Halloween Events for Families and Kids Around NYC
Looking for a little spooky fun? Check out all of the family-friendly Halloween events in NYC, Westchester, and Long Island to celebrate the season!
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FREE Legend of Sleepy Hollow Family Storytelling Event
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 17, 10-10:45am
WHERE: Hudson Valley Writers Center, Philipse Manor Station, Sleepy Hollow
AGES: All
WHAT: See a 25-minute retelling of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow featuring additional Halloween treats and activities.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.
The Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts: The Haunting Of Water Street
WHEN: Oct. 21-31, Thursday and Sunday, 7-10pm; Friday-Saturday 7-11:30pm
WHERE: The SoNo Collection, 100 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT
AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: This outdoor walk-thru haunted house is designed as a maze with chilling surprises around every corner. In true scary movie fashion, The Haunting of Water Street is filled with shocking and gruesome scenes of terror and is suggested to be experienced in groups.
WANT TO GO? $20.
FREE Halloween Carnival
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 24, 11-11:45am, 12-12:45pm, 1-1:45pm
WHERE: Rye YMCA, 21 Locust Ave., Rye
AGES: All
WHAT: Come in costume to play games, win prizes and enjoy healthy snacks.
WANT TO GO? Free. Members only. Advanced registration required.
FREE Halloween Trick or Treat Spooktacular
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 4pm
WHERE: Stew Leonards, 1 Stew Leonard Drive, Yonkers
AGES: 11 and younger
WHAT: Children are invited to trick or treat and collect candy as they visit stations around the store.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.
Halloween Mask-Making Extravaganza
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 29, 3:30-5pm
WHERE: Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham
AGES: 3-8
WHAT: Kids will create eye and face masks using paint, feathers, sequins, glitter, fabric scraps, and pompoms.
WANT TO GO? $36; $32 members. Advanced registration required.
FREE Trunk or Treat
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 29, 5-7pm
WHERE: Jefferson Valley Mall, 650 Lee Blvd., Yorktown Heights
AGES: All
WHAT: Dress up and participate in Halloween activities and games, and of course...there will be candy!
WANT TO GO? Free.
Trick or Treat Trek
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 30, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Bartow-Pell Mansion, 895 Shore Road, Pelham Bay Park, Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: Come in costume, rain or shine. It's trick-or-treating time! Wander the grounds, search for a treat. One never knows who one might meet...
WANT TO GO? $10. Advanced registration required.
Mexican Day of the Dead
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 30, 3-4pm
WHERE: Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham
AGES: All
WHAT: Create ofrendas (offerings) to honor departed family members during this El Día de los Muertos celebration.
WANT TO GO? Suggested $10 donation.
FREE Halloween Bronx Night Market
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 30, 4-10pm
WHERE: Bronx Night Market, 1 Fordham Plaza, The Bronx
AGES: All
WHAT: The spooky party is here with a prized costume contest, exclusive Halloween theme food creations, unique giveaways, and live performances that will make you dance until your feet hurt.
WANT TO GO? Admission is free. Prices vary for goods.
Science Saturday - Pumpkins and Potions
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 30, 11:30am-12:30pm
WHERE: Westchester Children's Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye
AGES: 8 and older
WHAT: Carve a jack-o’-lantern and make magic potion with Doc Harmon.
WANT TO GO? $5, plus admission: $9; $8 seniors; free for members, children younger than 1, and active duty military personnel and their families within the same household. Advanced registration required.
Saturday Spooktacular!
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 30, 10am-4pm
WHERE: Westchester Children's Museum, 100 Playland Parkway, Rye
AGES: All
WHAT: Join WCM for a fun filled day of creepy-crawly crafts, scary stories, halloween songs and a costume parade! Get dressed in your best costume and join all the fun and scary activities.
WANT TO GO? $9; $8 seniors; free for members, children younger than 1, and active duty military personnel and their families within the same household. 914-420-5050.
BOO at the Zoo
WHEN: October 30-31, Saturday-Sunday, 12-3pm
WHERE: Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, CT
AGES: All
WHAT: This event brings seasonal activities for your little monsters along with spooky animal talks and fun for the whole family. All children are invited to come in costume. Voting for your favorite scarecrow in the Zoo’s popular Scarecrows on Parade is included!
WANT TO GO? $17; $14 ages 3-11 and seniors 62 and older; free for children younger than 3 and members
FREE Halloween Party and Costume Contest
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 31, 2-6pm
WHERE: The Market at Pound Ridge Square, 55 Westchester Ave., Pound Ridge
AGES: All
WHAT: Join The Market at Pound Ridge Square for a Halloween Party and Costume Contest. Prizes will be given out to best kids costume (12 and younger) and best family costume. Kids can visit the craft table for some fun Halloween activities!
WANT TO GO? Free. This event is weather-pending.
Family-Friendly Halloween Events on Long Island
Fall Festival 2021
WHEN: Through Oct. 24: Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm
WHERE: The Dee's Nursery & Florist, Inc., 69 Atlantic Ave., Oceanside
AGES: All
WHAT: Paint pumpkins, mine for gems and fossils, go on a spooky walk, enjoy roasted corn and meet cute farm animals!
WANT TO GO? $10.99 admission; additional fee for activities.
Spookley The Square Pumpkin: The Musical
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: See website for schedule
WHERE: Smithtown Center for the Performing Arts at the Smithtown Historical Society, 239 East Main St., Smithtown
AGES: All
WHAT: Watch as Spookley helps all the pumpkins in the patch learn that the things that make you different make you special.
WANT TO GO? $18.
Fall at Hicks Nurseries
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 10am-5pm
WHERE: Hicks Nurseries, 100 Jericho Turnpike, Westbury
AGES: All
WHAT: See the all-new animated story titled, “Otto’s Sweet Journey” and on weekends take photos with Otto and try delicious fall favorites!
WANT TO GO? Admission is free, prices vary for goods.
Dark Night: Halloween Trail
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Friday-Saturday, 7-11pm; Sunday, 7-10:30pm
WHERE: Long Island Community Hospital Amphitheater at Bald Hill, 1 Ski Run Lane, Farmingville
AGES: All
WHAT: Travel back in time to 1999 to participate in a fictional radio show marathon, where movies, characters, and popular music of the '90s come to life. Venture through a 25– to 30-minute darkened trail to uncover hidden alphabetical letters that form the name of the character who has cursed the property, using only one flashlight from the '90s. There's also a not-so-scary trick-or-treat trail for younger kids.
WANT TO GO? $35; $15 ages 12-4; free for children 3 and younger. Advanced registration required.
Haunted Hollow
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Saturday-Sunday, 12pm, 2pm, and 3:30pm
WHERE: Adventureland, 2245 Route 110, Farmingdale
AGES: All
WHAT: Experience Haunted Hollow–a frightfully fun and spooktacular Halloween Magic and Illusion Show!
WANT TO GO? Included with admission: $29.99-$44.99.
Goatman's Haunted Farm: Day Show
WHEN: Through Oct. 31: Saturday-Sunday, begins at 12pm; plus Oct. 11, begins at 11am
WHERE: Glover Farm, 641 Victory Ave., Brookhaven
AGES: All
WHAT: Children and their families are invited to visit the petting zoo, pick pumpkins, play on the playground, play games, eat food, visit the haunted house and hayride, and have a good time!
WANT TO GO? $10; $5 ages 2-14; additional fee for food and games. Advanced registration required.
Halloween House Long Island
WHEN: Through Nov. 4: Mondays-Wednesdays, 3-9pm; Thursdays, 3-10pm; Fridays, 3pm-1am; Saturdays, 11am-1am; Sundays, 11am-9pm
WHERE: Halloween House Long Island Grounds, 1500 Old Country Road, Westbury
AGES: All
WHAT: Immerse yourself in different Halloween themed rooms, designed to make every Halloween lover's experience unforgettable.
WANT TO GO? $25-$30; $20-$25 ages 10 and younger.
Blaze: Long Island
WHEN: Through Nov. 7: Wednesday-Sunday and Oct.11, see website for exact times
WHERE: Old Bethpage Restoration Village, 1303 Round Swamp Road, Old Bethpage
AGES: All
WHAT: Elaborate displays and thousands of pumpkins enchant at this 19th-century village.
WANT TO GO? $32-$44; $24-$36 ages 3-17.
Gateway's Haunted Playhouse: Campers' Pike on the Forgotten Road
WHEN: Oct. 7-31, Thursday, 7-10pm; Friday-Saturday, 7-11:30pm; Sunday, 7-10pm
WHERE: The Gateway at Southaven County Park, 761 Victory Ave., Yaphank
AGES: 13 and older
WHAT: Go on a terrifying 30 minute drive-through experience...if you dare!
WANT TO GO? $54 per vehicle. Advanced registration required.
Spooky Fest
WHEN: Oct. 8-31, Fridays-Sundays, 6:30-9:30pm
WHERE: Center for Science Teaching and Learning-Tanglewood Preserve, 1450 Tanglewood Road, Rockville Center
AGES: All
WHAT: During Spooky Fest you can explore sixteen acres of grounds transformed into a family-friendly Halloween event.
WANT TO GO? $12-$20. Advanced registration required.
Halloween Friends & Fun Cookie Decorating Class
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 11, 10am
WHERE: Celebrations In The Kitchen, 63 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville
AGES: 5-17
WHAT: Participants will detail the most classic shapes of this whimsical holiday with custom colored icing and confectionery blends.
WANT TO GO? $69.95. Advanced registration required.
Silly Scary Story Night
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 15, 6:30-8pm
WHERE: Bailey Arboretum, Bayville Road, Locust Valley
AGES: All
WHAT: Enjoy a spooky storybook stroll along the Linden Trail, followed by a scavenger hunt amongst the shadows. Costumes are highly recommended!
WANT TO GO? $10; $7 members; free for adults. Advanced registration required.
Fall Festival
WHEN: Oct. 16-31, Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm and 6-10pm
WHERE: Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport
AGES: All
WHAT: Join the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium for Festive Days for spooky fun and Haunted Nights for those that want a fright!
WANT TO GO? Prices start at $10.
Not-So-Scary Kids Adventure at Gateway's Haunted Playhouse
WHEN: Oct. 16-31, Saturday-Sunday, 12-4pm
WHERE: The Gateway, 215 S. Country Road, Bellport
AGES: 3 and older
WHAT: Encounter goofy creatures, bewitching tricks, and make some new friends during this not-so-scary Halloween adventure. Debut this year’s costume, if you’d like, and show everyone just how spooky and grim or valiant and prim you can be!
WANT TO GO? $10.
Autumn Fest!
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 17, 12-4pm
WHERE: Sands Point Preserve, 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point
AGES: All
WHAT: Celebrate fall and Halloween with Pumpkin Painting, Live Raptor Presentation, Guided Nature Walks, and more.
WANT TO GO? $25 per car; $15 per car members.
Halloween Pals Cupcake Baking Class
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 19, 4pm
WHERE: Celebrations In The Kitchen, 63 E. Old Country Road, Hicksville
AGES: 5-17
WHAT: Bake from scratch alongside the pros as they create their own cupcake batter to make 6 cupcakes each.
WANT TO GO? $69.95. Advanced registration required.
Mr. Vanderbilt's Spooky Science Lab
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 22, 4-6pm
WHERE: Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport
AGES: 5-12
WHAT: Join the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium for some creepy fun with a scavenger hunt in the collections and create jars that can be used in any spooky Halloween display.
WANT TO GO? $20; $18 members. Advanced registration required.
Spooky Walk
WHEN: Oct. 22-23, Friday-Saturday, 6-9pm
WHERE: Whitney Pond Park, Community Drive & Community Drive East, Manhasset
AGES: 12 and older
WHAT: Visitors will experience a spine-tingling walk through the realm of fear and fright when zombies, vampires, ghouls, and many of their gruesome friends inhabit Whitney Pond Park. There will also be music and food for sale at the event. Spooky Walk may not be suitable for young children.
WANT TO GO? $5 cash.
FREE Downtown Riverhead’s Annual Halloween Fest
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 23, 3-8pm
WHERE: Downtown Riverhead, Main Street, Riverhead
AGES: All
WHAT: Have a spooktacular time with spirited shows at the historic Suffolk Theater, Coffin Races, Trick or Treating, Goblin Parade and more!
WANT TO GO? Admission is free. Prices vary for goods.
FREE 8th Annual Great Jack-O'-Lantern Sail
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 23, 3-6pm
WHERE: Belmont Lake State Park, 625 Belmont Road, North Babylon
AGES: All
WHAT: The Great Jack-O'-Lantern Sail will feature lit carved pumpkins placed on boats pulled around the lake and children's activities including trick-or-treat stations and a not-so-scary ‘Spooky Den'.
WANT TO GO? Free.
Pumpkin Park
WHEN: Oct. 23-24, Saturday-Sunday, 11am-5pm
WHERE: Adventureland, 2245 Route 110, Farmingdale
AGES: All
WHAT: Kids can stroll Adventureland in their costumes and trick-or-treat at the various tables set up at the park.
WANT TO GO? Included with admission: $29.99-$44.99.
Tails, Trails, and Treats
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 24, 1-3pm
WHERE: Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown
AGES: 2-7
WHAT: Kids can enjoy close encounters with animals, a ghostly garden, games, and a special puppet enchanted trail.
WANT TO GO? $10; free for adults. Advanced registration required.
Not-So-Spooky Walk
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 24, 12-4pm
WHERE: Whitney Pond Park, Community Drive & Community Drive East, Manhasset
AGES: All
WHAT: The Not-So-Spooky Walk is designed for younger children and will include sport activities, arts & crafts, and more.
WANT TO GO? $5 cash.
FREE Haunted Village at the Rogers Mansion
WHEN: Oct. 24-31, Saturdays, 2-3:30pm
WHERE: Southampton History Museum, 17 Meeting House Lane, Southampton
AGES: All
WHAT: Visit a haunted Southampton Village inhabited with ghosts, goblins, and ghouls all on the grounds of the historic Rogers Mansion. The outbuildings will be open and occupied with the unimaginable. Those brave enough to make it to the end will be rewarded with candy and pumpkins provided by the Southampton Youth Association (while supplies last).
WANT TO GO? Everyone is encouraged to come dressed up—especially the adults.
FREE Trick or Treating at Stew Leonard's of East Meadow
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 27, 4pm
WHERE: Stew Leonard's East Meadow, 1897 Front St., East Meadow
AGES: 8 and younger
WHAT: Children are invited to dress in their costumes and go trick-or-treating.
WANT TO GO? Free. Advanced registration required.
FREE The 31st Annual Halloween Festival!
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 29, 2-5pm; 4pm parade
WHERE: Stony Brook Village, 111 Main St., Stony Brook
AGES: All
WHAT: Trick-or-Treat throughout the Stony Brook Village Center at shops, enjoy children’s games and Monster Mash dancing, join the Halloween Parade, and more!
WANT TO GO? Free.
Halloween Spooktacular
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 29, 6-9pm
WHERE: Sweetbriar Nature Center, 62 Eckernkamp Drive, Smithtown
AGES: 7 and older
WHAT: Enjoy eerie animal presentations, a ghostly graveyard, creepy games, scary music, and spooky night trails.
WANT TO GO? $15. Advanced registration required.
Haunted Hatchery
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 30, 2-5pm
WHERE: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium, 1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
AGES: All
WHAT: Families are welcome to come out for a not-so-scary Haunted Hatchery.
WANT TO GO? $7; $6 seniors 65 and older; $5 ages 3-12.
FREE Farmingdale Halloween Parade, Family Fun-Pony Rides, Petting Zoo
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 30, 2-4pm
WHERE: Farmingdale Village, Northside School at North Main Street, Farmingdale
AGES: All
WHAT: March in the Farmingdale Halloween Parade if you would like, then enjoy pony rides, petting zoo, costume contest, and candy!
WANT TO GO? Parade steps off from Northside School (north Main Street) and proceeds south along Main Street to the Village Green (361 Main St).
Ghosts, Goblins, and Witches
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 30, 8pm
WHERE: Ballet Long Island, 1863 Pond Road, Ronkonkoma
AGES: All
WHAT: Get in the Halloween spirit with spooky Halloween Dances!
WANT TO GO? $18; $9 children and senior citizens.
FREE Annual Halloween Costume Parade
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 31, 12pm registration; 1pm parade and judging begins
WHERE: Brady Park, 1000 Lake Shore Drive, Massapequa Park
AGES: All
WHAT: Dress up to participate in the parade or cheer on your favorite guys and ghouls!
WANT TO GO? Free.
Main image: Evgeny Atamanenko/Shutterstock.com
Here at NYMetroParents, we've got everything you need to have a safe, fun, and festive fall and Halloween season. Whether it is pumpkin or apple picking, getting lost in a corn maze, making Halloween crafts or finding costumes and decorations, we're here to help.
