located in Hudson Valley or on LI, you can see thousands of carved pumpkins light up in the night. The magical walk through experience is perfect for families or even a fall date night. Tickets are available now and they have free parking! Each location has different times and dates but the latest it runs is November 16th. Check it out this holiday season!

We all know how much I love finding vintage finds and admire vintage flair. This is a ticketed event running October 17th-19th. A few cool things to note are there will be a dj, onsite tailor, photobooth, fitting rooms and more!

If you don’t know what this is, basically it where you can bring your carved pumpkins and watch them set sail in Central Park! It’s actually adorable, they light them so they can be seen at night! This is a totally free event, no tickets necessary, either. There will be plenty of activities and entertainment, as well. So bring your pumpkin and have a great time! It’s all happening leading up to halloween from 4-7PM.

Welcome to the annual event for the Pumpkin Fest at The Seaport! All month long, there will be Halloween activities and things to see. First and foremost, the pumpkin arch is back on Pier 17. This is a the best spot to get pictures! You’ll be able to spot it until November on the northside of the pier. Make an afternoon out of it and dine at the delicious restaurants over there or check out a movie at the Seaport Cinema.

It’s time for the Haunted Hues! To celebrate the spooky season, they will be having treats, scavenger hunts, photo opportunities and their very own version of a pumpkin patch! This is a fantastic spot to have a family friendly day and the Halloween fun is even better. It’s here until November. In previous years, they have done a costume night where you can grab your costumes and your favorite ghosts and trick-or-treat through Color Factory’s Halloween experience, Haunted Hues. It’s all treats, no tricks at this event with candy provided free of charge.

The New York Film Festival is at Lincoln Center until October 13th! The lineup is phenomenal and tickets are still available! I think this is one of the most fun things to experience in the city, as it’s not something you get to see just anywhere. I love supporting the arts and this is a great way to do so!

Comic and pop culture fans– New York Comic Con is back October 9th-12th at the Javits Center! There’s a great lineup of guests and plenty of occasions for photo ops. There are panels, exhibitors and the artists alley to explore. Now is the perfect time to get tickets, it’s always best to be prepared!

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