Everything you need to know about the 2019 Village Halloween Parade

Everything you need to know about the 2019 Village Halloween Parade

Photo by Atilgan Ozdil/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Where to line up, how to join the festivities, and how to avoid the parade altogether

It’s almost time for the 46th annual Village Halloween Parade, which will once again fill the streets of Manhattan with costumed characters.

The organizers expect as many as 60,000 marchers in the parade, and more than a million people typically gather in the West Village to watch the festivities—which means the area around Sixth Avenue becomes a raging party or a congested nightmare, depending on your feelings about Halloween.

This year, the theme is “Wild Thing” and you can head over to the parade’s website for an explanation of what that means. (A brief snippet: “the Wild Thing affirms life over death, celebrating rites of fertility, safeguarding the herds, or simply reminding us to love life’s most basic and visceral gifts.” Okay!) Parade organizers have tapped puppeteer Basil Twist and his creepy creation Zohra the giant spider to serve as grand marshal, and this year, there’s a VIP section where you can hang out with them, provided you’re willing to pay $25.

So whether you’re already putting the finishing touches on your costume or would rather stay as far away from the dressed-up hordes as possible, here’s what you need to know.

When is the Village Halloween Parade?

It happens on Halloween itself: Thursday, October 31, beginning at 7 p.m.

Where is the Village Halloween Parade?

The route travels along Sixth Avenue from Spring Street to 16th Street.

Courtesy of the NYPD

How do I join the Village Halloween Parade?

Marchers line up on Sixth Avenue and Canal Streets at 6:30 p.m. The qualifications for participation are simple: All you really need to do is wear a costume and make your way to the starting point between 6:30 and 9 p.m.

Take note: There is a zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol, so showing up drunk is a big no-no.

What streets will be closed during the parade?

The NYPD has not yet released its official list of street closures other than to say that officers will block roads at their “discretion,” but you can count on Sixth Avenue between Canal and approximately 18th streets to be entirely blocked off. Some of the surrounding streets in Soho, Greenwich Village, and Chelsea are also typically closed to allow for parade formation and other miscellaneous activities.

How do I get to the Village Halloween Parade?

The subway is your best bet; some of the busiest MTA stations (including West 4th Street and 14th Street) are part of the parade route. The MTA put out its own guide too.

Something to keep in mind: Some bus lines could be re-routed to accommodate the parade; those include the M1, M2, M3, M7, M8, M14A/D, M20, M21, M55, SIM1c, SIM3c, SIM4c, SIM7, SIM9, and SIM33.

Be warned that C/E Spring Street subway access will also be affected. After 5 p.m., the downtown entrance will only allow entry at Spring Street and exits at Vandam; the uptown side will be exit only. After 6 p.m., pedestrians will be directed to the Canal Street station. If you’re an L train rider you’re in luck, kind of, the MTA says it plans to keep L service to a “normal” schedule. We suggest checking the MTA’s website for a full list of service changes.

How do I avoid it?

That’s simple: Just don’t go to Greenwich Village that evening. (You can still watch it from home—NY1 will broadcast from the parade, as it’s done for the past several years.)

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