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Broadway Shows in October

Discover the best Broadway shows to see in October 2026, plus Halloween-friendly picks, fall travel tips, NYC weather, and how to plan your theater visit.
Last updated May 18, 2026 by Broadway.com Staff
Lead image for the article Broadway Shows in October
Illustration: Jillian Goeler

Key Takeaways

  • October is one of the best months to see Broadway, with crisp fall weather, lighter post-summer crowds, and a strong lineup of new shows.
  • October brings a strong lineup of new dramas and limited-run shows among many opening nights.
  • Halloween makes Broadway feel especially festive, especially for magical, spooky, mysterious, or larger-than-life productions.
  • Book early for popular October dates, especially around Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Columbus Day weekend and Halloween.

October is a standout month to experience Broadway in New York City. Fall is in full swing, the weather is crisp, and Times Square is buzzing with visitors enjoying the season. With summer crowds behind us and the holidays still ahead, October is a great time to catch a Broadway show while exploring the city at a comfortable pace.

For those visiting NYC for Halloween festivities, Broadway is a perfect way to celebrate the season. From haunting original scores and eerie set designs to extraordinary costumes and magical storytelling, Broadway in October offers plenty of shows that match the mood of the month. For more seasonal picks, check out our Best Broadway Shows To See This Halloween guide for magical, spooky, mysterious, and family-friendly recommendations.

Beyond Halloween, October is one of the most festive times of year in NYC, with autumn events, seasonal activities, and plenty of reasons to make a full day or weekend out of your theater plans. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about seeing Broadway in October, from choosing the right show to making the most of your visit to Times Square.

What's Broadway Like in October?

October is one of the best months to experience Broadway in New York City. October brings a strong lineup of new dramas and limited-run shows among many opening nights. Fall productions will quickly gain momentum as the weeks go by, so be sure to partake in the festive atmosphere by securing your tickets in advance.

October also brings cooler weather, fall foliage in the city, and a lively atmosphere around Times Square. Visitors can expect more jacket weather, earlier sunsets, and plenty of pre-theater energy as New Yorkers and tourists settle into autumn routines.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day / Columbus Day falls on Monday, October 12, 2026, which may create a long weekend for some travelers. If you’re planning to see a show around that weekend, it’s a smart idea to book in advance, especially for popular musicals, family-friendly productions, and limited-run shows.

October is also Halloween season, making it a fun month for Broadway shows with magical, spooky, mysterious, or larger-than-life themes. Shows like Wicked and other Halloween-friendly productions often feel especially festive this time of year.

Enjoy a spooky parade? October hosts the 53rd annual New York City Village Halloween Parade. On October 31st, 2026, expect a horrifying number of participants marching up 6th ave in the West Village dressed in their most creative costumes. NYC’s creative spirit does not disappoint!

Tip: October is a strong month for theater lovers who want a mix of new Broadway buzz and classic New York fall energy. If you’re visiting near Halloween or a holiday weekend, secure your tickets early and leave extra time for dinner, crowds, and getting around Times Square.

Check out October’s full lineup of shows below to see all that this wicked season has to offer!


What’s on Broadway in October

& Juliet

& Juliet

There's life after Romeo at this larger-than-life musical by the Emmy-winning writer from Schitt's Creek and pop music's #1 hitmaker.

& Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, imagining what would happen next if Juliet hadn’t ended it all over Romeo, and got a second chance at life and love – on her terms. Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, all written by Max Martin and his collaborators, including “Since U Been Gone,” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life,” “That’s The Way It Is,” “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” and many more.

Tickets starting at
$54.28
Run Time
2hrs 40mins, including one Intermission
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.7
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Buena Vista Social Club
Save $59.00

Buena Vista Social Club

The GRAMMY® Award-winning album comes to thrilling life on stage. Some music you know by heart.

It’s been years since legendary singer Omara Portuondo last entered a recording studio. Once known as the “Queen of Feeling,” her voice was celebrated throughout Cuba—until she vanished from the spotlight. But when an ambitious young record producer brings her a rare opportunity, the elusive diva must finally reckon with her past. 

Hailed as a "jaw-dropping, soul-stirring must see" (The Washington Post), the Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning Buena Vista Social Club is a journey through music and memory into the beating heart of Havana. A world-class company brings the story of the iconic album to thrilling life in this tale of big dreams, second chances, and music that needs no translation.

Tickets starting at
$63.20
Run Time
2 hours 10 minutes, including one Intermission
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.8
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Chicago
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Chicago

Celebrating 29 years on Broadway! The Tony-winning revival of Kander and Ebb’s musical will razzle dazzle you.

Set in the legendary city during the roaring “jazz hot” 20s, Chicago tells the story of two rival vaudevillian murderesses locked up in Cook County Jail. Nightclub star Velma’s serving time for killing her husband and sister after finding the two in bed together. Driven chorus girl Roxie’s been tossed in the joint for bumping off the lover she’s been cheating on her husband with. Not one to rest on her laurels, Velma enlists the help of prison matron Mama Morton and slickster lawyer Billy Flynn, who turn Velma’s incarceration into a murder-of-the-week media frenzy, thus preparing the world for a splashy showbiz comeback. But Roxie’s got some of her own tricks up her sleeve…

Tickets starting at
$81.10
Run Time
2hrs 30mins, including one Intermission
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.5
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Hadestown

Hadestown

The Tony-winning musical that follows the mythical quest of Orpheus.

Welcome to Hadestown, where a song can change your fate. This acclaimed new musical by celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today… and always.

Hadestown intertwines two mythic tales—that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone—as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, singers, dancers, and musicians, Hadestown is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.

Tickets starting at
$67.99
Run Time
2hrs 30mins, including one Intermission
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.8
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Hamilton

Hamilton

A fresh look at the era of the Founding Fathers.

A revolutionary story of passion, unstoppable ambition, and the dawn of a new nation.

Hamilton is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, Hamilton has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. Hamilton features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire. In addition to its 11 Tony Awards, it has won Grammy®, Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

 

Tickets starting at
$126.72
Run Time
2hrs 55mins, including one Intermission
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.8
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Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

It's time to believe in magic again.

Adventure runs in the family. When Harry Potter’s head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. “You’ll be wondering ‘how’d they do that?’ for days to come” (People Magazine). 

Experience the wizarding world like never before from the moment you arrive. The entire theatre has been transformed with hidden surprises to discover around every corner. “It’s a marvel of imagination, as magical as any spell or potion” (The New York Times).

Tickets starting at
$80.48
Theater
Lyric Theatre
Run Time
3hrs 30mins, including one Intermission
Category
Plays
Customer Review Score
4.7
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Maybe Happy Ending
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Maybe Happy Ending

Darren Criss stars in this Tony-winning romantic musical comedy.

Winner of 6 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, Maybe Happy Ending tells the deeply human story of a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love. Helmed by Tony Award-winning director Michael Arden (Parade), Maybe Happy Ending has been hailed as "one of the most visually stunning shows to hit New York in ages" (USA Today) and “the best new musical on Broadway” (The Daily Beast). Don't miss the show that’s loaded with love, Maybe Happy Ending!

Tickets starting at
$61.03
Theater
Belasco Theatre
Run Time
1 hour 40 minutes, including 0 Intermissions
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.8
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MJ

MJ

Michael Jackson's unique and unparalleled artistry sets Broadway ablaze in this 4x Tony Award-winning hit.

He is one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Now, Michael Jackson’s unique and unparalleled artistry has finally arrived on Broadway in a brand-new musical. Centered around the making of his 1992 Dangerous World Tour, and created by Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon and two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage, MJ goes beyond the singular moves and signature sound of the star, offering a rare look at the creative mind and collaborative spirit that catapulted Jackson into legendary status.

Tickets starting at
$74.59
Run Time
2hrs 30mins, including one Intermission
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.8
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Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing

Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell star in Jamie Lloyd's production of Shakespeare's classic romantic comedy.

Two of their generation's finest actors star in Tony winner Jamie Lloyd's joy-fueled reinvention of Much Ado About Nothing. This giddily funny and beautifully tender battle of wits comes to Broadway after a record-breaking run in London, where it was named the "#1 Best Show of the Year" (Time Out).

Tickets starting at
$80.56
Category
Plays

Oh, Mary!

Oh, Mary!

Mary Todd Lincoln takes the stage in Cole Escola's acclaimed hit comedy!

Oh, Mary! is a dark comedy about a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism, and suppressed desires abound in this 80-minute one-act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln, through the lens of an idiot (playwright Cole Escola).

Declared “one of the best comedies in years” by The New York Times, Oh, Mary! received Tony Awards for Best Leading Actor in a Play (Cole Escola) and Best Direction of a Play (Sam Pinkleton), Drama League Awards for Outstanding Play and Outstanding Direction of a Play, as well as a special citation from the New York Drama Critics’ Circle. It was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Tickets starting at
$85.99
Theater
Lyceum Theatre
Run Time
1 hour 20 minutes, including 0 Intermissions
Category
Plays
Customer Review Score
4.4
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Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical

Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical

The Olivier and Tony Winning new comedy musical. The best reviewed show in West End history is now at the Golden Theatre.

The year is 1943 and right now we’re losing the war. Luckily, we’re about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.

Singin’ in the Rain meets Strangers on a Train, Operation Mincemeat is the fast-paced, hilarious and unbelievable true story of the twisted secret mission that won us World War II.

Bursting at the seams with the kind of chaos you couldn’t invent, the question is: how did a dead body, a fake love letter, and - of all people - Ian Fleming come together to wrong-foot Hitler?

 

Tickets starting at
$65.37
Run Time
2 hours 35 minutes, including one Intermission
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.6
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Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Broadway

Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Broadway

An immersive Broadway play, inspired by the hit horror film franchise of the same name.

James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape their past, but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are… With an original story inspired by the film franchise, Paranormal Activity reimagines the modern ghost story with an intimacy that only live theatre can provide.

Tickets starting at
$63.82
Category
Plays

Schmigadoon!

Schmigadoon!

The cult favorite TV series and love letter to Broadway's Golden Age hits the stage!

Everybody needs an escape.

Welcome to Schmigadoon—the magical town where every day is a musical. Everybody has a song for everything, the corn is as high as an elephant’s eye, and the only bridge out of town leads nowhere. When one couple accidentally wanders in, they discover the only way to escape is by finding true love—which may or may not be with each other.

From Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels and based on the award-winning Apple Original series from Universal Television, this brand-new comedy trapped inside a big Broadway musical is directed by Tony Award winner Christopher Gattelli (NewsiesDeath Becomes Her) with a book and Emmy Award-winning score by Cinco Paul (Despicable MeThe Secret Life of Pets).

Warning: You can never leave … without a smile.

Tickets starting at
$64.01
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.7
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SIX: The Musical
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SIX: The Musical

A pop concert spectacle featuring the six ex-wives of Henry VIII.

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived.

From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!

Tickets starting at
$64.01
Run Time
80mins
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.5
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The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon

The nine-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical.

The Book of Mormon follows two young missionaries who are sent to Uganda to try to convert citizens to the Mormon religion. One missionary, Elder Price, is an enthusiastic go-getter with a strong dedication to his faith, while his partner, Elder Cunningham, is a socially awkward but well meaning nerd whose tendency to embroider the truth soon lands him in trouble. Upon their arrival in Africa, Elders Price and Cunningham learn that in a society plagued by AIDS, poverty and violence, a successful mission may not be as easy as they expected.

Tickets starting at
$81.86
Run Time
2hrs 30mins, including one Intermission
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.4
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The Great Gatsby
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The Great Gatsby

The roaring '20s take the stage in the musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's timeless novel.

The party's roaring on Broadway! The Great Gatsby is a “great, big Broadway extravaganza that explodes with life and energy” (Entertainment Weekly). Directed by Marc Bruni (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), this story of extravagance and longing features choreography by Dominique Kelley (So You Think You Can Dance), a book by Kait Kerrigan (The Mad Ones) and a jazz- and pop-influenced original score by Jason Howland (Little Women) and Nathan Tysen (Paradise Square).

Tickets starting at
$64.29
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.7
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The Lost Boys, A New Musical

The Lost Boys, A New Musical

A new musical based the classic 1987 film of the same name.

With 12 Tony AwardⓇ nominations, including Best Musical, The Lost Boys is the most Tony-nominated musical of 2026. It’s a “thrilling, blockbuster event” (People), “a breathtaking adventure unlike any musical seen before” (New York Post), and “the best new musical of the season” (The Washington Post).

When Lucy (two-time Tony AwardⓇ nominee Shoshana Bean) and her teenage sons Michael and Sam move to Santa Carla in desperate need of a fresh start, they soon uncover the darker side of this sunny coastal community. While Lucy tries to piece her family’s life back together, Michael keeps pulling away in search of belonging. As he finds connection with a local rock band and its charismatic leader, his younger brother Sam comes face-to-face with a startling reality: When night falls, Michael’s new friends are even more dangerous than they first appeared.

Based on the classic Warner Bros. film, The Lost Boys is “an eye-popping tour de force” (Chicago Tribune) directed by two-time Tony Award winner Michael Arden (Maybe Happy Ending, Parade). The production features music and lyrics by The Rescues, a book by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch, choreography by Lauren Yalango-Grant and Christopher Cree Grant (Parade), and music supervision by Tony nominee Ethan Popp (Tina). The Lost Boys is produced by James Carpinello, Marcus Chait, and Patrick Wilson.

 

Tickets starting at
$59.67
Theater
Palace Theatre
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.8
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The Outsiders
Save $90.00

The Outsiders

The Tony Award®-winning Best Musical based on S.E. Hinton's classic novel and Francis Ford Coppola's motion picture.

The winner of the Tony Award® for Best Musical is The Outsiders. This classic coming-of-age story takes you to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1967, where Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade, and their family of Greaser “outsiders” dream about who they want to become in a world that will never accept them. The Outsiders features a “tuneful and soul-bearing” (New York Stage Review) original score, “high-octane choreography” (New York Magazine), and a “sensational young cast” (The Wall Street Journal) that brings the show to life.

Tickets starting at
$96.84
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.7
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The Rocky Horror Show

The Rocky Horror Show

The legendary rock musical returns to Broadway at the iconic Studio 54.

You reach towards the door.
You’re not sure what’s going to happen, 
but you know you want to find out.
In fact, you just may be shivering with anticipation.

Welcome to the legendary Studio 54, with its infamous history of decadent fun, and the new Broadway production of Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show. Inside, you’ll find a stage full of strangely irresistible characters who’ve been captivating audiences around the globe for over 50 years, now brought to reanimated life by the likes of Rachel Dratch, Andrew Durand, Luke Evans, Amber Gray, Harvey Guillén, Stephanie Hsu, Juliette Lewis, Josh Rivera, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. You’re going to hear such songs as “Sweet Transvestite,” “Dammit Janet,” and “Time Warp.” And you’re going to experience it all masterminded by Tony Award®-winning director Sam Pinkleton, of Oh, Mary! fame. And nothing will ever be the same.

Tickets starting at
$81.42
Theater
Studio 54
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.7
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Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

An original new musical comedy about timing, connections, and unexpected detours.

You’ll meet Dougal, an impossibly upbeat Brit who has just landed in New York City for the first time to attend the wedding of the father he’s never met. And you’ll meet Robin, the sister of the bride and a no-nonsense New Yorker with a lot of errands to do for the bride—including picking up the groom’s estranged son from the airport. These two strangers begin their journey together navigating New York City, secrets, and second chances.
 

Tickets starting at
$63.20
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.7
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Wicked

Wicked

Meet the witches of Oz before Dorothy dropped in.

“Iconic characters, catchy show tunes, and empowering female friendship, Wicked is musical magic!” (The New York Times).

Welcome to the wonderful Land of Oz, where there is a young woman, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one good and the other one wicked.

Tickets starting at
$110.08
Run Time
2hrs 45mins, including one Intermission
Category
Musicals
Customer Review Score
4.8
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What's the NYC Weather Like in October?

October in NYC brings crisp fall weather, colorful leaves, and some of the most comfortable days of the year for exploring the city. Expect average highs around 64°F/18°C early in the month, with temperatures cooling as Halloween approaches. We’d suggest packing layers, comfortable walking shoes, and a jacket or sweater for evenings out after your show. A rainy day is always possible, so carrying a compact umbrella isn’t a bad idea. To enjoy both NYC and Broadway in comfort, dress for mild fall days, and as always we'd suggesting keeping an extra layer handy for cooler nights.


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