In the coming days, New Yorkers will put on costumes, build altars and remember the people they’ve lost. Halloween and Día de los Muertos celebrations are happening in parks, cemeteries and neighborhood businesses around the city.
Día de los Muertos, observed Nov. 1 and 2, grew from Indigenous Mexican traditions that treat death as a natural part of life, blended with Catholic observances of All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days. Halloween, or All Hallows’ Eve, is the night before.
Some events across the boroughs will honor the dead, with marigolds, music and ofrendas set out to welcome loved ones home. Others offer a chance to dress up with friends and dance, sing or show off a costume. Here are 10 ways to mark the season:
Queens
Day of the Dead celebration with Mariachi Real de Mexico
When: Sunday, Nov. 1. Doors open at 2:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 3 p.m.
Where: Oak Ridge, Forest Parkway #1, Woodhaven
Cost: Admission is free, but reservations are available through Eventbrite.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with traditional mariachi music at Forest Park. Mariachi Real de Mexico, founded in 1991 by Ramón Ponce and his son, Ramón Ponce Jr., will perform at the community celebration. The Grammy-winning ensemble is marking its 35th anniversary this year.
The event, sponsored by Council Member Joann Ariola and the Forest Park Trust, will feature a community ofrenda, or altar honoring the dead. Teaching artists from Queens College will also lead children’s crafts and face painting.
Jackson Heights Halloween Parade after-party
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 3 to 4 p.m.
Where: World’s Borough Bookshop, 34-06 73rd St., Suite 1A
Cost: Free.
After the neighborhood parade, head to the World’s Borough Bookshop for an after-party with spooky tunes from DJ Chulo Noir. Costumes are encouraged.
Read how Adrian Cepeda built a home for BIPOC books in Jackson Heights.
Soak up Deja Brew: Socaween weekend in Richmond Hill
When:
“Me & My Boo” cocktail social on Friday, Oct. 30, 5 to 9 p.m.
Socaween Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Deja After Dark: Socaween on Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Where: Deja Brew, 102-10 Jamaica Ave., Richmond Hill
Cost: Ticket costs vary depending on the event. Attendees must also make reservations.
Deja Brew is hosting a Halloween weekend filled with Caribbean music, cocktails and creative activities. The “Me & My Boo” cocktail social will feature a charm-making experience organized with Crafted Events Inc.
Guests can also enjoy Socaween Brunch with DJ James Reed. The “BOOzy” Brunch Flight special features Deja Brew’s Wicked Hibiscus Martini, Sugar Spell Martini and Spooky Matchatini, plus a pumpkin espresso martini topped with a dreamy pumpkin cold foam swirl.
Socaween After Dark will keep the soca and Halloween spirit brewing at night. Costumes are encouraged for Socaween Brunch (best costume wins a special mimosa drink) and required for Socaween After Dark.
Read how Suraj Sooroojballie brought Caribbean and Latin flavors to Jamaica Avenue with Deja Brew.
Sing along at an iconic bar’s Halloween karaoke costume party
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 to 11 p.m.
Where: Neir’s Tavern, 87-48 78th St., Woodhaven
Cost: No cover charge; reserve a table ahead.
Sing your favorite songs in costume and win prizes at Neir’s Tavern’s Halloween karaoke party, hosted by KJ Karaoke Chris.
A Woodhaven staple made famous as the “Goodfellas” Christmas scene, Neir’s Tavern opened in 1829 and is one of New York City’s oldest continuously operating bars. Today, it is an inclusive bar full of events as varied as live jazz, bingo and open mic nights.
Read how Jamaican immigrant and FDNY lieutenant Loycent Gordon kept the bar alive.
Brooklyn
Día de Muertos family celebration in a cemetery
When: Monday, Nov. 2, 4 to 7 p.m.
Where: Green-Wood Cemetery, 500 25th St., Greenwood Heights
Cost: Admission is free, but registration through Eventbrite is encouraged.
The event features crafts, music, performances and hands-on activities designed to introduce visitors to the holiday’s history and traditions. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The celebration takes place near the Historic Chapel and Main Entrance Meadow at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street. Visitors are encouraged to wear suitable footwear because parts of the grounds include hills, stairs and uneven terrain.
Learn more about Green-Wood Cemetery in Epicenter NYC’s love letter to the landmark.
Honor lost loved ones at home with Moodie Vibes’ Día de los Muertos candle
Where to buy: Online
Cost: $36
For those who want to commemorate Día de los Muertos at home, Moodie Vibes is offering a candle inspired by the holiday. The brand dedicates it to “all ancestors whose lives were taken prematurely.” The candle features notes of frankincense and orange marigold, a flower traditionally placed on ofrendas because its color and scent are believed to guide spirits home. The flowers used in the candle were harvested by Minaii’s Metta Garden.
A portion of the candle’s proceeds will support the following causes:
- The Immigrant Defense Project, to support human rights leaders facing criminalization for standing up to ICE
- In Loving Memory of Nolan Xavier Wells, a fundraiser organized by Christine Wonsley
- Help Yuen Through Harassment and Doxxing, a fundraiser supporting Yuen
Read how Aminta Freeman turned a personal ritual into Moodie Vibes.
Craft a Halloween candle and bag charm
When: Thursday, Oct. 29 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Nose Best Candles, 96 Knickerbocker Ave., Bushwick.
Cost: $68 plus tax. Book online.
Make something spooky and personal at Nose Best Candles. In the Halloween candle class, participants will choose scents and ingredients that reflect their intentions, then assemble a ritual kit to accompany their candles. They will also learn about writing petition papers and working with herbs, crystals and tarot to create a personalized charm bag.
Inspired by synesthesia, the business creates candles designed to engage multiple senses, pairing scents with curated Spotify playlists and cocktail recipes.
Read how two friends turned pandemic candle experiments into Nose Best Candles.
Manhattan
Hallo Queen Halloween party at Julius’ Bar
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, starting at 8 p.m.
Where: Julius’ Bar, 159 W 10th St., Greenwich Village
Cost: No cover charge.
“Dancing until I die” is the theme of the night at Hallo Queen, a Halloween party at Julius’ Bar, featuring DJ Pablo Cubillos. The costume competition starts at 8 p.m.
Located in the West Village, Julius’ is one of New York City’s oldest gay bars and a historic LGBTQ+ gathering place. In 1966, members of the Mattachine Society organized a “Sip-In” there to challenge rules that allowed bars to refuse service to gay patrons.
Read more about the bar’s role in LGBTQ+ history.
Dance the night away at the Halloween BOOgie and costume contest
When: Thursday, Oct. 29, 7 to 9:30 p.m.
Where: Ripley-Grier Studios, 305 W. 38th St., Studio 207
Cost: $20. Register on Partiful.
Dance Social Club is hosting a Halloween-themed dance night for anyone looking to learn basic break-dancing moves and choreography inspired by Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” Costumes are encouraged for a possible costume competition.
Founded by Nina Cheng, Dance Social Club aims to make dancing less intimidating and help strangers connect through movement. The club hosts themed dance events and socials, using choreography and icebreakers to create a welcoming environment for people of all experience levels.
Read how Nina Cheng is making dance less intimidating.
The Bronx
Black Kat Crochet: Dress up your feline friend
Where to buy: Message the business owner on Instagram.
Cost: Varies; ask for pricing on Instagram.
Halloween costumes aren’t just for people. Black Kat Krochet, founded by Bronx resident Monica Martinez in 2017, specializes in handmade crocheted outfits and accessories for cats, including sweater vests that keep them warm in winter. She also sells crocheted bags, earrings, hats and other crafts, drawing on techniques she learned growing up in Mexico.
Read how a cold apartment and a cat named Chorizo started a business.
