October in New York City feels like a season in itself. The air turns crisp, leaves go golden, and the city becomes a stage for everything from spooky spectacles to street fairs where you eat until you can’t move. And honestly, when it comes to things to do in NYC in October 2025, the list feels endless — from haunted parades to hidden concerts in crypts.
Halloween is obviously the star of the month, but let’s be real — New York doesn’t need a holiday to throw a parade, host a late-night magic show in a basement, or invite you into buildings that are usually locked tight. That’s October for you: a little mysterious, a little festive, and a lot of fun.
So grab your sweater, your MetroCard, maybe even a pumpkin spice latte if you dare — here’s your guide to the best things to do in NYC in October 2025.
The Paranormal & The Supernatural
October is made for ghost stories and eerie vibes, and the city doesn’t disappoint.
Zabrecky Supernatural Soirée (Oct 16–25)
Mentalist Robert Zabrecky sets up shop in Brooklyn Heights, and let’s just say, this isn’t your average card trick. Wine is included, which may or may not help when you start questioning your grip on reality.
Voice of Space: UFOs & Paranormal Phenomena (Opens Oct 17, The Drawing Center, SoHo)
An art show about UFOs, aliens, and the paranormal. Free to enter. Free to freak out.
Don Giovanni (through Nov 22, Met Opera)
Mozart’s opera about arrogance, justice, and one creepy supernatural statue. High drama, big voices, and the kind of chills you don’t need a haunted house for.
Magic, Illusions & Sci-Fi
Sometimes October isn’t about ghosts — it’s about being deliciously tricked.
Urban Illusions (Fridays & Saturdays, East Village)
Hayden Childress pulls off close-up magic in a basement. VHS tapes, postcards, tricks that made Penn & Teller scratch their heads. It’s intimate, it’s fun, and it’s the kind of night where you actually want to sit in the front row.
Japanese Sci-Fi Night (Oct 6–12, Greenpoint)
Short films that prove Japanese cinema knows how to get weird in the best possible way.
The Legacy of Pura Belpré: Puppet Workshop (Oct 10, Bronx Library Center)
Make your own folklore-inspired puppet. Great way to get crafty before Halloween.
Mazes, Puzzles & Play
If you like challenges with a spooky edge, October’s got you covered.
Jigsaw Puzzle Club (Oct 4 & 18, Hudson Park Library)
A social club for puzzle lovers. Trade, solve, and maybe make a few new friends while you figure out why you’re missing just one piece.
Jeopardy! Interactive (Oct 8 & 22, Staten Island)
A trivia night where your phone is the buzzer and your pride is on the line.
The Amazing Maize Maze (through Oct 26, Queens County Farm Museum)
A three-acre corn maze with puzzles built in. It’s wholesome, Instagrammable, and your excuse to wear plaid in Queens.
Special October-Only City Moments
New York in October isn’t just about Halloween — it’s about exploring corners of the city you usually can’t.
Open House New York (Oct 17–19)
For one weekend, 300+ buildings across NYC open their doors — think skyscrapers, artist lofts, historic houses, secret studios. It’s a rare peek behind the curtain of the city.
Atlantic Antic Street Fair (Oct 5, Brooklyn)
Ten blocks of food, crafts, and music. Basically, it’s impossible to leave hungry. Definitely one of the best things to do in NYC in Cctober 2025.
CultureCon (Oct 4–5)
A festival celebrating Black creativity, with powerhouse speakers like Taraji P. Henson and Kerry Washington.
New York Film Festival (through October)
Screenings of the best new international films. A perfect indoor activity if the fall chill gets too real.
Parties, Costumes & Halloween Classics
New York is one of the best places on earth to be on Halloween — period.
Washington Square Park Dog Parade (Oct 26)
Dogs. In costumes. Need I say more?
Village Halloween Parade (Oct 31, Greenwich Village)
The big one. Thousands of costumes, floats, and this year’s theme: Potluck. Bring your creativity.
The Vampire Ball: Halloween Festival (Oct 31, Industry City)
The official after-party of the parade. Expect music, performances, and an all-night dance floor full of vampires.
An Unhinged Halloween Extravaganza (Oct 28, Lower East Side)
A booze-free party with costumes, prizes, and a whole lot of snacks. Who knew the “unhinged” crowd could be this wholesome?
Quirky, Bold & Just a Bit Weird
October gives you permission to try something unexpected.
Old Woman Naked (Oct 7, Hell’s Kitchen)
Pamela Redmond tells the story of her 72 years on stage — body, humor, and honesty included.
Sir Richard Castle’s Naughty Little Show (Oct 9 & 23, Lower East Side)
A cheeky burlesque and variety act. Think fun, not family-friendly.
Spectrum of Desire: Love, Sex & Gender in the Middle Ages (Opens Oct 17, The Met Cloisters)
Medieval art with a saucy twist. A reminder that people in the 13th century were just as messy as we are now.
Facing Death (With a Wink)
October also has a quieter, more reflective side — sometimes spooky, sometimes beautiful.
Death of Classical: Relics & Martyrs (Oct 8–10, St. John the Divine crypt)
Classical music performed underground, in a cathedral crypt. Atmospheric doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Victorian Women’s Graves Tour (Oct 26, Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn)
A guided walk through stories of forgotten women who shaped New York history.
Frankenstein: National Theatre Live (Oct 28, Upper West Side)
A screening of the stage play starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Jonny Lee Miller. Big gothic energy.
October in NYC is one long celebration of magic, mystery, and mischief. From haunted operas to puzzle clubs, from dogs in costumes to vampires in Industry City — the city doesn’t just lean into Halloween, it devours it.
So whether you’re out chasing ghosts in SoHo, getting lost in a corn maze, or just here for the free candy, New York in October 2025 promises one thing: you won’t be bored.
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