New York Halloween Parade

Head to Greenwich Village for the Village Halloween Parade, the world's largest Halloween parade and one of the only major nighttime parades in the US. It runs on Saturday, October 31, 2026, starting at 7 p.m., up Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to 15th Street. Watching is free, and anyone in costume can join the march itself, no registration required.

What to expect

The route fills with giant puppets, marching bands, and thousands of costumed participants, alongside an estimated crowd that can run into the millions along the sidelines. The parade has deep roots in New York's queer community, and that spirit still runs through the crowd today, even though the event itself is open to everyone. NY1 broadcasts the parade live from 8 to 9:30 p.m. for anyone who wants to follow along without fighting the crowds.

History and legacy

The parade was founded in 1974 by Ralph Lee, a mask maker and puppeteer who staged the first march as a small procession through the courtyard of the Westbeth Artists Community for his children and their neighbors. It grew year over year, moving to Sixth Avenue and expanding into the citywide event it is today. Lee directed the parade for its first decade before handing it off in 1985, and it has continued under new direction ever since, still built around giant puppets and open participation.

Getting there

The subway is the only reliable way in or out on the night. Sixth Avenue stations at West 4th, 14th, and 23rd Streets sit closest to the route, and driving into the area isn't recommended once street closures take effect. Only those in costume can join the march itself, entering the lineup at Sixth Avenue and Canal Street between 6:30 and 9 p.m.

Plan your trip

Greenwich Village's bars, restaurants, and clubs run their own Halloween programming the same night, so the parade works well as the centerpiece of a longer evening rather than the whole plan. Book from a selection of the best gay-friendly hotels in New York to stay within easy reach of the Village on parade night.