What to Wear to a Halloween Party in NYC

Dead Disco: Disco Glamour Meets the Afterlife

Dead Disco at PUBLIC Hotel is where disco glamour meets the darkness of the afterlife. Think sequins, metallics and flares with a ghostly or skeletal twist: glitter over grave-pale makeup, or a mirror-ball look gone gothic.

Shop the looks: 1920s Flapper · Skeleton & Ghost

Masquerade Inferno: Masks First

Masquerade Inferno at LouLou is built around ornate masks, costumes and anonymity in a candlelit, Parisian-inspired room. A statement mask is the centerpiece. Build the rest around it with dark velvet, lace or tailoring that suits an intimate, low-lit space. Our masquerade style guide goes further.

Shop the looks: Victorian & Regency · Vampire Costumes

The Descent: Dressed to Dance

The Descent at Submercer is an underground night of deep house, curated lighting and haunting visuals. Go for a costume you can move in: dark, minimal and sharp, with one striking detail that catches the light.

Shop the looks: Capes & Cloaks

Heaven & Hell: Pick a Side

Heaven & Hell at Eden splits the night between heaven above and hell below. The theme gives you an easy choice: angelic whites, gold and feathers, or devilish reds, black and horns. Groups can split between the two.

Shop the looks: Roman, Greek & Egyptian · Vampire Costumes

LUNA: Day of the Dead

LUNA: Day of the Dead at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge runs from afternoon into night. Florals, rich color and skull-inspired makeup fit the theme. Treat Día de los Muertos imagery with respect: it's a living tradition of remembrance, not just a costume theme. Our Day of the Dead guide explains why.

Shop the looks: Skeleton & Ghost

Which Classic Costumes Suit Almost Any Theme?

If you'd rather not dress for one theme, a few classics suit most of the week's themes. A 1920s flapper look, with fringe, beading and a feathered headband, carries straight from a disco night to a masquerade. A pirate costume is easy to build from pieces you may already own: a loose shirt, a sash, boots and a hat, with a long coat for the walk between venues.

Going as a pair? Police and prisoner is one of the simplest couples costumes to coordinate, and it reads instantly in a crowded room. Whatever you choose, keep props obviously fake, or leave them at home: anything that looks like a real weapon can hold you up at the door, and venue security has the final say.

Shop the looks: 1920s Flapper · Pirate Costumes · Police & Prisoner

Practical Tips for Any Night

Wear shoes you can stand in for hours. Plan a costume that works under a coat on colder nights. Keep your valid government-issued photo ID somewhere you can reach it easily, because every Halloween NYC 2026 event is 21+ and ID is checked at the door. Leave props that could be mistaken for weapons at home, and check the event page for venue-specific guidance before you go.