New York City, New York<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nNYC doesn\u2019t do anything by halves \u2013 especially not Halloween. For 45 years, the city has been putting on an INSANE Halloween parade that claims to be \u201cthe nation\u2019s most wildly creative public participatory event in the greatest city in the world\u201d (#notsohumblebrag). And, yep, you read that right. It\u2019s participatory… meaning you can participate. Make a costume, create your own puppet, or volunteer to help build and carry one of the giant\u00a0ones that loom over the festivities. Sign up to join the fun here.<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.lemediavault.com\/images\/92c8815add6f895915754af69c257fda.jpeg\")
\n2. Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nChicago, Illinois<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nMonstrous teens, creepy families, super glam drag queens \u2013 Chicago\u2019s Haunted Halsted Parade is a spooktastic event that welcomes everyone. It\u2019s held in Boystown, which is home to one of the largest LGBTIQ communities in the USA, and it\u2019s been running for over 20 years, so you know they\u2019ve got ghoulish fun down to a freaky art. Dress to impress, \u2018cause there are prizes for the best costumes (spoiler: you need to be extra amazing if you want to be in with a chance). The parade kicks off at 7.30pm with a massive Thriller flash mob that, yes, you can totally join<\/a>.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.lemediavault.com\/images\/28ff1c3329e65309cb62366b3ea597ff.jpeg\")
\n3. The World\u2019s Largest Halloween Party<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nLouisville, Kentucky<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nI\u2019m not sure what criteria the World\u2019s Largest Halloween Party is basing its claim off, but I love their confidence. It\u2019s held at the Louisville Zoo and claims to be \u201cdelightful, not frightful,\u201d so it\u2019s perfect for families with kids (and\/or scaredy cats). Spooky (but not too spooky) activities include trick-or-treating (but only for guests 11 and under \u2013 boo!), fun themed areas to explore (like the Astro Disco, the Land of Oz, and an underwater world), a hay maze, a train ride, a carousel, face painting, and literally hundreds of artistically carved jack-o\u2019-lanterns. And did I mention it\u2019s at a zoo?<\/p>\n
4. Festival of the Dead<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nSalem, Massachusetts<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nYou\u2019ve heard of Salem right? No, not that weird cat-puppet from Sabrina the Teenage Witch<\/em>. I\u2019m talking about Salem, Massachusetts \u2013 home of the infamous Salem witch trials. Today, the witch hunters are gone (phew!) and taking their place is the Festival of the Dead \u2013 a month-long celebration full of wholesome family activities like psychic readings, seances, ritual transformation ceremonies, and a \u2018Dumb Supper\u2019: a silent dinner that honours the dead by serving each course in the reverse order, starting with dessert. If that all sounds a bit *too* weird, don\u2019t worry. There\u2019s also a Witches\u2019 Halloween Ball full of music, dancing, and performances. Aaand some more magic. \u2018Cause witches.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.lemediavault.com\/images\/d98fea84ff6204ee2ae09ba93dc96c22.jpeg\")
\n5. 17th Street High Heels Race<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nWashington DC<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nIf you prefer your Halloween more fab than frightening, Washington\u2019s 17th Street High Heels Race is the place to be. For more than 30 years, amazing drag queens in even more amazing costumes and ridiculously high heels have come together for a running race through Dupont Circle (one of DC\u2019s coolest neighbourhoods). While the race is still informal, it now attracts thousands of spectators every year. That means space is at a premium, so no deck chairs\/stools or animals are allowed. Hey, fierce athletes like these need room to move.<\/p>\n
6. Krewe of Boo Halloween parade<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nNew Orleans, Louisiana<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nIf any city in America knows how to party, it\u2019s New Orleans. The Krewe of Boo Halloween parade combines the carnival atmosphere of Mardi Gras with the spooky skeletons, cool calaveras, and zany zombies of your Halloween dreams. There are massive parties all over town, so the fun doesn\u2019t end when the parade does. If you want to earn your creepy cocktails, start the day with a zombie run<\/a> (or lurch… or crawl… ). So healthy. So wholesome.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.lemediavault.com\/images\/638fe9ff7245e6960dc81b5448614590.jpeg\")
\n7. West Hollywood Carnaval<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nLos Angeles, California<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nBrace yourself, because this one is big. The West Hollywood Carnaval is a massive street party that attracts more than half a million people<\/strong> every year. It\u2019s billed as one of the most outrageous Halloween events in the world, with a mile-long stretch of stages featuring live music, DJs, and performers, all surrounded by revellers in costumes that\u2019d make your nanna blush (and we both know what a mad party girl she is). Because this is Hollywood, there\u2019s a celeb element too. Every year, a new Carnaval Queen is crowned, with past monarchs including Queen Latifah and Rihanna. Best royal family EVER \ud83d\udc51<\/p>\n
\n2. Haunted Halsted Halloween Parade<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nChicago, Illinois<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nMonstrous teens, creepy families, super glam drag queens \u2013 Chicago\u2019s Haunted Halsted Parade is a spooktastic event that welcomes everyone. It\u2019s held in Boystown, which is home to one of the largest LGBTIQ communities in the USA, and it\u2019s been running for over 20 years, so you know they\u2019ve got ghoulish fun down to a freaky art. Dress to impress, \u2018cause there are prizes for the best costumes (spoiler: you need to be extra amazing if you want to be in with a chance). The parade kicks off at 7.30pm with a massive Thriller flash mob that, yes, you can totally join<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n3. The World\u2019s Largest Halloween Party<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nLouisville, Kentucky<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nI\u2019m not sure what criteria the World\u2019s Largest Halloween Party is basing its claim off, but I love their confidence. It\u2019s held at the Louisville Zoo and claims to be \u201cdelightful, not frightful,\u201d so it\u2019s perfect for families with kids (and\/or scaredy cats). Spooky (but not too spooky) activities include trick-or-treating (but only for guests 11 and under \u2013 boo!), fun themed areas to explore (like the Astro Disco, the Land of Oz, and an underwater world), a hay maze, a train ride, a carousel, face painting, and literally hundreds of artistically carved jack-o\u2019-lanterns. And did I mention it\u2019s at a zoo?<\/p>\n
4. Festival of the Dead<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nSalem, Massachusetts<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nYou\u2019ve heard of Salem right? No, not that weird cat-puppet from Sabrina the Teenage Witch<\/em>. I\u2019m talking about Salem, Massachusetts \u2013 home of the infamous Salem witch trials. Today, the witch hunters are gone (phew!) and taking their place is the Festival of the Dead \u2013 a month-long celebration full of wholesome family activities like psychic readings, seances, ritual transformation ceremonies, and a \u2018Dumb Supper\u2019: a silent dinner that honours the dead by serving each course in the reverse order, starting with dessert. If that all sounds a bit *too* weird, don\u2019t worry. There\u2019s also a Witches\u2019 Halloween Ball full of music, dancing, and performances. Aaand some more magic. \u2018Cause witches.<\/p>\n\n5. 17th Street High Heels Race<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nWashington DC<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nIf you prefer your Halloween more fab than frightening, Washington\u2019s 17th Street High Heels Race is the place to be. For more than 30 years, amazing drag queens in even more amazing costumes and ridiculously high heels have come together for a running race through Dupont Circle (one of DC\u2019s coolest neighbourhoods). While the race is still informal, it now attracts thousands of spectators every year. That means space is at a premium, so no deck chairs\/stools or animals are allowed. Hey, fierce athletes like these need room to move.<\/p>\n
6. Krewe of Boo Halloween parade<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nNew Orleans, Louisiana<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nIf any city in America knows how to party, it\u2019s New Orleans. The Krewe of Boo Halloween parade combines the carnival atmosphere of Mardi Gras with the spooky skeletons, cool calaveras, and zany zombies of your Halloween dreams. There are massive parties all over town, so the fun doesn\u2019t end when the parade does. If you want to earn your creepy cocktails, start the day with a zombie run<\/a> (or lurch… or crawl… ). So healthy. So wholesome.<\/p>\n\n7. West Hollywood Carnaval<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\nLos Angeles, California<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\nBrace yourself, because this one is big. The West Hollywood Carnaval is a massive street party that attracts more than half a million people<\/strong> every year. It\u2019s billed as one of the most outrageous Halloween events in the world, with a mile-long stretch of stages featuring live music, DJs, and performers, all surrounded by revellers in costumes that\u2019d make your nanna blush (and we both know what a mad party girl she is). Because this is Hollywood, there\u2019s a celeb element too. Every year, a new Carnaval Queen is crowned, with past monarchs including Queen Latifah and Rihanna. Best royal family EVER \ud83d\udc51<\/p>\n
Monstrous teens, creepy families, super glam drag queens \u2013 Chicago\u2019s Haunted Halsted Parade is a spooktastic event that welcomes everyone. It\u2019s held in Boystown, which is home to one of the largest LGBTIQ communities in the USA, and it\u2019s been running for over 20 years, so you know they\u2019ve got ghoulish fun down to a freaky art. Dress to impress, \u2018cause there are prizes for the best costumes (spoiler: you need to be extra amazing if you want to be in with a chance). The parade kicks off at 7.30pm with a massive Thriller flash mob that, yes, you can totally join<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019m not sure what criteria the World\u2019s Largest Halloween Party is basing its claim off, but I love their confidence. It\u2019s held at the Louisville Zoo and claims to be \u201cdelightful, not frightful,\u201d so it\u2019s perfect for families with kids (and\/or scaredy cats). Spooky (but not too spooky) activities include trick-or-treating (but only for guests 11 and under \u2013 boo!), fun themed areas to explore (like the Astro Disco, the Land of Oz, and an underwater world), a hay maze, a train ride, a carousel, face painting, and literally hundreds of artistically carved jack-o\u2019-lanterns. And did I mention it\u2019s at a zoo?<\/p>\n You\u2019ve heard of Salem right? No, not that weird cat-puppet from Sabrina the Teenage Witch<\/em>. I\u2019m talking about Salem, Massachusetts \u2013 home of the infamous Salem witch trials. Today, the witch hunters are gone (phew!) and taking their place is the Festival of the Dead \u2013 a month-long celebration full of wholesome family activities like psychic readings, seances, ritual transformation ceremonies, and a \u2018Dumb Supper\u2019: a silent dinner that honours the dead by serving each course in the reverse order, starting with dessert. If that all sounds a bit *too* weird, don\u2019t worry. There\u2019s also a Witches\u2019 Halloween Ball full of music, dancing, and performances. Aaand some more magic. \u2018Cause witches.<\/p>\n If you prefer your Halloween more fab than frightening, Washington\u2019s 17th Street High Heels Race is the place to be. For more than 30 years, amazing drag queens in even more amazing costumes and ridiculously high heels have come together for a running race through Dupont Circle (one of DC\u2019s coolest neighbourhoods). While the race is still informal, it now attracts thousands of spectators every year. That means space is at a premium, so no deck chairs\/stools or animals are allowed. Hey, fierce athletes like these need room to move.<\/p>\n If any city in America knows how to party, it\u2019s New Orleans. The Krewe of Boo Halloween parade combines the carnival atmosphere of Mardi Gras with the spooky skeletons, cool calaveras, and zany zombies of your Halloween dreams. There are massive parties all over town, so the fun doesn\u2019t end when the parade does. If you want to earn your creepy cocktails, start the day with a zombie run<\/a> (or lurch… or crawl… ). So healthy. So wholesome.<\/p>\n Brace yourself, because this one is big. The West Hollywood Carnaval is a massive street party that attracts more than half a million people<\/strong> every year. It\u2019s billed as one of the most outrageous Halloween events in the world, with a mile-long stretch of stages featuring live music, DJs, and performers, all surrounded by revellers in costumes that\u2019d make your nanna blush (and we both know what a mad party girl she is). Because this is Hollywood, there\u2019s a celeb element too. Every year, a new Carnaval Queen is crowned, with past monarchs including Queen Latifah and Rihanna. Best royal family EVER \ud83d\udc51<\/p>\n\n3. The World\u2019s Largest Halloween Party<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Louisville, Kentucky<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
4. Festival of the Dead<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Salem, Massachusetts<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n5. 17th Street High Heels Race<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Washington DC<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
6. Krewe of Boo Halloween parade<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\n
New Orleans, Louisiana<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
\n7. West Hollywood Carnaval<\/a> <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Los Angeles, California<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n