Halloween may be different this year, but it can still be fun! For the past few years NYPL has invited New Yorkers, decked out in their best literary costumes, to join us at the Library for a rollicking good time at a Library After Hours Halloween Masquerade. Since we can't gather with you in person this year, we decided to throw a virtual costume parade instead! 

UPDATE: Hop below to watch Tim Gunn shout out his favorite costumes submitted this year!

#NYPLHalloween: How can you participate?

It's easy. Get inspired by a book, a character, a poem, or an author to create a literary-themed costume. Take a video or photo of yourself in costume and post it to social media with the hashtag #NYPLHalloween between now and October 28. You're now part of the parade!

[Please note: By using the #NYPLHalloween hashtag, you’re allowing the Library to reshare and use your photo.]

Dont' forget to browse the hashtag to see everyone else's creativity on display:

#NYPLHalloween on Instagram

#NYPLHalloween on Twitter

#NYPLHalloween on Facebook
 

Not on social media? Email your photo to nyplhalloween@nypl.org with your name, photo, and literary inspiration.

Fashion luminary and friend of NYPL, Tim Gunn (TIM GUNN, EVERYBODY!) will be reviewing the photos and videos and we'll be sharing highlights (and his shout outs!) on our social media. Join us on Friday, October 30th to see his reaction to your book looks—if they've made the cut—along with his favorites. Plus, tune in to our Instagram story to check out our virtual parade and see if you can spot your costume.

Watch Tim's video below to get you into the spooky spirit of things!

UPDATE: Watch Tim's follow-up video highlighting his favorite costumes below:

Here are a few costumes we've already received and some from past Halloween Masquerades at the Library to get your creative juices flowing:

 

 

 

 

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Dressed as Wendy from Peter Pan in Cotton Lane victorian nightgown. #nyplhalloween

A post shared by Cynthia Alise Mock (@cynthiaalise) on Oct 28, 2020 at 9:08am PDT

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“A wise bear always keeps a marmalade sandwich in his hat in case of emergency.” - Paddington Bear #nyplhalloween #catsofinstagram #halloween2020 #paddingtonbear #catsincostumes

A post shared by Marnye Hall (@catsandcaffeine) on Oct 27, 2020 at 5:36pm PDT

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Do you have your #BookLook ready for NYPL’s virtual halloween parade? Share your book-inspired Halloween costume with the hashtag #NYPLHalloween! Fashion luminary and friend of @nypl, @timgunn will be reviewing the photos and videos to share highlights on NYPL’s social media. Visit tinyurl.com/nyplhalloween to get into the spooky spirit! We hope your costumes are better than our historically inaccurate Frankenstein pose in this #BookfaceFriday.

A post shared by SNFL, NYPL (@nyplsnfl) on Oct 23, 2020 at 11:46am PDT