The Hoboken Girl Team 
Spooky season is one of the best times of the year here in the Mile Square, and it shows with all of the amazing Halloween displays residents put out (we’ve rounded up our top 10 favorites so far here for easy browsing). Aside from the top-tier Halloween decor is a lineup of fun events, including Hoboken’s annual Ragamuffin Parade. This year, the parade will kick off on Washington Street at 4:30PM on Friday, October 31st. Read on for more about the history behind the Ragamuffin Parade and this year’s event details in Hoboken.
About the Parade
The Ragamuffin Parade tradition dates back to the late 1870s when it was a part of Thanksgiving celebrations.
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History differs, but the two common stories are that children would wear either costumes or their parents’ (of course, oversized) clothes, giving them the appearance of ragamuffins. Another version is that it was an opportunity for poor children to go begging door-to-door for money or leftover food after Thanksgiving.
After the Depression, it became part of Halloween celebrations. While the parade itself has its roots in New York City, it has spread to mainly the outer boroughs. The parades take place in many other cities around the NYC area, but the Hoboken version is one of the best-known. It has been going on since 1963 and will return this year with a bang.
The 2025 Hoboken Ragamuffin Parade
The 2025 Ragamuffin Parade will be held on Friday, October 31st on upper Washington Street, per Patch Hoboken. The parade will officially step off at 4:30PM. The parade will feature local live music, floats, and many awesome costumes.
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This post will be updated with any other details as they are announced.
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