Two Million Watch Village Halloween Parade
The 53rd annual event in New York featured 80,000 participants under the theme Body and Soul.
By Isabella Kaur ·
Approximately 80,000 costumed participants marched through Lower Manhattan on October 31 for the 53rd annual New York Village Halloween Parade. An estimated 2 million spectators lined the streets to watch the procession.
The route began at Canal Street and Sixth Avenue and continued toward West 16th Street in Greenwich Village. Organizers selected the theme Body and Soul for the event, a concept intended to celebrate movement, dreams, and the Year of the Horse. The parade featured music, dance, and theatrical presentations throughout the evening.
Director Spike Lee joined the marchers and filmed a group performing a Thriller dance routine. Performers presented various acts, including funky disco numbers, groups inspired by the character Miss Congeniality, and a drumline dedicated to Dolly Parton. The lineup also included musical tributes to Día de los Muertos.
A mariachi group led by a young singer prompted spectators to sing along and shout Viva México. Other segments included floats carrying shouting zombies and Subway Mania wrestlers. These elements added variety to the procession of elaborate costumes and lively performances.
The parade concluded at approximately 11 p.m. after hours of revelry in the streets of Lower Manhattan.
