Washington Market Park will hold two free Halloween events on back-to-back days this weekend: its annual Pumpkin Carving Contest on Saturday, October 24, 2026, and a Halloween parade down Greenwich Street on Sunday, October 25. Both are run by the Friends of Washington Market Park and are open to everyone at no cost.

The park sits at the corner of Greenwich and Chambers streets in Tribeca, with entrances at Greenwich and Duane streets and from the Borough of Manhattan Community College plaza.

Saturday: The Pumpkin Carving Contest

This is the 12th year of the contest, according to the Friends group. Anyone can enter by bringing a pumpkin that is already carved or decorated, and neighbors who do not have an entry are welcome to stop by and look over the display.

The schedule runs in three parts:

  • 3 to 5 p.m.: Bring your finished pumpkin to the park. Volunteers check in each entry and help place it in a designated display area on the grounds.
  • 5 to 5:30 p.m.: Judges walk the field of entries and score them.
  • 5:30 p.m.: Winners are announced in the park and on the park's Instagram account.

Entries compete in five standing categories: most creative, funniest, scariest, cutest and most realistic. Winners and runners-up in those categories receive trophies. New this year is a sixth category called Master Blade, and its winner takes home a cash prize.

Once the awards are handed out, entrants can carry their pumpkins home or move them into the park's garden pumpkin patch, where they stay on display through Halloween week. Pumpkins left in the patch are composted afterward.

Last year's contest drew 67 entries. Judges in 2025 included staff from NYC Parks, Council Member Chris Marte, and representatives of Friends of Bogardus Plaza, Downtown Dance Factory and PS 150.

Sunday: The Halloween Parade

On Sunday, October 25, costumed kids and adults gather for a short parade that ends at the park. The Queer Big Apple Corps marching band leads the procession.

  • 12:45 p.m.: Line up at Greenwich Street and Beach Street.
  • 1 p.m.: The parade steps off and heads down Greenwich Street to Washington Market Park.
  • 1:15 to 2 p.m.: The band performs on the park lawn.

The Friends group notes that candy for Halloween 2026 has again been donated by local residents Andy and Rauna Bowman. There is no registration; participants just show up in costume at the starting point.

About the Park

Washington Market Park opened in 1978 as Washington Market Community Park, created after local residents pushed for more green space in Lower Manhattan. It is part of the NYC Parks system and is staffed by Parks workers. Today it has a community garden, three playgrounds, a large central lawn, basketball courts, a tennis court, a butterfly garden and a gazebo used for events. Restrooms are in the northwest corner of the park.

The Friends of Washington Market Park is a nonprofit that produces the park's free public programs and supports restoration work. Its events rely on volunteers and donations, and the group accepts contributions through its website. Later in the season it plans a Christmas Party at the gazebo on December 5.

How to Go

The pumpkin contest is Saturday, October 24, with drop-off from 3 to 5 p.m. and winners named at 5:30 p.m. The parade is Sunday, October 25, lining up at 12:45 p.m. at Greenwich and Beach streets, with the concert on the lawn from 1:15 to 2 p.m. Both events are free.

The park is open daily from 7 a.m. until dusk; staff may close slightly earlier during seasonal shift changes. The nearest subway is the Chambers Street station, served by the 1, 2 and 3 trains on Seventh Avenue and the A and C trains at Church Street. Updates and contest results are posted on the park's website and its Instagram account, @washingtonmarketpark.

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