Greenwich Village Halloween Parade: Where To Watch, Road Closures

GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY — The Village Halloween Parade is one of the biggest spectacles in New York City, drawing millions of revelers and parade-goers to Greenwich Village on Oct. 31.

This year, the iconic parade has a theme of "imaginary menagerie."

Here's everything you need to know.

When is the parade?

The parade starts at 7 p.m. on Oct. 31. Organizers expect this year's event to last until about 11 p.m.

What is the parade route?

The parade runs north up Sixth Avenue, starting at Spring Street and ending at 16th Street. Organizers say the most crowded stretch of the parade is between Bleecker and 14th streets.

How do I participate?

Anyone is welcome to participate in the parade, under one condition: you MUST be in costume. Costumed revelers are encouraged to line up for the parade starting at 6:30 p.m. at Sixth Avenue and Canal Street. You can find more info here.

How can I watch?

You can watch the parade from pretty much anywhere along the route, which runs through the Village along Sixth Avenue. The parade is also broadcast live on NY1 from 8 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

How do I get there?

The parade has been known to attract up to 2 million people to the Village and some of the main thoroughfares of the area will be closed for the parade route. Because the streets will be so crowded, getting to the parade starting point via subway is probably your best option. Parade organizers recommend that you leave your car behind. Taking the C or the E to the Spring Street station will get you closest to the parade start.

What streets will be closed?

The short answer: a lot.

The route of the parade, Sixth Avenue, will be closed between Canal and West 16th street. Plus, multiple blocks near the beginning and end of the parade route will be closed down.

Here's a visual from the NYPD:

Lead image credit: Tina Fineberg / AP Photo. Photo caption: Costumed dancers make their way up Sixth Avenue during the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade on Saturday Oct. 31, 2015, in New York.