Celebrate Halloween In NYC's Central Park With Pumpkin Flotilla And More

New York City Area Celebrates Halloween 2020

Photo: Getty Images

This year, the entire family can celebrate Halloween in Central Park with spooky crafts, a trick-or-treat scavenger hunt and of course The Conservancy's signature Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla.

On Thursday, October 28, you're invited to watch the Harlem Meer glow with 50 floating jack-o’-lanterns. You can drop off your carved pumpkin, first-come first-served, at a designated drop-off area by the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center between 4:00pm-5:30pm. New this year to the flotilla, pumpkin owners may retrieve their carved pumpkins at the conclusion of the flotilla at 6.30 pm from the Harlem Meer beach near Fifth Avenue and East 108th Street.

Here are some more important facts you need to know:

  • DO bring a pumpkin that weighs about eight pounds after it’s carved (approximately the size of a soccer ball).
  • DON’T bring mini or extra-large pumpkins; they will not fit on the flotilla.
  • DO bring carved, gutted pumpkins with their tops.
  • DON’T bring pumpkins with artificial decorations, such as paint, glitter, marker, food dye, paper, or plastic. They’ll pollute the Harlem Meer and harm the wildlife.
  • DON’T bring light bulbs, candles, or floats. (We’ll provide these!)

Other family activities this year include:

  • Tuesday, October 26 - 4:00 pm–6:00 pm: Halloween crafts and magical family-friendly entertainment.
  • Wednesday, October 27- 4:00 pm–6:00 pm: Come dressed in your Halloween costume for a scavenger hunt adventure around the Harlem Meer! Walk away with more than a few ghostly treats.

These events are all FREE, open to all ages and tickets are not required. Event details are subject to change based on weather conditions - check Central Park's official website for more information. Happy Halloween!


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