This Saturday, October 17th, 2026, the 26th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade returns, as thousands of New Yorkers and their elaborately costumed dogs come together for one of the city’s most joyful Halloween traditions.
Led by New York Dog Parade, the nonprofit dedicated to celebrating dog-human friendship, and presented by Kismet, a premium pet lifestyle and dog food brand, the celebration will once again transform the East Village into a spectacle of the four-legged fashion.
“Yesterday, someone emailed us to say they were dressing their dog as frozen yogurt. So clearly, the competition this year is going to be stiff,” said Fern Watt, founder of New York Dog Parade. “There’s a lot that can feel heavy in the world right now, but somewhere in New York City, someone is crafting a frozen yogurt costume for their dog. We do find hope in that.”
The event will feature a public festival block with special activations from Kismet and New York Dog Parade, including photo opportunities, giveaways, rescue initiatives, surprises and, of course, plenty of Kismet “Nugs” for the costumed canine marchers.
Registration is required to march in the parade and is currently open on NYDogParade.org. Spots are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
The event will be from 1-4 p.m., the festivities are set to take place at Tompkins Square Park and continue around the neighborhood. The price for admission is free. “It means so much to me to lead this event,” says Fern Watt, canine columnist and founder of the nonprofit New York Dog Parade. “I’ve written about dogs for more than ten years and dedicated so much of my life and career exploring the life-changing power of dog-human friendship. Getting to lead an event that is such a pure celebration of that bond is incredibly meaningful.”
