Halloween in New York

September 20, 2009 4:42 PM

My boyfriend and I are flying into JFK from the UK on Halloween (landing approx 12 noon). Hive Mind! I command thee to besearch your crystal ball and telleth me some spooking goings on I simply can't miss on that fateful eve!

Its my birthday early November so I decided to pop over the pond as I have never been to the US. I only just realised we land on halloween, it seems very exciting since we dont really 'do' H'ween over here.
Id like to dump our stuff, go find some costumes (possible? and where?) and head out to go be very childish and eat 'candy'. We are both mid-twenties, we like dance music and clubs, are pretty much up for anything different and will have a plentiful amount of cash available.

So, New Yorkers, where do we go? And what do we do? Am I misguided in thinking that there will even be anything to do? Please educate me.

posted by Neonshock to grab bag (10 comments total)

Ooops forgot to add, staying in Times Sq. Thanks!
posted by Neonshock at 4:44 PM on September 20

Only one thing to do: The Parade

http://www.halloween-nyc.com/

Amazing costumes. You can come in costume and march or stand along and watch. Wild night.

If you want simple costumes that are not elaborate and you have some time you can hit Ricky's on 23 St btw 8th and 7th Avenues or elsewhere and join the parade along the routes per the website.

There are several dance and night clubs near where the parade ends around 6 Ave and 20-21 Street. There are a few very near 6th on 22 St, you'll see the lines and crowds. Enjoy your stay. Email with any other questions.

http://rickys-nyc.com/
posted by Kensational at 5:06 PM on September 20 [2 favorites has favorites]

Downtown NYC is insane on Halloween. You can't miss the party.

Alas. As a downtowner, I hate it.
posted by fourcheesemac at 6:08 PM on September 20

closer to the date, you might also want to check new york-centric blogs like gothamist.com.
posted by thinkingwoman at 6:26 PM on September 20 [1 favorite has favorites]

Seconding the Village Halloween Parade. Starts at 7 pm, but you'll be able to join in anywhere along the route. Costumes as simple or as elaborate as you want, as shown in these photos.

For costume shopping, I completely recommend Abracadabra on 21st Street between 5th and 6th Ave. They've got a main floor full of crazy horror movie displays and awesome masks, outlandish hats, makeup, weaponry, gore, and one of a kind props. They also have a lower level of cheaper packaged costumes if you're in a hurry and need one of the Sexy Nurse/Vampire/Fairy/etc costumes. The store is one of my favorites year round, and I'm willing to bet it will be incredible on Halloween!

In all honesty though, the most fun I've had on an NYC Halloween was just riding the subways anywhere in midtown and lower Manhattan after 11 pm. It is wonderful and surreal- drunken Dada.
posted by alight at 7:09 PM on September 20

Oh yes, make sure you ride the subway that night. Nothing like random superheroes and zombies in the trains. (All of downtown Manhattan is nuts that night. Here's a random youtube video.)

Get to your hotel, dump your bags, maybe take a nap, go get a drink (memail me for Times Square/Hell's Kitchen bar suggestions) and then head downtown to see the crazy.
posted by CunningLinguist at 7:38 PM on September 20

Nthing the parade. Then follow people to one of the bazillion fun parties.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 8:29 PM on September 20

The parade is a must.

There's also a haunted house, but the parade is an absolute must.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:06 PM on September 20

well, I'm going to chime in here - and I know I've built a rep around here as somewhat of an nyc hater - but I do not recommend the parade. I mean, if it's your first time in NYC, I suppose it's novel, but it's a freaking nightmare.

The last time I went, the streets were so crowded my gf and I almost got trampled. We were living in Morningside at the time and did all we could to get back uptown as fast as possible - which took about 2 hours as trying to get to the subway is a terror far scarier than any Halloween haunt you might imagine.

That said, it is a wild and crazy party. If you're dead set on it, my advice is to join the parade - no really. The street is much more spacious and you get the full experience without all the hassle. Find something awesome to wear and just (clandestinely) jump in. Technically I think you're supposed to gather somewhere at a certain time, but I have tons of friends who just merge into the parade from the sidewalk.

Oh, and pee before you go.
posted by Lutoslawski at 6:41 PM on September 21

Thanks so much everyone who responded to this question. We joined the parade as planned and had the best time; we were dressed as Mario and Princess Peach. We had an amazing experience parading along with all the other amazing costumes, waving as people were calling out to us and stopping for pictures. It will be something we will always tresure.

Thanks again.
posted by Neonshock at 2:34 PM on November 4