The Village Halloween Parade—NYC’s Creative and Spooky Procession is One of the Best Halloween Events in Greenwich Village
When is the Village Halloween Parade in NYC?
The Village Halloween Parade is on Halloween, Thursday, October 31, 2024.
What time is the Village Hallowen Parade?
It runs from 7-11pm.
2024’s Route
The Halloween Parade runs up Sixth Avenue from King Street to 15th Street in Manhattan. For more information, visit halloween-nyc.com.
This Year’s Theme
Grab your cat ears because the theme is "Meow." As event organizers say, "We didn’t ask for this fight, but when feline honor is at stake, Cats and Ladies will rise (…after a languorous stretch) to meet the moment," as parade officials said online. Cat ladies of "every purr-suasion" are invited to don their tails and whiskers and join the ball.
Who is the Grand Marshal for this year’s Village Halloween Parade in NYC?
This year’s grand marshal is "Broadway icon and extraordinary being" André De Shields. You may know him from his roles as Hermes in Hadestown, Ben Loman in Death of a Salesman, and Old Deuteronomy in the radical reimagining of Cats: The Jellicle Ball at Perelman Performing Arts Center.
Dedications and Tributes
The festivities are dedicated to longtime parade volunteer Mark Skelly "who embodied the Halloween spirit in body and mind. We will miss him forever. And Harlan Matthews—the Director’s husband and Cruise Director."
How do I March in the Village Halloween Parade in NYC?
It’s free to march in the parade, but costumes are mandatory. The procession lines up at Sixth and Canal Streets and rolls out from 6:30pm–9pm. North and west entrances to Sixth Avenue will be blocked off by 6:30 pm; folks can join the line from East Broome, Sullivan, and Canal streets east of Sixth Avenue. We recommend gathering your fellow creatures of the night a few blocks away rather than trying to find your group in the middle of the chaotic lineup. If you want to skip the line, there are a variety of VIP ticket options.
Where can I Watch the Village Halloween Parade in NYC?
Spectators can get to Sixth Avenue early and grab a lookout spot before the parade rolls out at 7pm. Sixth Avenue becomes most congested with spectators between Bleecker and 14th Streets, so we suggest setting up camp at either the head (Spring to W Houston Streets) or tail (14th Street to 15th Street) of the parade. There are also VIP options for watching the parade, which you can check out here. If you can’t make it in person (or just want to skip the crowds), watch the parade on NY1 from 8-9:30pm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the theme of the parade this year?
A: The theme is "Meow."
Q: Who is the Grand Marshal of the parade this year?
A: The Grand Marshal is André De Shields.
Q: How can I participate in the parade?
A: It’s free, but costumes are mandatory. Meet at Sixth and Canal Streets and roll out from 6:30pm–9pm.
Q: Where can I watch the parade?
A: Find a spot on Sixth Avenue between 7pm and 9pm, or watch on NY1 from 8-9:30pm.
Q: What are the VIP options for watching the parade?
A: Check out the various options available here.
