Coney Island's last stretch of Halloween programming runs this week along Surf Avenue, with Luna Park's Halloween Harvest open Friday through Sunday, the New York Aquarium's Ascarium fall festival on Saturday and Sunday, two nights of film and performance at Coney Island USA, and Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park running rides on its fall weekend schedule.

Halloween Harvest at Luna Park: October 23 to 25

Luna Park at 1000 Surf Avenue is running Halloween Harvest on its open days from September 18 through November 1. The seasonal program adds a pumpkin patch, a tractor race, the Phantom Grounds walkthrough, trick or treating, balloon artists and airbrush stations, plus live entertainment on the Halloween Harvest Stage and seasonal food and drinks. The Halloween Harvest activities are included with a park wristband bought through Luna Park's own website or at its ticket booths.

  • Hours this week: Friday, October 23, 4 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The park calendar shows it closed October 19 to 21 and on October 26.
  • Wristbands: The Boardwalk Day Pass, good for unlimited rides across the park, is $89.99 at the gate for guests 48 inches and taller and $59.99 for guests under 48 inches, with online prices starting at $76.99 and $50.99. The Midway Day Pass, covering the Midway section next to the Cyclone, is $54.99 at the gate for 48 inches and up and $49.99 for under 48 inches, or from $46.99 and $42.99 online.
  • Season: 2026 wristbands are valid for one operating day through November 1, and Luna Park has Halloween Harvest hours of 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 31.

Luna Park notes that hours and ride schedules can change and that rides depend on the weather.

Ascarium at the New York Aquarium: October 24 and 25

The Wildlife Conservation Society's New York Aquarium at 602 Surf Avenue is in the final weekends of Ascarium, its fall festival, which runs Saturdays and Sundays through October 31. Everything in the festival is included with a regular aquarium ticket or membership.

This year's lineup adds several new pieces: Sea of Illusions, an immersive exhibit, and pumpkin sculptures (both 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.), bubble performances, and Spookley's 4D Jamboree playing continuously in the 4D Theater. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. there are Halloween crafts, face painting for ages 3 and up, a group coloring mural, a natural treasures dig, lawn games and carnival games. Costume parades step off at 1, 2 and 3:30 p.m., magic shows run at 11:30 a.m., 12:30, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., and storytelling takes place in the Discovery Room inside the Playquarium. A self-guided spooky scavenger hunt runs through the whole aquarium.

The regular animal schedule continues alongside the festival, including sea lion shows in the Aquatheater at 11 a.m., 1:30 and 4 p.m. and penguin chats at Sea Cliffs at 10:15 a.m. and 3 p.m.

  • Hours: Daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through October 31, with the grounds closing at 5 p.m.
  • Admission: Adults (13 and over) $29.95 off-peak or $32.95 peak; seniors (65 and over) $27.95 or $29.95; children 3 to 12 $25.95 or $27.95; children 2 and under free. All visitors need a date-specific ticket; members can enter for daytime visits with a membership card and photo ID.
  • Some outdoor activities depend on the weather. The aquarium posts the day's schedule at nyaquarium.com/today.

Cemetery Cinema at Coney Island USA: Friday, October 23

Coney Island USA, the nonprofit arts organization at 1208 Surf Avenue, brings back its Cemetery Cinema series for Halloween with a screening of Hammer Films' Horror of Dracula (1958), starring Christopher Lee as the Count. Host Baron Misuraca leads the night, which also includes live music by In Flesh and Spirit, a costume contest with a prize, an audience discussion and free popcorn. The show runs 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $14, held at will call and picked up at the box office that night.

The Brenda and Glennda Show: Sunday, October 25

Two days later, the same venue screens films from The Brenda and Glennda Show, a 1990s Manhattan public access program that used drag for activism and comedy. The program includes On the Campaign Trail with Joan Jett Blakk and The Drag Queen Murder Mystery, followed by a Q&A with director Glenn Belverio moderated by culture critic Ben Shields, and live drag from Nancy Nogood, Reina Nobuena and Uncle Freak. A cash-bar reception in the Freak Bar starts at 3 p.m., and the show runs 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets are $20; the event is 18 and over, 21 and over to drink.

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park: October 24 and 25

Deno's Wonder Wheel Amusement Park at 3059 West 12th Street is open on weekends this fall. Its calendar lists Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25, with the Kiddie Park opening at 11 a.m. and adult rides at noon. Admission to the park is free; rides run on credits, with a Wonder Wheel ride costing 10 credits ($10). Credit packs are $50 for 60, $90 for 125 and $125 for 175.

Getting there

The D, F, N and Q trains all end at Coney Island-Stillwell Avenue, a short walk from Luna Park, Coney Island USA and Deno's on Surf Avenue and West 12th Street. For the aquarium, the F and Q stop at West 8th Street-NY Aquarium, steps from the 602 Surf Avenue entrance.

Plan the weekend

Luna Park opens Friday at 4 p.m., and the Horror of Dracula screening at Coney Island USA starts at 7:30 p.m. the same night. On Saturday and Sunday, the aquarium opens at 10 a.m., Deno's and Luna Park at 11 a.m., and the Brenda and Glennda program at Coney Island USA starts Sunday at 4 p.m. Aquarium tickets are sold for a specific date, Luna Park wristbands cost less on lunaparknyc.com, and each venue posts same-day changes on the pages below.

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