What began as a playful social experiment with just seven participants has grown into an international celebration. The idea is simple: participants board subway trains without wearing pants while acting completely nonchalant. The result? Amused (and sometimes confused) onlookers, and plenty of laughter. The No Pants Subway Ride has expanded far beyond its New York City origins. Cities like London, Berlin, Toronto, Tokyo, and Sydney have embraced the tradition. Each city’s event takes on its own flavor, reflecting local culture and customs.
The “No Trousers Tube Ride” is an annual event where people ride the London Underground without trousers, inspired by a similar event in New York . Participants are instructed to act as if they’ve simply forgotten their pants, maintaining a nonchalant demeanor while traveling in their underwear. The goal is to create a moment of “harmless fun” and amusement for both participants and the public, not to be provocative. The most recent event was held on January 12, 2025. Key details about the event Origin: It started in New York in 2002 and came to London in 2009. Purpose: To create a moment of “unexpected joy, delight, and confusion” and provide harmless fun. Rules: Participants are asked to dress in normal underwear, not see-through or overly provocative styles. The point is to act as “blasé” as possible, like you’ve simply forgotten your trousers.
