76th Annual York Halloween Parade to Bring “Nightmare on Market Street” to Life

(September 30, 2026 – York, Pa.):  The countdown to Halloween is underway, and registration is open for the 76th Annual York Halloween Parade, presented by Glo Fiber. This year’s celebration will put a spooky spin on one of York’s longest-running traditions with the theme “Nightmare on Market Street.” Commercial businesses, non-profit organizations, high school bands, baton groups, dance studios, individuals, small groups, and more are all invited to participate by registering at www.yorkhalloweenparade.com.

The parade will step off Sunday, October 25 at 2 p.m. from the York Fairgrounds and travel east along Market Street from Richland Avenue to Broad Street.

Organizers also announced that leading this year’s parade as Grand Marshal will be JT Hand, the President and Chief Executive Officer of York Water Company, which is celebrating its 210th anniversary this year. With more than two centuries of history serving the York community, York Water Company will bring that longstanding connection to this year’s Halloween celebration as Hand leads the parade down Market Street.

“The York Halloween Parade is such an iconic community celebration. I am thrilled to lead a bevy of witches, gaggle of goblins, and assorted creatures of the dark for this year’s Nightmare on Market Street,” said Hand.  “I hope the entire York community comes downtown in their fantastical finery.”

Hand has served as President and CEO of The York Water Company since 2020, after previously serving as the company’s Chief Operating Officer for 12 years. Before joining York Water, he spent 22 years on active duty in the U.S. Army, finishing in his role as Deputy Commander and Deputy District Engineer for the Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. A graduate of the University of Vermont and York College of Pennsylvania, Hand is also an active member in the York community serving on several non-profit boards.

This year’s “Nightmare on Market Street” theme invites participants to turn Market Street into a Halloween spectacle. From classic monsters and creepy characters to haunted scenes, imaginative costumes and creative floats, parade entries are encouraged to embrace the spooky side of York and bring their own nightmare to life.

This year marks the continued expansion of the cash prizes for non-profits, thanks to the support of the Arthur J. & Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation. Through its partnership, non-profit entries will be eligible for prizes of $1,500, $1,000, and $750 plus three honorable mention awards of $250 each. Determined by a local judge, the cash prizes will be awarded based on entries’ creativity in interpreting the parade’s “Nightmare on Market Street” theme.

In addition, all participating school bands will receive a $1,000 stipend, also courtesy of the Arthur J. & Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation.

“We are incredibly grateful to the Arthur J. & Lee R. Glatfelter Foundation for its continued support of the York Halloween Parade and its commitment to our area schools and non-profit organizations,” said York Revolution President and General Manager Ben Shipley. “These prizes help encourage more organizations to participate, making an already special community event even more exciting. They also give local non-profits a platform to showcase who they are and the work they do in our community.”

For more information, and to register visit www.yorkhalloweenparade.com.