No Pants Subway Ride 2017: How To Join And Where To Meet In New York, Los Angeles And Other Cities

Hundreds of people on New York City trains plan to strip down to their knickers for the 16th annual No Pants Subway Ride Sunday. The event, which was first created by Improve Everywhere members in 2002, started out as a short improv clip and has evolved into an international spectacle with cities like Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles and Montreal participating in the annual affair that requires passengers to randomly ride the subway wearing all their winter gear except for pants.

What makes the event even more interesting, is that participants are supposed to act as if nothing is out of the ordinary if someone asks why they’re not wearing any pants, or respond to questions with, “I forgot them.” Riders are also supposed to pretend as if they don’t know one another (although groups will officially meet before the event starts) and act as though they don’t notice other pants-less riders.

Subway riders don’t have to RSVP to participate, but it is encouraged for people to register on official No Pants Subway Ride Facebook accounts in participating cities to find out more about meeting spots, names of group leaders, schedule changes and a list of bars and after parties.

Read on to find out how to participate in this year’s No Pants Subway Ride in various cities.

New York City: The event will kick off at 3 p.m at seven train stations in areas of Brooklyn, Queens and Manhattan. Before getting on trains, participants will be organized into groups and assigned to specific train cars. The ride will end at Union Square with a no-pants after party immediately following at Bar 13. To find out which train station at which to meet, check HERE.

Los Angeles: For the ninth year in a row, Californians can participate in the No Pants Subway Ride, which will kick off at Union Station in downtown Los Angeles at 1 p.m. Riders need to bring $7 for a Metro Day Pass on their TAP card, or $8 to purchase a new TAP card and Day Pass. Captains will be waiting for participants at two meeting points within the train station, during which riders are expected to remove their pants. Six groups will be led by agents at Union Station at different times headed to downtown Santa Monica. Groups will be broken up by last names. To find specific group leaders and departing times, check HERE. Following the event's conclusion, riders will gather at Tongva Park where there will be a short debriefing with information on after-party locations.

Chicago: The event will travel down Chicago’s Red Line, starting at the Loyola Station at noon. Riders will meet before the event right outside of the Loyola Station at 1210 W. Arthur, during which routes and teams will be explained. Those participating in the No Pants Subway Ride will need to purchase a transit card beforehand as time will not be allotted for purchases when groups start their journey. The ride will wrap in the Loop at 3 p.m.

Boston: Participants need to arrive at Pemberton Square on Sunday where information regarding train routes, teams and the ending location will be explained. Following the ride’s end at 3:30 p.m., group organizers will throw a big No Pants Subway Ride bash at Flat Top Johnny’s at 1 Kendall Square in Cambridge.

Montreal: The fun will start at Mont-Royal station at 2:30 p.m. Guides will deliver route instructions minutes before the event along with details on where groups will be meeting for drinks following the event.