CB2 and NYU’s Annual Children’s Halloween Parade Marches Into its 35th Year

By Jiayun Feng

Each year at the end of October, hundreds of superheroes, villains, cartoon characters, and princesses flock to Washington Square Park for NYU and Manhattan Community Board 2’s Annual Children’s Halloween Parade. Filling the streets with laughter and excitement, the ghouls and goblins are in for a “spooktacular” treat as they line up under the iconic arch, parade around the park, and end at its south side, where an afternoon of activities awaits.

This year marks the parade’s 35th anniversary, a milestone for an event that has grown from a modest neighborhood gathering into one of New York City’s most anticipated Halloween happenings.

From Simple Beginnings to Something Bigger
The parade’s origins trace back to a simple idea: create a family-friendly Halloween celebration for neighborhood children. According to Marie Spears, administrative manager for NYU’s Office of Government Affairs and Community Engagement, as well as one of the longest-serving members of the organizing team, the event was founded by Arthur Warren “Arty” Strickler, who served as district manager of Greenwich Village’s Community Board 2 for a decade before his passing in 2006.

“He wanted to have a parade for the kids in the neighborhood because the one at night could be a little unrestrained,” Spears recalls. “He thought that an after-school parade around the park would be a nice companion to the evening festivities.”

NYU was involved from the beginning, though not at the scale seen today. In those early years, the format was charmingly simple: children would march around Washington Square Park and finish by the Garibaldi statue, where volunteers had tables set up with candy bags. Some years, bands performed on a nearby stage. There were no elaborate fairgrounds or mechanical rides — just community spirit and the joy of children in costume.

The event began to grow when Gary Parker became NYU’s Director of Government and Community Affairs. “That’s when it started to get bigger,” Spears explains. Attendance swelled, more treat bags were needed each year, and new attractions were added, from moon bounces to popcorn booths. Eventually, the post-parade festivities outgrew the park and moved to the street south of it, where one memorable year featured a full-sized Ferris wheel.

A Labor of Love
The parade may look effortless on the day, but it’s the result of months of planning. “It takes a team to get it done,” Spears emphasizes. “Without volunteers and the community’s help, it wouldn’t be possible.”

The organizing team manages everything from advertising and logistics to booking rides and entertainment. Over the years, they’ve weathered challenges. In 2012, Hurricane Sandy forced a cancellation, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, the event moved online.

For Spears, the parade represents more than just professional duty. “Halloween is my favorite holiday. To be able to be involved all these years, it’s so cool,” she says, her enthusiasm undimmed after decades of participation.

When asked about her most cherished memories, Spears’ face instantly lights up. “It’s always these kids and their costumes,” she says with evident delight. One standout was a little girl whose outfit made it look like she was holding a severed head. Another favorite was a jellyfish made from an umbrella and string lights.

The parade has also attracted its share of notable attendees. Spears recalls spotting filmmaker Spike Lee at one event. But for her, the real celebrities are the neighborhood families who return year after year, often in elaborately-coordinated costumes. “There’s this family that always dresses together. One year they were all bees, another year they were all from Frozen,” she says.

When asked about her vision for the perfect parade — budget being no object — Spears’ ideas reflect both ambition and deep understanding of what makes the event special. Her ideal would combine the march around Washington Square Park with an expanded festival area stretching along LaGuardia Place to West 3rd Street in an L-shape.

“I’d love to bring back the Ferris wheel and perhaps add another mechanical ride,” she added that she’d also like to offer more food options.

A Village Tradition Lives On
As the 35th Annual Children’s Halloween Parade prepares to welcome families on Friday, October 31 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., it continues to embody the power of community commitment and the simple pleasure of coming together to celebrate. 

“The parade is not only a cherished tradition, but one that fosters a sense of celebration, creativity, and joy in the Village on Halloween,” says Arlene Peralta-Avila, Assistant Vice President of Community Engagement at NYU. “It’s one of my favorite events to work on with the community, and I hope it continues for another 35 years.”

Echoing her sentiment, Valerie De La Rosa, Chair of Manhattan Community Board 2, reflects: “For 35 years, the Children’s Halloween Parade has brightened the neighborhood with creativity, magic, and community spirit. Generations of families, volunteers, and the support of NYU power Artie’s vision year after year.”

The parade’s magic lies not in celebrity appearances or flashy productions, but in its ability to bring people together, creating a space where children can be creative, families can connect, and neighbors can celebrate side by side. In an increasingly digital world, the Children’s Halloween Parade remains something rare: a real-life gathering that strengthens the bonds of community. 

This October, as hundreds of costumed children march around Washington Square Park, they’ll be carrying forward more than just their trick-or-treat bags. They’ll be continuing a beloved neighborhood tradition that transforms ordinary autumn afternoons into pure magic.