The Village Halloween Parade: A Celebration of Identity and Expression
The Village Halloween Parade, held on October 31, attracts over 2 million people to Sixth Avenue each year, featuring creative costumes, larger-than-life puppets, and a flash mob of the iconic "Thriller" dance.
The event originated in 1973 as a space for queer and drag communities to express themselves freely, led by mask and puppet designer Ralph Lee, who started the parade as a door-to-door walk around his neighborhood.
The following year, Lee formalized the event for the Theater for the New City, which has long supported the LGBTQ+ community, and has since grown in popularity.
The parade is a march of identity exploration and celebration, where drag performers, Elton John lookalikes, and queer Victorian-era couples come together to express themselves.
- Over 2 million people attend the parade each year
- Features creative costumes, larger-than-life puppets, and a flash mob of the "Thriller" dance
- Originated in 1973 as a space for queer and drag communities to express themselves
Author's summary: The Village Halloween Parade is a celebration of identity and expression.