Costumed dogs marched through the East Village on Saturday, October 17, at the 36th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, and the costume contest went to Snickers, a Shih Tzu dressed as the Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and riding in a giant basketball, Our Town reported. The parade stepped off at 11 a.m. and traveled south on Avenue B from East 13th Street to East 7th Street at Tompkins Square Park.
For costume ideas, our guide to the best Halloween pet costumes of 2026 compares every major retailer’s lineup, and our dog Halloween 2026 roundup covers the glow-in-the-dark harnesses, treats, and decor in stores now.
How to march in the parade
Every dog that marched had to be registered in advance, along with its humans, and registration for the 2026 parade filled after it opened on Friday, September 25.
The organizers ask for a costume that is comfortable and non-restrictive and does not interfere with a dog’s sight, hearing, movement, or ears. If a dog seems uncomfortable in costume, they recommend skipping it. Costumes and props have to be safe and manageable in a crowd. Carts, strollers, baby carriages, and small motorized costume elements are welcome, but large vehicle-sized builds such as golf carts are not permitted.
Dogs without a marching spot could still come to the day’s festival block, where spectators and participants could show off their dogs.
The costume contest
Entry to the parade’s costume competition was limited to select registered participants because of the parade’s popularity and limited capacity inside Tompkins Square Park, and the finalists were judged on a runway in the park, EV Grieve reported. The organizers had said people outside the park would be able to follow the competition live for the first time.
“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.”
Snickers’ costume put the Shih Tzu in a “Knicks in Five” jersey on a mini-court inside a giant, hollowed-out basketball, Our Town reported. The other finalists included Marie Antoinette, a charcuterie board and a costume from the movie Up, and Knicks costumes were everywhere after the team’s NBA championship in June. Assembly Member Keith Powers and Carol Krakowski, owner of Boris & Horton, were among the judges, and Puppy Bowl referee Dan Schachner was the emcee, EV Grieve reported.
The crowd and the festival block
Thousands of spectators lined Avenue B in cold, gray weather, Our Town reported, and John Legend and Chrissy Teigen, the founders of the presenting sponsor Kismet, spoke to the crowd near the start.
The public festival block was on East 6th Street between Avenues B and C from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with photo opportunities, giveaways, rescue initiatives, and Kismet “Nugs” treats for the marching dogs.
Who runs the parade
New York Dog Parade, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by author and longtime dog advocate Fern Watt, organizes the event. The parade began in Manhattan’s first dog run.
This year’s presenting sponsor was Kismet, a dog food brand founded by John Legend and Chrissy Teigen. The other partners were Fetch Pet Insurance, Earth Rated, Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day for Pets, Allegra, the ASPCA, and Veterinary Emergency Group.
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and New York Dog Parade is working with the ASPCA and Animal Care Centers of NYC to spotlight adoptable dogs throughout October and celebrate rescue dogs taking part in this year’s parade.
Top photo: a dog in a pineapple costume at the 2017 parade. Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
