Greenwich Village Halloween

The parade is an annual event that stretches over a mile in Greenwich Village, and according to the New York Times, it is “the best entertainment the people of this City ever give the people of this City. » With fifty thousand costumed participants, artists, dancers, circus performers and musical acts, it is not a surprise that it has become one of the largest events in the country. The key to the competition is creativity, and the wilder the costume, the better!

The parade started off in 1973 with mask maker and puppeteer Ralph Lee who staged a puppet show for the children of his friends, family and neighbours in the Village. After the second year, the «Theater for the new city» stepped forward to present the show on a larger scale, and by the eighth year, the audience had grown to 100 000 !

The Halloween Parade begins on Sixth Avenue at Spring Street, and continues north along Sixth Avenue to 23rd Street.
Who Participates in New York's Village Halloween Parade?
Nearly 50,000 people participate in the annual Halloween Parade, including costumed marchers, puppeteers, bands and more. Anyone who is interested in participating in the Halloween Parade can -- just arrive at the beginning of the parade between 6:30 and 8 p.m and you can join the fun.
New York's Village Halloween Parade Overview
A New York City tradition since 1973, New York's Village Halloween Parade is the largest Halloween celebration in the world. The parade features puppets, marchers and marching bands, as well as a limited number of floats and cars. New York's Village Halloween Parade is the only night time parade in New York City and is a fun and unique way to celebrate Halloween.
New York's Village Halloween Parade Tips
•Dress for the weather -- the temperature can drop significantly once the sun goes down.
•Be prepared for crowds -- this is a popular event, it's dark and it can be hard to keep your group together. Pick a meeting point and time in case you get separated.
•Parade watchers start lining up 2 hours before the parade begins -- with some persistance (& walking) you should be able to find a prime viewing spot up to an hour before the parade begins.
•This is a busy night for bars and restaurants along the parade route -- if you're planning dinner after the parade, consider making reservations (especially if you're in a group).