40th Annual West Village Halloween Parade

I loved the parade. I waited about 3 hours before the parade started because I was alone and wanted to be front row. I staked out my spot and meet a bunch of people around me. It was a great crowd with me. We were soo excited when everything started rolling. I heard a variety of different reviews from people I encountered throughout the week before and I needed to seek it out for myself.
The floats were live, creative, amazing, and the people had sooo much energy.
The «live» animals, people, lanterns, and other fun looking entertainment throughout the evening was amazingly designed and created. I loved the creativity brought in. Everyone was having a great time. I felt pretty safe since I was surrounded (front, back, side to side) of a bunch of cops. We made friends with a few of them. I know your NOT suppose to bring drinks, but I had to have one to keep me warm. I wasn’t prepared at all for the weather. Sunday and Saturday were two different temps. (I was out both nights). I enjoyed all the costumes everywhere walking in the parade was wearing. It was just a great night to be out and see everyone.
What to bring: gloves, scarf, lite coat or layers, and maybe a bag to carry everything in that you don’t mind sitting between your feet while watching the parade. One of the people beside me brought a step stool that folded down so she could see from a distance JUST in case she didn’t sit in the front or middle. It was brilliant, but I’m not going to carry that around. Bring snacks JUST in case you get hungry, the candy is for kids ONLY. I was very disappointed because I’m a kid at heart and love candy. I didn’t get a single candy this year when I was out and out. I’m only 32 years old I deserve ONE snickers or lollie pop.
I had a lot of fun and I highly recommend coming at 5:30, get food in the area: KIDS love Dairy Queen (check in on Unilocal): 2 cheeseburgers and fries for 5.99 (restrooms). They have a few coffee spots if your not to hungry, Starbucks around the area (restrooms).
Then find a spot to hang out for the evening, it will end about 10pm, so don’t think you will be there for an hour, this is a HUGE parade. You have two different entrances to the parade (W4: which was INSANE to leave into) and you have Blue Line: Spring Street or 14^th Street.
ENJOY…

I’ve attended it for the past 3 years this year will be my #4 year it’s crowded like New Year’s Eve and seeing the costume and marching in the parade equals fun

Standing by Minetta and 6^th for an hour and a half. Good view. I really like the skeletons, and flowers. Enough already with «Thriller» song. How about «The Walking Dead» show themed float? or «Once Upon a Time» show? Half of the parade floats/​people had nothing to do with Halloween — hard rock radio stations blasting black music, and radio station interns dancing around in their underwear.
From where I was to Penn station took about 45 minutes. Everywhere you walk, it was blocked, or super crowded. You are better off walking back to Penn Station and taking your time instead of fighting the crowds to get to an open subway station, which is wall to wall people. Many, many cops around, helpful. I do not recommend strollers or walking your dog. Not good for very young kids — very loud music and people dancing in their underwear, and scary costumes.
The crowd laughed and cheered for the poop patrol men walking behind the mounted police.
Whoopi Goldberg was the grand marshall.
I saw people hanging out their apartment windows and rooftops. There was a church or tower all lit up with animated spiders way up top; that was cool.

Unfortunately, I cannot go to the parade today because instead of proceeding with my annual ritual of turning all the lights off in my apartment and hiding from children I am allergic to, I have tickets to something. I did go last year, however, and save for the Gay Pride Parade this was the most colorful, uplifting and energetic event I have been to sober. The creativity was only matched by the enthusiasm of the crowd.
I have never heard 20 to 30 somethings scream louder than when a young, pretty girl dressed as Chun Li from Street Fighter started kicking her legs in the air. Seeing AT-​AT walkers from the Planet Hoth was also a singularly memorable experience, since the two human beings underneath it managed to march in sequence and slowly like the actual walkers.
A lot of the zipper faced zombies looked genuinely pissed off, which was not scary at all. I made the mistake of the thinking the police officers were costumed parade people, so I probably should not have yelled so hard in their direction. I’m happy this runs every year and is free, so 2015 here I come.

I agree with previous Unilocalers. This is something visitors and/​or residents of New York should experience at least once. That said, once is probably enough to satisfy the curiosity of all but the most fanatical fan of Halloween. This parade has tons of pageantry, some remarkably creative costumes, and a generally festive atmosphere that makes it an enjoyable experience for the most part. On the other hand, there are downsides, especially if there’s a police incident inhibiting the movement of traffic and stranding you behind an ear-​piercingly loud Webster Hall float.
Even so, it’s worth a gander if you happen to be in the Village approximately three weeks from now.

Very fun, colorful, magical night! The opening puppets and puppeteers are exciting and create child –like wonder! The parade is pulled together with a much more «professional» vibe. The small marching bands and DJs on floats provide the rhythmic background beats creating a party soundtrack. If you are around the area on All Hallows’ Eve head down to the village to to party with gouls, geeks, witches, goblins and superheroes! You will be glad you did!

From reading the news, I heard this parade lures in about 6,000 people for this special spooky night. Wowza that’s a lot of people! I was glad to see despite the warnings of rainy weather the parade still continued. After all, the show must go on! Also, from being cancelled from Sandy last year I think people went all out this time.
Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. I love seeing the variety of costumes — esp the handmade ones. People are super serious about dressing up. The parade offers great entertainment with the floats and music blasting down the person-​to-​person packed streets. If you go to the parade, you must be there early. Police begin to close down areas and only allow access in specific spots. This is a must see event in NYC — so much fun!
Side note, I think my favorite costumes I saw were:
–Walter White and Jesse Pinkman pushing around Hector in a wheelchair… dinging the bell down the streets.
–The energizer bunny with a light-​up battery pack.
–Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy.

It’s one of those things you have to do at least just once. I was fortunate enough to be in New York on Halloween. I went with my coworkers, brought some Halloween costumes and joined the parade. In order to be a participant, you have to start lining up on 6^th Avenue and Spring St. I had so much fun getting my pictures taken with people in creative costumes. I can finally scratch this off my bucket list!

Back from being cancelled last year because of Hurricane Sandy.
Many creative floats and costumes strolling down 6^th Ave. I probably spotted at least 10 breaking Bad related costumes, which was the highlight of this year.
Event was organized well just like previous years. Crowd was very packed on the intersection of 6^th ave and 8^th Street, where all the action happened. But overall a very great turn out of New Yorkers and tourists.

Always a blast. A lot more people this year than two years ago. I’m gonna be my Halloween elitist self for a second:
If you’re not dressed up, don’t mess up the mystique and walk in the parade. It’s just weird. Unless you’re snapping pictures… even then, you can toss on something.
What if I worked at Disney World and didn’t wear any costume at all? Just ran around naked. It’s just like that.
Also, slow down a bit and enjoy the walk while it lasts. What’s the rush? Take it all in. Otherwise, we end up looking like a large mass of mindless zombies from The Walking Dead.
In 2011 there was so much space despite there being a plethora of revelers in the parade. Because everyone paced themselves.
Also, thanks to skateboarding and Call of Duty, I can move through a crowd without touching anyone.
I didn’t mind it… but the amount of people with no coordination was astounding!
And that thing tourists do where they stop right in the middle of a populated area?
Tons of it. Strollers included.
Anyway, music was dope. Floats were dope. Glad the Kickstarter campaign worked out and the parade went on for 2013. Awesome.
It’s very easy to get into the parade… everyone should do it at least once in their lives.

If the organizers of this parade organized all the other parades… I’d never miss another parade! So much fun! I hadn’t been in about 10 years and was a little nervous about going because I have such fond memories of going to the parade as a kid. No matter what your age, this parade knows how to party! I recommend marching because it’s easy to do (line up at canal and 6^th) and better then just standing for hours behind a barricade watching people have fun. If you’re marching, try to find a good float to march next to. The costumes are wonderful every year and the vibe is the best; even the cops looked like they were enjoying being there and the NYPD did a great job managing the parade.