Call it Boo-klyn.
This weekend, you’re not at a loss for Halloween festivities. From Greenpoint to Coney Island, you can find parties to do the Monster Mash, parades to show off your costume, and spooky, creepy productions that just wouldn’t feel right any other time of the year.
We scoured the borough’s plentiful offerings to present you the best of the best, from activities perfect for the whole family to those strictly for grownups. The only common denominator being, wear a costume!
Friday, Oct. 29
Coney Island Creepshow at the Freakshow: Coney Island becomes a zombie-infused crime scene this Halloween thanks to “The Ride Inspector’s Nightmare,” which has visitors — or, more appropriately, victims — tour a variety of rooms in the Sideshows by the Seashore building normally not accessible to the public, like hidden stairwells and the basement. Start by evening by stopping by a grave sight featuring a collapsed roller coaster, inebriated ride supervisors, zombies, and decapitated cadavers — you can guess what happened there. The show wraps up with an interactive courtroom trial of the neglectful inspector.
Creepshow at the Freakshow at Sideshows by the Seashore [1208 Surf Ave. at W. 12 Street, (718) 372 5159], now through Oct. 31. Tickets $10. For info, visit www.coneyisland.com.
“Danse Macabre”: Join Hungry March Band and One World Symphony to celebrate the Halloween season and support St. Ann’s Roof Restoration Fund at the Brooklyn Heights Church’s annual Halloween party. Some of the uncanny events scheduled include a Victorian-era “Faust,” in which a jaded intellectual makes a deal with the devil to gain infinite knowledge, and the deadly skeletal boogie “Danse Macabre.” Also featured is the world premiere of musician Jason Candler’s “ Boneyard,” and the organ-heavy number “Toccata” from “Suite Gotique.” A ghastly parade for the whole family will march down Montague Street before the show.
Danse Macabre at St. Ann Episcopal Church [157 Montague St. at Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 875-6960], Oct. 29 at 8 pm. Tickets $30 for general admission, $20 for students and seniors. For info, visit www.saintannandtheholytrinity.org.
“The Halloween Plays”: Brave New World Repertory Theatre and Company XIV collaborate for a frightening collection of one-act world premieres. “Dénouement” is a Neo-Baroque murder mystery. “Too Much Candy” is a fairy tale that merges Freud and sweets. “Salsa,” a psycho-noir comedy, will take on the hell fiery world of hot sauce. Yes, hot sauce.
“The Halloween Plays” at 303 Bond Theatre [303 Bond St. between Union Street and Sackett Street in Carroll Gardens, (212) 868-4444], Thursday through Saturday at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm and 7 pm, now through Oct. 31. Tickets $18. For info, visit www.companyxiv.com.
The haunted “Gravesend Inn”: City Tech presents a high-tech haunted hotel that’s sure to make you jump with fright at every turn. (And don’t let the name fool you — this Brooklyn haunted house is located in Downtown). The theme-park-quality Halloween attraction has been thrilling children and adults alike for 10 years, and this year’s is no exception, with ghosts, skeletons and other surprises in store. Though, of course, the less you know, the better it is.
Gravesend Inn at City Tech’s Voorhees Theater [186 Jay St. near Tillary Street in Downtown, (718) 260-5588], now through Oct. 31. Tickets $6, $4 for students. Not advisable for pre-school aged children. For info, visit www.GravesendInn.org.
“Horror Show”: Aerial acrobatics, classical dance, a marching band, and magic are all ingredients in this troubling tale about a love triangle in early 20th century New Orleans being staged by House of Yes. The eccentric show will be visually spectacular, pornographic, and 98 percent accurate. Not to mention, it’s running at an abandoned turn-of-the-century brewery. Circus meets ballet meets nightmare in this chaotic and out-of-control show set to the crazed music of the Stumblebum Brass Band. Get ready for a night of theatrical feats, whiskey, and horror-ific fun.
“Horror Show” (260 Meserole St. between Bushwick Avenue and Waterbury Street in Bushwick, no phone). Oct. 29 at 9 pm. Tickets $25-$35. For info, visit www.houseofyes.org.
“Plan 9 from Outer Space”: For more slapstick than horror this Halloween, head to the Brick Theater, where the Williamsburg space is putting on “Plan 9 from Outer Space.” That’s right, Ed Wood’s classically bad film about aliens and zombies that take over the earth is getting a makeover for the stage, courtesy of DMTheatrics. Expect the same awful dialogue and poorly built set, but all with a knowing, loving wink. The show’s running all weekend, but the night to go is Halloween, when director Frank Cwiklik has some promised surprises in store.
“Plan 9 from Outer Space!” at the Brick Theater [575 Metropolitan Ave. near Lorimer Street in Williamsburg, (718) 907-6189], Oct. 28, 29 and 30 at 10 pm; Oct. 31 at 8 pm. Tickets $20. For info, visit www.dm-theatrics.com.
“Tragic Story of Doctor Frankenstein”: Brooklyn Arts Exchange presents a gender-bending take on the Mary Shelley classic where the doctor and his monster are both female. The switch-up is what Shelley might have wished for, since the book’s main subtext the patriarchal society of the 19th century. And the action isn’t any less gory, if their press photos are any indication.
“Tragic Story of Doctor Frankenstein” at Brooklyn Arts Exchange [421 Fifth Ave. at Eighth Street in Park Slope, (718) 832-0018], Oct. 28–Nov. 13 at 8 pm. Tickets $18. For info, visit www.rabbitholeensemble.com.
Saturday, Oct. 30
Ascarium: The New York Aquarium gets into the Halloween spirit, with ghost stories, magic shows, and a haunted Sea-fari, where everyone can learn about marine life. The Aquarium’s sea creatures will also participate in the fun with demonstrations and feedings. You can also catch a viewing of “The Curse of Skull Rock,” a special 4-D movie, because 3-D is so overrated.
The New York Aquarium [602 Surf Ave. at W. Eighth Street, (718) 265-3474], Oct. 30-31 at 11 am. Adults $13, children 12 and under $9. For info, visit www.nyaquarium.com.
Boo at the Zoo: Who knew the zoo could be so scary? Those cuddly animals get in the Halloween spirit, too, with such activities as the Wildlife Witch Show and Smashing Pumpkins, where baboons will have a smashing time with pumpkins. The zoo’s legendary barn will be decked out with spooky characters and there will be face painting and arts and crafts. And be sure to dress the kids in their best Halloween finery for the costume parade. You don’t want to disappoint the sea lions.
Boo at the Zoo at the Prospect Park Zoo [450 Flatbush Ave. between Empire Boulevard and Eastern Parkway, (718) 220-5100], Oct. 30-31 at 11 am. Adults $8, children (3-12) $5. For info, visit www.prospectparkzoo.com.
Monster Mash Fete: The Brooklyn Children’s Museum is calling on ghosts and goblins, big and small, to check out this family-friendly extravaganza. Among the featured highlights are spooky readings with Madame Reade in a haunted reading room, a costume parade, and scary snakes. There’s also the Second Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest, a Mad Scientists’ Laboratory with creepy specimens, and, why not, a Michael Jackson Thriller Dance Tribute. ‘Cause this is triller.
Monster Mash at Brooklyn Children’s Museum [145 Brooklyn Ave. at St. Marks Avenue in Crown Heights, (718) 735-4400], Oct. 30 at 6 pm. $5 for members, $10 for non-members. For info, visit www.brooklynkids.org.
End of the World Zombie Dance Party: Have you heard? There’s rumor that a zombie attack will take place on Oct. 30, and you’re invited to join the apocalyptic dance party at the Brooklyn Masonic Temple to celebrate and lament the end of the world as we know it. DJs Lorraine Sangre, Fernando Lions, and JDH will take last rites song requests into the night. After all, is there any better way to live out a cataclysmic zombie attack than boogieing your brains out?
End of the World Zombie Dance Party at Brooklyn Masonic Temple [317 Clermont Ave. at Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 638-1256], Oct. 30 at 10 pm. Tickets $10. For info, visit www.meanredproductions.com.
Green-Wood Cemetery Tour: Celebrate Halloween with tales of murder and ghost on a tour of the cemetery, as Green-Wood’s historian Jeff Richman covers its 478 acres, containing more than 600,000 graves, while giving a history of the cemetery and its residents, including Charles Ebbets, Louis C. Tiffany, and Charlotte Canda. This tour is, go figure, very popular on Halloween weekend, so reserve your tickets soon.
The Green-Wood Cemetery [Fifth Avenue and 25th Street in Sunset Park, (718) 768-7300], Oct. 30-31 at 1 pm. Tickets $20. For info, visit www.green-wood.com.
Halloween Chills at Dish: The Bay Ridge nightspot will be serving up blood-curdling cuisine, where diners can order off an a la carte list, or chose between an $85 prix fixe menu or $55 three-hour open bar. If you’re not hungry or thirsty, you don’t have to pay anything, just remember to wear a costume, as there’s a $100 prize for the best dressed contestant. DJs Sean Cormac and the Nocturnal Soul duo will add festive sounds to the mix.
Halloween Chills at Dish [9208 Third Ave. between 92nd and 93rd streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 238-2323], Oct. 30 at 8 pm. Free to enter, $85 prix fixe, $55 for three-hour open bar. For info, visit www.dishbayridge.com.
Hallows Eve Bash at Brooklyn Bridge Park: Music, dancing, a costume contest, an immersive video landscape, and other Halloween festivities take over the waterfront, with proceeds supporting free public programming in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Highland Park Scotch Whiskey will be concocting sinister cocktails, including the devilishly delectable Blood and Sand. Guests must be 21 and over to enter, and are encouraged to come in costume to this diabolical event.
Hallows Eve Bash at One Brooklyn Bridge Park [360 Furman St. near Atlantic Avenue in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 802-0603], Oct. 30 at 8 pm. Tickets $50 in advance, $65 at the door. For info, visit www.brooklynbridgepark.org.
Haunted Halloween Carnival of Puppetry Arts: Known for their wild imagination, the workers of Puppetry Arts have put together some exciting Halloween thrills this year, including a petting zoo, cookie decorating and a haunted house. Kids and adults alike will get to learn how to make puppets as well as participate in giveaways and raffles. And like any good Halloween party, there will be a costume contest.
Haunted Halloween Carnival of Puppetry Arts at PS 372 [512 Carroll St. between Fourth and Third avenues in Park Slope, (718) 768-3703], Oct. 30 at 11 am. Free. For info, visit www.puppetryarts.org.
“Night of the Living Dead” and “Frankenstein” at indieScreen: For Halloween film buffs, IndieScreen in Williamsburg will be showing these two spooktacular classics. “Night of the Living Dead,” the 1968 cult zombie flick that started it all, has a group of strangers taking up refuge in a farmhouse as bloodthirsty zombies close in outside. The 1931 film, “Frankenstein,” spurred the horror genre and put the phrase, “It’s alive, it’s alive!” into the public lexicon. Leave the age of remakes behind and join film fans this Halloween eve to explore the roots of spine-tingling terror.
Double feature at indieScreen [285 Kent Ave. at South Second Street in Williamsburg, (347) 227-8030], Oct. 30, “Night of the Living Dead” at 6 pm and “Frankenstein” at 10:30 pm. Tickets $10-$12. For info, visit www.indiescreen.us.
Prospect Park Haunted Walk: With zombies, wolf men, headless horsemen and witches, Halloween in Prospect Park is pretty spooky — for children and adults alike. Take a walk through the woods to explore of the frightening beast that lurk on the Haunted Walk — if you dare. Then visit the Haunted Carnival for fun and games to help lower your adrenalin.
Prospect Park Halloween Haunted Walk and Carnival [Prospect Park Southwest and 16th Street entrance, (718) 965-8999], Oct. 30-31 at noon. Free. For info, visit www.prospectpark.org.
Sunday, Oct. 31.
“Carnivale”: You’ll be oohing and aahing this Halloween, and not over any costumes, as Cirque Le Masque presents this gravity-defying, circus-style show at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College. “Carnivale” takes audiences to the streets of Rio de Janeiro during the pre-Lenten season, where they become participants in the world’s biggest party, complete with colorful lighting, special effects, and an original score. The sophisticated, European-style circus features an international cast of colorfully costumed jugglers, acrobats, aerialists and clowns performing gasp-inducing actors of balance, grace, strength and agility. This being Halloween and all, children are encouraged to wear their costumes to the show and join in the circus shenanigans.
Cirque Le Masque’s “Carnivale” at Brooklyn Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College [2900 Campus Rd. at Hillel Place in Flatbush, (718) 951-4500], Oct. 31 at 3 pm. Tickets $27-$37 in advance, $30-$40 at the door, and half off for children 18 and under. For info, visit www.brooklyncenteronline.org.
Halloween at Owl’s Head Park: This is Bay Ridge’s classic haunted walk, pumpkin patch, pony rides and bouncy house, plus the piece de resistance — the costume contest. Each year, hundreds of kids turn out to show off their costumes, and this year will be no exception. Get ready for cute overload.
Halloween at Owl’s Head Park (Colonial Road and 68th Street in Bay Ridge, no phone), Oct. 31 from 1-9 pm. Free (suggested donation of $1 for haunted walk).
Park Slope Halloween Parade and Costume Contest: The granddaddy of all Halloween Parades actually starts off with the annual costume contest for kids, where award categories range from “Best Classic Character” to “Best Use of Materials.” Winners will have a special place in the parade, which kicks off at 6:30 pm. As always, there will be the mesmerizing oversized puppets, including the new giant dragon.
Park Slope Halloween Costume Contest at John Jay HS [237 Seventh Ave. between Fourth and Fifth Streets, (718) 832-8227], Oct. 31 at 4 pm. The parade begins at 6:30 pm on Seventh Avenue at 14th Street. Free. For info, visit www.parkslopeciviccouncil.org.
World/Inferno Friendship Society: This cabaret punk band loves Halloween, known for its extravagant shows featuring grandiose plans and stunning spectacles on the big day. In the past, these have included fire breathers and circus performers, as well as the standard song “Pumpkin Time,” performed only on Oct. 31. This year, the band brings the party to Brooklyn Bowl. The late show is already sold out, but as of press time, tickets for the early show were still available.
World/Inferno Friendship Society at Brooklyn Bowl [61 Wythe Ave. between N. 11th and N. 12th streets in Williamsburg, (718) 963-3369], Oct. 31 at 3 pm (9 pm show is sold out). Tickets $15. For info, visit www.brooklynbowl.com.
— with Meredith Deliso and Michelle Manetti
