The best doggy costumes from the New York Halloween dog parade

Dogs and their owners showed up and showed out in the 32nd annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Festival 2022 in New York City.

By Lena Grotticelli

New York, New York - New York pups strutted as a hot dog, a gladiator, a bodega cat, and even a Chihuahua Jesus as the Halloween Dog Festival returned to Tompkins Square Park on Saturday. Here's a roundup of the cutest and most creative of the bunch!

Abby, a terrier, dressed up as a scene from the Pixar movie Up (l.) alongside an Australian shepherd named Spud (bottom r.) and Monty, dressed as a piñata (top r.).
Abby, a terrier, dressed up as a scene from the Pixar movie Up (l.) alongside an Australian shepherd named Spud (bottom r.) and Monty, dressed as a piñata (top r.).  © Collage: REUTERS

The 32nd annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Festival put puppy and human participants to the test as the competition took off running in Manhattan's East Village once again.

This year marked the parade's return to the park since Covid after being held on Zoom in 2020 and in East River Park in 2021.

Many in the new crop of costumes had a very 2022 tinge with MVPs standing out: a pup as Kim Kardashian sporting her Balenciaga tape dress and the fashion brand's Lay's chip-inspired bag, NYC's dreaded spotted lanternfly being smooshed by giant pair of Converse, and the recent tomato soup activist attack on a Van Gogh painting - with the dog starring as the soup can, of course.

Dog sent to daycare to make friends – but surveillance camera shows hilarious reality!
Dogs Dog sent to daycare to make friends – but surveillance camera shows hilarious reality!

Two stages of competition saw winners in over 10 categories such as Best NYC-Themed Costume (a pooch dressed as a roach with its parents as a rat and pigeon naturally snagged the title), Best Celebrity-Themed Costume (won by Lady Gaga and her infamous meat dress), and political lewks vying for Best Current Event Costume (Tucker Carlson's take on Disney's new live-action The Little Mermaid took the cake).

Yet, Best in Show is still up for debate, as animal lovers can vote online for who should be crowned from now until October 30.

Check out the in-person winners and some of our favorites below:

This pup went as Kim Kardashian in her Balenciaga tape dress from Paris Fashion Week in March.
This pup went as Kim Kardashian in her Balenciaga tape dress from Paris Fashion Week in March.  © TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
Forget Prince Charles, this pup was the next hopeful in line after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
Forget Prince Charles, this pup was the next hopeful in line after the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.  © TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
A Bichon dressed as a bodega cat, named Mimi, won a Judges Pick honor in a group costume with owners Kat Liu and Kevin Condardo.
A Bichon dressed as a bodega cat, named Mimi, won a Judges Pick honor in a group costume with owners Kat Liu and Kevin Condardo.  © REUTERS
This costume of a T-Rex chasing Jeff Goldblum from the movie Jurassic Park won Best Scariest Theme.
This costume of a T-Rex chasing Jeff Goldblum from the movie Jurassic Park won Best Scariest Theme.  © TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP
This local express train was the winner in the Best On Wheels category.
This local express train was the winner in the Best On Wheels category.  © TIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP

Fans' ultimate favorite will be announced from online voting as Halloween Day rolls in!

Cover photo: Collage: REUTERS

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