Manhattan Halloween Parade to Close Sixth Avenue for Six Hours Saturday

New York City prepares for its annual Village Halloween Parade on Saturday, with thousands of participants expected to fill downtown Manhattan streets. Organizers project large crowds along the route. The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

The procession travels north on Sixth Avenue from King Street to West 15th Street. Organizers identify the stretch between Bleecker Street and 14th Street as the most congested section. Spectators who want to watch from the sidewalks are advised to arrive before the parade reaches those blocks.

A dance troupe performs the choreography from Michael Jackson's "Thriller" music video during the parade, appearing as zombies. The parade also features a theme centered on skeletons, dance and imagination.

Watching the parade costs nothing. Costumed individuals who want to march may join the lineup at Sixth Avenue and Canal Street between 6:30 and 9 p.m. Organizers direct participants arriving from the East or South to use Sullivan Street, East Broome Street or Canal Street, while those approaching from the West must enter via Canal Street only.

The New York City Department of Transportation listed closures for Saturday. Formation closures cover Sixth Avenue between Spring Street and Canal Street, plus portions of Dominick, Sullivan, Broome and Spring streets. Route closures cover Sixth Avenue between Spring Street and West 18th Street. Dispersal closures cover West 16th, 17th and 18th streets between Fifth and Seventh avenues, plus Fifth Avenue and Seventh Avenue between 14th and 19th streets. Additional closures apply to West 10th Street between Sixth Avenue and Greenwich Avenue, and Van Dam Street between Varick Street and Fifth Avenue.

Organizers advise participants to meet companions a block or two away from the route. Both spectators and participants are encouraged to use trains or buses to reach the event.