The top US cities for Halloween host massive costume parades, month-long festivals, and family-friendly events. Below are the best destinations for marquee spectacles, historic haunts, and family favorites, plus hotels near the action.
How We Chose These Destinations
We selected 11 cities with major parades and events, month-long programming, walkable or transit-accessible layouts, and hotels that fit different needs: eco-aware, budget, and pet-friendly. We identify where families can find daytime events and which cities host the country’s largest celebrations.
1. New York City: The Largest Halloween Parade
New York City hosts the world’s largest Halloween parade — the Village Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village — with over 80,000 costumed participants and more than 2 million spectators filling the streets every October 31. Beyond the parade, the city turns festive for weeks: from “Boo at the Zoo” in the Bronx to local haunted houses and creative neighborhood displays across the boroughs.
For families, the city’s “Trick-or-Streets” program closes 137 roads over two weekends, giving kids a safe space to roam. In Brooklyn, Park Slope’s Third Street and nearby blocks between 9th and 13th Streets are local favorites, known for elaborate themed setups.
If you’re planning to stay overnight, 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge pairs reclaimed materials with skyline views and easy subway access. citizenM Times Square offers compact comfort steps from multiple lines, while Pod Times Square suits travelers seeking efficient rooms close to the parade route. Pet owners find open green space and quick Manhattan access at The William Vale in Williamsburg.
Plan transit using the MTA Subway map, or take Amtrak from nearby states to skip traffic. For more hotel ideas, browse Dyme’s collection of eco-friendly hotels in NYC.
2. Salem, Massachusetts: Month-Long Haunted Happenings
Salem runs Haunted Happenings throughout October with parades, psychic fairs, historic sites, and costumed weekends. The month-long calendar makes timing easier for families and remote workers avoiding peak weekends. Linden Street west of Lafayette is known for heavy decorations, though crowds can be large on peak nights.
Stay at the historic Hawthorne Hotel downtown for elegant rooms and walkable access to events. The modern Hotel Salem has a stylish rooftop and museum access. Families book Salem Waterfront Hotel & Suites for the indoor pool and parking convenience. Walk between venues to reduce your footprint.
3. New Orleans: Krewe of Boo and Haunted History
New Orleans hosts Krewe of Boo on October 25, 2025, plus costume balls, cemetery tours, and French Quarter events. Music and nightlife attract adults, while daytime parades and garden tours work for families. Frenchmen Street in the Marigny becomes a massive unofficial street party on Halloween night after 10 p.m., with costume-clad revelers and live music spilling out of jazz clubs and bars. Notable spots in recent years include elaborate private displays along St. Charles Avenue and Magazine Street.
Ace Hotel New Orleans offers event spaces, a rooftop pool, and a short stroll to parade routes. The Eliza Jane balances character and comfort within walking distance of the French Quarter. The Roosevelt New Orleans, a Waldorf Astoria Hotel has elegant lounges for relaxing between Halloween events. Check pet weight limits and fees before booking.
4. Orlando: Family-First Halloween at Theme-Park Scale
Universal Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights runs select nights from August 29-November 2, featuring haunted houses with IPs such as Fallout and WWE, plus other original attractions. The event includes four scare zones, two live shows, street experiences, and event-specific food and beverages from 6:30 p.m.-2 a.m.. The parks also offer gentler daytime festivities for kids while the haunted houses cater to adults.
Loews Royal Pacific Resort offers on-site perks and water-taxi access to minimize car use. Universal’s Cabana Bay Beach Resort has kitchenettes and multiple pools at a lower price. Hyatt Regency Orlando provides easy I-Drive transit options. Request housekeeping opt-outs and refill stations to reduce waste.
5. Chicago: Arts in the Dark Parade
Chicago hosts the Arts in the Dark parade on Saturday, October 18, from 6-8 p.m. along historic State Street, drawing large crowds. The parade showcases giant puppets, floats, and Creative Guilds, including architects in sculptural headpieces, a 50-foot cosmic serpent, and 16 giant skeletons. Popular trick-or-treat blocks include Burling Street in Lincoln Park between Fullerton and Diversey, Bernard Street in Logan Square between Fullerton and Wrightwood, and Harper Avenue in Hyde Park between 57th and 59th Streets.
Virgin Hotels Chicago has pet-friendly rooms without extra fees. The Robey in Wicker Park offers skyline views and Blue Line connections to the Loop. Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel has ballroom-scale elegance near downtown festivities. Use CTA maps for routing.
6. Los Angeles: Studio-Scale Scares
Los Angeles offers Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, immersive shows, and neighborhood events across the metro area. West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval returns in 2025 on October 31 from 6-11 p.m. on Santa Monica Boulevard after being canceled 2020-2022. Toluca Lake is the city’s Halloween destination, with notable spots in recent years including Moorpark Street behind Trader Joe’s with homes featuring hundreds of jack-o-lanterns and giant inflatables. Lilley Hall at 10104 Moorpark Street displays hundreds of illuminated pumpkins, while Mariota and Clybourn Avenues host multiple decorated homes.
The Garland in North Hollywood has shuttle service to Universal and pet-friendly rooms, reducing car miles. Hilton Los Angeles/Universal City puts families steps from the park gates. citizenM Los Angeles Downtown offers app-based check-in and a central location. Use Metro to limit driving between events.
7. San Francisco: Science Nights and Bay-Side Events
San Francisco hosts the California Academy of Sciences’ SuperNatural Halloween event in late October with a silent disco in the aquarium, trick-or-treat stations, live animal demonstrations, and mad science displays (check the Academy’s calendar for this year’s schedule).
Belvedere Street in Cole Valley, known as “Hellvedere”, transforms into a four-block stretch of elaborate haunted displays and is blocked off to traffic on Halloween night. Other decorated streets include 24th Street in Noe Valley between Church and Castro, the stately homes of St. Francis Wood, and Presidio Heights along Jackson and Washington Streets.
Want to stay at a sustainable hotel while exploring the city’s Halloween offerings? 1 Hotel San Francisco emphasizes biophilic design and filtered water near BART and Muni. Fairmont San Francisco offers cable car access to the waterfront.
8. Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown: Headless Horseman Country
Westchester’s river towns host cemetery tours, lantern-lit churchyards at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, and manor-house programs based on Washington Irving lore. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze in nearby Croton-on-Hudson runs September 12-November 16 with over 7,000 hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins featuring 23 themed displays including New York landmarks, a circus, and a Wizard of Oz dreamscape. The event includes synchronized lighting, an original soundtrack, and the Headless Horseman’s Hideaway bar.
Tarrytown House Estate has sprawling lawns and Hudson views. Castle Hotel & Spa offers pet-friendly luxury and spa services between tours. Take Metro-North rail from NYC to skip highway traffic.
9. Savannah: Historic District Ghost Walks
Savannah hosts after-dark walking tours through Colonial Park Cemetery and historic sites, with guides sharing local ghost stories and paranormal history. Ghosts & Gravestones trolley tour includes nighttime access to the Andrew Low House and Perkins & Son’s Ship Chandlery on River Street. Trick-or-Treat on River Street takes place October 25, 2025, from 2-5 p.m., with local businesses handing out candy to costumed kids. Wag-O-Ween on October 25-26 brings over 3,000 participants and their costumed dogs through Downtown and Starland Districts for trick-or-treating at pet-friendly shops. Popular decorated neighborhoods include Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent and Isle of Hope’s Bluff Drive along the Skidaway River.
The Marshall House blends historic charm with modern conveniences in the heart of downtown. Perry Lane Hotel has rooftop leisure space and walkable access to the historic district. Alida Hotel offers riverfront rooms and a pool deck. Request light-touch housekeeping to save water and energy.
10. Anoka, Minnesota: Halloween Capital of the World
Anoka hosted one of the nation’s first Halloween celebrations in 1920 and calls itself the “Halloween Capital of the World”. School programs, parades, and “Light Up the Night” events focus on families and community.
Stay at Courtyard Minneapolis NW Coon Rapids for convenient access to Anoka events. AmericInn by Wyndham Coon Rapids offers hot breakfast and free parking. With limited local transit, consolidate trips and carpool on parade days.
11. St. Helens, Oregon: Spirit of Halloweentown
St. Helens celebrates its “Halloweentown” film roots with Spirit of Halloweentown, running weekends from September 27-October 31, with parades, celebrity cast reunions, markets, and photo ops. The festival transforms the historic riverfront into an immersive Halloween wonderland with haunted attractions, themed weekends, live entertainment, and a nightly Pumpkin Lighting at 8:30 p.m.. Guests include original Halloweentown cast members plus circus performers, magicians, and pirate encampments.
Best Western Oak Meadows Inn is pet-friendly with a pool. Commodore Hotel Astoria offers design-forward rooms and bike-friendly amenities 30-40 minutes away. Most events cluster downtown on weekends, so park once and walk.
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