Halloween horror chic in New York

New York may be one of our favourite places to visit all year-round, but at the end of October the city reaches a new peak in festive excitement for Halloween.

The focus of the celebrations is the Halloween parade, where anyone wearing in costume can join in.

The event draws around two million people to see the eccentrically dressed Halloween revellers take over the streets of Manhattan on the evening of October 31st, going up Sixth Avenue northwards from Spring Street to 21st Street. This year celebrates the event's 34th year, and the parade marks the end of what is a busy time across New York City for Halloween celebrations.

Other events this month include a horror film festival, story-telling nights, costume contests, haunted houses, parties and scavenger hunts.

From October 24th to 28th 2007 the New York City Horror Film Festival will be showcasing the best of the genre, offering blood-thirsty film fans a chance to see world premieres and short films as well as a director's cut of Hostel. The films will be screened at New York University’s Cantor Film Centre, on East Eighth Street close to Washington Square Park.

Film fans can also see the classic horror movie The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari on a Halloween celebration night at the Cathedral Church of St John the Divine, which will also include a 'Procession of the Ghouls'. The event takes place at 19:00 and 22:00 on October 26th.

If you want the haunted house experience Blood Manor will be one of the best places in New York to go to, thanks to its 5,000 square feet of horror-themed rooms. The attraction is suitable for those aged 14 or older, and is located on West 27th Street in Manhattan.

One of America's most famous ghost story writers, Edgar Alan Poe, will also be celebrated in the build up to Halloween. For three nights the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum and Garden will be hosting 'An Evening with Poe' featuring performances using the letters and tales of the author. The event is suitable for those aged over ten, and takes place on October 29th, 30th and 31st.

For more information on visiting New York over Halloween see the New York tourist board website.