Guide to New York City Greenwich Village Halloween Parade

Halloween night can be a crazy time in New York, but nowhere is it crazier than at the annual Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village. Now in its 33rd year, the parade is the nation's largest public Halloween celebration and is attended by over two million people. Started by a local mask maker and puppeteer as a walk from house to house for his children and friends, the parade has grown significantly each year. The parade consists of upwards of around 50,000 participants from around the world. It is open to anyone and everyone as long as you have a costume. Participants also include, puppeteers, marching bands, jugglers, dancers and other street performers. To participate in the parade, all you have to do is join the crowd at 6th Avenue South of Spring Street, starting at 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The parade starts at 7:00. The parade committee encourages as many people to participate as possible, the more the merrier. Costumes range from traditional scary Halloween costumes, to topical costumes based on current events. Many participants put a lot of time and effort into their costumes, but no one will be kicked out of the parade for a bad costume. The key is to have fun and enjoy yourself.

This year also marks the 12th annual contest for best costume; everyone who marches in the parade is automatically entered with the top prize being five plan tickets to the destination of your choice courtesy of Jet Blue Airlines.

If you just want to watch the parade, the parade route runs straight up 6th Avenue from Spring Street to 21st Street. The most crowded streets are between Bleeker and 14th Street. It is suggested that you get there early to secure a good spot. The parade starts at 7:00 and runs until 10:30. The sidewalks fill up fast, so please be careful. If you live in New York, you can also watch the parade on TV on NY1 News from 8:00 to 9:30. It should also go without saying that if you do plan on attending take the subway downtown, the streets will be closed and parking will be nearly impossible.

The parade committee also needs volunteers to help run the parade. If you are interested in helping out you can simply contact them and let them know what you are interested in doing and there will make every effort to accommodate you. Some of the volunteer opportunities include marching with giant puppets, helping out with the line of march or helping out with some of the many community workshops. No experience is necessary. Click here for more information, http://www.halloween-nyc.com/volunteer_form.html

If you don't want to march or watch the parade on the street, you can always secure a spot at one of the many bars in the area and wait for the participants to enter after the parade is over. This is a great opportunity to meet and talk to many people involved and see their costumes up close. The bars fill up fast, so once again be careful.

The essence of the parade is of course to celebrate Halloween and to have fun. But the parade is also designed for artistic expression and to bring the many diverse groups in New York together. The parade organizers encourage you to not just march down the street but also to play to the crowd, sing, dance or play an instrument. The parade is a great forum for visual and performing artists to display their craft.

The Greenwich Village Halloween parade is a great way to spend Halloween with your friends, cut loose and act like a kid again.