Bay Ridge Halloween Fest Closes 10 Blocks of 5th Avenue in Brooklyn, NYC

Bay Ridge's main commercial spine, 5th Avenue, turns into a Halloween block party on Saturday, Oct. 24. The free event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. and takes over 10 car-free blocks, from 72nd to 85th streets.

It is organized by Brooklyn Bridge Parents in partnership with the 5th Avenue BID. The lineup is aimed at kids: a puppet show, a bounce house, pumpkin decorating, "Trunk-or-Treat," haunted trucks, games, crafts and giveaways. Children are encouraged to come in costume.

The puppet show comes from the PuppetMobile, which presents Pinocchio from 4:00 to 4:35 p.m. on the 7900 block. This version is a fresh take on the classic tale. Geppetto is a New York City kid with a talent for invention, and he builds a robot friend in the form of Pinocchio. The pair tour familiar city spots, including the Swedish Cottage Marionette Theatre in Central Park and the Victorian Gardens Amusement Park, and get into hijinks along the way.

Pumpkins are handed out first come, first served while supplies last, with one per child. They are reserved for children only, not for grown-ups.

Local restaurants will serve food representing flavors from around the world, and visitors can stroll the festively decorated side streets of Bay Ridge. The event is free, and a listing is posted on Eventbrite. The address given for the location is 7515 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11209.

For anyone who wants to see a neighborhood Halloween in a residential part of Brooklyn rather than a big-ticket attraction, this is a community-run option for families.