The Halloween Decorations on the Upper East Side (UES) are often considered some of the best in New York City. After living in NYC for years, I’ve put together this guide to Halloween decorations on the Upper East Side to save you time and help you make the most of your visit. After seeing them for myself, I can confirm they live up to the hype. While you can surely walk around aimlessly in search of the most decorated homes, I’d like to make your search easier.
Looking for great food in Upper East Side? Check out our guide to the best restaurants.
Table of Contents
- The Brownstones on 62nd Street Between 3rd Ave & 2nd Ave
- East 67th Street, Between Fifth Ave and Madison
- East 70th Street Between Park & Lexington
- East 71st Street Between Fifth & Madison
- East 72nd Street Between Madison and Park
- East 74th Street Between Madison & Park
- East 76th Between Park & Madison
- East 77th Street Between Third Ave & Second Ave
- East 78th st. Between Lexington & Third ave
- East 78th Street Between Third & Second Ave
- East 82nd St. Between Lexington Ave & Third Ave
- East 92nd & 94th Between Park & Lexington
Allow me to share the absolute best spots to see Halloween decorations on the Upper East Side, everything from giant spiders to dancing skeletons and the most creative colored pumpkins you’ve ever seen, let’s get to it!
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Best Halloween Decorations on the Upper East Side
The Brownstones on 62nd Street Between 3rd Ave & 2nd Ave
East 67th Street, Between Fifth Ave and Madison
Tucked away from the busier Avenues, the Halloween decorations are a true gem. The scene is quite interesting, there’s a married zombie couple standing guard on the side of the house and a family of four sitting on a window sill.
Come early. Seriously. The crowds hit hard by noon.
East 70th Street Between Park & Lexington
These Halloween decorations on the Upper East Side are some of my favorite. Can you imagine the amount of time it took to paint all of these pumpkins?! Just beautiful!
As a local, I come back to this spot every season because it feels different each time. Spring has the blossoms, summer has the energy, fall has the colors, and winter has that quiet magic that only NYC can pull off.
Some places are about the food. This one’s about the whole experience.
East 71st Street Between Fifth & Madison
Between the funny expressions on the skeletons and the impressively painted pumpkins, I found myself entertained for a quite a while with these great Halloween decorations on the Upper East Side.
One thing I love about this spot. it’s never as crowded as the more famous attractions, but it’s every bit as memorable. The locals know about it, the tourists mostly don’t, and that’s part of its charm.
East 72nd Street Between Madison and Park
The brownstone on 72nd between Madison & Park Ave has the best Halloween Decorations on the Upper East Side. This decor is unbelievable and there’s so much of it! This dragon breathes smoke, the spider eats a moving body and every once in a while, one of the statues makes a sound.
But the best part is that they add even more decorations on Halloween night and folks flock from all parts of the city to check it out.
East 74th Street Between Madison & Park
The butler is famous on social media, he’s a fan favorite that’s been around for ages. It’s fun to watch kids get close and then get startled when he starts to talk and move.
Getting here is easy. take the subway to the nearest stop and it’s about a five-minute walk. If you’re coming from Midtown, expect the trip to take about 20 minutes door to door.
I’ve been here in every season. My favorite? Fall, when the light hits just right.
East 76th Between Park & Madison
Admittedly, these are some of the most elegant Halloween Decorations on the UES, easy to day-dream about living in the brownstones on this pretty street.
As a local, I come back to this spot every season because it feels different each time. Spring has the blossoms, summer has the energy, fall has the colors, and winter has that quiet magic that only NYC can pull off.
East 77th Street Between Third Ave & Second Ave
This brownstone is one of my favorites in the neighborhood because the stoop is beautifully decorated but the skeletons climbing the home add an amusing touch.
East 78th st. Between Lexington & Third ave
The home photographed below is on 78th St. between Park Ave. & Lexington Ave. but it’s worth the extra steps because the homeowners clearly put a lot of effort into these decorations.
One thing I love about this spot. it’s never as crowded as the more famous attractions, but it’s every bit as memorable. The locals know about it, the tourists mostly don’t, and that’s part of its charm.
East 78th Street Between Third & Second Ave
These Upper East Side Halloween decorations left me speechless! I’m not sure the photos do it justice, but holy cow – this brownstone takes the cake. I can’t imagine how much work went into setting up this entire scene, but every window is adorned with figures and the entrance is stuffed to the brim with a spooky crowd.
East 82nd St. Between Lexington Ave & Third Ave
This yet another brownstone that really impressed me. Bonus points to residents that forgo using their front entrance for the sake of Halloween decorations.
One thing I love about this spot. it’s never as crowded as the more famous attractions, but it’s every bit as memorable. The locals know about it, the tourists mostly don’t, and that’s part of its charm.
East 92nd & 94th Between Park & Lexington
If you’re in the 90’s swing by 92nd and 94th between Park & Lexington to see a handful of UES brownstones decked out in Halloween decor.
Personally, I wouldn’t travel out of the way to see them because there’s a higher concentration of Halloween decorations in the 70’s and 80’s. However, if you’re in the area, definitely take a stroll down 92nd and 94th between Park & Lexington!
Best spots to go trick or treating on the Upper East Side
Based on personal experience, I highly suggest trick-or-treating down 82st Street and 78th St. However, nothing tops the Haunted House at 72nd Street, although it gets super crowded.
Map of Best Halloween Decorations on the UES
Further Reading.Best Halloween Decorations Upper West Side
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More Spooky Spots Worth the Walk
I’ve spent years tracking down Halloween displays on the Upper East Side, and there are a few more spots that absolutely deserve a mention. The townhouses along East 78th Street between Park and Lexington go all out every year. I’m talking fog machines, full skeleton tableaux, and sound effects that will actually make you jump. One brownstone near the corner of 78th and Lex has been doing an elaborate haunted garden for at least five years running.
Don’t skip East 69th Street between Madison and Fifth either. There’s a cluster of three homes in a row that coordinate their displays. last year’s theme was a Victorian ghost story and it was genuinely unsettling in the best way. The carved pumpkins alone are museum-quality.
And here’s a spot most people miss. the decorations around the Church of St. Jean Baptiste on Lexington and 76th. The combination of the Gothic architecture and the Halloween decorations on the surrounding buildings creates this incredibly atmospheric scene, especially after dark.
Best Times to Visit
As a local, I can tell you the sweet spot is weekday evenings between 6 and 8 PM during the last two weeks of October. Everything is lit up, the streets are quieter than weekends, and you can actually stop and take photos without blocking the sidewalk. Weekend afternoons work too, but expect more foot traffic. especially on the Saturday before Halloween.
If you’re bringing kids, aim for right around dusk. early enough that it’s not too dark for little ones, but late enough that the lights and effects are starting to kick in. Pro tip. start at 86th and Lex and work your way downtown. The density of decorated buildings increases as you hit the 70s.
Planning Tips
As a local, I’d say the best time to see Halloween decorations is the last two weeks of October. that’s when everyone goes all out. Weekday evenings between 5 and 7 PM are ideal because the decorations are lit up but the sidewalks aren’t packed with weekend strollers yet. Wear comfortable walking shoes because you’ll be covering a lot of blocks, and bring your phone fully charged for photos.
I’ve spent years tracking down the best displays, and my biggest tip is this. don’t just stick to the main avenues. Some of the most incredible setups are on the quieter side streets and brownstone blocks where residents really take pride in their displays. The cross streets between Lexington and Park tend to have some real spot most people misss.
What Most People Miss
Here’s what most people don’t know. some of the best Halloween displays aren’t the giant inflatable setups. they’re the elegant, atmospheric ones. Look for brownstones with candlelit windows, hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns lining the stoops, and vintage decorations that look like they’ve been in the family for generations. These are the ones that actually give you chills.
Another thing most visitors skip. the side streets between the avenues. On the Upper East Side, the blocks between Madison and Park in the 70s and 80s are consistently incredible. On the Upper West Side, don’t miss the brownstone rows on the streets between Columbus and Amsterdam in the 70s. The residents on these blocks practically compete with each other, and it shows.
One last Local tip. if you see a building with a particularly elaborate setup, check if they have a collection jar or sign for a charity. Several of the best-decorated homes do it as fundraisers, and it’s a lovely neighborhood tradition that deserves support.
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If you liked this guide, you might also enjoy exploring my other local recommendations.
Does any one know is trick-or-treating taking place on Sat Oct 29, or Sun Oct 30, or Mon Oct 31?