The Tompkins Square Dog Parade at East River Park Amphitheater
photo by Amanda Hatfield

Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is on for 2019, and more seasonal pup stuff

A beloved annual tradition for almost 30 years, the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade was in serious trouble last year, getting cancelled in August and then saved at the last minute and moved to a new location, East River Amphitheater. Some were skeptical about the parade moving away from its original home at the Tompkins Square Dog Run, but the Amphitheater offered more space for the costumed canines (and human onlookers) to cavort – and strut their stuff. It’ll host the parade again this October, too, when the 29th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade happens on Sunday, October 20 from noon – 3 PM.

From the organizers:

Runway competition begins at Noon. There is no need to pre-register, just come and have fun. Entrance to the event is free. A parade of all contestants and spectators will follow after Best In Show is announced. Contestant and Raffle winners must be present at the end of the competition to receive their prize or it will be donated to charity.

Check out pooch pictures from 2018 in the gallery above.

For more Halloween activities for your dog (and you), The Dodo, whose cute animal videos I’ve wasted many hours watching on Facebook, are hosting The Best Dog Day Ever, the Halloween edition. Launched as a single day event in 2018, this year they’ll be setting up shop in Williamsburg from October 4-October 27 at 25 Kent Ave. Activities include a doggy treat shop, canine cornfield maze, a pumpkin patch full of dog toys, complimentary pup makeovers in “Dyson’s Transformation Lab,” costumes from Target for your dog to try on, a Halloween parade, and dogs for adoption. Tickets, which go by date and time, are on sale now.

In Coney Island, Luna Park hosts its own Halloween dog parade, too; this year’s happens on Sunday, October 13, and free registration is open now.

Also in Brooklyn, in Fort Greene Park on Saturday, October 26 at 11:30 AM is The Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest. It happens in conjunction with the Fort Greene Park Conservancy’s annual Halloween Festival, and priority advanced pre-registration for the first 80 entrants begins at midnight on October 1.