78th Street—A Trick-or-Treating Hotspot
One of the city’s top places to be on Halloween night is East 78th Street between Lexington and Park Avenue. This particular stretch of 78th Street has long been considered a top spot for trick-or-treating on the Upper East Side and one of the most popular trick-or-treating locations in all five boroughs. In the past, nearly all residents on the block have participated in the spectacle and collectively given away thousands of units of candy. Unfortunately, since 2017, multiple homes on the street have been under construction, putting a minor damper on the street’s Halloween festivities. Still, despite the construction, East 78th remains a major hub of Halloween activity.
Haunted Houses
In recent years, a stretch of houses on the south side of 81st Street west of Madison Avenue has put on a particularly good Halloween show. Madonna’s block, which stretches along East 81st from 3rd to Lexington, also frequently features great Halloween facades. Indeed, in the past, Madonna’s neighbors at 158 East 81st Street and 150 East 81st Street have been known to transform their multimillion-dollar homes into full-fledged haunted houses. While Madonna generally does not dress up her own connected brownstones for Halloween, she does typically have a staff member hand out candy on Halloween Eve.
Close Encounters of the Mayor Kind at Gracie Mansion
Now an established NYC tradition, Gracie Mansion—home to Mayor de Blasio and his family—will once again be converted into a haunted house for Halloween. The front lawn of Gracie Mansion will also be transformed into a graveyard. As in the past, Mayor de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray, who have also been known to don some very interesting costumes for the occasion, will be going all out. This year’s event promises spooky actors, props, face painting, music, and balloon makers and will run for three days—from October 25 to 27. The event is free, but participants need to pick up a ticket in advance. You can get a ticket online or by calling 311.
DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD (OR AT LEAST GONE)
While the West Village may take the top prize for Halloween parades and all-night parties, for a tamer and more family-friendly evening in a neighborhood with enough dentists and politicians to scare anyone, the Upper East Side has much to offer and don’t worry—you don’t have to live in the neighborhood to take home a bit of loot. Kids and parents from all five boroughs flock to the neighborhood on Halloween night.