Dumboween returns on Saturday, October 31, with a parade through Brooklyn Bridge Park, a pet costume contest on Washington Street, a party in the Dumbo Archway and trick-or-treating at more than 60 small businesses across DUMBO. The Dumbo Improvement District, the neighborhood's business improvement district, organizes the day, and this year it starts earlier than usual because Halloween falls on a Saturday.

The district has also added two new pieces in 2026: a neighborhood photo contest that runs all of Halloween week and Halloween projections on the Manhattan Bridge.

The Halloween day schedule

  • 2 p.m., Howl-o-Ween: Dogs in costume gather on car-free Washington Street for a pet costume contest. H.E.A.L, Houndstown and K-9 Butcher judge and award prizes in three categories: Most Original, Best Owner/Pet Duo, and Best in Show/Cutest/Coolest.
  • 3 p.m., March to the Arch: Families gather on Washington Street between Front and Water Streets, then parade through Brooklyn Bridge Park to the Dumbo Archway behind a brass band and puppets.
  • 3:30 to 6 p.m., Dumbo Archway Party: Crafts with Creatively Wild Art Studio, a free photobooth, live music and candy. The Archway Bar sells drinks.
  • 3 to 7 p.m., trick-or-treating: More than 60 DUMBO small businesses hand out candy while supplies last. Participating shops have a pumpkin sign in the window, and the district posts a trick-or-treat map on its Dumboween page.

The district lists no tickets or fees for the march, the pet contest, the Archway party or trick-or-treating.

New this year: a costume photo contest and bridge projections

From Saturday, October 24 through Halloween, anyone in costume in DUMBO can take a photo of their group in the neighborhood, post it to the main Instagram grid, and tag @dumbo_brooklyn with #dumboween2026. The district will choose three winners and award DUMBO prizes.

During the same stretch, the Plaza side and Adams Street side of the Manhattan Bridge will carry Halloween projections by the artist Motomichi, running from dusk to 11 p.m. nightly from October 24 through October 31. The district is also setting up Halloween photo spots on Washington Street and in the Dumbo Archway for the week.

More Halloween events around DUMBO

The district's events calendar lists other Halloween events from DUMBO businesses, including several for young children:

  • Sunday, October 25, 2 to 3:30 p.m.: Tutu School Dumbo, 100 Jay Street, hosts a free open-house Halloween party with crafts, face painting and storytime. Kids can come in costume. The school asks families to RSVP.
  • Saturday, October 31, 10 to 11 a.m.: Time Out Market New York, 55 Water Street, and Macaroni KID Brooklyn NW present a free Halloween concert for babies and toddlers with children's musician Suzi Shelton, with registration through Eventbrite.
  • Saturday, October 31, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Maman, 66 Water Street, gives guests who come in costume a Halloween croissant card with a Hershey's Cookies 'n' Creme treat and a voucher for one free croissant or pain au chocolat, good from November 1 to 14.

Who is behind it

The Dumbo Improvement District runs Dumboween every October 31 along with year-round neighborhood events, including the monthly Dumbo Happy Hour and the First Thursday Gallery Walk. Its office is at 20 Jay Street, Suite 510, and it can be reached at 718-237-8700 or dumbo@dumbo.nyc.

Getting there

The F train stops at York Street, a few blocks from Washington Street. The A and C stop at High Street, and the 2 and 3 stop at Clark Street in Brooklyn Heights, a walk away. The B25 bus runs through DUMBO, and the NYC Ferry East River route stops at the neighborhood's waterfront. Citi Bike has more than 400 docks in the area.

To join the parade, be on Washington Street between Front and Water Streets by 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. Bring dogs to the same block by 2 p.m. for Howl-o-Ween, and check the Dumboween page for the trick-or-treat map before heading out.

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