It’s always a struggle searching for things to do in October. It’s even more difficult finding the best Halloween activities in the midst of a pandemic. Luckily, we’ve taken most of a legwork out for you and rounded up some of the best ways to celebrate for you to choose from!
New to the city this year, House of Spirits: A Haunted Cocktail Soirée brings together tales of the spooky with drinkable potions in a four-floor building in downtown Manhattan. Brought to you by Fever, and only running through the end of October, the chilling evening tells the tale of Molly and Francisco Vega, a young couple who sadly lost their baby during childhood. Loosely based on the life and artwork of Francisco Goya, the evening encourages guests to roam freely throughout the space, interact with the characters, and maybe even connect with the dearly departed. The 2-hour immersive cocktail experience features tarot readings, themed rooms and mazes, hidden games, live music, and more. Ticket prices range from $59 to $83, with general admission tickets including four mini cocktails, and VIP tickets that include 5 cocktails, a commemorative cocktail glass, expedited check-in and access to an exclusive VIP lounge. Guests are strongly encouraged to come dressed up in period costume or haunted garb. There is also additional cocktails, beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages and food available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased here.
Returning once again, The McKittrick Hotel’s infamous Halloween celebration, The Witches’ Ball, is set to take place all Halloween weekend long. On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, you can snag tickets that will entitle you two a two hour open bar for $125. The event has timed tickets begining at 9pm on Friday and Saturday, and at 8pm on Sunday. Interested parties also have the opportunity to upgrade to Maximilian’s List to gain expedited entry at any time, as well as access to Oz’s Boudoir for the evening. Tickets are available here. [Proof of vaccination and a negative Covid-19 test within 24 hours are required to attend.]
From October 20th through November 6th, you can get tickets to live performances of The Whisperer in Darkness, an H.P. Lovecraft original, at St. John’s Sanctuary. The production, brought to you by RadioTheatre, melds horror and science fiction when an Henry Akeley, a man living in isolation, claims to have discovered aliens living in Massachusetts. The Off-Broadway show includes multimedia and video projections to tell the tale. Tickets are available here. [Proof of vaccination is required to attend.]
Opening just in time for Halloween on October 24th, The Woman in Black – a ghost story in a pub, returns to the acclaimed McKittrick Hotel after a sensational opening in early 2020. Telling the story of a young lawyer who finds himself in a town with a dark secret, the McKittrick hosts the play as it was originally staged (in a pub) in their Club Car. Performances will take place on Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 7pm, with matinee performances on weekends at 3pm. Tickets are available for $79-$99 and available here through the end of January 2022. [Proof of vaccination is required for attendance.]
On Halloween day, Estuary at ONE°15 Brooklyn Marina will be hosting Treats! No Tricks!, a kid-friendly event from 12-3pm. Children of all ages are welcome to enjoy all of the festivities, including decorating Halloween cookies and pumpkins. For the adults, there will be Halloween-themed cocktails (and if you come in costume you’ll score 10% off), including the Black Potion, Bloody Alchemist, and Wicked Apple. Additionally, you can purchase Halloween cookies from Ebb & Flow Bakery a few days prior to Halloween.
Joe’s Pub will be hosting EPIC Players, a neurodiverse theater company, on October 24th and 25th for a performance titled Epic Villains: A Wickedly Inclusive Cabaret. The show will showcase all your favorite villains and guests are highly encouraged to come in costumer. Bringing together Halloween and National Disability Employment Awareness Month, this show will pay homage to monsters, villains and everyone in between. Tickets for both 8pm show are available here.
To celebrate the premiere of I Know What You Did Last Summer on Amazon Prime Video, beloved sweet spot Sugar Factory will be serving up a limited-edition I Know What You Did Insane Shake through November 12th. The shake is comprised of cookies and cream ice cream and vanilla soft serve, in a chocolate-dipped mug adorned with candy corn, bloody bones, gummy worms, and Oreo crumbs. It’s also topped with whipped cream and an edible clown emoji and available at both the UWS sand Resorts World NYC locations.
On October 24th, you can hit up Sunday to Sunday for Sunday Scaries Movie night. Scary Movie will be playing at 6:30pm and Halloween at 8:30pm, for $20. Head to the restaurant’s ticket window (aka takeout window) to get you tickets, which come with access to either film, cacio e Pepe popcorn, and a spooky cocktail. Seats are limited to get there in advance!
There is no shortage of festivities taking place at the Arlo Hotel for Halloween this year. Halloween weekend starts off with a bang (or fang) at Nearly Ninth at Arlo Midtown, with A Night of the Drop Dead Gorgeous. Doors open at 8pm, and guests will be surrounded by the glitz and the glamour of Hollywood’s dearly departed, not to mention, 2-for-1 Casamigos margaritas, food specials, jazz, impersonators and a palm reader. On Saturday, October 30th, you have two events to choose from. From 8pm-2am, Arlo NoMad Lounge will host A Nightmare on 31st Street, with music by ghost DJs, one hour of complimentary cocktails, and mandatory costumes. Tickets can be purchased here. Your other option takes place at Art Soho from 9pm-1am. Here you can enjoy open bar all night long, 2 hours of passed appetizers, multiple experience stations from Volcan Tequila, Woodinville Whiskey, and Moet & Chandon, as well as DJs, a costume content and more. Tickets can be purchased here.
Another spot out on Long Island that’s in the mood for a little Halloween fun, K Pasa will be hosting a Day of the Dead-themed Halloween weekend. From October 30 to November 2 you can enjoy their Witches Margarita and Day of the Dead Bloody Tres Leches. If you stop by between 8 and 10pm, you can score free jungle juice floaters with ever margaritas and bloody tres leches cake shots. They will also be debuting both apple cider margaritas and shots for fall. Plus, they will be crowning a best dressed costume winner a 10pm.
The Village Halloween Costume Ball, presented by Theater for the New City, will take place on Halloween day on E. 10th St. between 1st and 2nd Avenues. Performances, a costume competition, and dancing are all on the agenda, taking place between 2 and 11pm. Plenty of entertainment, face painting, a swing orchestra, giveaways and refreshments will be on tap all afternoon, and neighborhood bars and restaurants will have new, original drinks ranging from $3-$5 for patrons who show their TNC Halloween program. Bonus: bring along children’s toys, baby clothes or household items to donate.
