NYC's 43rd Village Halloween Parade

New York City sure knows how to put on a grand and spectacular holiday extravaganza! 

Nothing is wilder and more over the top than the largest parade in the world, the New York City Halloween Parade! It is lauded by Festivals International as “The Best Event in the World” for October 31.

Founded in 1973, New York City's Village Halloween Parade was started by Greenwich Village mask maker and puppeteer Ralph Lee, as a house to house trick or treat in his neighborhood for his children and their friends.

Today the Parade is the largest celebration of its kind in the world and has been picked by Festivals International as “The Best Event in the World” for October 31. Read the full parade history here.

The event is an ode to the culture and imagination intrinsic to New York City life. It is an over the top visual and participatory event that celebrates local residents and visitors to celebrate artistic inspiration and expression. 

The parade has often played a major role in the resurrection and rejuvenation of the City’s spirit, economy, residents, and lifestyle. 

It is the only Parade in the country that is anchored and revolves around an artistic core. Over the past four decades, it's generous spirit nurtures millions, kindling their imaginations and providing a public platform where they can all come together to perform and celebrate. 

It give revelers the opportunity to claim the open spaces of their City for purposes other than work; to inhabit them with a sense of freedom and spontaneity; in play and thus renew their connection with the environment. 

The Parade is a powerful community event, it encourages and animates everyone in a total immersion of the senses--sight, sound, smell, taste, color and movement. 

It generates long lasting fun and delight for all involved, the organizers, the participants, and its audience - live at the scene or watching from all places around the world.

This year’s Parade is dedicated to the wonderful and inspiring Maggie Peyton who served as a Director of Arts and Culture under four Boro Presidents and was greatly loves and admired by many.

The Village Halloween Parade is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.