News

Aug 25, 2023

Halloween Guide 2023 (all events free)

Go-to Brooklyn parent resources Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW and Brooklyn Bridge Parents have teamed up to bring you our annual Halloween Guide featuring fall-festive, free, and spooky events for Brooklyn

Go-to Brooklyn parent resources Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW and Brooklyn Bridge Parents have teamed up to bring you our annual Halloween Guide featuring fall-festive, free, and spooky events for Brooklyn families. All events in our guide are free, check back as we will be adding more Halloween fun in the next weeks.

The 2023 Brooklyn Halloween Guide is sponsored by:

BASIS Independent Brooklyn, a PreK-12 private school that provides a global approach to education founded on learning at the highest international levels. Students are placed at the center of a passionate, diverse learning community committed to advanced academy inquiry, individual exploration, and extensive student support. Here, they grow as both learners and humans as they rise to reach their full potential and learn to impact the local and global communities around them.

The Zolan Rossiter Team at Compass – Founders Debbie Zolan and Jacquelynn Rossiter are well-regarded for their industry knowledge, professionalism and sincere dedication to the needs and desires of their clients. With almost 35 years of combined experience, their expertise in co-op, condo, townhouse resales, on-site new development and working with buyers, sellers, developers, landlords and tenants make them the ideal partner for any residential real estate transaction. Considered neighborhood experts in DUMBO, Brooklyn Heights and Downtown Brooklyn, the team has generated over $450MM in sales volume, has a 93% referral and repeat business, sold over 1000 homes and represented over 750 sellers. They love what they do and it shows.

Pump­kin Point, Gov­er­nors Island’s annu­al free pump­kin patch and fall fes­ti­val, returns to Nolan Park for 2023! Vis­i­tors are invit­ed to pick out their own pump­kins on the week­ends of Octo­ber 21-22 and Octo­ber 28-29 from 10 am to 5 pm. Find out more here. FREE with suggested donation

Join the library for some fun frights, fresh popcorn, and films! Kid’s Choice Movie night! Friday, October 6 at 3.30 pm. FREE

Mazzone Ace Hardware hosts this beloved community tradition on 4th Place between Court and Clinton. Choose from over a thousand pumpkins to decorate your own, plus there will be entertainment, food booths, games, and activities. They will be fundraising for NYC area Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Sunday, October 8 from 10 am to 4 pm. FREE with suggested donation

What’s the spookiest thing you’ve ever seen? Share your answer on a Post-It and be part of a Community Halloween Installation. To kick off the interactive installation, City Point and Brooklyn Bridge Parents will host free pumpkin decorating on Saturday, October 7 from 11am to 2pm in the space opposite the book store. Subway Therapy is an immersive and interactive work aiming to help people smile, laugh, and de-stress. It’s about community expression and bringing together our vibrant and diverse BKLYN community. Subway Therapy is an ongoing interactive and participatory public work. The space will be open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 6pm and Tuesdays to Fridays 12 to 6pm until November 6. Stop by to share your scary stories! FREE

The Children’s Harvest Festival is an annual street fair hosted by The Campaign Against Hunger. Bed Stuy Families and residents are encouraged to stop by for face-painting, scavenger hunts, performances, free food, games and more! Saturday, October 7 from 1 to 4 pm. FREE

Join the library for some fun frights, fresh popcorn, and films on Friday, October 13 at 3.30 pm. Screening Twitches (2005, Rated PG) FREE

Atlantic Terminal Mall, Brooklyn Bridge Parents and Mommy Poppins are hosting a FREE family-friendly fall festival on Atlantic Terminal’s outdoor plaza and car-free Fort Greene Place on Sunday, October 15th from 12 to 3 pm. They will set up an “urban pumpkin patch” with 1,000 pumpkins waiting to be decorated by the kiddos. The outdoor plaza and car-free Fort Greene Place will feature arts and crafts, pumpkin painting, block building, music, haunted trucks for kids to climb into and more! Kids are encouraged to come in costumes. At 1pm, Hopalong Andrew will perform.The event is supported by BASIS Independent Schools. FREE

Save the date for the Park’s Fall Fest on Sunday, October 15th from 1pm to 5pm! Celebrate autumn during this day of games, pumpkin decorating, food, special performances and more. Sunday, October 15 from 1 to 5 pm. FREE

Join the library for some fun frights, fresh popcorn, and films on Friday, October 20 at 3.30 pm. Screening Scooby-Doo: The Movie (2002, Rated PG) FREE

Don’t miss the Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy’s populra annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 21 from 11 am to 4 pm! Always a favorite, check out their kick-off procession, arts and crafts, storytelling, lawn games and more—including their signature pumpkin patch. FREE

Come and get into the spooky spirit with us at the Park Slope Library! We’ll be doing some spooky crafts and having a costume showcase! All showcase participants will get a small spooky prize! Saturday, October 21 from 3.30 to 5 pm. FREE

Bring the whole family to pick your own pumpkins and get into the fall spirit with popular seasonal activities on October 14th (kids costume contest) and 21st (pet costume contest)! On both Saturdays The William Vale will celebrate the season with pumpkin decorating, costume contests, lawn games, face painting, and autumnal treats! Located at the property’s elevated outdoor green space, Vale Park.

Join Poplar Street Community Garden and Brooklyn Heights Association on Saturday, October 21, 12-3PM for their annual Pumpkin Party with pumpkin carving, pumpkin crafts, and pumpkin ice cream. RSVP to reserve your preferred entry time (on the hour or half-hour) either via DM or email [email protected]. Bring the whole family! FREE

Join award-winning NYC Kindie musician, Esther, her family, and her hand-made puppets – including Greta the Ghost – for a special SPOOKY Stomp Clap and Sing! Just in time for the Halloween season: this interactive show is a mix of Esther’s standard rockin’ classics, including songs about animals, sustainability, and community, woven together with some fun and festive surprises. Ages 0-5. Tuesday, October 24 from 10.30 to 11.30 am. FREE

Stop at Talea to say Hello and pick your own Grab and Go Halloween bag craft kit. Decorate any way you like it and happy Trick or Treating. Tuesday, October 24 at 11.15 am. FREE

A free outdoor music series where families can expect tunes from award-winning children’s performer Suzi Shelton and fun, kid-friendly activities. Join Suzi and Special Guest Chris Johnson for a spooky Halloween-themed show! Thursday, October 26 at 10 am to 11.30 am. FREE

Get to know the Dekalb library as they welcome new and old friends at their 2nd Falloween Spectacular featuring: Ballon Art and Juggling 101. Costumes are welcome. Thursday, October 26 from 3 to 5 pm. FREE

Come and join us as we turn our auditorium into a mini movie theater for our Halloween interactive movie program! This year’s Halloween movie is Monster’s Inc.! Rated G. All ages welcome, no registration required! Friday, October 27 at 3.30 pm. FREE

Join the library for some fun frights, fresh popcorn, and films on Friday, October 27 at 3.30 pm. Screening Return to Oz (1985, Rated PG). Friday, October 27 from 3.30 to 5.30 pm. FREE

The Cobble Hill Association is once again partnering with Mason Lane Art Advisory Services to host this wildly popular community event in which more than 75 local children (1st–8th grade) create their own Halloween-themed painting on the windows of participating Court Street businesses. Registration opens soon. For 1st -8th graders. Saturday, October 28 starting at 8.30 am. FREE

Red Hook Harvest Fest will feature food, pumpkin patch, games, animals, Hot Pepper Challenge, photo booth, and more! Saturday, October 28 from 11 am to 3 pm. FREE

Save the date for a Seaport Kids x Halloween Block Party, in partnership with Mommy Poppins and Brooklyn Bridge Parents. Front and Fulton Streets will transform into a Halloween-themed block party for kids 2–10 (and the bigger kids who love all things Halloween). Enjoy a live music performance from urban cowboy musician Hopalong Andrew, as well as pumpkin-decorating, live pumpkin carving, face-painting, trick or treating, STEM activities and, of course, a celebration of attendees’ fabulous costumes. Saturday, October 28 at 11 am (rain date Sunday, October 29). FREE

The Brooklyn Heights Association’s Halloween Parade starts at the entrance to the Promenade on Clark Street and parades down to the Remsen cul-de-sac. Treats are provided at the end of the parade! Look out for updates on the BHA’s Instagaram page. Rain date Sunday, October 29th. FREE

Come down to Montague Street for TBA Halloween fun on October 28th. A Halloween-Themed Zing! Kids Fit Zone will feature a SPOOKtacular kids fitness obstacle course, fit games & prizes, and mini fit classes on Saturday, October 28 from 12 to 2pm. FREE

Now in their 25th year in Fort Greene Park, and sponsored by Fort Greene PUPS, the Great PUPkin is Brooklyn’s largest and most outrageous dog costume contest. Scads of dogs enter and ruthlessly compete for the coveted Great PUPkin rosettes for the top pups! Saturday, October 28 at 12 pm. FREE to attend; $17 for dog registration.

Dress up in your best costumes for the Haunted Costume Ball! Enjoy spooky stories, face painting, a haunted maze, music, family-friendly games, and more. Saturday, October 28 from 1 to 4 pm. FREE

Celebrate Halloween with music, performances, and prizes. Details TBA. Saturday, October 28 from 1 to 4 pm. FREE

The Ninth Annual Léman Manhattan Halloween Bash & Open House will take place on Saturday, October 28th from 10 AM – 12 PM. Stopy by 41 Broad Street for a fang-tastic morning of activities including pumpkin decorating, a slime-making station, bubble shows, halloween-themed crafts, delicious fall treats made by our Culinary Team, and more! General Admission is $20 per family. Please note that this event is for children in Grade 2 and younger. Click here to RSVP today.

Dress up and join the Friends of Carroll park for a festival of fun with music, dancing, treats, scavenger hunt, and more. Located at the Park House and Monument area in Carroll Park.

Celebrate the Halloween season with your pups! Join us for our first Howl-o-ween on Hoyt. Meet your neighbors, take a photo of your four legged friend in our “pupkin” patch, enjoy treats, try out an agility course, receive free pet health and training advice, and more. Saturday, October 28th from 1 to 4 pm.

Brooklyn Bridge Parents is partnering up with the 5th Avenue BID in Bay Ridge to host a big fall festival on 10 blocks on car-free 5th Avenue from 75th to 85th Street. Come enjoy the many restaurants from all over the world, the uniquely decorated houses in the side streets and a block party with bouncy houses, arts and crafts, pumpkin decorating, “Trunk-or-Treat”, castle building, music, haunted trucks and much more. Kids are encouraged to come in costumes. Saturday, October 28 from 3 to 8 pm. FREE

Town Square’s Halloween Parade and Party has been a seasonal highlight for North Brooklyn families for a decade. Costumed kids and kids-at-heart march down Manhattan Avenue and back to the starting point for a spooktacular party! Arts and crafts, contests, games, and yummy munchies. Spooktacular Party for little tykes at 10am + 11am; Parade at 1pm; Zombie Nerf War for older kids at 3pm + 4pm. Sunday, October 29 from 10 am to 5 pm, rain or shine. FREE for parade; $20 online/$30 doors for Spooktacular Party

Court Street Spectacular Street Fair – located between Atlantic Avenue and Joralemon Street – is Brooklyn’s last big street festival of the year! Take a stroll down Court Street and visit the merchants and vendors, good eats, and kiddie rides on Court Street. Sunday, October 29. FREE admission

Join Prospect Park Alliance at the Audubon Center for a special Halloween celebration. Take a second look at the creatures that give you the creeps, you may find you like them! Participate in fun activities and experiments that will make your spine tingle. The event will feature an Owl Pellet Dissection, Nature Chef’s Surprise, Creepy Discovery Boxes, Snake Feeding, Creepy Crawly Walk. Sunday, October 29. FREE

Dress up in your best costume and join in the annual Park Slope Civic Council Halloween Parade on October 31! Parade Route is 7th Ave, Starting at 14th St to 3rd St, turning on 3rd street, ending at Old Stone House. Schedule: Kids Trick or Treating 3-6pm; Queue up for parade at 14th St 5:30pm; Civic Council kicks off parade, followed by elected officials 6:30pm; Parade ends at Old Stone House/Washington Park 7:30pm. FREE

A neighborhood tradition, DUMBOWEEN brings hundreds of costumed Dumbonians out for their Annual March to the Arch through Brooklyn Bridge Park with brass bands + puppets, followed by an Archway Party featuring crafts with Creatively WILD Art Studio, a photobooth, and of course, candy! Plus, Trick-or-Treat at 50 + Dumbo small businesses around the neighborhood! Tuesday, October 31 from 4 to 7 pm. FREE

Organized by the Cobble Hill Association, the parade is led by a big-brass band and followed by a procession of costumed families marching down Congress to Henry, around to Warren Street and back to the park. Afterwards, kids can stop at stoops for treats in one of the most active Halloween communities in Brooklyn. Tuesday, October 31 at 4 pm, rain or shine. FREE

The annual Halloween dance party on Myrtle Avenue is back with games, treats, a DJ, dancing and a special Thriller Dance off. Catch the Thriller Dance at 4:45pm, led by PS 20’s Mr. Chung and the PS 20 Dancers, and enjoy all the other fun from 4-6pm. All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. FREE

Celebrate Halloween on the last Open Street day of the season! Swing by Hoyt Street during your trick-or-treating route for free candy, drink specials, and outdoor dining. It’s going to be spooktacular! 4 PM to 9 PM.

Kids start trick-or-treating around 4 pm on Tuesday, October 31st on Garden Place in Brooklyn Heights. The gathering runs all afternoon until dusk when everybody runs out of candy.

Kids start trick-or-treating around 4 pm on Tuesday, October 31st on Strong Place in Cobble Hill. The gathering runs all afternoon until dusk when everybody runs out of candy.

Kids start trick-or-treating around 4 pm on Tuesday, October 31st on Clinton Street from Pacific all the way down into Carroll Gardens. The gathering runs all afternoon until dusk when everybody runs out of candy.

Don’t feel like dressing up and going out? Come to the library and join the Bad Art Club for Halloween! We’ll play a cheesy Halloween movie (perhaps Disney’s Halloweentown) and do a low-key craft. Tuesday, October 31 at 4 pm. FREE and for teens

Read more: More Trick-or-Treating + Open Streets recommendations across Brooklyn Neighborhoods

Share some of your Halloween candy and stop by during volunteer hours to donate on Wednesday, November 1 from 3.30 to 6 pm. Volunteers will sort, package, and deliver treat bags to Vinegar Hill Food Pantry, St. Ann’s Food Pantry, and Farragut Senior Center. Last year they collected over 500 lbs of candy and expect more this year! Thanks for pitching in to help bring sweet smiles to those that need it. FREE