The SyFy channel may be counting down to Halloween with their 31 Days of Halloween marathon, but that’s just not enough to get us in the spirit for our favorite spooky holiday! Looking for activities in the city? Look no further:
Ongoing:
Nightmare Machine: Brought to you by the makers of pop-up experience Dream Machine, comes the alternate nighttime scenario in Nightmare Machine. Running through the end of October, this immersive pop-up experience allows guests to wind their way through nine different rooms featuring various horror situations — from the (ball) pits of hell to the graveyard (of your haters) to a cockroach infested room, there’s plenty of Insta-worthy scenes for you to snap photos in. The selfie-obsessed will love it.
New York Magic Lab: For lovers of magic, this Instagram pop-up will let you explore your inner magician. From poker cards to pulling a rabbit out of a hat and more, this small exhibit is only in town until October 28th. If you’re looking to get that perfect picture, this could be the place. Additionally, on Fridays and Saturdays from 8-10pm, magicians will wander around the exhibit performing magic tricks just for you to bring the experience to the next level!
Blood Manor: Every year Blood Manor draws crowds for its horror-filled rooms and this year is no exception. Now in a brand new location, this haunted house is actually housed within a real haunted house! Two floors of spooks and scares will certainly give you your money’s worth of scares. They always go above and beyond with make-up and decor and this year could be one of the best!
Muse Paintbar: For those with an inner artist inside them, Muse Paintbar has some Halloween-themed classes coming up. If you don’t like getting too spooky for Halloween, this is the perfect middle ground. You can sip wine and paint masterpieces like Pumpkin Hill, Pumpkin Patch Pooch or Pumpkin Patch Wine Glasses, coming up on October 20th and 23rd. Each class is led step-by-step to ensure you leave with a one-of-a-kind stunner!
The McKittrick Masquerade: Inferno: For three nights, the home of Sleep No More will turn into a Halloween extravaganza. On October 26th, 27th and 31st, guests will partake in an open bar, multiple floors and rooms to roam, one of a kind performances, and a night full of dancing. Come dressed to impress, with costumes inspired by the occult, and enjoy the night you won’t forget.
October 27th
Brunch Baby Brunch Halloween Boo Brunch: From 10am until 2pm you can enjoy a boo-tiful brunch at Bar Schimmi in Brooklyn. Along with eats, there will be a live DJ, arts and crafts, toy giveaways, a children’s costume contest and much more. If you are looking for a place to bring the kids, this is it.
Halloween Bash: If you want a family-friendly event to put on your radar, it’s Brookfield Place’s Halloween bash. Beginning at noon, you can watch pumpkin slime experiments, jugglers, stilt walkers, magicians, live music, escape artist Adam Rinn, take photos with LEGO sculptures, and even watch Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie. Bring the kiddos in costume and has a fun-filled day!
Fall Festival + Pooch Parade: Close to the city, you can head to Long Branch, New Jersey for a fun day full of festivities. Come with your furry friends dressed for a runway for a puppy costume contest and parade along the oceanfront boardwalk. Additonally, you can partake in arts and crafts, bouncy rides, live music, costumed characters, a fresh farmers and makers market, food and drink specials, and a kid’s costume contest and parade. The shops along the pier will offer trick or treating, as well!
Fright Night: Also located just outside the city, the Montclair Art Museum will be hosting its third annual Fright Night. From 8pm-12am, guests can peruse the Graveyard Gallery, an open bar, ghoulish treats courtesy of Tia’s Love Food, as well as a special dance performance by Sharron Miller’s Academy for the Performing Arts. DJ Swift will have you doing the monster mash all night long and best dressed have the chance to win prizes and giveaways. There will also be a silent auction to benefit the museum, with items such as four tickets to Hamilton!
October 28th
Scary Bazaar: New York City’s Grand Bazzar is turning into a ‘Scary Bazaar’ for one day only from 10am until 5:30pm. In addition to the bazaar’s usual vendors (over 140!) that sell everything from food and drink to clothes and furniture, you can find creepy crawly decorations, costumes, and scarily sweet treats. Best of all, it’s free to roam around and a portion of the proceeds gives back to the Upper West Side school community.
October 30th
The House of Ghostly Haunts: For one night only, Vaudevisuals is presenting punk rock magician Cardone for a pre-Halloween vintage spookshow. Think of an old-school sideshow-esque performance — there will be magic, mentalism, razor blade swallowing, and poltergeists galore so mark your calendars and purchase tickets ($30) here.
