The Village Halloween Parade is a classic New York City tradition. It involves hundreds of puppets, 53 different bands, dancers, artists, and thousands of New Yorkers in costume.

It's a big deal. Like, it's the biggest Halloween parade in the world, and the only major parade held at night in the United States. It's such a big deal that it's supposed to attract more than 60,000 participants and an estimated 2 million spectators. 

That wasn't a typo. You read that right. The Village Halloween Parade is projected to attract around 2 million spectators.

It's also a beautiful participatory event that gives NYC a sense of freedom and spontaneity, and a chance to renew our relationship with the city.

Our point is, we think you should go to it. So now that we've convinced you that you should go, we've got some tips for how to thrive that evening.

Read on to discover our 7 tips to having the best Village Halloween Parade experience possible.

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1. Wear a costume

This is your chance to really let loose whatever imaginative self you've got hiding away. Really, every single day we all wear all the same stuff. Whether you're wearing business casual to work or you're dressed up to hit the club, when do you ever really let loose?

We're telling you, this is your shot. What will you dress as?

We mean it. Dress as whatever you want. If you're obsessed with Justin Bieber than dress like him (although beware - this will make it more difficult to spot the actual Justin Bieber at the Parade).

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In all seriousness, the Parade prides itself as a huge opportunity for the city to join together in imaginative revelry. Don't miss your chance.

Plus, you have to wear a costume. It's very clear on the Parade's website: "For ONLY those in costume, line-up is on 6th Avenue at Canal Street between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m." So, you don't need to take our word for it.

What will they do with you if you're not costumed? We're not sure. They'll chuck you out, probably.

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2. Party before the Parade

We think you should party before the Parade, and we think you should know where you're going to party before the Parade prior to showing up.

Just showing up at 6th Avenue and Canal Street and expecting to find a bar is a bad idea. The Parade is a huge event with millions of attendees, and the street side barricades on 6th Avenue are not a joke.

That's why you've got us, right! Your trusty fun curators. Where do we think you should drink before the Parade?

Might we suggest the Nancy Whiskey Pub? Located at 1 Lispenard Street, it's a couple blocks from the start of the Parade and it's refreshingly relaxed, inexpensive, and extremely chill. 

We're sure the West Village will be mobbed the night of Halloween. It's our hope Nancy Whiskey Pub will be less than mobbed.

If you're looking for a chill bar to grab a bite to eat and a couple beers before the Parade, you should probably check out AOA Bar & Grill. They've got pizza, burgers, and lots of beers on tap. It's located at 35 6th Avenue, also a couple blocks from the Parade.

If you want to participate in the Parade, make sure you meet up with your friends early enough to get to the Parade by 9 p.m. Especially if you think you've got a chance to win the costume contest, alright?

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3. Participate in the Parade

Anyone and everyone (in costume!) is welcome to participate in the Parade. 

Here's what you have to do to participate. Show up on 6th Avenue at Canal Street on the 31st between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. 

You can only enter the Parade area from the east and south, from Sullivan, East Broome, and Canal Streets. If you're coming with a crew, you should find them before you arrive at the Parade. Finding them at the Parade will be a near-impossible feat.

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Then, all you have to do is dance and get wild while you wait for the Parade to start. We mentioned there'd be 53 bands, right? 

The bands line-up away from the rest of the Parade, but you'll still be able to jam to their vibes before you start marching.

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4. Wear comfortable shoes

We suggest wearing comfortable shoes during your walk up Sixth Avenue (don't even try walking down Sixth Avenue, the police will stop you). 

Walking from Canal Street to 16th Street is a fairly hefty walk, and doing it with blisters is not a blast.

Also, we have more advice. If you are going to get tipsy beforehand, don't bring any alcohol. The Parade is a 0% tolerance for alcohol event. If you do bring alcohol, make sure you are 100% super sneaky about it.

We've actually got a better idea than bringing alcohol. Why not meet up before the Parade and get completely loaded, so you do't have to worry about getting thrown out of the actual Parade?

If you don't already have a costume, you can volunteer to animate a puppet. Still, wear comfortable shoes even if you're animating a puppet though, alright?

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5. Participate in the costume contest

All you've got to do to participate in the costume contest is show up. If you're in the Parade, you're in the contest.

The Parade's employees will have secret scouts scouring the Parade and handing out contact cards. Winners will be chosen from those who contact them.

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So make if you've got ambitions to win the contest, make sure you're strutting your stuff at every moment. You never know when a super top secret scout will be taking notes on your getup.

In past years the victors were dressed as a stove, a claw, and even a yellow brick road. So as we said, get creative with it.

They haven't yet announced what this year's prizes will be, but keep checking this page as the Parade gets closer, so you'll be completely prepared for when they do post the prizes. 

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6. Be on time to watch

Get there on time. If you're not NBA height and you want any shot of seeing the decked out bands, costumes, and puppets, try to get to 6th Avenue between Canal and 16th Streets as close to 9 p.m. as possible.

We mean it. We know what it's like to show up to the Parade at 11 p.m. and to be four or five rows behind a crowd back from the actual Parade.

Getting there late is a bummer because you can't see any of the wild costumes and you'll be wondering why you even came. Trust us, the event is heavily policed and you'll be stopped the moment you climb on something high for a shot at seeing the costumes.

So, just get there at or around 9 p.m., okay? Also, plan your route beforehand. The barricades surrounding 6th Avenue are the real deal.

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7. Party after the Parade

This year's Parade afterparty is going down at Webster Hall in the East Village. We are 100% positive it's going to be a blast.

At this crazy, popped off event, all four massive floors of Webster Hall will be morphed into a twisted mausoleum pumping with dance music. There will be fire-wielding exhibitionists, and tons of New Yorkers completely decked out.

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There's also another costume contest at Webster Hall, and the winner of this contest takes home $5,000 in cash (there is, in fact, a security escort). Not too shabby, huh?

We are absolutely positive these tickets will sell out, so get yours here before that happens.

Check out 10 Sick Ways to Celebrate Halloween in NYC. 

[Feature Image Courtesy NYC Go ]