Countdown to Halloween

There are only about four more weeks to go until Halloween night. That may sound like plenty of time, but it's never too early to start designing the perfect Halloween costume and planning a night of memorable debauchery (Halloween falls on a Friday night this year, so you'll have the whole weekend to recover).

Dress up like you mean it this year and celebrate the only holiday that lets you act like a kid and live out your favorite fantasy (whether it's sexy witch, roguish pirate, or Sarah Palin....no one's going to judge).

Meanwhile, the Halloween terror has already begun at New York City's haunted houses and there are plenty of other spooky and grotesque Halloween-inspired events happening all month long -- from the kid-friendly to the R-rated.

• Best New York City Costume Shops -- Find out where to go to find the perfect costume or the wig and prosthetic body parts to complete your look. Political costumes are sure to be big this year (like the Obama and McCain masks pictured), but there are plenty of other options that range from disgustingly cute to adorably creepy.



• Halloween Event Guide -- Make your frightfest plans with our complete guide to Halloween events. You'll find haunted houses, ghostly tours, club parties, costume contests, a doggie parade, pumpkin carving in Central Park, a live comedy show, and much more.



• New York Village Halloween Parade -- Get some inside tips on how to enjoy New York's famous Village Halloween Parade. This NYC tradition is the nation's largest Halloween Parade and has been named one of the "100 Things To Do Before You Die."



• Halloween Costume Ideas for New Yorkers -- Check out some NYC-inspired costume ideas and spend the evening as Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, or a giant subway rat.