Fall Event for Kids in Brooklyn | Family Fall Activity Guide
For my children, Halloween is almost as exciting as Christmas. My kids love the chill in the air and the changing leaves…kiddings; it is about the costumes and candy. I love that, and it is a great excuse to enjoy outdoor adventures in a slightly different way.
Programming note: These activities can require some travel. I organized some by location and noted travel distance/type where applicable.
Halloween Events for Kids in Brooklyn
Halloween in Brooklyn is the absolute best event. The housing density means children can acquire so much candy in such a short amount of time. Many blocks go all out every year. I’ve highlighted a few below, but I guess that any block with brownstones will be bustling.
Note for toddlers and younger kids: the only downside of a Brooklyn Halloween is that the sidewalks are not as stroller-friendly. In my neighborhood, Prospect Heights, navigating a stroller on crowded sidewalks was tough. Plan accordingly and maybe try a shorter family adventure with walking/carrying if possible.
Park Slope Halloween Parade
Every Halloween, a parade marches down 3rd Street in Park Slope. The line-up starts at 5:30 p.m. at 7th Avenue and 14th Street and heads down 7th Avenue until 3rd Street. The parade ends at J.J. Byrne by 7:30 p.m.
Boo!KCM Halloween Celebration
Join the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music for their spooky musical performance on Halloween from 4-6 pm.
Trick-or-Treating
If you’re walking down a Brooklyn block or neighborhood in October and you see decorations, it’s safe to assume they will give out candy on Halloween. In addition, most neighborhood commercial streets will hand out free candy. On roads like Montague Street in Brooklyn Heights and Vanderbilt Avenue in Prospect Heights, even dry cleaners and liquor stores will partake with Trick-or-Treaters.
For the past few years, the Deport of Transportation has also been running Trick or Streets the week before Halloween; you can check back here for fully designated safe trick-or-treating zones.
NYC DOT "Trick or Streets"
Brooklyn Heights: Garden Place is a hub for trick-or-treating, which begins around 4 p.m. From my experience living here, every block is hopping.
Clinton Hill: Myrtle Avenue BID organizes a Monster Mash starting at Myrtle Avenue and offering recommendations on where to go. Follow their Instagram for updates as the date approaches.
Cobble Hill: Everywhere around Warren Street, Wyckoff Street, Henry/Clinton; you can’t go wrong in Cobble Hill
Fort Greene: The blocks south of Fort Greene Park are the place to be. Last year, Clinton Avenue was closed south of Fort Greene Park.
Prospect Heights: Park Place and Underhill are the hubs for this neighborhood. Underhill has closed for a few blocks in the past years, but Prospect Place and Sterling Place are always bustling too.
Park Slope: The busiest block around the parade will be 3rd Street from 5th Avenue to Prospect Park West. The shops all along 5th and 7th Avenue will sell candy. Polhemos Place is another popular destination, but it’s hard to go wrong in Park Slope.
The Space Car is an unofficial Prospect Heights landmark parked on Park Place. Every year the owner puts an inflatable dragon on top during Halloween
Halloween Festivals | Events for Families around Halloween
Brooklyn Heights Halloween Parade & Costume Contest: The Saturday before Halloween, the Brooklyn Heights Association organizes an event year near the promenade. Pay attention to their website for details. Likey October 26th.
Fort Greene Park Halloween Fest: Fort Greene Park goes all out with several different events for families. Scheduled for October 26th 12-4pm
Dance Party
Face Painting
Tompkins Square Dog Parade: The dates are not set yet, but this one is usually held a week or so before Halloween, and the owners go all out.
Governor’s Island Pumpkin Point: Costumes encouraged and fun guaranteed This will be October 26th & 27th.
Ascarium at the New York Aquarium: Costumes and some spooky fun with the animals. October 19th, 20th, 26th, & 27th.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Big Halloween Get Down: A dance party on Halloween
Boo at the Zoo: Saturdays & Sundays at the Bronx Zoo in October.
Pumpkin Nights: Thursday- Sunday evenings September 27th- October 27th at the Bronx Zoo
Pumpkin Blaze: Light up festivities in Long Island and around Westchester.
Pumpkin Patch around NYC
Cityside Pumpkin Patch: Located two blocks from the F and open daily. This is probably the easiest and best for city dwellers! Tickets are required to enter.
Queens County Farm: Open daily with a pumpkin patch starting October 1st. (No easy public transportation options to this party of queens)
Green Meadows Farm: I find this place a bit gimmicky, but my kids enjoyed it when they were younger. It’s a 45-minute drive from Prospect Heights where I live.
Governor’s Island Pumpkin Point: The Pumpkins are free with a suggested donation. However, they are only open on October 26th and 27th.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Autumn in New York: Another convenient option for only one day, October 19th.
The William Vale Pumpkin Patch: Dates not posted for 2024 yet but likely two Saturdays before Halloween
Halloween Harvest at Luna Park: Head to Coney Island any weekend for rides, pumpkin picking, and festive fall snacks, aka a lot of pumpkin spice
Pumpkin Picking at Decker Farm: Staten Island Farm, where picking begins October 4th.
Exploring a move this Fall? See what’s currently on the market.
Family Fun Outside of New York City
My family visits the North Fork frequently, so I can speak to those Long Island experiences best! All of these will be busy on Fall weekends and Columbus Day, I would leave early and plan with reservations if you can.
Pro Tip: Most fall U-Pick family events require you to bring your bag. If you're pumpkin shopping, grab a few big ones, aka bring your Fresh Direct bags.
Long Island
My daughter at F&W Schmitt's Farm when she was three- huge fan of the playground that year!
F&W Schmitts Farm: About an hour outside Brooklyn in Melville, this farm has a playground, a u-pick pumpkin patch, and sunflowers, depending on the season. They also have a haunt event in the evenings. One October, I was on maternity leave, and we went a few times when it was empty. The kids had a blast!
White Post Farms: Also in Melville, White Post is known for its animal farm, which includes a giraffe! During the fall season, they have hayrides and a pumpkin patch.
Harbes Family Farm: Harbes is a bit further away in the North Fork but has everything you need for a fall adventure. There is an apple orchard (with online reservations), a barnyard playground (that is fun), and also a winery. I know a great driver if you’re staying in the North Fork!
Woodside Orchards: This apple-picking farm is much less chaotic in the North Fork. It’s a smaller, quaint operation with donuts and cider.
Brightwater Farms This farm is about 90 minutes away in Bayshore. They have a fall harvest festival with a pumpkin patch, beer/wine tasting, kids' entertainment, and bounce houses.
Upstate NY
Outhouse Orchards: About an hour upstate, this farm has a fall festival with apple picking, craft beer, and a pumpkin patch.
Apple Ridge Orchards: About 90 minutes away in upstate, Apple Ridge has U-Pick apples, pumpkins, and a family animal farm.
Boehm Farm: About 2 hours north in the Catskills, this farm offers apple picking and a pumpkin patch.
New Jersey
Demarest Farms: This is one of the closest I’ve seen with an hour Google Maps ETA. (Though Brooklyn dwellers have to drive through Manhattan) They offer a pick-your-own pumpkin and apples. I’d plan an evening visit here as they have a Halloween light show!
Eastmont Orchards: A little more than an hour into New Jersey, Eastmont Orchards has no admission charge, which is nice. You pay for what you pick.
Secor Farms: A bit more than an hour away, Secor Farms has hayride times you can reserve ahead of time. It also has a pumpkin patch and lots of Fall treats.
Octoberfest Things To Do
Looking for a good reason to get a babysitter during the daytime? There are a fun events that would be great to do with some parent friends- l’s hope this beautiful September weather holds out.
Bear Mountain Cruise: Cruise up the Hudson River with schnitzel, pretzel, and beer available.
Frying Pan Brooklyn: Frying Pan in Industry City hosts an outdoor
OktoberFest NYC: Head to the Financial District every fall weekend for this festival.
Black Forest Brooklyn: Black Forest Brooklyn is a great German restaurant in Fort Greene. They become extra festive around Oktoberfest with dedicated reservations to celebrate.
Hike-Toberfest: Head to the Northern tip of Manhattan for this great combination of all things Fall. A group hike followed by some beers to celebrate!
Fall Hike Activities
Van Cortland Park Trails: Accessible via the 1 train, Van Cortland Park in the Bronx has several trails. There are plenty of easy options and diverse terrain.
Fort Tryon Park: Accessible via the A train, this park has a 3-mile easy loop if you have some adventurous walkers in your family!
Bear Mountain State Park: About an hour north of NYC, this state park has a variety of trails that can be family-friendly or more challenging. There are also Coach USA bus options to the Bear Mountain Inn nearby.
Casino Trail at Mount Beacon: This hike can be challenging but accessible from the city. The trail is accessible via the metro north stop in Beacon, NY.
Mountain Creek Trails: This is an excellent loop option on the ski hill in New Jersey. Because it’s a ski resort, parking is a breeze.
Spooky Family Festivals near Brooklyn
Haunted Carousel at Prospect Park (10/26 Only): All Ages
Jimmy Fallon Tonightmares (Runs 9/20-10/31): Not recommended for under Ages 13
Ascarium at the New York Aquarium: Costumes and some spooky fun with the animals. October 19th, 20th, 26th, & 27th.
Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail at the New York Botanical Garden: Starts September 27th and runs every night for nine weeks.
Take a spooky troller tour with Greenwood Cemetery: Themes such as Edgar Allen Poe or True Crime fit right in with a spooky evening.
Dia De Los Muertos for Kids
Greenwood Celebration: Greenwood hosts a family event on November 1st.
Brooklyn Museum: Sunday art installation: The Brooklyn Museum has Sunday art dedicated to this holiday.
Rockefeller Center: Last year, they transformed the plaza after Halloween, and I expect the same Last year Rockefeller Plaza transformed https://www.rockefellercenter.com/events/dia-de-muertos-at-rockefeller-center/
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-Katie