When skeletons come out of the closet and onto the street - Washington Square News

The Village Halloween Parade: A Celebration of Identity

Every year on October 31, the Village Halloween Parade draws over 2 million people to Sixth Avenue, featuring creative costumes, larger-than-life puppets, and a flash mob of the iconic "Thriller" dance.

The event originated as a space for queer and drag communities to express themselves freely, starting as a small door-to-door walk around Ralph Lee's neighborhood in 1973.

Lee, a mask and puppet designer, formalized the event the following year for the Theater for the New City, which has long supported the LGBTQ+ community.

The parade is a march of identity exploration and celebration, where drag performers and queer Victorian-era couples can express themselves alongside Elton John lookalikes.

Today, the parade is a popular event, but its roots remain a celebration of self-expression and identity.

Author's summary: The Village Halloween Parade is a celebration of identity and self-expression.

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Washington Square News Washington Square News — 2025-10-31

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