Everything You Need To Know About The NYC Halloween Parade

NEW YORK CITY — Every year, the New York City Department of Transportation closes several roads in lower Manhattan so that more than 50,000 costumed parade-goers can march in the annual Halloween Parade on Oct. 31.

The parade, now in its 51st year, will send ghouls, witches, monsters and other spooky night creatures up Sixth Avenue from Canal Street to 15th Street, according to its organizers.

The parade will kick off at 7 p.m. and disperse around 11 p.m.

What is this year's theme?

This year's theme is "Meow," and organizers encourage the parade's viewers and marchers to let their inner cat out.

"On Halloween night, NY’s Halloween Parade calls on Cat Ladies of every purr-suasion to don your finest tails and whiskers, and join the Ball," official parade puppeteers Alex Kahn and Sophia Michahelles wrote on the parade's website.

How do I march in the parade?

To march in the parade, line up at Sixth Avenue and Canal Street between 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. Costumes are required.

How do I watch the parade?

To watch the parade, join spectators along Sixth Avenue, from King Street to 15th Street.

What subway stations will be closed during the parade?

• Trains will bypass the Spring Street C/E train station in the southbound direction from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and the northbound side of the station will be exit-only.
• The L/F/M train station at 16th Street and Sixth Avenue will have only the 14th Street side open. The 16th Street side will be exit-only.
• The West 4th Street subway station, which serves the A/B/C/D/E/F/M trains, will have several exit-only and entrance-only doors at various times, based on how busy it gets.

What subway stations will be open?

• Sixth Avenue (B/D/F/Q) to 23rd, 14th and West Fourth Street Stations
• Seventh Avenue (1/2/3) to 23rd, 18th, 14th, Sheridan Square or Houston Street
• Eighth Avenue (A/C/E) to West Fourth Street, Spring Street and Canal Street Stations

What roads are closed to drivers?

Several roads in lower Manhattan will be closed for the parade, including the parade route, which runs up Sixth Avenue between Canal Street to 15th Street.

The other auxiliary roads that will be closed are listed below.

Parade formation road closures:

• Sixth Avenue between Spring Street and Canal Street
• Dominick Street between Varick Street and Sixth Avenue
• Sullivan Street between Broome Street and Spring Street
• Broome Street between Sullivan Street and Varick Street
• Spring Street between Sullivan Street and Varick Street

Parade dispersal road closures:

• West 16th Street between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue
• West 17th Street between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue
• West 18th Street between Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue
• 5th Avenue between 14th Street and 19th Street
• 7th Avenue between 14th Street and 19th Street

Miscellaneous road closures:

• West 10th Street between Sixth Avenue and Greenwich Avenue
• Van Dam Street between Varick Street and Fifth Avenue

For more information, go here.