Village Halloween Parade 2022: Theme, Route, How To Take Part

GREENWICH VILLAGE, NY — Believe it or not, spooky season is almost upon us. Organizers recently announced details for the 49th rendition of the Village Halloween Parade.

Tens of thousands will flock to Greenwich Village's Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) clad in costumes with puppets, candy, dancing, and music for the annual celebration.

This year the parade's theme is Freedom.

"What is the move and the moment that let’s you forget the world and all its troubles and just sets you FREE?" wrote the parade's organizers. "Bring it! To the Parade! We are encouraging glittery costumes, your best dance moves and anything that allows you to feel light, joyful, free and colorful! We’re gonna lift the spirits of the whole world!"

The parade returned last year after being canceled for the first time in its history in 2020 because of the COVID pandemic.

The parade is a free public event, but only those wearing costumes and masks are welcomed to actually join the procession.

Here's everything to know about the Greenwich Village parade.

Parade Time And Route

The parade starts at 7 p.m. and ends around 11 p.m, but it generally takes until around 9 p.m. for the parade to start moving from its gathering place on Sixth Avenue between Spring Street and Canal Street.

You can only enter this area from east and south, meaning that is Sullivan, East Broome and Canal streets from the east and Canal Street from the west.

The parade runs straight up Sixth Avenue (Avenue of the Americas) from Spring Street to 16th Street. The streets are most crowded between Bleecker and 14th Street.

The parade moves uptown, if you try to walk downtown along the Sixth Avenue route, police will stop you.

Ticketed Section

The parade is a free event, but if you want to avoid the crowds and watch from a VIP area — there are tickets available on the parade's website — HERE.

There are different levels of VIP ticket access, including those that let you ride on a float and lead the parade with the artistic director.

The tickets range from $100 to $500.

How To Get To The Parade

By Subway

• Sixth Avenue (B,D,F,Q) to 23rd, 14th or West 4th Street Stations
• Seventh Avenue (1,2,3,9) to 23rd, 18th, 14th, Sheridan Square or Houston Street
• Eighth Avenue (A,C,E) to West 4th Street, Spring (this station is closest to the Line-Up area) or Canal Street Stations

By PATH from New Jersey

• Take the 33rd Street Train to one of the Sixth Avenue Stations at 9th, 14th or 23rd Streets.

By Bus

• Buses along Sixth Avenue will be re-routed from just after 6:00 pm until the parade is over, other routes are suggested.

How To Watch

The Village Halloween Parade will be telecast live on NY1 from 8 to 9:30 p.m.