New Yorkers got into the Halloween spirit as the streets of the Big Apple were taken over by the 50th anniversary of the annual spook-tacular parade.
Celebrities including Bradley Cooper and model Irina Shayk joined the growing crowd, with the actor delighting fans as he lived up to his Guardians of the Galaxy role in a Rocket Raccoon costume.
An array of terrifying Halloween outfits and hilarious parodies descended on Manhattan’s West Village on Tuesday night to mark the end of this year’s spooky festivities.
There was also a lifelike resurrection of 1960s Marilyn Monroe, chilling Day of the Dead masks and adorable children dressed as their favorite characters.
The festivities come at a time of heightened tensions in the city, where officials say they are on heightened alert after protesters shouted in the streets amid the Middle East conflict.
The streets of the Big Apple come alive during New York City’s annual parade
Actor Bradley Cooper and model Irina Shayk accompany their daughter Lea for a night of trick-or-treating on Halloween
Large crowds took to the streets of Manhattan to celebrate the spooky holiday, including the resurrection of ’60s star Marilyn Monroe
Day Of The Dead-inspired outfits were among the vibrant costumes on display
To mark the official end of this year’s ‘Hello Weekend’, revelers extended their celebrations into Tuesday as they took part in the parade
A man dressed as former US President Donald Trump walks behind bars and holds an ‘Inmate Donald’ sign in the parade
Marking half a century of spooky events, this year’s theme is ‘upside down/inside out’, intended to celebrate a return to ‘normality’ after years of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As we travel the regular route through Greenwich Village and Sixth Avenue, the theme reflects the freedom of the end of lockdowns and enjoying the outdoors.
‘This year’s parade not only commemorates its own 50-year history, but also pays tribute to those lost to various events such as 9/11, AIDS and COVID, as well as those who have been part of it over the years of the parade,” said Jeanne Fleming, former parade director.
For the traditional role of grand marshal, music artist Laurie Anderson took over the position this year, while the legendary Lou Reed was named posthumous grand marshal.
A group of vampire-inspired dancers entertain a crowd on the streets of Manhattan
A partygoer cradles a candle as they participate in the many musical and dance aspects of the fristivities
A brass band will perform during the parade on Tuesday evening
A woman dressed as a creepy nun waits for the parade along Sixth Avenue
Officials have warned they are on heightened alert this year as conflict in the Middle East has sparked several hostile protests in recent weeks ahead of the parade.
The spooky parade also featured some light-hearted costumes and cute parodies
Huge towering skeletons are part of the raucous festivities
The NYPD said Tuesday that they were on a “heightened” security basis as Halloween partygoers celebrated at a time of tension over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but added that no specific, credible threats had been made.
In other major U.S. cities, where police have increased vigilance in recent weeks over concerns about terrorism or violent protests over the Gaza conflict, officials reported little concern that Halloween would bring additional threats.
Tens of thousands of people are expected to descend on Manhattan for the parade, with officials acknowledging that the many colors and costumes could make their jobs more difficult.
“We’re going to be there in a heightened posture,” New York City Police Chief Jeffrey Maddrey told Fox 5 on Monday.
“Right now we’re just in a different time, with the war in Israel,” he added, before noting that “there are no specific, credible threats at this point.”
Officials have warned revelers to remain vigilant, as Maddrey concluded: “We see the tension and there’s a lot of hostility out there.”
Manhattan’s West Village became the center of the spooky festivities
This year’s theme is ‘upside down/inside out’ to celebrate the end of the pandemic and a return to freedom
Two revelers in daring outfits prepare to take part in the parade earlier in the day
Model Emily Ratajkowski dressed in red devil attire for Trick or Treating with her son Sly before the parade started
Singer Joe Jonas was also spotted earlier in the day in the Big Apple with children Willa and Delphine in a princess carriage stroller
Earlier in the day, singer Joe Jonas was spotted celebrating Halloween by taking his kids trick-or-treating.
He took his children Willa, 3, and Delphine, 15 months, on a fairytale stroller, replicating a princess-inspired trip the trio also took the day before.
Model Emily Ratajkowski also decided the spooky holiday was the perfect time for a family getaway.
The model, 32, wore a red devil outfit as she stepped out with son Sly just hours before the parade started.