The United States is experiencing the best of cultural assimilation, with American city mayors lighting ceremonial lamps in recognition of Diwali and Indian immigrant families shopping for Halloween décor items as well as costumes. The spirit of inclusivity is running high this festive season in New York and New Jersey, with Halloween being only 10 days away from Diwali (20 October). Just like “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”, New York and New Jersey Indians are looking to soak in the thrills and scares of Halloween celebrations 2025 in America.
Best Halloween Events in New York & New Jersey: A Spooktacular Guide for 2025
Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, New York
The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade is the world’s largest Halloween parade, standing as a testament to New York City’s vibrant artistic spirit. Started in 1974, it now attracts over 80,000 costumed participants and more than 2 million spectators. This vibrant procession features giant puppets, marching bands, dancers, and a myriad of creative costumes. The theme for the 2025 Village Halloween parade in NY is “GLADIATOR II,” paying homage to the legacy of ancient Rome.
- Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
- Location: 6th Avenue from Canal Street to 15th Street, New York, NY
- Contact: info@halloween-nyc.com
Bronx’s Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Festival
Step into a world of lights and fantasy at the Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail in the Bronx, one of the best Halloween events 2025 in New York for Tim Burton’s classic Disney movie lovers. Hosted at the New York Botanical Garden, this ticketed Halloween festival transforms the gardens into a glowing wonderland filled with animated pumpkins, spooky trees, and life-sized characters from the classic Tim Burton movie. Visitors walk through a one-mile trail dotted with dazzling lights, music, and interactive scenes that blend the spookiness of Halloween with the magic of Christmas, making it a must-visit Halloween attraction in New York.
- Dates: September 25 – November 30, 2025
- Place: New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, NY
- Contact: thenightmarebeforechristmaslighttrail.com
Halloween Harvest Festival 2025, Queens
The Halloween Harvest Festival at Socrates Sculpture Park in Queens is an annual family-friendly Hallowing celebration in New York. Visitors can enjoy pumpkin decorating, craft workshops, live music, and food vendors, all set against the park’s unique outdoor sculptures. One of the highlights is NYC’s second-largest dog costume contest, where creative and adorable pets strut their Halloween outfits. With free admission and a welcoming atmosphere, this is one of the best Halloween celebrations in New York even for Indian families.
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025 (Rain date: October 26)
- Place: Socrates Sculpture Park, 32-01 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, NY 11106
- Contact: 718-956-1819
Headless Horseman Haunted Halloween, Ulster Park, NY
The Headless Horseman Hayrides & Haunted Houses in Ulster Park, NY, is one of America’s most exciting Halloween destinations, running since 1992. Set on a historic 65-acre property in the Catskills, it features thrilling hayrides, six haunted houses, a corn maze, and spooky walking trails. Each year brings new themes and scares, and for 2025, visitors can expect expanded attractions and enhanced interactive experiences.
- Dates: September 20 – November 1, 2025
- Place: 778 Broadway (Route 9W), Ulster Park, NY 12487
- Contact: info@headlesshorseman.com
Pure Terror Halloween Scream Park, Monroe
Located just 40 miles from NYC, Pure Terror Scream Park in Monroe, is one of the most famous Halloween destinations in USA. Certified by Guinness World Records as the longest and scariest haunted house, and named USA TODAY’s Best Haunted Attraction in NY, this legendary Halloween destination features 10 massive haunted houses in one location. Visitors experience immersive Halloween thrills with cinematic sets, professional scare actors, and cutting-edge special effects.
- Dates: September 19 – November 2, 2025
- Place: 1010 NY-17M, Monroe, NY 10950
- Contact: (845) 300-4448
Great Jack O’Lantern Halloween Blaze, Croton-on-Hudson
The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton-on-Hudson, is one of the most magical Halloween events in New York. Since 2005, this family-friendly Halloween festival has amazed visitors with over 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins arranged in themed displays, including the Pumpkin Planetarium, Pumpkin Zee Bridge, and a pumpkin carousel. Drawing more than 170,000 attendees each year, it is a top Hudson Valley Halloween attraction for families and Halloween enthusiasts alike. This is a ticketed event and advance purchase is recommended.
- Dates: September 12 – November 16, 2025
- Location: Van Cortlandt Manor, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
- Contact: (914) 631-8200
New Jersey’s Haunted Wild West City Halloween, Stanhope
Experience a spine-chilling adventure at Haunted Wild West Halloween in Stanhope, where the Old West meets Halloween thrills in New Jersey. This immersive event features a haunted train ride and a spooky walking trail, each brought to life with live actors and eerie storytelling. Open Friday and Saturday nights in October, the park transforms into a ghost town with Halloween decorations, tarot readings, and live music. Perfect for teens and adults, it is one of the most popular Halloween events in New Jersey for thrill-seekers.
- Dates: Fridays and Saturdays in October 2025
- Location: 50 Lackawanna Drive, Stanhope, NJ 07874
- Tickets: $25 online; $30 offline
- Contact: (973) 347-8900
Brookdale Halloween Celebration 2025, Lincroft, NJ
The best Halloween places to visit in New Jersey is Brookdale Haunted Theater at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft. is a must-visit Halloween attraction in New Jersey. Celebrating its 22nd year in 2025, this ticketed award–winning indoor Halloween haunted house is designed, built, and operated by over 100 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Themed mazes, pitch-black zones, and special effects create an immersive experience that has earned it the title – Best Overall Halloween Attraction in NJ – for seven consecutive years.
- Dates: October 10–12, 17–19, 24–26, 30, November 1–2, 2025
- Time: 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
- Location: 765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
- Contact: (732) 224-2411
13th Hour Haunted House Halloween Celebration, Wharton, NJ
The 13th Hour Haunted House in Wharton, is among top Halloween attractions in New Jersey, offering an immersive experience with three haunted houses: House of Nightmares, The Attic, and The Darkside. Celebrating its 10th season in 2025, this paid indoor haunt event features movie-quality sets, special effects, and live actors. In addition to the haunted houses, visitors can enjoy nine themed escape rooms and the Haunted Hatchets attraction.
- Dates: Fridays and Saturdays in October 2025
- Location: 105 W Dewey Ave, Suite 5, Wharton, NJ 07885
- Contact: (862) 244-4454
- Website: 13thhour.com
Six Flags Great Adventure Halloween 2025, Jackson, NJ
Experience thrills at Six Flags Great Adventure Fright Fest 2025, running select nights from September 12 to November 2. This top Halloween event in New Jersey features haunted mazes inspired by The Conjuring, Saw, and Trick ‘r Treat, plus scare zones with ghost pirates and demonic clowns. Visitors can enjoy rides, including the new The Flash: Vertical Velocity coaster, while exploring spooky attractions for an unforgettable Halloween adventure.
- Dates: Select nights, September 12 – November 2, 2025
- Location: Jackson, NJ
- Contact: (732) 928-2000
