🎃 halloween dog parades and costume contests:
► sat 12-2pm: fourth annual irving square park howl-o-ween costume contest: irving square park (bushwick), $10 to register in the costume contest >>
► sat: 12-3:30pm (rain date 10/25): annual riverside park pup halloween parade and costume contest: starts at dinosaur playground on 96th st and ends at ellington’s cafe at 105th st. >>
► sun 1-3pm: carl schurz park conservancy’s annual halloween howl + healthy hound fair: basketball/hockey court + john finley walk (yorkville). >>
► sun 1-4pm: 35th annual tompkins square halloween dog parade: ‘canine festival block’ is located on 6th street bet avenue b and c, parade is along avenue b. note: registration to have your dog in the parade and costume competition is full, but no ticket is required to attend and watch. >>
cultural fests / street fairs / food events / markets / shopping events (free admission, unless noted otherwise):
► fri + sat (fri 1-6pm, sat 11am-6pm, sun 11am-5pm): manhattan vintage clothing show: metropolitan pavilion (chelsea). $25 general, $20 students. >>
► sat 10am opening ceremony, 12-2pm parade: fourth annual national indigenous peoples of the americas parade: madison square park / e 26th street (flatiron). >>
► sat 10am-5pm: annual muddy paws rescue block party: w 54th street between 9th + 10th aves (hell’s kitchen). >>
► sat 11am-3pm: the great community bake sale: 180 maiden lane (fidi). free admission, $10 vouchers get you a baked good and a donation to nyc-based nonprofits providing essential services to new yorkers in need. >>
► sat 12-4pm: bero block party: with free food and drinks while supplies last. 114 kenmare st (nolita). >>
► sat 2:30-6pm: arcade swap meet: wonderville (bushwick). >>
► sat + sun (sat 12-6pm, sun 10:30am-5pm): annual brooklyn synth + pedal expo: 100 sutton event space (greenpoint). $5-20 admission. >>
► sat + sun (12-6pm): fad market: pop-up: brooklyn brewery (williamsburg). >>
► sun 11am-3pm: annual disability pride parade and festival: parade route: broadway from madison square park to union square park. the festival takes place in union square park 12-3pm. >>
► sun 11am-8pm: brooklyn film camera yard sale: brooklyn film camera (east williamsburg). >>
► sun 12-6pm: phoenicia flea fall-oween market at strong rope brewery: red hook. >>
see all the art at these new exhibitions, open studios, and events:
► fri thru 2/1/2026: voice of space: ufos and paranormal phenomena: the drawing center (soho). free admission. >>
► fri thru 2/8/2026: renoir drawings: the morgan library + museum (murray hill). $25 general, $17 seniors, $13 students, $13 disabled visitors, free for college students on the first sunday of the month, free to all every friday 5-8pm (with rsvp). >>
► sat 5-9pm: hunter college mfa + bfa open studios: more than 120 student artist studios open to the public. 205 hudson street (tribeca). >>
► sat + sun (12-5pm): the annual art in odd places festival: nothing: 14th street between first and third aves (sat), 14th street between sixth and ninth aves (sun). >>
► sat + sun (12-6pm): harlem open artist studio tour: 20 locations across harlem. >>
► sat + sun (12-6pm): 17th annual flatbush artists open studios: 23 locations throughout victorian flatbush. >>
► sat + sun (12-6pm): 29th annual gowanus open studios: 400+ artists across 90 locations in gowanus. >>
► sat thru 3/2026: high wire: calder’s circus at 100: whitney museum of american art (meatpacking district). $30 general, $24 seniors/students, free for 25 and under, free to all every friday 5-10pm, free to all every second sunday. >>
sponsored
A Halloween spectacular for all ages takes over the historic United Palace on Friday, October 31
Use code “TVC-SKINT” to get 50% off!
This Halloween, the shadows come alive at one of New York City’s most awe-inspiring landmarks. The Vampire Circus, the internationally acclaimed cirque-style production makes its New York premiere on Friday, October 31 at the United Palace in Washington Heights.
Part gothic fantasy, part jaw-dropping acrobatics, The Vampire Circus is an immersive 90-minute thrill ride that evokes the eerie elegance of Tim Burton’s imagination with the breathtaking artistry of Cirque du Soleil.
Expect world-class performers, mind-bending stunts, and spine-tingling theatricality, this one-night-only performance promises fun for the whole family, equal parts spooky, funny, and mesmerizing.
Costumes are encouraged, and special prizes will be awarded to the evening’s best-dressed guests!
🎟 Use code “TVC-SKINT” for 50% off tickets EXCLUSIVE to the skint readers at unitedpalace.org
📍 United Palace, 4140 Broadway (Washington Heights)
friday
🎃 sponsored: thru 11/2: ‘enough spooky content to satisfy your hankering for autumn hallows’ – dc theater arts: happenstance theater presents dreadful episodes at 59e59 theaters, a hilarious and virtuosic theatrical collage adorned with live music and physical comedy, inspired by the illustrations of edward gorey, victorian reverie, ill-fated romance, calamitous croquet, and the dangers of windy cliffs. these dark comedic vignettes include precocious children, a séance, and other fancies that will transport you to a world where unseen dangers cause laughter. use code ‘skint’ to snag $19 tickets (reg. $44). >>
thru sun: the 23rd annual open house new york weekend festival: more than 300 locations across the five boroughs, including skyscrapers, power plants, artist studios, new projects, and more will open their doors for talks, tours, and behind-the-scenes access. half are free and don’t require a reservation, while limited-access sites requiring $7 advance tickets went on sale earlier in the month. >>
thru sun: 2025 honk nyc! festival: a street band happening: the annual honk nyc! festival brings 20 local, national, and international brass and percussion bands to indoor and outdoor venues across manhattan, brooklyn, and queens. free-$25. >>
fri 6:45pm (weather permitting): free outdoor movie: the nightmare before christmas at sunset park. >>
fri 7pm (monthly): kweendom: come out for the kweendom lgbtq+ comedy and storytelling show, featuring performances by calvin cato (netflix), veronica garza (mtv), sarah kennedy (mtv), elsa eli waithe (npr), and drew tessier. hosted by bobby hankinson. pete’s candy store (williamsburg), free admission (donations are welcome and will benefit the here to pee tour). >>
🎃 fri 7pm: fifth annual queer spooky shorts: nyc’s oldest and longest-producing lgbtq+ theater company, the other side of silence, presents a night of short plays with spooky halloween themes. doors open at 6:30pm for candy and drinks. the flea theater (tribeca), free admission. >>
fri 7:30pm: paid protest presents: the roast of andrew cuomo and eric adams: paid protest, nyc-democratic socialists of america’s monthly comedy fundraiser, does a roast of andrew cuomo and eric adams featuring a dozen local comedians. hosted by anders lee, freddy g, and sharif hasan. silo (bushwick), $15 suggested admission (proceeds will go to the don’t risk evil andrew for mayor campaign). >>
fri 8pm: awkward sex… and the city storytelling show: from cocaine-infused one-night stands to ibs flare-ups during cunnilingus, comedian natalie wall and guest storytellers share the humor of awkward dating and sexual encounters. friends and lovers (crown heights), $10 adv, $15 door. >>
fri 8pm (monthly): best night ever comedy show: audrey black and akshay sampath (cracked) host a night of stand-up at el santo taqueria (east williamsburg / bushwick). tonight’s lineup features wally baram, emmy blotnick, gary simons, dan yang, bridget foley, max higgins, and cawayri. $12 adv, $16 day of. >>
fri 8pm (monthly): a drinking game nyc: clue: a drinking game nyc comedy troupe lovingly (and drunkenly) reenacts an 80s/90s/00s movie and turns the whole thing into a drinking game. join them tonight as they stumble through clue (1985) at the crown hill theatre (crown heights). tim curry costumes are encouraged, and a dance party will follow. $25.05. >>
fri 8:30pm: bitches brew comedy show: this women-produced and-hosted comedy show conjures up big laughs in the back room of halyards (gowanus). tonight’s performers include liam nelson, jenny tian, nonye brown west, tyler fowler, jon alcabes, and joshua stokes. free admission (a tip jar will be passed around at the end of the show). >>
fri 11pm: nu metal night: freaks unleash to late 90’s-00’s bands like limp bizkit, korn, slipknot, deftones, staind, system of a down, kittie, rage against the machine, and more. tv eye (ridgewood), $15.65. >>
saturday
sat: no kings march: millions nationwide will take to the streets for the no kings march, a protest pushing back against authoritarianism and the actions of the trump administration. several marches are planned across nyc, with the anchor event taking place 11am-1pm at father duffy square (47th street + broadway). participants are urged to stay safe and peaceful during this demonstration in defense of democracy. >>
sponsored: sat 12-5pm: celebrate community at the brooklyn navy yard’s annual open house!: join the brooklyn navy yard for their annual open house— a free celebration of makers, creativity, and community. visit the yard and get behind-the-scenes access to over 35 trailblazing brooklyn-based businesses in fashion, design, technology, and more. participate in hands-on demos, exclusive tours, timed programs and enjoy on-site food trucks and live entertainment all in one dynamic space! >>
sat 12-5pm: game-a-palooza: indie game showcase: play and experience over 50 brand-new and in-development games from local nyc-metro creators at the international game developers association’s game-a-palooza. hana house (down town brooklyn), $5 admission (a 2-for-1 admission deal is also available for a limited time). >>
sat 6pm: flaming creatures parade iii: celebrate the native species of governors island and the night sky at this illuminated parade featuring led-lit costumes, lanterns, and projections. led by artist sally beauti twin and musicians, the procession will wind along the waterfront with the sounds of the river and lights of the city as its backdrop. join over 200 participants by dressing as a native creature or celestial body or by carrying a lantern. arrive early (from 2:30pm) for workshops on lantern and costume building. prizes will be awarded for best individual and group costumes. free. >>
sat 6pm (monthly): the astigmatism comedy show: a book-ish standup comedy show highlighting diversity in laughter and literature: comedians alexis bradby, kristal adams, and isabelle pierre bring together underrepresented voices in comedy and literature for ‘the tiny desk of comedy’ at p+t knitwear bookstore (les). $15 admission includes $5 that can be applied towards any purchase in the bookstore or café. >>
sat 9pm: asian af variety show: the asian af asian american variety show presents a night of stand-up, sketch comedy, and improv at ucb theatre (east village), hosted by improv team joy f*ck club. $15 adv, $20 day of. >>
sat 10pm: sandwich comedy: comedians serve up slices of freshly assembled material at gastor almonte and jess salomon’s sandwich comedy show. featuring joey dardano, nataly aukar, danielle deluty, shaun anthoney, and lucas connolly. union hall (park slope), $10 adv, $15 door. >>
sunday
sun 4pm: danse lumière: a pop-up ballet: danse lumière’s founding artistic director presents a one-day-only performance bringing together original choreography, short films, and guest artists from new york city ballet in an intimate salon setting at the ailey studios (hell,’s kitchen). $20. >>
sun 5pm: fireside mystery theatre: fireside mystery theatre, a bi-monthly old-time radio-styled audio drama and podcast taping, presents ‘anita’s autumn seance’— performed and recorded live with a full cast, sound effects, and an improvised musical score. the slipper room (les), $20. >>
sun 5pm: yale new music: yale school of music presents a concert of new works featuring prepared piano, string quartet, and electronics by composition students and composer/professor martin bresnick at roulette intermedium (boerum hill). free admission. >>
sun 7pm (monthly): new tricks: good tales don’t age at this storytelling show where all of the performers are over 40. hosted by adrianne frost (the moth storyslam champion), with stories by sharon spell, david hu, jamie brickhouse, carol scrudder, and betsy friedman. tonight’s theme: ‘big scares!’ q.e.d. (astoria), $12. >>
sun 7:30pm (monthly): good god comedy show: audience members can anonymously share their craziest, cringiest, most scandalous secrets for the hosts to read aloud at this stand-up comedy variety show. tonight’s lineup: charlie bardey, liam nelson, demetrius fields, emily wilson, and dylan adler. hosted by naomi karavani, brittany carney, and caitlin cook. union hall (park slope), $10 adv, $15 door. >>
sun 8pm (monthly): beanie babe comedy: the standups and the stuffed animals are full of beans at this comedy show, where a donation will get you a vintage beanie baby to take home. featuring myq kaplan (comedy central), carmen lagala (colbert), rojo perez (fallon), paulina breeze, and abby washuta. hosted by rebecca kaplan. young ethel’s (south slope), free admission (donations optional). >>
🎃 sun 10pm: i want to play a game: a saw themed drag competition: hugh mann race and vape kid jr put seven drag artists through their very own saw game. who will survive and take home the reverse bear trap crown? c’mon everybody (bed-stuy), $17.41 adv, $20 door. >>
monday
mon thru 11/9: 20at20: off-broadway for just $20: snag $20 walk-up tickets to 40 participating off-broadway shows. to get the deal, look for the 20at20 line at the theater or mention the 20at20 promotion at the box office 20 minutes before curtain time. cash only (a $3 facility fee may apply at some venues). >>
mon thru 10/26: fourth annual breaking the binary theatre festival: coinciding with lgbtq+ history month, the annual breaking the binary theatre festival showcases new work created entirely by and for transgender, non-binary, and two-spirit+ artists. the festival opens with a benefit concert of the drowsy chaperone at carnegie hall starring laverne cox, max mendoza crumm, joslyn defreece, jack haven, and dylan mulvaney ($60+), and continues with free performances at open jar studios (theater district) and the lesbian, gay, bisexual + transgender community center (greenwich village). >>
mon 3:45pm, 7pm: classics in black + white: metropolis: village east and cinema 123 by angelika host a series of classic black + white screenings, continuing tonight with fritz lang’s metropolis (1927), starring brigitte helm, gustav fröhlich, alfred abel, and rudolf klein-rogge. $19-22.
🎃 mon 5:30pm doors (weather permitting): free outdoor movie: the rocky horror picture show at gansevoort plaza (meatpacking district). >>
mon 7pm: the worst of broke-ass stuart: 20 years of love, death + dive bars with stuart schuffman: join fellow brokester blogger stuart schuffman (aka broke-ass stuart) at powerhouse arena (dumbo) for the launch of his new book, celebrating 20 years of championing how to live on the cheap in a city that’s as expensive—if not more so—than new york: san francisco. $5 admission includes a store gift certificate, $27 ticket option includes a copy of the book. >>
mon 7pm (monthly): and scene: anything could happen when actors and improvisors share the stage at ‘and scene,’ where the actors know their lines ahead of time and the improvisers make up their parts with no prior knowledge of the scenes. featuring jeff hiller (somebody somewhere), james chen (fbi), karan brar (diary of a wimpy kid), neal bledsoe (othello), connor ratliff (the george lucas talk show), and more. $16.70 with promo code ‘andskint’ (reg. $24-25). >>
mon 7:30pm: dirty little secrets improv show: see your secrets turned into comedy gold at the dirty little secrets show, where your anonymously-submitted confessions serve as inspiration for improv performers. the wara theatre (east village), $14.64 with promo code ‘skintsecrets’ (reg. $23.18). >>
mon 8pm (monthly): franklin park reading series: the crown heights bar and beer garden’s reading series continues the fall season with an evening of readings from authors jason diamond (kaplan’s plot), maris kreizman (i want to burn this place down), karissa chen (homeseeking), lauren morrow (little movements), and nikkitha bakshani (ghost chilli). books will be available for purchase from indie bookseller unnameable books. free admission. >>
mon 8pm: the story collider podcast science storytelling show: ‘political science’: storytellers share true, personal stories about what happens when science turns political, and the political hits home at the latest edition of the story collider show. hosted by erin barker. young ethel’s (south slope), $10. >>
ongoing
our roundup of 40+ ongoing events: fall foliage maps, oktoberfest events, the amazing maize maze, and more. >>
stay safe and healthy
– the skint
