What to do in Brooklyn this October, from Halloween to Halloweird

By Joshua Encinias

October has arrived in New York, bringing with it crisper, cooler temperatures, leaf peeping, spooky decor and a lot of things to do with the family (and quite a bit without the family).

Have a glizzy and a pumpkin spice latte at Luna Park this month at their Halloween Harvest. Or head over to Greenwood Park for Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch and take home a gourd or five.

Concerts in October are heating up faster than the pressed juice at Brooklyn Cider House: Johnny Marr brings his show to Brooklyn Paramount on October 8, while ANOHNI performs a two-night residency at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on October 18 and 19.

All of this, plus fall-themed 5Ks, film festivals and two “Rocky Horror Picture Show” events abound. Plan accordingly.

Ongoing until October 27

Halloween Harvest at Luna Park
Luna Park switched from summer to fall faster than Joey Chestnut can down a dozen glizzies. Their annual Halloween Harvest is underway with Halloween-themed activities, including pumpkin decorating, balloon twisting, face painting, tractor racing and trick-or-treating. Oh, and there are plenty of apple cider and pumpkin-spiced treats for sale throughout the park.

Ongoing until November 30

Disney ‘Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas’ Light Trail
Okay, this one’s in the Bronx, but an October events guide wouldn’t be complete without it. The New York Botanical Garden is alive this month and next with the magic of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” Light Trail. Join Jack Skellington, Sally and Zero on a walk of wonders, as your favorite characters, scenes and songs from the immortal film come to life among the fall foliage of New York’s most treasured garden. You’ll marvel at this first-ever spectacle that illuminates the art of the classic film against a backdrop of botanical beauty — a must-see New York event for anyone who loves all things seasonal, festive, and fun.

Ongoing until October 31

Greg’s Great Pumpkin Patch
Need a pumpkin? Browse Greg’s collection of gourds in all shapes and sizes and tons of Halloween decor. Plus, on Saturday, October 12, Greg’s hosts a Paw-rade for our furry friends. Visit anytime between 2 and 8 p.m. with the kids for pumpkin carving and painting with all supplies included. Located at Greenwood Park beer garden, 555 Seventh Avenue.

October 1 to 31

Black Lagoon Pop-Up at Someday Bar Brooklyn
The acclaimed Halloween pop-up Black Lagoon will open to the public beginning October 1 and run through the 31st at Someday Bar. Black Lagoon is an immersive Halloween bar pop-up where mixology meets the macabre, a dark celebration for those who revel in the mysterious and bizarre, where guests can transport themselves to a world that blurs that line between reality and the supernatural.

October 2

Rosh Hashanah at Brooklyn Bowl
Celebrate the Jewish New Year at the Brooklyn Bowl on Thursday. Bowl Hashanah includes Rosh Hashanah morning services led by Rabbi Daniel Brenner with musical director Jeremiah Lockwood, Antibalas’ Jordan McLean, Yula Be’eri, John Bollinger, Stuart Bogie and Yusuke Yamamoto. A post-service lunch by Blue Ribbon is available with purchase. Proceeds support Shalom Y’all Jams. 61 Wythe Avenue. Tickets are $76.60.

October 4

Love Isn’t Blind
Love Isn’t Blind is a comedy/dating show at littlefield where the men aren’t allowed to speak. Host Allison Goldberg calls the boys’ moms live on stage, searches through their phones and more. The show, which has traveled to other cities, even recently had its first marriage proposal! Goldberg tries to make the atmosphere as inclusive as possible: people receive wristbands when they enter based on their relationship status (e.g. red for taken, green for single) and then can also double up with bisexual blue, a rainbow pride wristband and they have poly purple as well.

October 5

The Brooklyn Museum Birthday Bash
The Brooklyn Museum is turning 200 and it’s ready to party. The museum kicks off a year-long lineup of special events, exhibits and programming starting with the mother-of-all First Saturdays, its Birthday Bash. Its full weekend of programming kicks off on the 5th and highlights the best of the borough and marks two centuries of championing Brooklyn’s artistic communities. Bring the family for music and karaoke, dance and poetry, gallery tours and art-making, piñatas, and so much more. 200 Eastern Parkway.

The 10th Annual East Brooklyn 5K Run/Walk
The 10th Annual East Brooklyn 5K Run/Walk happens rain or shine on the morning of October 5. Stick around after for games and fitness activities for the whole family, tunes and refreshments. The run/walk begins at Spring Creek Park at Gateway Mall.

ABCirque Brings the Circus Back to Brooklyn Children’s Museum
The circus is coming back to town: ABCirque returns to Brooklyn Children’s Museum on Saturday, October 5 for a day of circus performances and hands-on stations. ABCirque (formerly The Muse) is a non-traditional circus that keeps the audience on their toes while breaking the fourth wall with a diverse, dynamic cast that provides top-notch entertainment. ABCirque will present main performances on the museum’s rooftop. Following each performance, attendees can experience interactive circus stations on the second floor of the Museum.

The Psychedelic Furs
Brooklyn Paramount welcomes The Psycheledic Furs with The Jesus and Mary Chain and Frankie Rose on October 5. Come see the ‘80s hitmakers of “Pretty in Pink” and “Love My Way” for yourself this October.

Create & Cultivate
On Saturday, October 5, Create & Cultivate, a media company for women in business, will host a 350-person offsite at Industry City. Featuring a full day of engaging programming, keynotes, and breakout sessions designed for ambitious women at every stage of their careers. Speakers include inspiring entrepreneurs and founders like Ally Love, Babba Rivera, Serena Kerrigan and more.

CiderFeast NYC 2024
Sample hard ciders and snacks at Food Karma’s annual CiderFeast in Industry City. The Feast kicks off Cider Week New York with tastings from 20 cider makers, including Brooklyn Gin. The event also features BamuBamu Fire Club, Rocket Fuel Foods and Coney Island Saucery. Enjoy plant-based dishes, Cabot Creamery Grilled Cheese hot off the griddles, cider donuts, Dakota Hams’ 24-month-aged Kentucky ham and selections from whole-animal butcher and salumeria Ends Meat.

Stetsasonic at Brooklyn Bowl
Seminal Brooklyn hip hop group Stetsasonic returns to talk all that jazz and help Brooklyn Bowl celebrate its 15th anniversary year.

CutlureCon
CultureCon is a two-day community conference that kicks off October 5 where Black creative professionals and entrepreneurs can connect, learn and build together. Join them for two days of workshops, activations, networking, a career fair and conversations with culture-shifters that you won’t find anywhere else. Past speakers have included Issa Rae, Tracee Ellis Ross, Spike Lee and more. Duggal Greenhouse. 63 Flushing Avenue.

October 6 to 10

The New York Film Festival at BAM
The New York Film Festival returns to BAM from October 6 through 10 for another year of cinematic treats on Lafayette Avenue. Among the six movies coming to Brooklyn are “Nickel Boys,” the festival’s opening night film, and “Queer,” director Luca Guadagnino’s second movie this year after “Challengers.”

October 7

Justin Timblerlake ‘Forget Tomorrow’ tour
There are probably a lot of things JT would like to forget. But this date isn’t one of them: “The Forget Tomorrow World Tour,” the Prince of Pop’s ongoing seventh headlining concert tour, swings through Barclays Center on October 7. His first tour in five years, it’s in support of his sixth studio album, “Everything I Thought It Was.”

October 7 to 13

Empire State Music and Arts Festival
The Empire State Music & Arts Festival has returned for its tenth year, running October 7 to 13 at several venues throughout the borough (Grey Studios, Purgatory, Brooklyn Brewery and more). Promising to “transcend the boundaries of your average NYC festival,” the festival offers two seven-day ticket tracks: One for artists (that includes artist development, network building, and studio time) and one for patrons (that includes a week-long immersion into multi-genre artistic ingenuity and community).

October 8

Zach Zimmerman Comedy Special Taping
Brooklyn comedian Zach Zimmerman (“The Late Late Show,” “The New Yorker”) will film their debut comedy special at The Bell House on October 8. Audiences will have the chance to witness the comedian hailed as a “rising star” by The New York Times rise a little higher. Note that the early show has sold out, but a second show was added by demand. Eugene Mirman (“Bob’s Burgers”) is a special guest opener at both shows.

Johnny Marr
Now that Oasis is reunited, there’s only one English rock feud left to watch in 2024: Morrissey v. Johnny Marr. Marr, former guitarist for The Smiths, comes to Brooklyn Paramount on October 8 for a night of his own tunes, some Smiths songs sprinkled in, and other covers. Enjoy a night of what-ifs and English beats. Plus, at least you can order meat from concessions at a Marr show.

Marcos Valle
Marcos Valle is a legendary Brazilian singer, songwriter and record producer who has produced works in many styles, including bossa nova, samba, pop, jazz and funk, for over six decades. Now, the record label and live music project Jazz is Dead — founded by Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad — is bringing Valle to Brooklyn for one can’t-miss night only at Xanadu Arts. 262 Starr Street

October 9

Trevor Noah in conversation
The comedian, author, commentator and former “Daily Show” comes to Kings Theatre to talk about “Into the Uncut Grass,” his latest book, an illustrated tale for all ages about a boy’s quest into a magical landscape where he meets friends who are different from him. The book, he has said, is a passion project inspired by the play and toys of his youth.

October 10 to 22

The New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival at BAM and Nitehawk
Just as NYFF wraps up, NewFest comes to BAM and both Nitehawk locations to celebrate the 36th anniversary of its annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Don’t miss the queer cultural event of the fall, featuring a thrilling lineup of highly anticipated LGBTQ+ films from around the world. The schedule includes over 140 narrative movies, documentaries, short films, TV series, panel conversations, and more — plus parties!

October 11

John Zorn’s ‘Cobra’ at 40
Completed in October 1984, saxophonist-composer John Zorn’s landmark “Cobra” premiered to both acclaim and consternation at Roulette that same month. This October, Zorn returns with a stellar lineup of a dozen of New York’s leading improvisors to celebrate Cobra’s 40th Birthday. Featuring three generations of creative musicians with Zorn himself at the helm. 509 Atlantic Avenue.

October 12

The Classic Apple Pie Half-Marathon & 5K
You’ll love this race to the core, crust us. Make your way to Veterans Pier on October 12 for The Classic Apple Pie Half-Marathon and 5K that morning. Choose between the half-marathon or 5K and enjoy the fall sights and sounds along the boardwalk. Afterward, pick up your well-earned pie as well as some treats from All Round Foods.

Fagtasia: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
What better way to spend a Saturday night than with Fagtasia as they present an all-femme shadowcast performance of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show”? The show fuses live singing, dance, and dazzling performances that pay homage to the iconic movie and its timeless songs.

October 15

The Bug Club at Baby’s All Right
They get heavy airplay on WFMU and Iggy Pop counts himself a fan. The Bug Club, a Welsh indie rock band from Caldicot, Monmouthshire, brings their gritty, grungy SubPop sound to Baby’s All Right. Give “Marriage” a spin and check them out.

October 16 to 20

17th annual Bushwick Film Festival
Bushwick’s big film festival returns for a week of screenings, featuring more than 125 independent films stemming from Brooklyn and around the world. This year’s festival theme, “Producing The Dream,” explores what it takes to realize a dream and celebrates the artistry and effort that filmmakers pour into their work to reflect our shared stories. The festival continues its tradition of recognizing exceptional talent through various events and awards in both documentary and narrative, including Best Feature, Best Short, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, Audience Choice Award, Programmers Choice, and more.

October 17 and 18

Nightfall: Time Flies
Nightfall: Time Flies is Green-Wood Cemetery’s culminating event of the season. Join Green-Wood for an evening where memories intertwine with the present, reminding us that in this sacred space, the essence of time is both ephemeral and eternal. Set across Green-Wood’s storied grounds, Nightfall features music and moving images curated by Death of Classical and Rooftop Films, spectacle provided by the Bindlestiff Family Cirkus, and storytelling and show and tell by Morbid Anatomy.

October 17 to 19

The 10th Annual BRIC JazzFest
BRIC’s JazzFest returns this year for its 10th annual edition. This year’s lineup brings together legends and rising stars from both inside and outside the jazz genre. Come see and hear Brandee Younger, Gary Bartz, Makaya McCraven, Daniel Villareal, Reggie Workman and many more.

October 17 to 20

Food Network’s 2024 New York City Wine & Food Festival
Food Network’s New York City Wine & Food Festival comes to Brooklyn for the first time in their 17 years in the city. Fan-favorite events such as the Grand Tasting and Pier Parties are now anchored in one sprawling 450,000 square-foot location at the new Invesco QQQ Campus at Brooklyn Army Terminal. The jam-packed weekend offers attendees an array of culinary events, like intimate dinners, walk-around tastings, informational sessions and opportunities to see rising stars in the food industry and celebrities including Blake Lively, Snoop Dogg, Dr.Dre and more.

October 17 to 24

Brooklyn Horror Film Festival
Get Halloween started early at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival from October 17 to 24. Opening night features the world premiere of “Dead Mail” from co-directors Joe DeBoer and Kyle McConaghy. Director Emma Benestan’s “Animale” is the centerpiece screening, and the fest closes out with “The Rule of Jenny Pen,” starring Geoffrey Rush and John Lithgow.

October 18 and 19

ANOHNI and the Johnsons at BAM
ANOHNI presents a series of concerts with The Johnsons for the first time in a decade. Responding to a time of upheaval, she issues a challenge: “It’s Time to Feel What’s Really Happening” with a two-night residency at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on October 18 and 19. Embracing animist and eco-feminist themes, ANOHNI’s musical journey spans many genres—from electronic experimental to avant-classical, dance, and soul.

October 19

Sound & Color! Autumn Festival
Watch the leaves turn colors before your eyes at Brooklyn Bridge Park at a park-wide fall festival on October 19. The Sound & Color! Autumn Festival is scheduled to have an afternoon of live musical performances, food vendors, kids activities, arts and crafts, field games, and more — including their signature pumpkin patch.

Gotham Roller Derby at LeFrak
Bounce, rock, skate … bodycheck? On October 19, you can head to the Lefrak Center at Lakeside Prospect Park for back-to-back match-ups of rockin’, rollin’ fun courtesy of some of NYC’s best up-and-coming derby talent. ️The first flat track roller derby league in the metropolitan New York area, Gotham Roller Derby is celebrating its 20th year with a full season of hard-hitting games. 171 East Drive.

October 19 and 20

Arts Gowanus Open Studios
Arts Gowanus is a not-for-profit organization working to support, promote and advocate for local artists and a sustainable arts community in Brooklyn. For two days in October, hundreds of artists open their studios as part of a massive, free art stroll through the Gowanus neighborhood. Artists without local studios will be showing at local businesses. Check out what your neighbors have been creating — and buy something to bring home with you.

Orville Peck at Brooklyn Paramount
America’s favorite masked South African country singer Orville Peck brings his “Stampede Tour” to Brooklyn Paramount for two nights this month. His latest album “Stampede” came chock-a-block with duets with everyone from Willie Nelson to Diplo to Beck to Elton John. So will he be bringing any of his famous friends with him on tour? There’s one way to find out.

October 22

Die Antwoord: FLAME ON MUDDAF*CKA
Polarizing South African duo Die Antwoord are back and on tour. Vocalists Ninja and Yolandi Visser, along with producer-DJ Hi-Tek, bring their rowdy zef counterculture antics to Brooklyn Steel for one night only.

October 25

‘The Phantom of the Opera’ Silent Film with Live Score
St. Ann and the Holy Trinity Church will present two showings of the 1925 silent film ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ with a live and historically accurate orchestral score on October 25. The performance will feature a small ensemble of six musicians plus the Peabody Memorial Organ — exactly how the film would have been accompanied in theaters during the silent era. The organ, with its 4,718 pipes, will add a haunting depth to the evening. The score, arranged by Rodney Sauer, draws from a collection of music once used in silent film theaters, ensuring an authentic experience.

Heaven’s Gate Halloween
To kick off Hallo-week, Rose Gold presents a five-room takeover of Moxy Williamsburg on October 25th. One ticket for the biggest Halloween party in Williamsburg grants access to LilliStar, Jolene Soundroom, Mesiba, The Garden and Bar Bedford. Guests are encouraged to wear their best costumes and prepare for a night of DJs and seven hours of nonstop dancing.

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony w/ Immortal Technique & Talib Kweli
Celebrate 30 years of Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, their melodic flow and impactful lyrics, as they take you on a journey through their chart-topping hits. From “Tha Crossroads” to “1st of tha Month,” the group’s energy and stage presence will have the crowd on their feet.

October 25 and 26

City of Gods 2024
City of Gods comes alive every Halloween to bring you an extravagant music and art festival spanning two nights. The party is an invitation to express your extravagance: come dressed as a deity, demigod, demon, goddexx, creature of creation or those devoted to hedonism beyond the human realm. As such, this pagan bacchanal is not really for kids. City of Gods is a creation of House of Yes and ZERO and is hosted at Industry City.

United Sounds NYC Festival
Founded in the spirit of the indie-focused fall fests of NYC’s days of yore, like CMJ, New Music Seminar, the United Sounds NYC Festival was created to fill the significant gap for independent music in New York City’s fall cultural calendar. Taking place over two days at Pioneer Works in Red Hook, feature performers include Blonde Redhead, The Dismemberment Plan, Sunflower Bean, Les Savy Fav, Model/Actriz, Man Man, Monobloc and Peel Dream Magazine, with additional artists, DJs, and neighborhood events.

October 26

The 26th Annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest
The Great PUPkin is Brooklyn’s largest and most delightful dog costume contest every Halloween. Neighborhood dogs are invited to Fort Greene Park to compete for the coveted Great PUPkin rosettes with lewks to keep us happy until the next spooky season.

October 30

Punderdome! 
A staple of the Brooklyn comedy scene for more than a decade, Punderdome celebrates the lowest (or highest, depending on whom you ask) form of comedy. The show, hosted by comic Jo Firestone and her dad Fred at Littlefield, is basically a comedy rap battle — for dorks. Hear pun pros face-off in the All-Star Tournament of Pun Champions where punsters deliver jaw-droppingly clever two-minute pun-stand-up routines, after only two minutes of preparation. 635 Sackett Street.

October 31

BAMboo!
BAM’s festive Halloween block party BAMBoo! is back. The action-packed evening of revelry features family-friendly music, carnival games, arts and crafts, candy giveaways, trick-or-treat popcorn and family-friendly Halloween short films in the BAM Rose Cinemas. Costumes are encouraged.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show Spectacular Tour
At Kings Theatre on Halloween night, join “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” original cast-member Brad Majors, Barry Bostwick, for a screening of the unedited movie with a live shadow cast and audience participation! Plus, they’ll have a memorabilia display with artifacts and actual costumes from the movie, a costume contest, and more.

NY Night Train 19th Annual Haunted Hop Halloween Spooktacular!
Brooklyn’s biggest underground Halloween party, New York Night Train Haunted Hop returns on October 31 for their 19th year. This multiroom indoor/outdoor music festival/dance party features dozens of bands, DJs, horror cinema (projected from 16 millimeter reels) non-stop on Halloween. Wear your best costume for a contest with a grand prize of $500. Plus, there will be free shuttles back and forth from the Jefferson L Train stop all night long.

Park Slope Halloween Parade
Dress in your best costume and bring the kids to the annual Park Slope Civic Council Halloween Parade. Since 1986, the merchants on Seventh and Fifth Avenues have handed out tons of sweets and treats to a never-ending swarm of imaginatively dressed children along the parade route. The parade begins at 14th Street and Seventh Avenue, then heads north on Seventh Avenue, turning left on Third Street and ending in J.J. Byrne Playground at the Old Stone House.

Brooklyn Reads: Chronicles of DOOM
This October, Astra House will publish “The Chronicles of DOOM: Unraveling Rap’s Masked Iconoclast,” music journalist S.H. Fernando Jr (aka SKIZ)’s definitive biography of MF Doom, who passed away unexpectedly on October 31, 2020. To mark the fourth anniversary of his passing, the Brooklyn Museum will host a multimedia celebration featuring a DJ set by Rob Swift, visual art from cover designer L’Amour Supreme, a reading by SKIZ, and a conversation moderated by writer Hanif Abdurraqib.