Top theatre to see in New York for Halloween

Check out these Broadway and Off-Broadway theatre shows, in addition to seasonal exhibits and interactive experiences, featuring all things spooky and spellbinding.

Spooky season is underway, and it's the perfect time to have a frightfully fun night at the theatre. Legend has it that ghosts haunt most Broadway theatres, so you could be in for a fright at any show. If you really want to get into the spirit, though, there are plenty of New York stages showcasing Halloween theatre that celebrates all things witchy, magical, and downright scary.

The whimsical magic of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Wicked will delight the horror-averse. The hair-raising chills and thrills of Perfect Crime and SAW The Musical are perfect for scary movie lovers and crime show junkies. And shows like [Little Shop of Horrors] fall somewhere in between. No matter "witch" way you celebrate Halloween, you can find a musical or play with the right tone — and that's no trick.

These shows deal with the supernatural, the criminal, and the spellbinding, and they're all on stage now. Plan a fun Halloween night outing to see one, or go later if you don't want the Halloween season to end. Browse our full lineup of Halloween offerings at the link below.

Get tickets to Halloween events on New York Theatre Guide.

Wicked

What better way to ring in Halloween than with a tale of two famous witches? Wicked is the backstory behind The Wizard of Oz, with Elphaba — better known as the Wicked Witch of the West — and her friendship with Glinda the Good Witch when they were schoolmates. Wicked has been an audience favorite at the Gershwin Theatre since 2003, and it's filled with spells and gravity-defying broomstick rides. As a bonus, you'll learn the origin (according to the musical, anyway) of the famous pointy witch hat that features in many a Halloween costume.

Get Wicked tickets now.

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

There's no better time than Halloween for a little wizardry and witchcraft. Grab your wand and your house robes and enter the Wizarding World at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Years after the events of the books, Harry Potter's son Albus sets out to save the world from dark forces — which become even darker and spookier when Albus's quest messes with time. The previously two-part show is now condensed into one event, making for a single magical night at the Lyric Theatre.

Get Harry Potter and the Cursed Child tickets now.

Little Shop of Horrors

Skid Row probably wouldn't be the best trick-or-treating spot — you might get eaten before you get any candy for yourself. Instead, enjoy the classic horror comedy Little Shop of Horrors from the safety of the audience — but still beware the snapping jaws of the flesh-eating plant Audrey II. It tasks a hapless flower shop worker, Seymour, with finding fresh meat, promising him fame and fortune if he's willing to kill for it.

Get Little Shop of Horrors tickets now.

Sleep No More

Sleep No More marries two perfectly eerie properties: the witchy plot of Macbeth and the noir setting of Alfred Hitchcock's thriller films. At this immersive experience, audiences walk around five floors of an old hotel and see different scenes from the show play out — and if you're lucky, you might stumble upon a secret passage or encounter an actor who leads you to one. Don't just see a spooky show this Halloween — be part of one.

Get Sleep No More tickets now.

Perfect Crime

The longest-running play in New York is still bringing in audiences with its mystery and thrill. The psychiatrist Margaret Brent is suspected of killing her husband — until he appears alive — and things only get complicated further when the detective on the case falls for her. Even if she's innocent, foul play is afoot, but the question remains until the final gunshot: Who killed who, and can they be caught, or did they commit the perfect crime?

Get Perfect Crime tickets now.