Halloween in New York City – How to Have Fun While You’re Practicing Your English October 10, 2017

Halloween is a very exciting time of the year in not just New York City, but it’s celebrated all over the country as a fun yet spooky holiday. While the idea around the holiday itself is meant for children to have fun with it so they can dress up as their favorite superhero or character, what they want to be when they grow up, or just something scary, like a ghost, a witch, or a zombie, adults often get into the spirit as well. There have been decades of films produced around this holiday, people construct haunted houses to get everyone in the mood, and families even decorate their homes with jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, and fake cobwebs. If you’re not familiar with the tradition, it might seem odd, but it’s fun and harmless, so welcome to the annual celebration of Halloween!

In New York City, just like anything else here, Halloween is a big and elaborate production. There are endless parties and gatherings revolved around the holiday, and on October 31 each year, you’ll be surrounded by people in all sorts of creative costumes, so be prepared! If you’re practicing your English, this is a great chance for you to put your skills to use, as you’ll be in costume, so you’ll be protected by the barrier of your different and mysterious identity! Here, you can ask a stranger a question you’re otherwise too embarrassed to ask, or maybe you go out on a limb and introduce yourself to a stranger whose costume you find impressive.

1. New York City’s 44^th Annual Village Halloween Parade; Tuesday, October 31, 2017

This parade is easily the largest Halloween celebration in New York City. The organizers only allow you to participate if you’re in costume, so if you have your heart set on this event, make sure you come up with something clever! If you simply want to be a spectator, the parade starts at Spring Street and runs all the way down to 16^th Street down 6^th Avenue. The parade runs approximately 4 hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to catch it all! This parade attracts thousands of people in the city, so make sure you allow yourself plenty of travel time and stay hydrated!

2. Blood Manor; 163 Varick Street; October – November

If you’re interested more in the “getting scared” feature that Halloween is all about, I highly recommend this destination for the ultimate thrill. With tickets starting at $40, you can make your way through one of the most celebrated and exciting haunted houses New York City has seen yet. It’s been featured in multiple television programs, magazines, and radio shows, praising its thrill level and the amount of authenticity in the experience. So if you’re looking for a good scream and a way to practice your English shouts of alarm and fear, this is your chance!

3. Your Halloween Movie Round-Up

Thinking that you don’t want to spend the money on a costume, or maybe just not in the mood to deal with the crowds? (You sound like me!) A great alternative is staying in instead, heating up a bowl of popcorn, and finding some classic scary movies to watch in the comfort of your own home. This way, if you get scared and scream, no one else will have to know! Plus, as I mentioned in my previous movie post, watching American or English-speaking films is a great method in helping you round-out your English skills! Here are just a few of my favorites:

• A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
• Halloween (1978)* This movie has several sequels, so make sure you start with this one!
• Night of the Living Dead (1968)
• House on Haunted Hill (1959)
• Friday the 13^th (1980)
• House of 1000 Corpses (2003)
• It (1990)* They actually JUST remade and released a new version of this, and I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ll report back when I do!
• The Amityville Horror (1979)

Of course, no matter how you decide to celebrate your Halloween this year, you will no doubt have plenty of fun, as you have endless options since you’re in New York City. And even if going out to celebrate by dressing up or getting spooked is in your taste, stay in, avoid the crowds, and enjoy the comforts of being home! Just don’t forget to incorporate all your English skills into this holiday—it can be fun!