New York City Halloween Parade 2015: Best Costumes, Moments From Greenwich Village Tradition [PHOTOS]

Thousands of spectators celebrated with ghoulish costumes and good cheer at New York City's 42nd Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village Saturday. First started in 1973 with one puppeteer and his family, the annual holiday tradition has grown into a vast televised spectacle with ornate costumes and Halloween classics. In case you missed it, check out some of the highlights from this year's parade.

Many classic Halloween characters were present, from witches to ever-popular superheroes. Batman, Wonder Woman and Harley Quinn from the upcoming "Suicide Squad" movie could all be spotted at the parade. Harley Quinn topped lists for one of the most popular costumes in the U.S. this year, according to data from Google search hits.

Characters from creepy cinema master Tim Burton's films were also a popular choice at the parade. The title characters from Burton's "The Corpse Bride" (2005) and "Edward Scissorhands" (1990) both made appearances in Greenwich Village Saturday. Known for his passion for undead romance and his dark aesthetic, Tim Burton has long shaped Halloween cinema around the world.

Other parade-goers sported costumes from more recent scary television shows and movies. One person appeared to be dressed as the evil ax-murdering clown from FX's terrifying drama "American Horror Story: Freak Show." The ensemble show takes on a new storyline and setting each season, with the current season taking place in a haunted hotel.

Political costumes abounded, with many people taking inspiration from a tight 2016 presidential election. Other paradegoers went farther back in history for their costumes, with zombie suffragettes carrying posters demanding dead women's right to vote.

"It's our Mardi Gras," image consultant and Halloween aficionado Catherine Schuller told Agence France-Presse, adding "It's the ultimate creative expression, and this is what we do best."