New York’s Halloween lineup blends history, theater and thrills
From historic ghost tours to a Gothic cathedral screening and pumpkin displays, the region’s culture and entertainment scene expands this spooky season.
New York City's Halloween season is unfolding with a mix of historic ghost tours, Gothic cinema projections and a slate of haunted attractions across the region, offering options for families and thrill-seekers alike.
One centerpiece is the Five Points Gangsters & Ghosts Tour by Empire Tours & Productions. The walking excursion departs from the corner of Worth and Mulberry in Manhattan's Five Points district, visiting sites tied to crime, ghosts and urban lore. The tours run at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., year-round, with tickets starting around $35 and a family-friendly tone.
Another highlight is the Phantom of the Opera projection at St. John the Divine Cathedral (1047 Amsterdam Ave.). On Oct. 24 and 25, the cathedral projects "The Phantom of the Opera" on a giant screen to honor the film's 100th anniversary, paired with live organ accompaniment by Tim Brumfield. The cathedral's Great Organ has been restored, and the program also features performances by the Mettawee River Theatre Company’s ghosts and goblins. The event runs from 7 to 9 p.m. and tickets are $50.
Staten Island is home to a cluster of Halloween attractions, with a dedicated fan base. The SIHauntedHouses.com directory lists more than 60 stops, including Twisted Trails at 8 Notus Ave., which opens Sept. 27 and runs through Halloween night with tickets from $10. Co-founder John Dimiceli said it is moderately scary, with actors popping out from hidden areas. Another standout is the Darlington Scare at 623 Darlington Ave., which runs Sept. 27 through Halloween night and is free for visitors.
Peace, Love & Pumpkins brings pumpkin magic to the Catskills, with jack-o’-lanterns lighting up Bethel Woods Center for the Arts (200 Hurd Road, Bethel, NY). The open-air display is running select nights from Oct. 10 to Nov. 2, 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., with prices starting around $30. The night market on Fridays and Saturdays features specialty foods, and live music in the Market Shed. On select nights, the grounds transform into a higher-fear experience dubbed “Friday Night Fright.”
Dark Forest Fright Trail is billed as a challenge for the fearless, staged at Burn Brae Mansion in Glen Spey. The psychological scare walk-through runs Oct. 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with half-beast, half-human creatures and other eerie features, plus music and refreshments. It is suitable for teens, and tickets start around $20.
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Mary Haley Van Cortlandt Manor (525 South Riverside Ave., Croton-on-Hudson, NY) is a Hudson Valley Halloween staple. About 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins illuminate the grounds, with lighting synchronized to original music. The display runs through Nov. 2, with prices starting around $24.
Sleepy Hollow Children’s Bookshop hosts reading and craft activities for younger visitors at 95 Beekman Ave., Sleepy Hollow, NY. On Oct. 30 at 10:30 a.m., children in costumes can enjoy age-appropriate spooky stories with crafts. The event is free.
The Armour-Stiner Octagon House in Irvington offers seasonal tours and readings through early November. Thehouse hosts its Myths and Mysteries Tour, with appearances by a dramatic reading of Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Raven" and features stories like "The Lady in White". Other offerings include a family-friendly home tour and night-time readings. Runs through Nov. 3, with prices from about $29.
Taken together, the events reflect a broad spectrum of Halloween culture across New York and its environs. City neighborhoods offer guided, historical looks at urban legends and Prohibition-era lore, while major religious spaces present cinematic experiences in a ceremonial setting. The Hudson Valley and Catskills present outdoor light shows and immersive experiences that combine artistry with seasonal fright, and Staten Island anchors a dense directory of haunted houses that appeal to fear-seekers and families alike.
Overall, the Halloween calendar emphasizes accessibility and variety: walking tours through historical districts, cathedral screenings paired with live music, community-run haunted attractions, pumpkin spectacles and literary events for children. For organizers, the challenge is maintaining safety and accessibility while delivering seasonal thrills. For attendees, the appeal lies in choosing between a brisk daytime stroll into the city’s murkier past, a theatrical or musical experience in an architectural landmark, or a twilight journey through pumpkin-lit trails and haunted paths.
As the calendar unfolds, neighborhoods from Lower Manhattan to the Hudson River valley showcase how culture and entertainment adapt to the spooky season, offering a shared experience that blends history, art and suspense for audiences of all ages.