Halloween events around town

Originally published: June 21, 2009 10:06 AM
By Elizabeth Nielsen amNY.com

The annual Village Parade may be the highlight of the city's Halloween festivities, but there are plenty of other ghostly celebrations around town leading up to October 31. We at amNewYork recommend this line-up of spooky gatherings.

OUTDOOR TRICKS 'N TREATS

Village Halloween Parade The costumes, puppets, bands and skads of devilish revelers will line up for the annual Village Halloween Parade as usual. Those marching, meet on Sixth Ave. between Canal and Spring streets at 7 p.m. (Go to www.halloween-nyc.com for more information)

Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade Now in its 17th year, this dog Halloween parade is the city's premier spot for canine costumes. There are prizes for best costume and best trick. (Sat., Oct. 27, Rain date Oct. 28; 12 p.m.- 4 p.m.; Tompkins Square Park dog run; e-mail garrettrosso@nyc.rr.com or go to www.FirstRunFriends.org for more information)

Fright Night on the HarborThe Circle Line Downtown hosts a creepy Halloween "Boos Cruise" around New York Harbor. Hop aboard the Zephyr for a two-hour costume extravaganza including DJs, cash bar, snacks, and costume contest. (Sat., Oct. 27, 9 p.m. - Midnight; South Street Seaport Pier 16; 866-925-4631; Advance tickets $45, $50 on site; 21 +)

City Reliquary Haunted Halloween Backyard Bash Head to Williamsburg for an evening of backyard pumpkin carving (BYOP), games and homemade Halloween treats, followed by an exhibit of vintage Halloween paraphernalia at this mini-museum bursting with cool bits of "Old New York." Costumes appreciated. (Sat., Oct 27, 6p.m.-10p.m.; 370 Metropolitan Ave. at Havemeyer St.; www.cityreliquary.org)

Scared Silly! Halloween in Prospect Park Prospect Park will hold its annual Halloween Walk Sat., Oct. 27 from 12 p.m.- 3p.m. The walk is free and great for young children accompanied by parents, guardians or older siblings. Prospect Park has a whole pile of events planned for the weekend before Halloween including a Haunted Carousel, scary stories and skeleton cutouts. (For a complete list of events visit www.prospectpark.org or call 718-965-8999)

Ghouls and Gourds The Brooklyn Botanic Garden will host Ghouls and Gourds, a kid-friendly dose of Halloween fun including workshops, music, a costume parade, puppets and a book fair. (Sunday, Oct. 28; 12 p.m. 6 p.m.; 718-623-7289; www.bbg.org)

GHASTLY BALLS 'N BASHES

Webster Hell Webster Hall holds its 33rd annual Village Halloween after-party on Oct. 31st. Buy your tickets at the door, wear your most garish, ghoulish garb, and party through two hours of open bar. Doors open at 8 p.m. (Tickets $35; 125 E. 11th St.; 212-353-1600; www.websterhall.com)

Halloween Costume Ball The Theater for the New City holds its 31st Annual Halloween Costume Ball on Oct. 31st, a devilish night of dancing, cabaret theater, and over-the-top costumes. Doors open 7:30, tickets $20. (155 First Ave. at 10th St.; 212-254-1109; www.theaterforthenewcity.net)

Spooky Spirits & Wine at Bottlerocket's Halloween Candy Tasting Try a bottle of wine with your candy corn, chocolate bars and Snickers. This tasting focuses on desert flavors like chocolate, caramel, fruit, spice and vanilla, all paired with the right wines to top off any delicious Halloween feast. Free. Sunday, Oct. 28, 3 p.m. 6 p.m. (5 W. 19th St.; 212-929-2323)

WALKS, FLICKS 'N TERROR

Night of the Living Dead The MoMA will screen the George A. Romero's 1968 zombie classic "Night of the Living Dead" on Halloween. Tickets are $6 - $8. Showings at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. (11 W. 53rd St.; 212-708-9400; www.moma.org)

Blood Manor Blood Manor boasts 5,000 square feet of cutting edge scariness. Blood, gore and screams. Patrons make the journey though the building on foot in groups of six. It is recommended guests arrive before 8 p.m. or after 10 p.m. Tickets $20-$25. (542 W. 27th St.; 212-290-2825; www.bloodmanor.com)

Crimes of Old New York Walking Tour If learning about the real-life horrors that took place in the city is more your speed, check out the Crimes of Old New York tour by Street Smarts N.Y. Learn about New York City's first murder and other infamous deeds. Tours $10 per person. (Sat., Oct. 27, 2 p.m.; 212-969-8262; www.streetsmartsny.com)