35th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade Returns Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025
Brought to you by New York Dog Parade, sponsored by Stella & Chewy’s

Start your costumes, New York. The city’s most beloved Halloween dog parade marches on…

New York, NY — October 1 — On Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade returns to the East Village for its 35th year. With attendance soaring in recent years, the 2025 parade will once again bring thousands of costumed pups and their humans together. This year’s event will be organized by New York Dog Parade, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by author and canine columnist Fern Watt, with support from Stella & Chewy’s, a leader in premium pet nutrition.

Once again, the East Village will transform into a runway of four-legged fashion, with pups and their humans showing off looks ranging from sharp political satire to pop-culture icons — alongside timeless crowd-pleasers like hot dogs, superheroes, and barking dinosaurs.

“Community events that center on joy and silliness are worth holding onto — especially right now,” said Fern Watt, Founder of New York Dog Parade. “Yes, the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is about dressing your pup in a beautiful, sometimes even statement-making costume. But it’s also about celebrating our friendship with dogs — the companions who make our city and our lives happier every day.”

As shelters across New York City operate at or near capacity, the parade is stepping up with a new pet adoption awareness initiative. Four adoptable pups — from organizations including Pup Starz, Social Tees, and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) — will be given the honor as Parade Grand Marshals, shining a spotlight on the thousands of canine New Yorkers still waiting for loving homes. 

What began as a grassroots gathering in Manhattan’s first dog run has grown into what many celebrate as the largest Halloween dog celebration in the world.

“The heart of Stella & Chewy’s has always been in New York City. The brand was built in my Upper West Side apartment,” said Marie Moody, Founder of Stella & Chewy’s. “By sponsoring the New York Dog Parade, we want to honor, uplift, and give back to the community who helped us build the brand we are today.”

New York Dog Parade has been working closely with local community groups and city agencies to implement crowd-control strategies, safety measures, and expanded programming for both dogs and humans at this year’s event. Pumpkin Pet Insurance and Bond Vet have also stepped up to support the festivities. New York Dog Parade is welcoming volunteers, and those interested in supporting can sign up at nydogparade.org. The parade remains free to attend, but wristbands and pre-registration will be required for participation in the parade and costume competition (first-come, first-served). Registration launches Oct. 6.

For updates, visit nydogparade.org or follow @nydogparade on Instagram.

Media Contact
Diana Rissetto, DRissetto@ThatcherandCo.com
Thatcher+Co. PR