Halloween events — whether it’s a costume party, ghost tour, or just trick-or-treating — are the highlight of the spooky season. But if you want to double the fun, consider attending a Halloween parade where the streets come alive with werewolves on unicycles, dancing mummies, and witches in some of the most outrageously creative costumes.
And let’s not forget the food trucks offering seasonal treats like caramel apples, Frankenstein cupcakes, and pumpkin spice everything! Plus, many parades have special accessible viewing areas, so you can comfortably watch these wickedly wonderful performances.
Featured Wheelchair-friendly Halloween Parades
Below are some of the most wheelchair-friendly and accessible Halloween parades happening in major U.S. cities:
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval (West Hollywood, CA)
This year, the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval is happening on 31st October at Santa Monica Boulevard. At this event, you’ll find over half a million people flooding the streets in costumes ranging from the hilariously creative to the shockingly spooky.
Live DJ performances will keep the energy high, and who knows — you might find yourself in a dance-off with Dracula himself! The boulevard features smooth pavement and plenty of spots to park your vehicle to enjoy the parade.
The City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Station have set up some crucial guidelines to ensure everyone has a safe time. This includes no public drinking, weapons, drones, or fireworks. If anything suspicious is spotted, carnival-goers are encouraged to report it.
New York Village Halloween Parade (New York City, NY)
New York City never sleeps and, apparently, never stops partying! As the clock strikes 7 p.m., Canal Street transforms into a surreal Halloween wonderland. This spooky fest has been haunting the village for nearly five decades, inviting goblins, witches, and pop-culture icons from every dark corner of the city.
This year’s Halloween theme is MEOW, so expect to see a lot of feline-themed costumes and decorations. The parade features some of the best bands in the Big Apple, with music that will have you grooving all night. If you stick around for longer, you can attend the Halloween Parade Afterparty at Webster Hall.
With accessible subway stations nearby and flat parade routes, you can easily enjoy the parade from your mobility device. Although New York City is quite accessible, there will be thousands of people on the streets, so you might consider buying tickets to avoid any hassle and secure a good spot.
Anoka Light Up the Night Halloween Parade (Anoka, MN)
Starting at 7 p.m. sharp on 19th October, the Anoka Light Up the Night Parade features colorfully lit floats, including neon broomsticks, glowing ghosts, and jack-o’-lanterns. When the parade ends, the excitement continues at City Hall with the annual bonfire while food trucks serve up delectable treats. Don’t forget to stop by the Anoka Halloween Merchandise Tent to buy some spooky yet cute souvenirs.
When it comes to accessibility, this parade has it all planned out with accessible viewing areas. Handicapped parking spots are conveniently located at 2nd Ave and Jackson, 5th Avenue/Van Buren, and 1st Ave/Monroe. Even better, port-a-potties are placed every few blocks along the parade route to keep everyone comfortable.
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Little Five Points Halloween Parade (Atlanta, GA)
If the late-night scares are too much for you, the Little Five Points Halloween Parade will give you all the Halloween feels without the nightmares. Happening on October 20th, this wheelchair-accessible Halloween parade starts at 2 pm and lasts for two hours. You’ll see scare actors in outrageous costumes, over-the-top floats, and Halloween-themed marching bands that’ll have you tapping your toes.
Besides the parade, there will be live music, surprise pop-up spooky characters, wrestling matches that’ll have you laughing and cheering, skate ramps for some awesome stunts, pumpkin smashing that’s messy yet entertaining, Halloweenville created by the legendary Shane Morton, and a Halloween photo walk to capture all those eerie memories.
Little Five Points’ bars and restaurants will also set up food and drink tents with spooky snacks and brews to keep the energy high. The intersection of Moreland and Euclid avenues gets quite crowded, so arrive early to secure a good viewing spot.
Krewe of Boo! Halloween Parade (New Orleans, LA)
The Krewe of Boo! Halloween Parade is one of the most anticipated events of the year featuring over 450 riders, 15 floats, and 35 marching bands and dance krewes. This epic parade will start at 6:30 p.m. on October 19th, taking you from the iconic French Quarter to the vibrant Warehouse District.
Along the way, you’ll see werewolves, ghosts, vampires, zombies, voodoo queens, and even gigantic skeletons waving at you. They’re usually friendly but steer clear if they offer any “magic potions”; it could be a secret brew! Post-parade, the streets come alive with even more music, food, and spooky festivities. Don’t forget to bring a bag to catch all the beads and candy tossed your way.
It’s important to mention that some sidewalks in the French Quarter might be broken or sloped, so bring an all-terrain wheelchair for easy navigation.
Planning Tips for Attending Wheelchair-accessible Halloween Events
Keep the following tips in mind while attending any Halloween event:
- Contact the event organizers well in advance to inquire about accessibility features. Ask about things like wheelchair-friendly ramps, accessible restrooms, and designated viewing areas.
- Check if the event offers handicapped parking close to the entrance. If you’re not sure, Google Maps can be your best friend. A good parking spot means less time traveling through spooky streets and more time enjoying the event!
- Once there, familiarize yourself with the layout, including accessible exits and rest areas. In case you need a quick escape from a zombie horde or a much-needed bathroom break, you’ll be glad you did.
- Load up a backpack with essentials like snacks, water, medicines, and an emergency repair kit for your wheelchair. A mini flashlight can also be a lifesaver in dimly lit areas while adding to the spooky ambiance!
- Halloween without creepy costumes can be pretty boring, but make sure to wear something that doesn’t restrict your movement or affect comfort.
- While the U.S. has an amazing public transportation system, it might be challenging to navigate crowded buses or subways during busy events. To avoid any hassle, rent a wheelchair-accessible van from Wheelchair Getaways. These vans feature lowered floors, easy roll-in access, removable seats, a one-touch control system, and secure locking systems, so you can enjoy a smooth ride to and from the festivities!
With availability in more than 200 locations across the U.S., you can easily book your wheelchair-accessible van in no time. Unlike other companies, we have a flexible rental policy, which means you can customize your rental period to fit your schedule, whether it’s for a few hours or a couple of days. For more information, feel free to contact us at (866) 224-1750 or fill out this form to book a wheelchair-accessible van.