Spooktacular October Guide: Things to do in NYC this Fall
As the mist of Fall starts to creep across the city, it brings with it crisp air and a laundry list of epic seasonal fun. From pumpkin patches smack in the center of the city to haunting movie nights and themed cocktails, there is no shortage of fun and no way to just choose one. Here is an epic roundup of where to go, what to sip and what to see this Fall season!
Now — Sip Seasonal Espresso Martinis This Fall
Indulge in the all new Fall Espresso Martini Flight being offered at Foxtail (231 Hudson St.), Golden Child (444 Park Avenue South), ART Soho (231 Hudson St.), and Lindens (2 Renwick Street) starting on October 1st to mark the first day of Fall! If you're seeking something spiced can opt for the Horchata Espresso Martini, while the Orange Espresso Martini is a fresh twist on the classic. They will also serve a Roasted Pumpkin Spice option, topped with a pumpkin cookie, which provides all the signature PSL flavor we know and love. Guests can grab one for $8 or the mini flight priced at $21 for the ultimate fall tasting experience.
Now–October 31st — Oktoberfest at Clinton Hall
Clinton Hall celebrates Oktoberfest across its Manhattan locations now through the end of October. Guests can enjoy a special menu featuring sausages, jumbo pretzels, wurst tots, a German burger, the Wurstfest Oktoberfest Platter, and rotating beer flights, while weekly games and contests including Pretzel Toss, Beer Pong with Steins, an Ice Cold Grab Bag, and the annual Stein-Hoisting Contest take place on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays beginning at 7 p.m.
Now–October 31st — Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch
Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch transforms Greenwood Park Beer Garden at 555 7th Ave. into a festive fall destination from September 25 through October 31, with pumpkins and fancy gourds, Halloween décor, child-friendly and adult pumpkin painting, hay bales, corn stalks, seasonal mums, and plenty of photo opportunities.
Now–October 8th — CLAWS
Candle House’s interactive psychological thriller CLAWS continues through October 8, placing audiences inside a 45-to-60-minute live phone call from the comfort of home or anywhere else they choose. Participants take on the role of a volunteer operator for the fictional Etcetera Helpline when a terrified teenager named Danny calls for help with a monster in his closet, with audience choices influencing the outcome of the story.
Now — BloodManor Debuts New Scares
BloodManor (359 Broadway), New York City’s premier haunted attraction is thrilled to return and celebrate over two decades of spine-chilling scares and thrilling entertainment. As pioneers of the haunted house experience, BloodManor is a Halloween season staple in NYC, delighting and terrifying millions of visitors over the years. This year promises an unprecedented level of horror and excitement, spanning new rooms, eye-catching costumes from Abracadabra, and a terrifyingly talented team of actors, set designers, make-up artists and more! Following its popularity, Blood Manor will bring back their ticketed Scare Actor experience where guests can get suited up in makeup and costume, and join the cast to scare visitors for an hour complete with admission to the haunted attraction itself. Inside BloodManor, guests confront their deepest fears as they journey through dark, sinister corridors filled with twisted characters and scares at every turn. Incorporating state-of-the-art special effects, BloodManor brings unparalleled realism to the haunting experience, immersing visitors in a nightmare that blurs the lines between fact and fiction. Each attraction within the house is based on carefully crafted, original storylines, transporting visitors into eerie and macabre worlds. From cursed mansions, to abandoned asylums, every theme promises to invoke terror and adrenaline. Timed-entry tickets can be purchased online at https://www.bloodmanor.com or at the door. You can also follow @bloodmanornyc for real-time information, images, videos, and more.
October 1st–10th — GUAC at The People's Thearee
Manuel Oliver brings GUAC to The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante in Inwood beginning October 1, following previews that begin September 25. Created and performed in memory of his son, Joaquín “Guac” Oliver, the approximately 100-minute theatrical piece moves between English and Spanish as Oliver explores family, loss, memory, and activism. Performances continue through October 10 at 419 West 206th Street.
October 1st — Dîner en Blanc New York
Dîner en Blanc returns to New York City on October 1st for its signature secret-location dinner, where guests arrive dressed entirely in white and transform an undisclosed outdoor location into an elaborate communal dining scene. The experience has expanded to more than 120 cities in 40 countries since 2011, with each destination bringing its own local character to the celebration.
October 2nd–30th — Spooky Movie Month at Foxtail
Foxtail’s Living Room at Arlo SoHo kicks off its Freaky Movie Fridays series on October 2nd with The Lost Boys. The free screenings continue every Friday from 7 to 10 p.m., with Donnie Darko on October 9th, Hereditary on October 16th, The Craft on October 23rd, and The Shining on October 30. A two-item minimum applies, with seasonal cocktails and food available throughout the series.
October 3rd — Joanne’s 15th Anniversary Celebration
Joanne the longtime Italian restaurant operated by Lady Gaga’s parents, Joe and Cynthia Germanotta, celebrates 15 years on the Upper West Side on October 3rd at 6:30 p.m. with an evening of live performances honoring the restaurant’s evolution from a family gathering place into an entertainment destination and emerging-artist platform.
Things to do in October
October 3rd — Global Mashup: Greece Meets Garifuna
Flushing Town Hall and Jalopy Theatre and School of Music bring KELEPOÚRI and Gogo Norales together for a one-night-only musical collaboration on October 3. Dance lessons begin at 7 p.m., followed by separate sets from the artists at 8 p.m. before they join forces for an improvised finale, bringing together Smyrneiko Greek traditions and Garifuna music.
October 4th — Taste of Sunnyside
Taste of Sunnyside returns to Queens on October 4 for its 16th annual celebration of the neighborhood’s culinary scene. Running from 1 to 7 p.m., the community festival brings together local restaurants, live music, family-friendly activities, artists, and entertainment throughout Sunnyside.
October 8th-11th — NYCC Returns with Horror Panels
New York Comic Con celebrates its 20th anniversary this week, bringing four days of pop culture, fandom and plenty of horror to the Javits Center from October 8–11. Horror fans can catch the Crystal Lake panel on Thursday, celebrate 30 years of Scream with Ghostface Forever on Friday, and check out Blumfest 2026 and Violent Night 2 later that evening. Saturday brings even more scares with the Shudder Spooky Season 2026 panel and Horror365 LIVE at NYCC, making this weekend a must for horror lovers.
October 11th–November 1st — The Bald Soprano
The Resident Acting Company presents Eugène Ionesco’s absurdist classic The Bald Soprano at The Sheen Center for Thought & Culture beginning October 11, with opening night on October 15. Directed by Bradford Cover, the production turns an ordinary evening into a surreal collision of clichés, contradictions, non sequiturs, and linguistic mayhem. Performances continue through November 1 at 18 Bleecker Street.
October 17th — Joanne Album Anniversary Listening Party at Joanne
Joanne hosts an evening celebrating the 10th anniversary of Lady Gaga’s Joanne album on October 17th at 6:30 p.m. Guests can revisit the music over dinner and Pinot Grigio, with a live sing-along led by Joanne resident performer Grace Romanello and a special surprise planned for the end of the evening.
October 30th — Harryween at Golden Child
Golden Child at Hotel Park Ave NYC gets into the Harry Styles-inspired Halloween spirit on October 30 and 31 with themed cocktails, costumes, photo opportunities, and a Harry-ween costume contest on October 30. Guests dressed as their favorite Harry Styles look can receive their first drink on the house, while the winning costume takes home a dinner for two at Park Rose. A flash tattoo pop-up featuring complimentary Harry-inspired designs is also planned.
October 31st — Tim Burton Inspired Halloween at W New York Times Square
Halloween in Times Square gets a cinematic twist at W New York – Times Square, which will host Tim Burton After Dark: Halloween at W on Saturday, October 31 from 8 to 11:30 p.m. The 21+ immersive celebration will channel Tim Burton’s gothic, offbeat imagination with a fireside chat and Q&A featuring Jay Prychidny, Burton’s longtime film editor and creative collaborator, alongside a live VFX artist building a fantastical creature throughout the evening before its final reveal. Guests can expect Tim Burton films projected throughout the night, a live DJ, complimentary photobooth, costume contest, a welcome glass of Perrier-Jouët and a sip ticket for an additional drink at the bar. Burton-inspired attire is encouraged, from gothic glamour and fantastical creatures to black-and-white whimsy and anything beautifully bizarre. Tickets range from approximately $65 to $642
October 31st — Halloween at Ellen’s Stardust Diner
Ellen’s Stardust Diner celebrates Halloween on October 31 with its famous singing waitstaff, the Stardusters, getting into costume for a night of spooky performances. Guests are encouraged to dress up and join the monster mash at the retro diner at 1650 Broadway. The diner’s Rocky Horror Milkshake, made with red velvet ice cream, vanilla buttercream, whipped cream, Halloween sprinkles, candy, and more, will also be available throughout October.
October 31st — The Forbidden Palace at Slate
Slate will transform into The Forbidden Palace for an epic Halloween party complete with live DJ sets, dancing, a costume contest and more on Saturday, October 31st. Get into the Halloween spirit at this iconic, sprawling 16,000-square-foot, bi-level venue. Guests can also opt for VIP table packages featuring premium bottle service and additional amenities. Doors for this haunting party will open at 9 PM and will continue till late. Buy tickets by visiting, https://slate.ticketsauce.com/e/halloween-slate-saturday-10-31
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