New Haven Goes for Pizza Costume Party World Record

New Haven proved it could throw the world's biggest pizza party, and now the city wants to prove it can throw the world's biggest pizza costume party too.

Last September, 4,525 people gathered on the New Haven Green to shatter the Guinness World Record for the largest pizza party. This year, the city nicknamed the "Pizza Capital of the United States" is raising the stakes with an entirely new record attempt.

On Friday, September 25, up to 5,000 people are invited to dress as pizza and make history. The event is part of the 11th Annual New Haven Grand Prix and A-1 Toyota Apizza Feast, combining world record ambitions with a twilight bicycle race and pizza festival.

Participants need to arrive at the New Haven Green by 6 p.m. and stay until 7 p.m. to count toward the official record. Everyone gets a commemorative pizza costume to keep, and tickets cost $25 for adults and $20 for children.

The Ripple Effect

This quirky celebration does more than just make people smile. A portion of all ticket sales will benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater New Haven, turning a fun community event into support for local youth programs.

The record attempt happens alongside a full pizza festival featuring 70 pizza makers, craft vendors, live entertainment, and a family fun zone. Professional and amateur cyclists will race around the New Haven Green while thousands of pizza-costumed spectators cheer them on.

The record announcement will be made at 7:30 p.m., revealing whether New Haven successfully claimed another spot in the Guinness World Records book.

From breaking records to bringing people together over their favorite food, New Haven is proving that community spirit and a love of pizza can create something truly special.