Hey there! Flor here. If you’ve been following me for a while, you know that fall in New York City is my absolute favorite season. The crisp air, the cozy sweaters, and most importantly—the Halloween decorations that transform the city into a spooky wonderland!
Every year, I make it a point to explore different neighborhoods to experience their unique Halloween vibes, but there’s one area that consistently tops my list: the Upper East Side. And this year, I decided to take you all along with me!
Why the Upper East Side Reigns Supreme for Halloween
Let me just say it outright—the Upper East Side is the premier destination for Halloween decorations in Manhattan. Period.
For those who aren’t familiar with NYC geography, the Upper East Side is located (as you might guess) in the northern part of Manhattan on the east side. Its boundaries run from 59th Street in the south to 96th Street in the north, bordered by Fifth Avenue and Central Park to the west and FDR Drive and the East River to the east.
What makes this neighborhood so special during Halloween season? Well, it’s a fascinating paradox. The Upper East Side is known for its «quiet luxury» aesthetic—multi-million dollar brownstones and townhouses owned by people who generally don’t flaunt their wealth… except twice a year: Halloween and Christmas.
During these holidays, residents pull out all the stops with elaborate, over-the-top decorations that transform these stately homes into haunted mansions, skeleton gatherings, and spider-infested lairs. It’s like the neighborhood collectively decides: «Let’s show everyone what we can do when we really put our minds (and wallets) to it!»
My Upper East Side Halloween Adventure
I started my Halloween decoration tour on a crisp October morning, armed with a map of notable addresses (which I share below!) and an empty camera roll ready to be filled. As I strolled through the neighborhood, I was consistently blown away by the creativity and detail in the decorations.
What struck me most was the sheer scale of some displays. We’re not talking about a few pumpkins and a ghost hanging from a tree—we’re talking full-scale skeleton tea parties cascading down brownstone stoops, massive spiderwebs stretching across entire facades, and eerie lighting that transforms these multi-million dollar homes into something straight out of a Tim Burton film.
I made sure to note all the addresses of the most impressive displays so you can visit them yourself if you’re in the area! And if you’re not in NYC, don’t worry—that’s exactly why I created the video, so you can experience this Halloween magic from anywhere in the world.
The Secret Behind Upper East Side Halloween Decorations
While sipping my much-needed coffee break halfway through my tour, I reflected on something fascinating about these elaborate displays—most homeowners don’t actually do the decorating themselves!
Here’s an insider secret I learned a few years ago: many Upper East Side residents hire professional decorators for their Halloween displays. These specialists come with concepts (sometimes based on the homeowner’s ideas or a specific theme), bring all the decorations, set everything up in late September or early October, and then return after Halloween to take it all down and store everything until next year.
And the budget for these professional Halloween installations? It starts at around $5,000 and goes up—way up—from there. When I say «way up,» I mean that some of these displays likely cost more than my monthly rent—possibly even several months’ worth!
But that’s part of what makes the Upper East Side Halloween experience so special. These aren’t your typical drugstore decorations—they’re curated, professional-grade installations that transform an already picturesque neighborhood into something truly magical.
Why I Love This Tradition
As a New Yorker who’s lived here for years, I’ve come to cherish these neighborhood traditions that make the city feel a little smaller and more connected. There’s something wonderfully community-oriented about Halloween on the Upper East Side—families walking around with their children, neighbors chatting about each other’s displays, tourists and locals alike taking photos and sharing in the festive atmosphere.
In a city that can sometimes feel overwhelming and anonymous, these shared experiences create moments of connection and joy. It’s one of the countless reasons I love living in New York, despite the challenges that come with city life.
Planning Your Own Upper East Side Halloween Tour
If you’re in NYC during October and want to experience this for yourself, here are my recommendations:
- Best time to visit: Late October, especially the week leading up to Halloween, when all displays are complete.
- Best time of day: I prefer late afternoon, when you can catch some displays in daylight and others as they light up for evening.
- Starting point: Begin around 70th Street and Park Avenue and work your way north and east.
- Don’t forget: Comfortable walking shoes! You’ll be covering a lot of ground.
- Bring along: A hot beverage (the NYC classic—coffee in a paper cup) to keep you warm as you explore.
- Must-see blocks: East 73rd, 74th, and 78th Streets between Park and Lexington Avenues tend to have some of the most elaborate displays.
For those who want to be super organized, I’ve created a Google Map with pins for all the best Halloween houses that you can access via this link!
Final Thoughts
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about Halloween decorations. They remind me of childhood excitement, of that magical feeling when the ordinary world transforms into something extraordinary. The Upper East Side captures this perfectly—these historic, dignified buildings playing dress-up in the most delightfully spooky way.
As adults, we often lose touch with that sense of seasonal magic, but walking through the Upper East Side in October helps me reconnect with it. And isn’t that what we’re all looking for—those moments that break up our routine and remind us to look around with wonder?
If you enjoyed this tour of Upper East Side Halloween decorations, stay tuned! I’ll be sharing part two of my «Halloween in New York City» series next week, where we’ll explore another neighborhood’s unique take on the spooky season.
Until then, I’d love to hear about your favorite Halloween traditions or decorations in your neighborhood! Drop a comment below or reach out to me on Instagram @FloPereira.
Happy Halloween season, everyone! 🎃👻
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