Photography: 53rd Annual Village Halloween Parade 10/31/26

53rd Annual Village Halloween Parade 10/31/26: Since obtaining my first press card in 2023, it’s been an annual tradition to head down to the West Village — my college-era stomping grounds — to cover the Village Halloween Parade. I’ve said this many times: I love parades. And the Village Halloween Parade is special: To me, it’s a mix of the creativity, ingenuity and humor you’d regularly come across at the Mermaid Parade, and at times the urgency and politically charged messages of Pride. You’ll dance and share a good laugh one moment, and in others you’ll be reminded to vote. Sometimes you’ll see some dogs in costume — or just being a dog. 

Of course, like all parades here in my hometown, it’s a celebration of what makes this city — and in turn — this country great: diversity in all of its forms. Drag queens? Check. Mariachis? Check. A drum collective dressed as Dolly Parton? Hell yes. Trinidadian stilt walkers? Yes! It’s a dizzying array of humanity.