Halloween with Great Performances

At Great Performances, Halloween isn’t just a holiday—it’s a creative season. Each October, our team transforms private venues, ballrooms, and rooftops across New York City into hauntingly elegant experiences for our clients, filled with imaginative menus, moody décor, and unforgettable moments. We love this time of year because it embodies what we do best: crafting events that engage all the senses and spark joy through creativity.

But we’re not the only ones celebrating. Our partner venues—New York’s most iconic cultural institutions—are bringing their own magic to the season with concerts, family festivals, film screenings, and art experiences that capture the spirit of Halloween and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly celebration, a night of cinematic chills, or a creative way to honor Día de los Muertos, there’s something happening for everyone this October.

Here are some of our favorite Halloween events in New York City for 2025, hosted by our partner venues, that we can’t wait to share.

Asia Society

Asia Society: Zinda Laash (The Living Corpse)

When: October 31, 2025
Where: Asia Society

If you’re a fan of classic horror with a cultural twist, Asia Society’s screening of Zinda Laash (The Living Corpse) is a must-see this Halloween. Originally released in 1967, this cult favorite holds the distinction of being Pakistan’s first-ever horror film—and its first film to receive an adult certification for its eerie themes and groundbreaking imagery.

The film follows a mad scientist whose experiments go horribly wrong, turning him into a bloodthirsty vampire. Blending Gothic horror, melodrama, and surreal cinematography, Zinda Laash pays homage to Dracula while carving out its own haunting legacy in South Asian cinema.

Asia Society’s screening of this rarely seen classic offers both chills and insight into the region’s cinematic history. It’s a perfect way to spend Halloween night—immersed in suspense, artistry, and international film heritage.

BAM

BAM: BAMboo! (Halloween Family Festival)

When: October 31, 2025
Where: BAM

Every Halloween, the Brooklyn Academy of Music transforms into a community hub for spooky fun with BAMboo!. This annual block party is designed for families and children, creating a safe and lively space to celebrate the holiday in style.

Expect carnival games, candy giveaways, music, and plenty of arts and crafts activities. Little ghouls and goblins can show off their costumes in a festive parade, while parents can enjoy the vibrant neighborhood energy that BAM is known for. It’s a beloved community tradition that captures the joy of Halloween without the scares—making it perfect for kids of all ages.

If you’re looking for an afternoon celebration before trick-or-treating kicks off, BAMboo! is the place to be.

BAM: Folklore Film Series – The Wolf House, Viy & The White Reindeer

When: October 31, 2025
Where: BAM

If you prefer your scares on the big screen, BAM’s Folklore Film Series offers a chilling journey through international tales of myth, magic, and the macabre. This trio of haunting films dives into the darker corners of folklore, blending artistry with eerie storytelling that lingers long after the credits roll.

The series begins with The Wolf House, a mesmerizing stop-motion nightmare inspired by Chile’s most unsettling historical myths—where a young girl seeks refuge in a mysterious house that slowly consumes her. Viy, the first Soviet horror film, brings to life a 19th-century Russian tale about a seminarian forced to guard the coffin of a witch for three terrifying nights. And The White Reindeer, a Finnish classic, tells the story of a lonely woman who transforms into a vampiric reindeer after a shaman’s spell—both beautiful and haunting in equal measure.

Together, these films weave a global tapestry of fear, folklore, and fantasy. Perfect for cinephiles seeking something more sophisticated than jump scares, BAM’s Halloween lineup proves that true horror lies in the imagination.

Dizzy's Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center

Dizzy’s Club: Stephane Wrembel – Django New Orleans CD Release

When: October 31, 2025
Where: Dizzy’s Club at Jazz at Lincoln Center

End your Halloween night on a high note at Dizzy’s Club, where world-renowned guitarist Stephane Wrembel—best known for his work inspired by Django Reinhardt—takes the stage for the release of his new album, Django New Orleans.

Wrembel, a virtuoso of Gypsy jazz, brings together the rhythmic pulse of New Orleans with the improvisational magic of Django’s sound, creating a concert that’s both soulful and electrifying. Joined by a stellar lineup of musicians, this performance promises a vibrant evening of swing, spirit, and spontaneity—all with a Halloween-night edge that’s more enchanting than eerie.

Sip a cocktail, take in the skyline views, and let the music transport you—it’s the perfect sophisticated finale to a day of festive fun across New York.

Poster House

Poster House: Halloween Mask Printing with Mike King

When: October 27, 2025
Where: Poster House

For those who like their Halloween with a dose of artistry, Poster House offers a hands-on workshop that’s as creative as it is festive. Designer Mike King leads a special Halloween Mask Printing session, teaching participants how to screen-print bold and spooky designs inspired by the museum’s collection of iconic posters.

The best part? You leave with a one-of-a-kind mask of your own creation, perfect for wearing to your Halloween festivities. This event bridges history, design, and seasonal fun, giving adults and teens the chance to flex their creativity while celebrating the holiday.

It’s Halloween with a stylish, DIY twist—where art and costume collide.

Wave Hill

Wave Hill: Wave Hill-O-Ween

When: October 26, 2025
Where: Wave Hill

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Hudson River, Wave Hill-O-Ween is a celebration that blends nature, family, and seasonal festivity. The gardens come alive with Halloween activities tailored for children and families, including trick-or-treating around the grounds, craft workshops, and storytelling sessions.

Unlike crowded city parades, Wave Hill offers a tranquil, scenic setting that makes the holiday feel both magical and intimate. Families can wander the fall foliage, explore the grounds, and then gather for crafts or performances that highlight the joy of the season.

It’s a chance to celebrate Halloween surrounded by beauty and nature, while still enjoying all the festive touches kids love.

Wave Hill: Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos

When: November 1 – 2, 2025
Where: Wave Hill

As Halloween fades, the celebration continues at Wave Hill with two beautiful events honoring Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)—a time to remember loved ones and embrace the vibrant traditions of Mexican culture.

On November 1, visitors can experience Day of the Dead / Día de los Muertos, featuring community altars, live performances, and opportunities to learn about the meaning behind this centuries-old observance. Families can also take part in the Family Art Project: Day of the Dead, where children and adults collaborate on colorful paper marigolds, sugar-skull–inspired crafts, and other creative tributes that celebrate life, love, and memory.

Set against the serene backdrop of Wave Hill’s gardens overlooking the Hudson River, these events offer a joyful, reflective way to close out the Halloween season—reminding us that remembrance can be just as beautiful as revelry.

A Halloween to Remember

Halloween is a time for transformation, and no city does it quite like New York. From mask-making and block parties to chilling film screenings and soulful jazz performances, our partner venues prove that the spirit of the season thrives in every corner of the city.

At Great Performances, we’re proud to support these institutions as their exclusive caterer—and to draw inspiration from their creativity as we design private events that reflect the same sense of wonder and artistry. Whether you’re attending a Halloween concert, taking your kids to a family festival, or honoring loved ones at a Día de los Muertos celebration, we hope this season fills you with joy, imagination, and a touch of spooky delight.

 

Wishing you a deliciously magical Halloween, from all of us at Great Performances.

At Great Performances, our story began as a waitress service for women in the arts. Today, we are proud to be the exclusive caterer for New York’s most iconic cultural institutions. These venues don’t just host events—they create meaningful, culturally significant experiences that enrich our city. Each month, we share some of the programs we’re most excited about. Here’s what’s happening in October 2025.


Apollo Theater

Asia Society

BAM

  • BAMboo! (Halloween Family Festival)
    A family-friendly Halloween block party filled with costumes, candy, arts & crafts, and music for all ages.
  • What Is War
    A multimedia performance by Eiko Otake and Wen Hui exploring memory, trauma, and the aftermath of war through movement, video, and voice.
  • Martha@BAM — The 1963 Interview
    A rare staged re-creation of Martha Graham’s 1963 interview at BAM, featuring performances that highlight her groundbreaking influence on modern dance.
  • The Met: Live in HD
    Enjoy world-class opera performances broadcast live from the Metropolitan Opera stage to BAM’s big screen.
  • Best of BAMkids Film Festival
    Kid-friendly short films from around the globe return in this festival highlight designed for young audiences and families.

Brooklyn Museum

Dizzy’s Club

Jazz at Lincoln Center

Platform by JBF

New York Historical

Poster House

Wave Hill

  • Fiesta on the Hudson
    Celebrate Latino heritage and culture with live music, dance, and family-friendly activities overlooking the Hudson River.
  • Indigenous Peoples Weekend
    Join special programs honoring the history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous communities.
  • Clay Pot Meals and the Native American Palate
    Discover Native American culinary traditions in a cooking demonstration highlighting heritage and flavor.
  • Wave Hill-O-Ween
    A Halloween celebration for families featuring costumes, crafts, and seasonal fun in the gardens.