For 34 adorable years doggies both big and small have been wagging their tails in Tompkins Square Park dressed in their best costumes for the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, and this year won’t be any different! This October dogs and their owners will take to the park dressed in intricate, creative costumes, delving into spooky season fun and competing for the title “Best in Show.”
Here’s everything you need to know:
What is the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade?
The Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade came about in the mid 1980s after the community fought for a dog run to be established in the park. Each year New Yorkers and their furry friends put on their best Halloween costumes and gather in the park for a parade, costume contest, and good ol’ Halloween fun.
When is the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade?
The 34th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade will be held on Saturday, October 19th from 1 pm to 3 pm.
Where is the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade?
While some festivities will be held in Tompkins Square Park, the parade is proving that you certainly can teach an old dog new tricks: due to construction in Tompkins Square Park last year they established an official parade route for the first time, marching down Avenue B before holding their annual costume contest in the park. As of now they haven’t officially announced whether they’ll march down this route again or not.
How many dogs participate in the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade?
Though the parade began as a small, low-key event it has since grown to draw in hundreds of participants and thousands of spectators–each year the spectators far outnumber the participants, but honestly who can blame them; just when we think it can’t get any cuter it does!
What kind of costumes can I expect?
The best part about the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is how insanely creative all the costumes are–some take months and months of creating! While we’ve seen wayyy more costumes than we can count, some standouts have included the adorable dog turned bodega cat, dog turned pizza rat, and dog turned Katz’s legendary pastrami on rye.
Does anything else happen besides the parade?
Yes–a costume contest! Everyone has a barking good time at the event as the furry contestants compete in a costume contest for the title “Best in Show” and exciting prizes.
Plus, beyond giving New Yorkers something to swoon about the parade also raises funds to cover the yearly maintenance and upkeep of the Tompkins Square Dog Run through sponsors and donations. That’s because the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is not just about costumes and creativity; it’s about coming together as a community to celebrate the spirit of the city and the unique bond between humans and their four-legged furry friends.
In addition to this parade there are tons of other fun Halloween events to head to in NYC this year, and while we await the parade here are some adorable pics of pups from a past event to gush over! Happy Howloween!
📍 Tompkins Square Park – East 10th Street
🗓 Saturday, October 19
⏰ 1 pm – 3 pm