The Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2024 – The Complete Guide

Summer is here, and with it comes New York’s most beautiful, creative, and extravagant celebration of the season: the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. Created by Coney Island USA, a non-profit creative arts organization, this parade features thousands of New York city residents (and plenty of visitors!) dressed up in wild costumes as mermaids, mermen, pirates, and other fantastical creatures.

Featuring everything from expressive individual outfits to creative floats and antique cars, this longstanding summer tradition was back in 2022 after two years of COVID-related delays and cancellations. With it comes the honor of bestowing the awards of King Neptune and Queen Mermaid. Will you be there to see the momentous occasion?

What Is The Coney Island Mermaid Parade?

Launched in 1983, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade is the largest art parade in the US. Instead of being based on a religious or ethnic celebration, it is instead a “celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside.”

Each year, over 3,000 creative individuals craft their costumes and participate in the Coney Island Mermaid Parade that hundreds of thousands come to watch.

When Is The Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2024?

The 42nd Annual Coney Island Mermaid Parade will happen around June 15th, 2024 (usually on a Saturday). It takes place starting at 1pm. For those looking to keep celebrating after the parade, the official party is at the Coney Island Brewery from 5pm-10pm.

Where To Celebrate the Coney Island Mermaid Parade

The Coney Island Mermaid Parade takes place on Surf Avenue in Coney Island. To arrive at Coney Island, public transportation is encouraged. Try subway lines D, F, N or Q to Stillwell Avenue.

To catch all the glitter and glitz of these stunning costumes, it’s helpful to check out the route map beforehand and plan your position well:

• The Coney Island Mermaid Parade starts at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue
• The Coney Island Mermaid Parades heads east to West 10th Street
• At West 10th Street, the Parade goes south towards the boardwalk
• Cars and Motorized Floats go down Surf Ave. passing W. 10th Street and then exiting
• At the Boardwalk, marchers and push-pull floats turn west and head towards West 17th St.
• At Steeplechase Plaza, the Parade ends

From there – and after all the participants have been reviewed – it’s time to head to the beach for the official Beach Ceremon and the launch of the summer swimming season at Coney Island!