As the evening crept up on Greenwich Village, the monsters came out to play. Ghosts, ghouls, and spooky creatures of all kinds congregated along 6th Avenue, waiting eagerly for the 51st Annual NYC Village Halloween Parade. 

Many of this year’s costumes were inspired by pop culture. Ken from Barbie (2023) was still a popular choice, as was Carmy from FX’s The Bear. Halloween staples — witches, clowns, cops, and cowboys — were as popular as ever. Some decided to take a more avant-garde approach. Steven Livesay, a Trader Joe’s employee, dressed as “A glittering fantasy, trying to catch the wind.” Livesay was there with a group of his Trader Joe’s coworkers, all of whom decided to go all-out for the occasion.

Sara Jean Gruenwald, also a Trader Joe’s employee, dressed up as Couture Cookie Monster this year. “Like if Cookie Monster had a single, rich auntie,” she said. 

Semaj Christian, another Trader Joe’s employee, made his entire costume by hand.

Matt Albiani (left) and Ron Brano (right), identically dressed as the Lone Ranger.

A green alien floats through the crowds packing 13th Street.

Wolverine brandishes his claws in Union Square.

MJ Jordan (left), a first-year Integrated design student at Parsons, dressed as Pete The Cat. I Tungsatitchai (right), dressed up as a whoopee cushion.

Spiderman perched appropriately on some scaffolding.

Along Christopher Street, the night was just getting started. Restaurants lining the street filled with costumed parade-goers looking for a late-night bite, and bars drew in similar crowds with Halloween-themed cocktails. Pedicabs cruised slowly through the blocked-off streets, enticing those who didn’t feel like walking home.

The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man guarded the intersection of Christopher Street and Waverly Place.

This police horse was in costume as, well…

A pair of stunt performers pose in Union Square.

Wednesday Addams poses as MF DOOM raises his WWE championship belts.

Even lucha libres need to take the subway.

Parade-goers trickled from the original parade route until the early hours of the morning, streaming into the subways or, if their costumes allowed it, renting Citi Bikes. The NYC Village Halloween Parade will return next October, its 52nd year in a row.