Three Free Halloween Events in NYC

Looking for something fun and free to do for Halloween?  Check out these events.  1. Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village

Themed floats and costumed marchers will parade up Sixth Avenue from 7:00 - 10:30pm on Monday, October 31th, starting at Spring Street and ending at 16th Street.

Many will watch the hundreds of giant puppets, dancers, imaginative artists, and costumed New Yorkers in the parade.  Those who wish to join the parade must arrive in creative costumes at Sixth Avenue between Spring and Broome Streets from 6:30 - 8:30pm.

Everyone who participates in the parade is automatically entered into the costume contest.  Secret scouts scan the participants throughout the night and hand contact cards to winners.  This year’s prizes include a weekend stay at the InterContinental New York Barclay during the year and four tickets to each of five off-Broadway shows.

Viewers who want to evade the worst of the crowds generally come early and avoid the streets from Bleecker to 14th Street.  Those who cannot come to the parade can watch it live on WPIX Channel 11 from 7:00 - 10:00pm and on NY1 from 8:00 - 9:30pm.

2. The Halloween Marathon

 The Halloween Marathon will be held in the woods of Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx, on Sunday, October 30th, beginning at 9:00am.

Runners can enter one of several runs including a marathon, a three-quarter-marathon, a half-marathon, a quarter-marathon and a 5k.  Anyone may participate in this free event.

The runs will start and finish near the Van Cortlandt Museum and will follow a 3.275-mile loop, primarily using the Old Croton Aqueduct and Putnam Trails.

The trail winds through woods, over a lake and past a golf course.  Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable Halloween costumes.

 3. “Haunted Masquerade” Hosted by the Houses of Susan B. Anthony, Clara Barton

 SBA and Barton, “Sparton,” will host a Halloween party, the “Haunted Masquerade,” for members of their Houses on Monday, October 31, in the City Room from 7:00pm – 12:00am.

No mask is required for the masquerade, but girls who attend are expected to wear costumes.  Costumes will be judged and the winner will receive an undisclosed prize.

The Houses have planned several activities for the party, including dancing, apple-bobbing, mask-making, zombie-painting, donut-eating and more.  They will also provide a photo booth, a raffle and food.

The masquerade will be Sparton’s first-ever Halloween party.  The helmsmen and various house members of SBA and Barton worked with Director of Student Events Clara LaFever ('14) and the School Events Committee to plan the event.