Halloween parades around NYC to show off your best costumes

NEW YORK (PIX11) – Halloween may be next week but the spooky spirit will take over the city starting this weekend.

The Village Halloween Parade is New York’s most beloved event for the season but many other parades will march through the city leading up to Thursday.

Here are some free Halloween parades happening this weekend.

NYC Halloween Parades

Washington Square Park Dog Halloween

• Saturday, Oct. 26
• Starts at 11 a.m.
• Washington Square Park
• This annual parade is back and this time with free admission. Pups will parade around the iconic arch and then line up for a costume contest at 12:30 p.m. Contest registration opens at 9 a.m. on-site the day of the event. Entry will be allowed on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

39th Annual Bronx Halloween Parade

• Saturday, Oct. 26
• 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Westchester Avenue and Southern Boulevard
• Get ready for the march of the undead at this zombie apocalypse-themed parade in Longwood. This free event will culminate at Bill Rainey Park where attendees can enjoy artists, marching bands, costume contests, and a candy giveaway. You can reserve a spot in the parade online. 

New York Halloween Dog Parade & World Series Costume Competition 

• Sunday, Oct. 27
• 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
• Columbus Avenue between 73rd and 74th Streets
• Pups will don their cutest costumes for this dog parade along Columbus Avenue on the Upper West Side. Dogs and their owners will take to the streets at 4 p.m. before the costume competition at 6 p.m. The winner will take home a $500 dollar prize. To participate in the dog parade, RSVP here.

Washington Market Park Halloween Parade

• Sunday, Oct. 27
• 1 p.m.
• Greenwich Street and Hubert Street
• This Tribeca tradition returns to bring the neighborhood together. Costumed visitors can join the parade for free by queueing at Greenwich Street and Hubert Street by 12:45 p.m. From there, the parade takes off at 1 p.m. and makes its way to Washington Market Park on Chambers Street. 

34th Annual Children’s Halloween Parade

• Thursday, Oct. 31
• 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Washington Square Park
• To join kid-led parade families can gather at the arch at Washington Square Park at 3 p.m. Immediately following the parade a fair will take place at LaGuardia Place between Washington Square South and West 3rd Street. Visitors can expect to enjoy trick-or-treat bags, carnival rides, games, and performances from NYU Cheerleaders and the NYU Dance Team.