Chrissy Teigen and John Legend Lead Hundreds of Costumed Canines for N.Y.C.’s Famous Halloween Dog Parade
From Left: John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, and Fern Watt at the 36th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in New York City on Oct. 17, 2026.Credit: Courtesy of New York Dog Parade
Chrissy Teigen and John Legend took part in one of New York City’s most iconic canine events.
On Oct. 17, the couple helped host the 36th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, presented by the nonprofit New York Dog Parade and Kismet, Teigen and Legend’s pet food brand.Legend, 47, and Teigen, 40, led the parade of Halloween-ready pooches through N.Y.C.’s East Village alongside Fern Watt. In 2025, Watt, an author and canine columnist, founded New York Dog Parade to keep the Halloween Dog Parade going when it was at risk of ending for good.
While the celebrity couple is based in California —in a home they share with their 4 children and 4 dogs — the grounds of the Halloween Dog Parade are fondly familiar.
“We lived in the East Village, and I remember Tompkins Square Park being the first place that we ever brought our first dog, Puddy,” Teigen tells PEOPLE of the early days of her relationship with Legend, whom she married in 2013.
From left: John Legend, Fern Watt and Chrissy Teigen with a dog dressed at the house from the Pixar movie “Up” on Oct. 17, 2026Credit: Courtesy of New York Dog Parade
“I remember first moving out here and living with John and walking him to Tompkins Square Park. I just remember being so mesmerized,” she adds.
Legend notes that their late English bulldog, Puddy — whom Teigen calls her “soul dog” —inspired them to start Kismet.
“He was our first dog together in 2008, and we decided that this company would be built around that kind of love and building community. We love doing events like this parade, and just finding ways to bring people together around the love of their dogs. It’s so much fun. It’s like family,” the “All of Me” singer shares.
Dog dressed as chewing gum with their owner at the 36th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in N.Y.C. on Oct. 17, 2026Credit: Courtesy of New York Dog Parade
Ahead of the parade, the couple said they hoped to see some “ripped from the headline” costumes on the dogs this year, including at least “40 to 50” dogs dressed as Molly, the mechanical bird at the heart of the feud between Kelly Clarkson and Brooklyn store Art of Play.
A dog dressed as a New York City trash can at the 36th Topkins Square Halloween Dog Parade on Oct. 17, 2026Credit: Courtesy of New York Dog Parade
Teigen and Legend came to the parade in their own newsworthy couple’s costume: Legend dressed as Daejon Love, a man accused of pretending to be a San Francisco 49ers player and defrauding dozens of women, and Teigen as his phony coach.
Snickers, the dog who won the Best Canine Costume prize at the 36th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade in New York City on Oct. 17, 2026Credit: Courtesy of New York Dog Parade
Kwame Stewart, Kismet’s chief veterinary officer, served as one of the judges for the costume contest portion of the Halloween Dog Parade.
— sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
“I crossed the coast just for this,” Stewart, the veterinarian behind the Street Vet Project, said of the role. “It’s every bit worth it.”
Fern Watt (left) with Snickers the dog and their owner at the 36th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade on Oct. 17, 2026Credit: Courtesy of New York Dog Parade
While plenty of pups wore phenomenal costumes, only one could win the title of Best in Canine Costume. Snickers, a black-and-white pup, won the honor for his Jalen Brunson attire. For the win, Snickers received a giant prize ribbon signed by Legend and Teigen and a one-year supply of Kismet dog food, treats, and functional toppers.
Source: Entertainment