halloween in brooklyn

We moved to California almost one year ago, and if there was just one day I could magically be back in Brooklyn, it's Halloween. 

Halloween in Brooklyn starts early, around 4 PM or so, trick or treating down the row of stores on Court Street. Almost every store gives out a little something, and even the grumpy woman who works at the deli seems happy on Halloween. Our next door neighbors always have a big Halloween party, and it doesn't hurt that he's a chef, so the food is always amazing. Then on to meet up with our friends in Cobble Hill, to join the parade led by Dan Zanes.  That place is usually a zoo, but it's so sweet to see all the kids decked out in their costumes, and you always run into a few old friends. We then head up to Brooklyn Heights, trick or treating at all the brownstones along the way. There are a couple of beautiful old streets in the Heights that go all out for Halloween, and we hit one or two before heading home to tuck our tired kids into bed. 

A few shots of our past Halloweens in Brooklyn: 

C's first Halloween - He's a ventriloquist's dummy (and yes, that is a wig)

Dad was Harry Potter, and C as Hedwig, Harry Potter's owl.

C as Curious George. (Bee went as a banana and dad was the man in the yellow hat)

C as Peter Pan, Bee as Tinkerbell, and dad as Captain Hook. (that's a wig too..)

It looks like this year will be the first year the kids dress up without their dad. They have started to have their own opinions about costumes and how can I interfere with a 4 year old's Halloween dreams? But I am a little sad to see the tradition end. A little sad that we aren't in Brooklyn anymore. 

Comments

[Kate]

The ventriloquist's dummy is the best costume I think I have EVER seen.

[Lecia]

Wonderful photos! I wish I could get my boys to do a family "theme" but they won't. They went as Thomas the Tank Engine and James the Red Engine when 2 and 4, but since then they want to do their own thing. Halloween in Brooklyn sounds magical! Hope you enjoy this year in California.

[sara]

you're still making JR dress up as something outlandish, right? it wouldn't be halloween without him in a crazy get up of some kind!!!

i wish we could ALL be back in brooklyn for halloween. how awesome would that be? just for one day... with perfect weather and NO RAIN!

[Courtney]

The ventriloquist's dummy is so utterly adorable and hilarious. What a costume! I really love all the family themes you posted; they were all very sweet.

[Desiree Fawn]

I love these! Matching costumes like those make me so happy!

[Liesl]

Oh, I'm so happy to finally see the photo of the ventriloquist dummy! Now I need a photo of the man in the yellow hat and my life will be complete. I love that J really gets into this. And yes, he HAS to dress up or Halloween just won't be the same.

[carrie]

It is a sad day to not see J dressed up with the kids. I'll miss is dearly. Matt and I would laugh for hours, Captain Hook was our absolute favorite!

[Deidra]

I just got back from a visit to NYC. Whenever I go there, I am absolutely sure that I MUST live there! Oh how I wish I could have stayed for Halloween.

[Apes]

You guys had such a beautiful neighborhood in Brooklyn. I'm not sure which is better- the shady trees and porches in Brooklyn or multiple rooms in California. I think my favorite is still C as Hedwig. I've been thinking about C's costumes lately. Where did you find the pilot hats? I want to get one for Little Kumquat this winter.

[Caroline]

I too am blown away by the ventriloquist dummy costume.

[estelluxx]

wonderful pictures!

[melissa s]

we are always homesick for brooklyn around Halloween. It really was magical.

[parisienish]

holy cow. those costumes are amaaaaazing.

[Heather]

My first Halloween away from Brooklyn too, and feeling very nostalgic. I will especially miss the parade in the city, how it sort of became one big costume party.

[Anna]

I came across your blog from another blog! I had to comment on the costumes, which are fabulous. We have always had a family theme and I'm sad that now the children have very distinct ideas of what they want to be. This year my daughter wants to be a woodland fairy and my son will be an owl. I've convinced myself that it still a theme...woodland creatures!

[Jenny]

ADORABLE, i heart your blog!

[Chloe (your favorite neice!)]

You are so creative! I love all the amazing costumes you do. Too bad the tradition is over. Tell Uncle JR he still has to dress up for me!

[jennzinn]

I agree--the ventriloquist's dummy is THE BEST costume I have ever seen on a little one! You're family is terrific at coming up with great costume themes. Looking forward to seeing this year's incarnations...

[Alisa]

Those joint costume ideas are so wonderful! It make halloween seem like a family affair.

[Heather Ross]

ok, BROOKE. You know I have been on the fence about having children, but that Harry /Hedwig photo just settled it for me. I am having a baby and moving to Brooklyn.