What to Do on Halloween at Hudson Yards

Looking for things to do on Halloween in NYC? Spend October 31 at Hudson Yards, where you can celebrate from morning through night with family-friendly Halloween activities, seasonal treats, live music and after-dark entertainment. Start with Spooktacular in Public Square and Gardens, explore Halloween sweets throughout The Shops & Restaurants, then head to Marquee Skydeck for a night with Bob Sinclar.

Start Halloween With Spooktacular at Hudson Yards

Saturday, October 31, 2026 | 11AM–2PM | Public Square and Gardens

Make Halloween a family affair at Spooktacular, an afternoon of high-energy Halloween fun for kids and adults. The celebration features live performances, dancing, pumpkin-themed activities, photo opportunities and more.

Good to know: Spooktacular is free and open to everyone, and you can come and go throughout the event. An RSVP is requested for planning purposes, but you do not need a ticket to attend. RSVP here. 

Our tip: If you're bringing younger children, plan to arrive before 11AM. Spooky Sounds starts right at 11AM, and getting there early gives families more time to settle in before the first performance.

11AM: Start With Spooky Sounds by Mozart for Munchkins

Spooktacular kicks off at 11AM with Spooky Sounds by Mozart for Munchkins, a Halloween-themed concert designed especially for children 8 and under.

Hear mysterious melodies, mischievous musical moments, hauntingly fun classical favorites and jazz sounds while discovering how composers use music to create suspense, excitement and a little Halloween magic. Costumes are encouraged, and the performers will be dressed up too, with plenty of opportunities for the audience to join in.

1PM: Dance Along at the KIDZ BOP Monster Bash

At 1PM, KIDZ BOP Monster Bash Dance Party takes over Public Square and Gardens with DJ KB and kid-friendly covers of Halloween favorites.

The KIDZ BOP team will also hand out Halloween-themed activity sheets, including word searches and I Spy games. This portion of the celebration is especially suited to kids around ages 8–12.

Want to know the songs before you arrive? Find the KIDZ BOP Halloween 2026 playlist on Spotify and learn the favorites ahead of time for an even better singalong.

Capture the Day at Spooktacular Swing

From 11AM–2PM, stop by Spooktacular Swing in Public Square and Gardens for a planned Halloween photo experience with Vessel as the backdrop. Costumes will make the photos even more festive, so come dressed up and ready to capture the day.

Of course, you're encouraged to snap photos throughout Spooktacular, too. The swing simply gives you a dedicated spot for a family Halloween photo.

Trick-or-Treat Inside Vessel

All Vessel ticket holders can head inside from 11AM–2PM for a Halloween twist on exploring the landmark. All ticket holders can find candy throughout Vessel, with Tony’s Chocolonely mini chocolate bars available for trick-or-treaters.

Turn Your Costume Into a Caricature

At the Caricature Sketch Bot, pose for a photo and choose a Halloween character such as the Addams Family, a wizard, ghost or witch. An AI-powered system transforms your photo into a caricature, which a drawing robot then inks live in front of you in purple or orange.

You'll leave with a printed card that makes for a fun Halloween keepsake.

Decorate a Pumpkin at Vessel

Vessel ticket holders can also decorate a pumpkin with colorful markers, seasonal stickers, gems, googly eyes and other fun accessories. Create a one-of-a-kind pumpkin keepsake to take home after the celebration.

Good to know: Trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating and the Caricature Sketch Bot are available to Vessel ticket holders. You can purchase your ticket ahead of time or on October 31 when you're ready to go inside. Get Vessel tickets

Find Your Favorite Halloween Sweets at The Shops

Whether you're stocking up on candy for trick-or-treaters, looking for Halloween chocolate or searching for something a little less traditional, The Shops & Restaurants have plenty of options to satisfy a Halloween sweet tooth.

For a Classic Candy Haul: Dylan's Candy Bar

If you want variety, Dylan's Candy Bar on Level 4 is the place to start. The shop has a wide selection of candy flavors and types, making it an easy stop if you don't love chocolate, want to skip trick-or-treating at Vessel or simply want to let everyone pick their own favorites.

For Halloween-Shaped Chocolate: Li-Lac Chocolates

For something that feels distinctly Halloween, stop by Li-Lac Chocolates on Level 4 for seasonal chocolate pumpkins, ghouls, ghosts and skull-shaped treats. They're festive enough for a Halloween gathering but just as fun to pick up as a personal treat.

For a Halloween-Themed Dessert: Magnolia Bakery

If cupcakes are more your style, Magnolia Bakery on Level 4 has festive Halloween-themed cupcakes in spooky and fun flavors. Pick one up for an individual treat or grab a few for a Halloween celebration.

For Something Different: Mercado Little Spain or Slik

Looking for a Halloween sweet that's a little less expected? At Que Sweet at Mercado Little Spain at 10 Hudson Yards, try Spanish specialties including crema Catalana or a xuxo helado, a flaky pastry filled with soft serve and finished with toppings.

For a wider mix of nostalgic favorites, new discoveries and hard-to-find sweets, Slik on Level 1 is another option for building a Halloween candy haul with something for everyone.

Experience a Halloween Candlelight Concert at Vessel

On Halloween night, October 31, head to Vessel for a one-night-only Candlelight® concert presented by Fever. The Highline String Quartet will reimagine music from classic spooky movies and shows, including Thriller by Michael Jackson, the Stranger Things theme song by Dixon & Stein, The Addams Family theme song by Vic Mizzy and Ghostbusters by Elmer Bernstein.

Set against Vessel’s distinctive copper-toned exterior, the performance will fill the structure with the glow of flameless candles. Guests can explore Vessel’s landings and interconnected staircases throughout the concert, choosing their own spot to take in the music. With no assigned viewing areas, you can settle on a landing to enjoy the live strings from your preferred vantage point or continue exploring as the performance unfolds. Photos and videos are encouraged, so capture this one-of-a-kind Halloween setting and share your photos on social media by tagging @vesselnyc.

The concert runs from 9–10PM, with doors opening at 8:15PM. Doors close five minutes before the performance begins, and late entry will not be permitted, so arrive no later than 8:45PM. Tickets are available exclusively through the Fever app or Fever’s website and will not be sold on site.

Good to know: Since the concert takes place outdoors, bring a jacket or dress in layers, and check the forecast on the day of the event.

Keep the Halloween Celebration Going After Dark at Marquee Skydeck 

Looking to celebrate Halloween after dark? Head to Marquee Skydeck on October 31 for Halloween Night high above Hudson Yards, featuring a DJ set from Bob Sinclar.

Get event details and tickets