A Guide To The Village Halloween Parade

October 1, 2012 7:00 AM

(credit: Rick Gershon/Getty Images)

New York City is home to the nation’s largest Halloween celebration, the Village Halloween Parade. Attended by over 2 million people, it is the country’s only major nighttime parade, and is consistently recognized as one of the city’s best events. This year, the 40th annual celebration kicks off at 7 p.m. Here’s your guide to doing it right.

Getting There

(credit: Rick Gershon/Getty Images)

First things first: Don’t bring your car to the parade. Take mass transit.

A to West 4 Street

C, E to West 4 Street, Spring Street

B, D to West 4 Street, Broadway/Lafayette St.

F to 23 St, 14 St, West 4 St., Broadway/Lafayette St.

N, R to 23 St, 14.Union Sq, 8 St, Prince St

1 to Christopher Street

2, 3 to 14 Street

4, 5 to 14 Street/Union Square

6 to 23 St, 14 St/Union Sq, Astor Place

PATH 9th St, 14th St, 23rd St

If you’re planning on meeting up with your friends or family to watch the parade, pick a meeting spot far away from the start point and head over there together. Give yourself at least an hour before the parade starts to get there.

The Parade Route

Parade Route courtesy of Halloween-nyc.com

The parade route moves along 6th Avenue — starting at Spring Street and ending on 16th Street (take note – in previous years the parade marched to 23rd St.)

Wear a costume if you plan on being a part of the action. If you’re hard pressed to put one together for the outing, volunteer to carry a puppet in the parade.Typically, the parade ends at 10 p.m., but that doesn’t mean the party stops.

Fortunately for parade-goers and participants, it is forecast to be partly sunny with a highs in the low fifties. For weather updates, click here.