Best of New York: Halloween Events

What’s happening in NYC this Halloween weekend? From spooky movie screenings to lit parties to laugh fests, you’ll find just the right event to celebrate the scariest night of the year. Put on your costume, get our your vampire fangs, and head out to one of these Halloween hotspots.

A Haunted Hot Tub Halloween

Hilarious duo Kristen Schaal (You’ve seen her on Flight of the Conchords) and Kurt Braunohler regularly host this comedy night at Littlefield, but for their Halloween edition they’re bringing along some special friends, including John Darnielle, lead singer of indie favorite The Mountain Goats. There are a lot of guests still to be announced, so you can expect a lot of tricks (and maybe some treats) up their sleeves.

Saturday, Oct 29, 8:30 p.m.
Littlefield NYC, 622 Degraw St, Brooklyn.
www.littlefieldnyc.com

Dances of Vice: Beyond the Veil

Part murder mystery game, part performance art, part crazy dance party, this is sure to be an unforgettable night. Join other revelers underneath the vaulted ceiling of Riverside Church, where a Victorian murder mystery is taking place. Interact with the players, dance to Brian Carpenter’s Ghost Train Orchestra, and enjoy what is sure to be a spectacle in a gorgeously spooky setting.

Saturday, Oct 29, 8 p.m.
Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Dr, Manhattan
www.dancesofvice.com

Labyrinth Sing-Along

Watching The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Halloween has been done. Instead, head over to the 92 Street Y for another cult classic from a decade later. Sing along with Jennifer Connelly, David Bowie, the Muppets, and David Bowie’s hair as you relive some of the movie magic. A beer comes with the ticket price, and might get you in the mood to join the costume contest after the show.

Friday, Oct 28, 10:15 p.m.
92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Ave, Manhattan.
www.92y.org

The Housing Works Horror

For those looking for some literary frights, join Housing Works and Granta, king of the lit mags, for a reading from Granta’s latest issue, special spooky food and drinks, and trick-or-treat bags filled with bookish goodies. Points if you come in a literary costume; extra points if it’s so obscure, no one else can guess what it is.

Monday, Oct 31, 7 p.m.
Housing Works Bookstore Café, 126 Crosby St, Manhattan

Procession of the Ghouls

There’s a crypt downstairs in St. John the Divine, so you can bet it’s packed with ghosts on Halloween night. Watch a procession of the spooky specters, then enjoy the gothic surroundings of the cathedral while watching the original Phantom of the Opera, complete with accompaniment from the Grand Organ. Don’t be scared if a ghoul sneaks up behind you while you’re staring at the screen; they’ll be lurking in the shadows all night.

Friday, Oct 28, 7 p.m. and 10 p.m.
The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, 1047 Amsterdam Ave, Manhattan
www.stjohndivine.org