NYC's best Halloween dog costume events for 2025

Your family pup can join in the Halloween spirit, too, thanks to this annual event. Grab a doggie costume and enter Fido in the annual Halloween Howl, where more than 200 dogs will strut their stuff in front of a coven of judges.

This year's Halloween Howl is on Sunday, October 19. The event takes play on the hockey/basketball court and John Finley Walk at Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side. May the best pup win! 

Cheer for all the cute doggos in their Halloween finery during this year's 27th Annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest on Saturday, October 25. Held every year by Fort Greene Park Users and Pets Society since 1998, the event is held at the bottom of the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument stairs, where more than a hundred dogs run around in silly and creative costumes from RBG to hot dogs and more.

Each dog is presented to a panel of judges, but the audience decides the top three winners with rounds of applause.

The entry fee for each participant is $20. No walk-up, on-site registration will be available. It's free to watch the show with no registration required. The event will also be streamed live on the Fort Greene PUPS instagram in case you can't make it in person.

Bring your pup aboard this Circle Line boat for a howling good time on Saturday, October 25. The Pup Cruise, which invites all dogs and their humans aboard (preferably in costume), travels down the Hudson River, passing landmarks like Hudson Yards, One World Trade Center, High Line Park and the Statue of Liberty.

During the 90-minute cruise, participate in a spirited pup costume contest judged by VIP guests. Plus, check out a mobile adoption event hosted by North Shore Animal League America back at Pier 83 from 10am to 2pm. In support of this partnership, 100% of Pup Cruise ticket sales will be donated to help save homeless animals.

Tickets are $40 and are expected to sell out quickly. Purchase your ticket here. 

Ooh and ahh (and aww) over the cute dogs in costumes at the Washington Square Park Dog Halloween event presented by The Farmer's Dog. From decked-out doodles to costumed corgis, all the goodest doggos will be dressed up in their finery for this fall festivity on Saturday, October 25. The parade starts at 12pm followed by the costume contest. 

Entry is free, just be sure to register on-site on the day of the event starting at 9am. And heads up, try to get there early—the first 100 dogs to sign up get a free treat bag!

Dress up your pet for Barktoberfest's costume contest—and you could win some pretty epic prizes. DOWNTOWN Magazine is hosting this adorable dog costume contest on Pier 57's nearly two-acre Rooftop Park on Saturday, October 25.

Here are examples of the prizes you can win: a Nobu Restaurant dinner for two, a Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown one-night stay with breakfast in bed, a pet photography package with Josh Owens, or a Classic Harbor Line Fall Foliage Cruise for two. 

Even if you don't have a pet, all are invited to watch and can enjoy the festivities amongst spectacular views of the Hudson River and Lower Manhattan (costumes for humans are encouraged, too!). This year’s event will showcsae Muddy Paws Rescue, a local foster-based dog rescue organization.

Check in is at 11am and the show begins at 12pm. The event is free, but registration is required to participate. 

Dress up your furry friend in a fabulous costume because the Van Cortlandt Park Alliance is hosting its Halloween: Wags to Witches event, complete with the third annual Canine Costume Contest.

On Sunday, October 26 starting at 1pm, you can enjoy a free, fang-tastic afternoon of creepy crafts, face painting, spine-chilling stories and more at the Van Cortlandt House Museum Lawn. And then at 3pm, you’ll see pups strut their stuff in their spooky best—it's free to participate with donations welcome. 

Compete for prizes at the eighth annual Pawlloween, the biggest dog costume contest in the Bronx. This year's event will be on Sunday, October 26 at Franz Siguel Park. Expect categories like best group costume and best homemade costume.

Register in advance ($13-$24) to secure your spot.

Remember dearly departed dogs at AKC Museum of the Dog's Dia de Muertos ofrenda. The community altar will a collection of photos of dogs who have passed on, and you're welcome to contribute a photo of your own dog here until October 26. The ofrenda will be on display until November 2. 

Día de Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a celebration to honor and commemorate the lives of the deceased and welcome the return of their spirits. Come to the museum to learn more about this meaningful day and celebration of loved ones, as well as its historical connection to dogs.