Halloween is a big time for folks who love to dress their dogs up in costumes!

New York City has been home to one of the biggest Halloween costume dog parades in the world for 34 years: the Tompkins Square Dog Parade. Will there be a 35th edition?

But the Tompkins Square event is not the only game in town. Scroll down to find out about Halloween dog events in your borough.

Will There be Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in 2025?

The Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is the grand poo-bah of all Halloween dog festivals in New York City. For more than 30 years it was a popular event where hundreds of dogs in elaborate costumes paraded through Tompkins Square in the East Village. (Tompkins Square is famously the park in NYC with the first dog run, but I’ll write about that in a future post.) The Tompkins Square parade has had a troubled history these last few years. Last year’s event, the 34th, almost didn’t happen. Basically, the parade has been a victim of its own success and the organizers have struggled to keep it going with the resources they have.

Will there be a 35th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade? it doesn’t seem so at this point. I’ve been scouring the internet for information and have found nothing from any reputable sources.

On September 25 I did see this message on Reddit posted around midnight the day before: “The Tompkins Square Dog Parade will be held this year on Oct 18th, on Avenue A between 7th-15th Streets.” There was no other information.

I’m going to keep my eyes peeled for any real news and will post it here if anything changes.

In the meantime look below for other Halloween-themed events in New York City this October.

Boodle Halloween

Poodle Dudes is hosting a costume contest at Wag & Bone on Saturday, October 11 starting at 5:00 pm. Tickets: $40 per pup (1 dog + up-to-two humans.) Payment: Venmo – @mel_brij (x9404) or Zelle – brijrajm14@gmail.com or 914-837-9404. (Given that this is a Poodle meet-up, that breed is given priority.)

Cava-Boo Howl-o-ween

Also at Wag & Bone, the Cavapoo Friends of NYC are having their own costume party. This one starts at 12:30 pm on Sunday, October 12. Tickets are $35, you can get yours by emailing cavapoofriendsnyc@gmail.com.

Riverside Park Pup Halloween Parade

Dress your pups in their most creative costume and parade through Riverside Park on October 18, starting at 12:00 pm. Event starts at the 116th Street Overlook. Check riversideparknyc.org for registration information.

NYC Griffs Presents: Tricks & Treats 2025

NYC Griffs knows how to throw a party. I went to their Kentucky Derby party a few years back and it was a lot of fun. If you are a Brussels Griffon owner get yourself over to the Zoom Room on Sunday, October 19 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

The Costume Contest Categories are:

Beastworthy Award – Best animal-themed
Best Furiends Award – Best group /duo
Bone Appétit Award – Best food-themed
I Woof NYC Award – Best NYC-themed
Pawtastic Award – Best all-around
Pup Culture Award – Best current event / TV / film / music / celebrity-themed
Vanity Fur Award – Most glamorous / over-the-top

Check out their website for more.

Bark After Dark: Howl-O-Ween

Bark After Dark is the new after-hours series where art, dogs, and community come together for a lively, themed evening at the AKC Museum of the Dog in Manhattan.

Special for October 24: Howl-o-ween!

Free for Members at the Individual level and above; Non-Members $20 Humans, $5 Dogs. But, get your tickets early! These events typically sell out and we cannot guarantee there will be space the day of the event.

All attendees will be required to sign a waiver before entry.

“Family Edition” runs from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

The adult version runs from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Click here for more info and tickets.

Howl-oween Doggie Day Hike

Dress your pet in a costume and see who's the best. It’s all treats no tricks for this halloween quest! Take a stroll through the forest with your four legged friend on this dog-friendly hike. Dogs are required to be on-leash. Dog lovers without dogs are also welcomed to participate. Walk begins at the Eton Place parking lot in Willowbrook Park on Saturday, October 25 from 11:00 am to noon. Click here for details.

Halloween Harvest Festival

The beloved Halloween Harvest Festival is back with family-friendly workshops, a community resource fair, as well as New York’s second largest dog costume contest co-presented by Queens’ dog-friendly cafe, Chateau le Woof. Celebrate the autumn season with us with pumpkin decorating and creative workshops. It’s a Halloween Harvest like no other that you do not want to miss! More details to come!

This event takes place Saturday, October 25 from noon to 5:00 pm. It takes place at he Socrates Sculpture Park and is free.

McGolrick Dogs Halloween Parade and Costume Contest

The Annual McGolrick Dogs Halloween Parade and Costume Contest takes place Saturday, October 26th. Everyone should meet at the McGolrick Dog Run Pavilion at noon. The dog costume parade starts at 12:15 pm. The costume contest follows. Click here for more.

The Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest

The Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest is Brooklyn’s largest and longest-running dog competition! The 27th edition will take place at the bottom of the Fort Greene Park monument stairs. Spots are limited and sell out, so make sure you register early. No walk-up, on-site registration will be available. As always, the show is free to watch.

The Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest takes place Saturday, October 25 starting at noon.

Rain date: Sunday, October 26. Stay in Fort Greene Park after the contest for Halloween Fest!

Register and get tickets here.

Your entry fee is a tax-deductible donation to Fort Greene PUPS, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Your receipt will serve for tax purposes. Thank you for your support!

After preregistering, you will receive a receipt, which you should print or bring on your phone to check in starting at 11:00 a.m. on the day of event.

IMPORTANT: If you do not check in at the registration table located at Monument Plaza (top of stairs) by 11:45 a.m., your entry will be forfeited. Judging of all entrants begins at the bottom of the monument stairs at 12pm sharp!

The PUPkin is FREE to attend - registration is ONLY required if your dog is competing!

Howl-O-Ween

Families along with their furry loved ones are invited to join Williamsbridge Oval for a Howl-o-ween event! Bring your leashed pet dressed to impress.

This event takes place at the Williamsbridge Oval Recreation Center on Wednesday, October 29 from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. It’s free1

Urban Dog’s Calendar of New York City Dog Friendly Events

Make sure you check out our calendar of dog friendly events in New York City.

Click here for the full listings.

New York City Halloween Dog Parades and Parties