Celebrate Halloween 2025 on the UWS: Best Events, Trick-or-Treat Routes

Here are eight standout ways to experience Halloween on the Upper West Side in 2025, offering a blend of family activities, community celebrations, festive shopping, and some of Manhattan’s best-decorated blocks. Whether bringing kids for a spooky community parade, seeking out jaw-dropping home décor, or shopping for the perfect costume, the UWS embraces the Halloween spirit in memorable ways.

69th Street Halloween Block Party

Join thousands of costumed kids and parents for the long-running 69th Street Halloween festivities—a UWS tradition since the early 1970s. The entire block from Central Park West to Broadway is closed to cars and transformed, with decorated brownstones, elaborate haunted house setups, copious candy, and prizes for creative décor. It’s a must-see and the epicenter for UWS Halloween night. This tradition takes place on Halloween night, Friday, October 31, 2025.

Community Trick-or-Treating on Decorated Streets

West 69th Street is famous, but don’t miss 70th, 75th, and especially 78th, 82nd, 87th, and 94th Streets, where neighbors deck out brownstones and hand out treats. These residential blocks offer safe, lively environments for trick or treating, and families can enjoy a festive stroll among massive spiders, skeletons, and glowing jack-o’-lanterns. Most active on Friday, October 31, 2025, in the late afternoon and evening.

Pumpkins on the Lake

A seasonal spectacle that brings a touch of Halloween magic to one of New York City’s most iconic settings. Each October, the tranquil waters of Central Park’s Lake near the Loeb Boathouse become a glowing scene as dozens of illuminated jack-o’-lanterns are set afloat at dusk. Families, photographers, and fall enthusiasts gather along the shoreline and Bow Bridge to take in the festive reflections and autumn atmosphere. The display perfectly captures the charm of fall in Central Park—combining the park’s natural beauty with the whimsical spirit of Halloween. It’s a short-lived but unforgettable sight, best viewed just after sunset on crisp October evenings.

Halloween at the New-York Historical

On Sunday, October 27, the New-York Historical (170 Central Park West) hosts a free-with-admission Halloween afternoon for children 12 and under. Activities include games, candy, crafts, story time, and educational touches about the origins of autumn traditions and Día de los Muertos. Costumes are encouraged. The Historical Hallowe’en Party takes place on Sunday, October 26, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 pm.

Lincoln Center Halloween Celebration

Lincoln Center continues its family-friendly tradition with its annual Halloween afternoon celebration, featuring trick-or-treating, games, arts activities, performances, and giveaways for all ages. Festive décor and creative performances animate the entire campus and welcome both locals and visitors. Details for 2025 have not been published specifically, but in past years, it has aligned with Saturday or Sunday before Halloween—likely on the weekend of October 25-26, 2025.

Shopping at Local Costume Stores

UWS has plenty of options for costumes and last-minute Halloween accessories. Check out independent shops like New York Costumes or specialist pop-ups that appear in October. Local toy stores and seasonal stands on Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue also stock costumes, decorations, and themed goodies throughout the month.

Iconic Brownstone Decorations

Each fall, stroll past the Upper West Side’s famed brownstones adorned with intricate displays. Notably, West 69th Street—often called the “spookiest block on the UWS”—is renowned for its over-the-top decorations, but neighboring blocks up to West 95th feature elaborate balconies, themed stoops, and window displays. Many buildings compete for recognition, making a walking tour a visual treat.

The American Museum of Natural History Halloween

The American Museum of Natural History hosts a beloved event with trick-or-treating through the exhibits, live performances, and themed activities, all set in its grand halls. This is particularly popular among families, often sells out, and makes for a unique museum experience. The museum’s annual Family Party is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21, 2025, from 5:00 to 7:30 pm. Purchase of tickets in advance is recommended.

Support Local Treat Shops

Get in the spirit by shopping seasonal goodies at neighborhood bakeries and candy shops. Spots like Levain Bakery, Orwashers, and mom-and-pop candy stores offer Halloween-themed cookies, cupcakes, and special treats. Picking up festive snacks before a community walk makes every outing sweeter.