Top 10 Halloween Parades

Take in all things Halloween from character costumes to some of the goriest zombies you've ever seen at one of these spooktacular celebrations across the country.

By: Laura James
Related To:
Fall Holidays and Celebrations Arts and Culture

Photo By: John Lamparski

Photo By: Marilyn Nieves

Photo By: Northalsted Business Alliance

Photo By: Nyack Chamber of Commerce

Photo By: Erin Cadigan

Photo By: Denise Wheeler / Porstmouth Halloween Parade

Photo By: Sean Pulliam

Photo By: Maurice Turner / Anaheim Halloween Parade

Photo By: Krewe of Boo and New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation

Photo By: Rob O'Neal / Florida News Bureau

Village Halloween Parade, New York City

In its 44th year, the Village Halloween Parade in New York City is one of the biggest in the country. The mile-long event takes over Lower Manhattan every year. The parade showcases giant puppets, more than 50 bands, dancers and exotic costumes. Members of the public are welcome to march in the parade - as long as they’re wearing a costume, of course.

Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade, Atlanta

Go for the costumes, and stay for the food. The annual Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade features a local artisan market and several food vendors and trucks along the route, which starts at Austin and Euclid Avenues and ends at Freedom Parkway. Each October, more than 35,000 people flock to the artistic Atlanta neighborhood for the parade.

Northalsted Halloween Parade, Chicago

Start prepping your costume! Northalsted Halloween Parade, held in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood, receives more than 2,000 entries for its annual costume contest. On Oct. 31, Northalsted Halloween Parade will celebrate its 21st anniversary this year.

Nyack Halloween Parade, Nyack, N.Y.

About an hour north of New York City, the town of Nyack hosts the annual Nyack Halloween Parade where more than 20,000 people line Main Street each October for the festive family-friendly event.

Asbury Park Zombie Walk, Asbury Park, N.J.

If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, this celebration is for you. Since 2007, zombies of all ages and degrees of goriness have come to the shore city for the Asbury Zombie Walk. In 2013, the walk set a Guiness World Record for most zombies gathered in one place with more than 9,000 in attendance. The Zombie Pub Crawl of Minneapolis reclaimed the title in 2014 with more than 15,000 attendees.

Portsmouth Halloween Parade, Portsmouth, N.H.

Rain or moonshine, the Portsmouth Halloween Parade has been marching on since 1995 in Portsmouth, N.H. Everyone is invited to this parade, and there’s no registration necessary. 

Louisville Halloween Parade and Festival, Louisville, Ky.

If you’re looking to celebrate Halloween in Kentucky, head to the Louisville Halloween Parade and Festival. It’s a daylong event starting at noon with crafts and live entertainment, including pumpkin-carving demos and ghost tours, followed by the parade at 4 p.m.

Anaheim Halloween Parade, Anaheim, California

Halloween enthusiasts have been marching in the Anaheim Halloween Parade since 1924. Baseball superstars Babe Ruth and Walter Johnson actually led the first parade. Today, artists and performers still showcase their creativity for thousands of spectators each year at this Southern California Halloween tradition.

Krewe of Boo, New Orleans

Not only is New Orleans considered one of the most haunted cities in America, it’s also a city of celebration. Mardi Gras isn’t the only time to go to New Orleans. Krewe of Boo became the official Halloween Parade of New Orleans in 2007 and showcases creative floats and costumes in the parade that marches right through the French Quarter. 

Fantasy Fest Parade, Key West, Florida

Part of Fantasy Fest, the 10-day Halloween celebration in Key West, Fla., the Fantasy Fest Parade traces Duval Street from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. Full of lavishly decorated floats, extravagant costumes and plenty of libations, this parade is geared toward adults - not kids.

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