New Yorkers Go All Out Dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” in Annual Halloween Parade

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As a movie lover, I always get excited around Halloween, and one of the coolest things about living in New York is the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade. Every year, it’s this huge, vibrant, and spooky event – a real New York tradition that everyone seems to come out for!

The annual Halloween parade is back for its 52nd year! Thousands of costumed participants are expected to line Sixth Avenue for an evening of music, dancing, and festive fun.

A favorite part of the parade is the ThrillerNYC group, who have been performing the iconic “Thriller” dance for nearly twenty years.

What began in 2004 as a simple car-side dance party has grown into a highlight of the evening.

Following Michael Jackson’s death in 2009, the performance saw a resurgence in popularity. That same year, Erin Hamilton became involved and helped to develop the group into a more structured and significant organization. As Hamilton explained, it’s a unique New York experience: bringing together around 100 people who might otherwise never meet, and creating a shared, memorable event.

An incredible moment happened at the New York Halloween parade: a huge crowd spontaneously broke into the iconic ‘Thriller’ dance! It’s moments like these that make you appreciate this country.

— Dom Lucre | Breaker of Narratives (@dom_lucre) November 1, 2025

Every year, ThrillerNYC unites dancers of all skill levels – from newcomers to pros – to learn and perform the iconic “Thriller” dance. Because spaces are limited and fill up fast, interested dancers need to register early and commit to rehearsals. The group then performs the complete dance multiple times during the parade, always delighting the audience.

This year’s parade celebrated the idea of sharing with a theme of “It’s a potluck!” City Harvest, a charity providing free, fresh food to New Yorkers in need, led the way as the Grand Marshal. The parade began at 7 p.m. at Canal Street and Sixth Avenue and continued north to 15th Street.

Besides zombies and dancers, the parade featured 14 floats, all constructed in Clifton, New Jersey. Everyone was welcome to watch or participate while dressed in costume, and it was completely free to attend.

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2025-11-02 19:44