The 2026 Village Halloween Parade in New York is on Saturday, October 31, 2026, starting at 7:00 p.m. and ending around 11:00 p.m. It runs straight up Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to West 15th Street, and it's free to watch with no ticket required (official Village Halloween Parade site).
Anyone in costume can march: the line-up is at Sixth Avenue and Canal Street from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Spectators can watch from either side of Sixth Avenue between King Street and West 15th Street. If you can't be there, NY1 airs it live from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Key 2026 facts (official)
| What | When / where |
|---|---|
| Village Halloween Parade | Sat Oct 31, 2026, 7:00 – ~11:00 p.m. |
| Route | Sixth Avenue, from Canal Street north to West 15th Street |
| Watching area | Either side of Sixth Ave, King St to West 15th St |
| Marcher line-up (costume required) | Sixth Ave & Canal St, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m.; enter only from the east or south |
| Most crowded stretch | Bleecker St to 14th St |
| TV broadcast | NY1, 8:00 – 9:30 p.m. |
| "The Vampire Ball" (21+, ticketed) | Fri Oct 30 and Sat Oct 31, Industry City, doors 9:00 p.m. |
3-day itinerary (Oct 30 – Nov 1, 2026)
Greenwich Village and costume prep
- Walk Greenwich Village and SoHo, the neighborhoods the parade crosses, so you know the streets before the crowds arrive.
- Finish your costume — only costumed people can march.
- Night: if you're 21+, the official warm-up party, "The Vampire Ball", opens at Industry City at 9:00 p.m.
Parade day
- AfternoonEat early and travel light; leave the car at home.
- From 6:30 p.m.: marchers head to the line-up at Sixth Avenue and Canal Street (approach only from the east or south: Sullivan, East Broome or Canal streets).
- 7:00 p.m.The parade steps off with giant puppets, bands and thousands of costumed New Yorkers. To watch, pick a spot outside the Bleecker–14th St stretch if you want less crowding.
- After the paradeThe 21+ afterparty at "The Vampire Ball" runs until 5:00 a.m.
- Afternoon
Recovery day in Manhattan
- Slow morning, then Central Park or the High Line for fall colors.
- Coming back for the holidays? Our New York at Christmas guide covers the season with a 4-day itinerary.
Practical tips
- Book early: Halloween falls on a Saturday in 2026, so expect busy hotels in Lower Manhattan.
- Take the subway: the organizers recommend Sixth Avenue B/D/F/Q to 23rd, 14th or West 4th St; Seventh Avenue 1/2/3 to 23rd, 18th, 14th, Christopher St–Sheridan Sq or Houston St; or A/C/E to West 4th, Spring or Canal St. Spring St (A/C/E) is closest to the line-up. From New Jersey, take the PATH to 9th, 14th or 23rd St.
- Check MTA changes: service and station changes are expected that night; confirm on mta.info before you go.
- Buses: Sixth Avenue buses are rerouted from just after 6:00 p.m. until the parade ends.
- Basic safety: if you come as a group, meet somewhere away from the line-up and walk there together. Once you're in the parade, keep heading north — police won't let you walk south on Sixth Avenue.
FAQ
When is the 2026 Village Halloween Parade and what's the route?
The 2026 Village Halloween Parade is on Saturday, October 31, from 7:00 p.m. to around 11:00 p.m. It runs straight north on Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to West 15th Street, through Greenwich Village. Costumed marchers line up at Sixth Avenue and Canal Street between 6:30 and 9:00 p.m. Source: Village Halloween Parade (halloween-nyc.com).
Do you have to pay or book to watch it?
No. The Village Halloween Parade is a free public event, and no ticket is required to watch or march. Anyone in costume can join at the Sixth Avenue and Canal Street line-up. The organizers sell optional tickets only for a VIP viewing area and for the 21+ Vampire Ball parties. Source: Village Halloween Parade (halloween-nyc.com).
Where's the best place to watch, and what else is there to do that week?
Watch from either side of Sixth Avenue between King Street and West 15th Street; the Bleecker–14th Street stretch is most crowded, so arrive early or pick another block. That week, the official Vampire Ball runs October 30 and 31 at Industry City for guests 21 and older. Source: Village Halloween Parade (halloween-nyc.com).
How do I get to the parade by subway?
Take the B, D, F or Q to 23rd, 14th or West 4th Street; the 1, 2 or 3 to stations from 23rd Street to Houston Street; or the A, C or E to West 4th, Spring or Canal Street. Spring Street is closest to the line-up. Check mta.info for changes that night. Source: Village Halloween Parade, MTA.
Plan your Halloween trip
Build your New York Halloween weekend day by day with the free AI trip planner from Lets2Go. Take it with you on the App Store or Google Play.
Sources
- Village Halloween Parade (official), home: https://halloween-nyc.com/
- Village Halloween Parade, Watch (route, viewing, transit): https://halloween-nyc.com/watch/
- Village Halloween Parade, March in the Parade: https://halloween-nyc.com/participate/
- Village Halloween Parade, 2026 Press Release No. 1: https://halloween-nyc.com/wp-content/uploads/NYC-Village-Halloween-Parade-2026-Press-Release-No.1.pdf
- MTA, trip planning and service changes: https://www.mta.info/
