A Safe Halloween 2020

Halloween is looking different this year, with many businesses and buildings refraining from trick-or-treat activities for public safety. But the ghost and ghoul-filled holiday can still be celebrated in fun ways while adhering to social distancing guidelines. With the help of I Love the Upper West Side’s Halloween-centric stories, here is a list of activities to celebrate Halloween.

Stroll Around Some Spooky Properties

North of Lincoln Square, the following streets have some very elaborate Halloween displays set up, featuring spiderwebs, skeletons, ghosts, and more! Take a walk with your family or by yourself to enjoy the work of these Upper West Side Halloween enthusiasts. Don’t forget your mask!

• 70th between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 71st between West End Avenue and Broadway
• 75th between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 82nd between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue
• 83rd between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 87th between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue
• 88th between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 94th between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
• 95th between Columbus Avenue and Amsterdam Avenue

Also, check out this article about supposedly haunted buildings on the Upper West Side for your own scary tour.

Spend an Evening Decorating or Crafting with Family

The new Target at 61^st Street and Broadway (1863 Broadway) has a large selection of Halloween goodies to shop before October 31. Check out some fun home décor, stickers, costumes, and even items you can use to work on a fun Halloween project with your family—maybe painting a skeleton or a spooky set-up in your living room. This location is open Monday-Friday from 7:00am-10:00am, and Saturday-Sunday from 8:00am-10:00pm.

Also, inside of The Shops at Columbus Circle, you’ll find the newly opened store Paper Source with paper craft kits and other paper craft supplies to put together a fun activity for kids. Find an easy Halloween craft tutorial online and head to the store for some supplies. Paper Source is open Monday-Sunday from 11:00am-7:00pm.

Halloween Events for Kids

There are several online events in the week leading up to October 31 that will bring fun right to your home specially crafted for Halloween.

Laurie Berkner’s Halloween Party
American Museum of National History Watch Party: Spooky Space
“How to Make friends with a Ghost” from the New-York Historical Society
“Spooky Stories” from the New-York Historical Society
“Special Halloween Story Time” from the New-York Historical Society

Also, check out this Time Out New York article on Halloween happenings in 2020 for more fun ideas.

For your information, here is some of the guidance the City and CDC have issued for staying safe while trick-or-treating and celebrating in other ways:

• COVID-19: Tips for a Safe Halloween (from NYC DOHMH)
• Holiday Celebrations
• Halloween
• Trick-or-Treating and Other Halloween Activities

Additionally, click here for NYC's COVID-19 Event Guidlines and click here for NY Forward's information on large gatherings. 

Illustration credit: CDC.gov