Bring the whole family and celebrate Halloween in Central Park! Enjoy pumpkin carving, Halloween crafts, spooky stories, a costume parade, and most of all the Conservancy’s signature Pumpkin Flotilla, which sets sail across the Harlem Meer at twilight.

This event is free and open to all ages. Tickets are not required.

Schedule of Events

4:00 pm – 5:45 pm
Pumpkin Drop Off*
Pumpkin Carving Demonstrations with Hugh McMahon
Halloween Crafts

6:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Halloween Costume Parade

6:30 pm
Pumpkin Flotilla Launch

*Pumpkin Flotilla Guidelines:

Get a pumpkin: Bring a pumpkin that weighs about 8 pounds after it’s carved — that’s approximately the size of a soccer ball. Mini or extra-large pumpkins cannot be accepted for the flotilla.

Get creative: All pumpkins must come with tops and be gutted and carved at home. Jack-o’-lanterns with artificial decorations, such as paint, glitter, marker, food dye, paper, plastic, light bulbs, candles, or floats cannot be accepted for the flotilla. A light and floating device will be provided when you register your jack-o’-lantern at the event.

Drop off your pumpkin: We will have a designated drop-off area near the Dana Discovery Center between 4:00 pm and 5:45 pm. Space in the flotilla is limited to 50 pumpkins and is first come, first served. Please make sure your creation meets all the requirements.

Watch the Harlem Meer get spooky! O! Once the activities are finished at twilight (about 6:30 pm), find a spot along the edge of the Harlem Meer and watch as the jack-o’-lanterns float by in New York’s largest pumpkin flotilla!

Please note: Pumpkins in our flotilla cannot be returned. Thank you for your contribution to our event.

For more information about the Halloween Pumpkin Flotilla, please call the Charles A. Dana Discovery Center at 212.860.1370 or visit eventbrite.com