A cheapskates guide to NYC Halloween fun: Bat school, dog parades and Thriller dances
Halloween can be a real scream for your bank account.Between designer costumes, organic pumpkin patches and pricey haunted houses, celebrating spooky season — especially in NYC — can quickly turn into a financial fright.But you don’t need to shell out for a haunted attraction to get into skeleton mode this October, since this year, there are dozens of ways to get your treats without any cash-leaking tricks.
From internet-famous dog costume parades and family-friendly fall festivals to elaborate neighborhood decorations that turn an ordinary stroll into a walk through a macabre movie set, The Post rounded up free festivities across the five boroughs that New Yorkers can partake in leading up to All Hallows’ Eve.Forget a clever costume for yourself — it’s time to brainstorm the ruff-est way to dress your dog for trick-or-treating.Get inspiration from the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, returning to the East Village on Saturday, Oct.17.
Spectators can watch the costumed canines strut their stuff for free as the parade makes its way south along Avenue B, from East 13th Street to East 7th Street near Tompkins Square Park.Registration for those hoping to enter their own fluffy fashionista has already filled up, but watching the canine couture strut their stuff won’t cost puppy lovers a penny.Longtime New Yorker Rebeka Getty, 32, says dog costume contests are among her favorite ways to celebrate Halloween.“I always love the dog costume parades and contests,” the Brooklynite, who runs the popular NYC For Free page, told The Post.“It’s one of my favorite ways to celebrate the season every year without spending money.”She says the fun continues uptown at Carl Schurz Park, where the Conservancy’s Halloween Howl takes place Sunday, Oct.
18, from 1 to 3 p.m.Visitors can enter the park near East 84th Street and East End Avenue or at East 86th Street and East End Avenue.The annual event draws more than 200 creatively costumed pups, all hoping t...