’Twas the day of the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, when all through the East Village, creatures of the canine sort stirred excitedly at ankle level. Among those wizzing by: a tempura Pomeranian, a strawberry dachshund, a petite USPS delivery dog, and a full charcuterie board on four legs.
The 35th annual parade, held on Sunday, October 19, between 11th Street and 6th Street produced a frenzy of spectators so furocious that foot traffick was deadlocked on the sidewalks. At some locations, spectators swarmed past barricades, climbing into the grass against the wishes of private security guards. Spectators stoof on fences and private doorsteps just to get a glance at some of the dogs trotting by.
A panda walks with style.
Following the slow-moving puppy procession down Avenue B, the most extravagant dogs in costumes took to a tiny stage, excessively dwarfed by an enormous crowd. Last year, the event’s longtime organizer Joseph Borduin vowed to never organize the parade again, saying that it had become “too much.” This year’s event was organized by the nonprofit New York Dog Parade and sponsored by the dog treat company Stella and Chewys.
Among the dogs (and their owners) who spoke to Hyperallergic was Martini “Tini” and owner Araceli dressed as Darla and Nemo from Finding Nemo (2003). Araceli said this was their first dog parade, as Tini the Chihuhaua had just turned one year old. The duo came in a group called the Chihuahua Society NYC, and nearby, another toy dog dressed as Tinkerbell captured the attention of every nearby camera owner.
A sun beam falls perfectly on canine Tinker Bell.
Jordan Sondler’s art pop up at Romeo’s
Sitting at Romeo’s, a bar not far from the park, Brooklyn-based illustrator Jordan Sondler drew pet portraits for $55 each. Sondler told Hyperallergic she “pops up all over the city” at events to draw mostly pets, and sometimes humans. She created eight portraits on Sunday. The crowds, she said, were “insane.”
Dressed up as a Labubu and wearing one of the pricey dangling collectibles, fluffy participant Leo walked in the parade with owners Alina and Yuxi. They said they come every year because it’s a fun annual family event, and that this year’s crowd was larger than years prior. “It wasn’t this bad,” Alina said, speaking of past parades.
Jordan Sondler’s dog illustrations
A dog named Bagel was dressed as Piper from Season 3 of The White Lotus Season, and another, named Coby, came as a Sim from the eponymous computer game. Sara, Avi, RJ, and their dog Bon Bon were in Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise theme. Dogs also appeared to serve as unusual vectors for advertisement, including a corgi dressed as a delivery worker for the app Hungry Panda.
After the parade, dogs in costumes lingered in the vicinity at the feet of their owners as spectators moved to local restaurants. See more photos from the 2025 Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade below.
Your pawckage is here.
A strawberry waits in line for coffee at an East Village shop.
Hot dogs galore.
Snow White (dog version) sits at a bar as the parade begins.
A turkey costume
A matching human-dog sausage duo.
Dogs held up pathways by greeting each other.
Costumes ranged from extravagant cultural references to casual human-like attire.
It’s Winnie the Pooh!
Someone better pick up their banana peel before someone slips.
I woke up like this.
Tiny dog protests dinosaur contest.
I woke up like this.
Humans dressed to match their dogs (or vice versa).
Dogs in strollers and carts whizzed by.
I’ll have a pupp-acino.
Araceli and Martini
Meet Bon Bon
Only the highest aviation standards here.
A French Bull dog pauses in the sun.
Popcord and hot dog duet
It hurts here, doctor.
It must be a new breed.
A dog apparently used as part of an ad.
Piper from White Lotus
Sims!
A cart of canine minions
