Dying to celebrate Halloween?
You don’t have to wait until Oct. 31 to indulge in these festive pop-ups. From a “creepy-as-hell” immersive experience to a spooky scare in Times Square to family-friendly fun, there are a lot of October antics that await.
Whether you want to be tricked or treated, here are some festive events creeping into the city this month.
Sleepy Hallow Spooktacle
Embark on an adventure beneath the bustling streets of New York City! From Oct. 12 to Nov. 10, HERO, the new 13,000-square-feet multisensory exhibit underground Rockefeller Center will be transformed into Sleepy Hollow’s Harvest.
Wander through eight captivating rooms to be whisked away to the heart of Washington Irving’s classic tale set in 19th-century Hudson Valley, complete with mind-bending audiovisual effects, seasonal food and beverages, and imaginative weekly events that will leave you spellbound.
The space will host spooky movie nights on Wednesdays, happy hours served at the Witch’s Hearth bar on Friday evenings and family-friendly costume parties on Saturday afternoons to envelope you in the folklore. Tickets are $34.90 for kids and $44.90 for adults.
Sleepy Hollow’s Harvest at HERO; 15 W. 49th St., New York, NY 10020
Festive Fall Fun
Celebrate the ultimate fall experience at the Summer Club rooftop in Long Island City. From October 4 through Oct. 31, the 25,000-square-foot space will transform into a pumpkin paradise with over 10,000 pumpkins sourced from upstate New York.
Join the family-friendly fun, including pumpkin smashing, scarecrow archery and plenty of photo ops to capture those autumn memories. Weekends are even more exciting with a twist — after 8 p.m., the patch becomes a 21+ haven for fall-themed cocktails and treats, ensuring your evenings are as spirited as the season itself.
When you arrive, don’t forget to snag some Cityside Bucks to make the most of your visit. General admission starts at just $20, or go all-in with our $55 all-inclusive ticket, which includes a pumpkin, a pumpkin-smashing session, a carnival game, a blacklight archery session and your choice of face-painting or an extra pumpkin.
Cityside Pumpkin Patch; 8-08 Queens Plaza S., Long Island City, NY 11101
Supernatural Speakeasy
The world premiere of the Spirits’ Speakeasy welcomes guests into a spine-tingling evening of mystery and magic with a brand-new immersive experience featuring a cast of genuine mediums, magicians and mentalists with a blend of live music and three séances.
From Sept. 19 through Nov. 3, the enchanting NYC speakeasy Sincerely, Ophelia will host an unforgettable experience that blends the allure of the golden age of magic with the intrigue of spiritualism.
Prepare for mind-bending close-up magic, live music, and three mesmerizing séances, featuring the ethereal Margery (played by Krystyn Lambert) as she attempts to connect with the beyond, alongside the legendary Harry Houdini (played by Patrick Terry).
Tickets start at $79 with a running time of 120 minutes and no intermission.
The Spirits’ Speakeasy; Sincerely Ophelia’s, 221 Second Ave., Suite B, New York, NY 10003
Not-So-Creepy Colors
For a colorful twist on Halloween fun, Haunted Hues returns to the Color Factory from Sept. 12 through Nov. 3. This vibrant, family-friendly experience is bursting with spellbinding photo opportunities, seasonal treats and exciting giveaways — all included with your ticket starting at just $29.
Step into the immersive exhibits, where the enchanting colors of Halloween come to life. Explore the signature ball pit — now taken over by cheeky spiders — and capture those perfect Instagram moments.
Engage your senses with installations from local artists across 14 immersive exhibits, at the ultimate Halloween outing for the whole family. So grab your little ghouls and goblins, and join for an adventure filled with color, creativity and a dash of Halloween magic.
Haunted Hues at the Color Factory, Color Factory; 251 Spring St., New York, NY 10013
Spirited Spirits
The Black Lagoon makes its haunting debut at Someday Bar this October.
Sip on expertly crafted cocktails that capture the eerie spirit of Halloween in a dark and alluring atmosphere with the same exciting energy. Whether you prefer chilling alcoholic potions or haunting non-alcoholic concoctions, award-winning mixologists have created a menu to ensure your taste buds are awakened.
Pose with life-sized skeletons, snap a selfie in the coffins, and marvel at illuminated skulls that lean towards the occult and bizarre at the “creepy-as-hell” immersive experience.
The Black Lagoon awaits — if you dare!
Black Lagoon Pop-Up Bar, Someday Bar; 364 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11217
Times Scare
Brace yourself for NYC’s newest horror experience, slithering right into the heart of Times Square — a space that already scares some New Yorkers.
From Sept. 27 through Nov. 3, prepare to plunge into a realm of terror with two unique attractions for the price of one.
Step into the twisted mind of Dr. Elias Grimwood, whose obsession with controlling nightmares has transformed his grand “Nightmare Factory” into a sinister gateway to the “House of the Dead.” As you navigate through, be prepared to encounter horrifying scenes brought to life by world-class creature makeup, jaw-dropping costumes and spooky special effects.
Too scared? Grab the Chicken Ticket upgrade, featuring a special amulet that makes you invisible to the monsters. Tickets start at just $60 for General Admission. The nightmare awaits!
True Fear Haunted House: Let the Nightmare Begin; 243 W. 42nd St., New York, NY 10036
Goblin Down
The Museum of Food and Drink will be hosting two mouthwatering Halloween-themed events this month.
The haunted dip potluck on Oct. 26, hosted by the fabulous cookbook author Alyse Whitney of Big Dip Energy — a BDE we can all enjoy.
Choose a recipe to add to the spreadsheet — repeats are a scary thought — and get ready to dip into deliciousness. Don’t forget to come dressed in your best Halloween costume for a chance to win the costume contest — bonus points for any food-themed garb.
Then on All Hallows Eve, MOFAD will partner with another New York fav: Economy Candy.
The trick-or-treat celebration will allow guests to sample some of NYC’s premier sweets and get an exclusive first look at MOFAD’s interactive Cookie Lab exhibit, designed by the talented Una Zhang.
Museum of Food and Drink; 55 Water St., 2nd Fl., Brooklyn, NY 11201
