NYC Halloween Events 2008

New York City is a fun place to be on Halloween. There are so many different ways to celebrate with your little ones. The events listed below will help to make the day thrilling and memorable.

Bronx
-Boo at the Zoo (October 11–13, 18–19 & 25–26): Families will enjoy magic shows, spooky stories, music, costume parades, storytelling, musical hayrides, pumpkin painting, giveaways and much more at the Bronx Zoo. This year they have a special offer where one child in Halloween costume will receive a free child’s limited admission ticket with the purchase of one full price adult limited admission ticket. (718) 367-1010.

-Halloween Fun Run in Van Cortlandt Park (October 25, 2PM. – 4PM): Kids ages 2-10 years old can race in their costumes as part of this free Halloween Fun Run in the Bronx. Meet at the Tortoise and Hare Statue at Broadway & 246 Street. (718) 430-1890.

Brooklyn
-Halloween at the A-scarium (October 25-26, noon – 4PM): Kids (ages 6 and up) will enjoy celebrating the holiday at the New York Aquarium. Deadly creatures from the deep will be featured at this annual Halloween festival. In addition to the Haunted Pavilion, there will also be arts and crafts. This event is free with aquarium admission (costumed children are admitted for free). (718) 265-FISH.

-Monster Mash (October 31, 5PM): Kids of all ages will enjoy celebrating Halloween at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum (especially since the museum just finished undergoing a huge makeover). Visitors will be able to touch slithery snakes, have their faces painted, hear spooky stories and more. Visitors are encouraged to come in a costume. This event is free with regular museum admission. (718) 735-4400.

Queens
- Halloween Haunted House (October 25, 26, and 31, 4PM – 7PM): Kids (ages 4 – 12) will enjoy hayrides ($2 per person) and fall foods (mulled cider, pumpkins and apples will be sold). Admission to the event at Queens County Farm is $4. (718) 347-3276.

-Halloween Festival (October 25, noon – 4PM): Enjoy a day filled with games, hay rides, crafts, pumpkin patches, goodie bags and much more at this free event in Queens’ Fort Totten Park. (718)352-4793

Manhattan
-Spooktacular Halloween Celebration (October 31, 4PM – 7PM): Kids will trick-or-treat, create origami, make crafts and more at this annual family favorite at the American Museum of Natural History. I (Kimberly) attend this event each year with my family and we always enjoy it! It costs $10.00 per person ($9.00 for Museum Members). (212) 769-5100

-Clifford the Big Red Dog’s Spooktacular Halloween Party (October 28, 6PM – 7PM): Kids can make their own spider cupcakes; design a Halloween mask; listen to stories and much more. Parents/guardians can bring their cameras for fun photo ops. with Clifford the Big Red Dog. The cost for this Scholastic Store event is $10 per child. (212) 343-6166

In addition to the events mentioned above, there are many events planned at local parks and libraries. Visit http://www.nycgovparks.org for Parks events. Library events can be found at http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org (Brooklyn); http://www.nypl.org (Bronx & Manhattan) or http://www.queenslibrary.org (Queens). Enjoy!

(For a more comprehensive list of NYC area Halloween events, visit here.)