There once was a time when hundreds of New Yorker’s would bare it all in just their knickers in the midst of January on the subway for the annual No Pants Subway Ride. Sadly, or not so sadly to some, the event hasn’t returned since 2020, and it seems it won’t be returning for another year.
The event was put on by Improv Everywhere, a NYC-based project that puts on large-scale surprise public performances around the world. Though last year the website made an official announcement of the 2023 cancelation, no clear announcement has been made for this year. Due to that, we can only assume the 2024 No Pants Subway Ride is a no-go.
“The idea behind No Pants is simple,” explains the website. “Random passengers board a subway car at separate stops in the middle of winter without pants. The participants behave as if they do not know each other, and they all wear winter coats, hats, scarves, and gloves. The only unusual thing is their lack of pants.”
The last No Pants Subway Ride (in 2020) was actually incredibly warm for this time of year, with temperatures reaching 65 degrees! And even though the laughable tradition has presumably halted in NYC, a similar concept still took place this year in London with the No Trousers Tube Ride.
Find more about Improv Everywhere’s newest projects on their website here.
And if you find yourself still in dire need to show some skin this winter, you can learn more about Cupid’s Undie Run happening this February in NYC to raise money for Neurofibromatosis.