Started by Greenwich Village mask maker and puppeteer Ralph Lee in 1973, the Village Halloween Parade takes place every year on October 31st, at 7PM. Given the size and scope of this parade, it is hard to believe it all began as a simple walk from house to house in Mr. Lee's neighborhood for his children and their friends. After the second year of this local promenade, Theatre for the New City asked Ralph Lee to produce the event on a larger scale as part of their City in the Streets program. That year the Parade went through many more streets in Greenwich Village and attracted a larger participation because of the involvement of the Theatre. After that the Parade grew like Topsy, attracting more and more participants and spectators over the years. After the third year the Parade formed itself into a not-for-profit arts organization, discontinued its association with Theatre for the New City and produced the Parade on its own. 35 years later, the Parade draws more than 30,000 costumed participants and spectators estimated at 2 million. The Parade is covered by all media--local, national and worldwide.
All those in costume are welcome to join hundreds of puppets, numerous bands of different types of music, dancers and artists, and thousands of other New Yorkers in costumes of their own creation! The atmosphere is festive and carnivalesque.