The Village Halloween Parade
The Village Halloween Parade, held on Oct. 31, draws over 2 million people to Sixth Avenue every year for its creative costumes, larger-than-life puppets and flash mob of the iconic “Thriller” dance.
Drag performers line the streets in high-fashion yet ghoulish costumes alongside a parade of Elton John lookalikes and queer Victorian-era couples.
- Originated as a rare space where queer and drag communities could freely express themselves
- First parade was led by mask and puppet designer Ralph Lee in 1973
- Formalized the event for the Theater for the New City, which has long supported the LGBTQ+ community
It’s just another Halloween parade to some — but for others, it’s a march of identity exploration and celebration.
Author's summary: The Village Halloween Parade is a celebration of identity and creativity.