A Complete Guide to Parades in New York City
They are popular, free, and always colorful: parades in New York! Here is an overview of the most important parades in New York. If you are in New York and have the chance to experience one of them live, then you should take the chance. Parades are an essential part of New York events and are extremely popular!
By the way: although the national holiday 4th of July is always celebrated in a big way and there are also huge fireworks in New York, surprisingly there is no 4th of July parade!
What parades are there in New York?
Throughout the year there are important and great parades in New York. The most important parades are:
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade
- Easter Parade
- New York Gay Parade
- Labor Day Parade
- The Feast of San Gennaro
- German American Steuben Parade
- Village Halloween Parade
- Veteran’s Day Parade
- Memorial Day Parade
- Columbus Day Parade
All Parades in New York in Detail
-
01
Chinese New Year Parade (February 25, 2024)
Parade in Chinatown
Usually, locals and tourists alike will (obviously) flock to New York City’s Chinatown to celebrate the Lunar New Year. A huge Chinese New Year Parade takes place there every year. The official name of the event is called the Lunar New Year and Festival.
The parade will down Mott and Canal Street. It will then make its way down East Broadway and head towards Manhattan Bridge, and it will ultimately end at Sara D. Roosevelt Park. During the parade, there will also be smaller activities going on in Chinatown NYC. It will have all sorts of street vendors and festivities.
-
02
St. Patrick’s Day Parade (March 16, 2024)
Parade in Midtown Manhattan
The famous St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which is one of the oldest, attracts around 700,000 people annually who want to be part of the spectacle. The parade takes place either directly on March 17th or – if it is a weekday – on the closest weekend. The destination of the parade is the St. Patrick Cathedral. At 11 a.m. on the dot, the parade starts moving north at 44th Street/corner of 5th Avenue.
-
03
Easter Parade & Bonnet Festival (March 31, 2024)
Other Events in Midtown Manhattan
New York City is adorned with around 300 brightly painted XL Easter eggs. The famous Easter eggs can be seen everywhere in the city centre and are also a popular photo motif. The annual Easter Parade, the Easter Parade & Bonnet Festival, moves from 49th to 57th Street.
New Yorkers meet and walk along Fifth Avenue towards Central Park. The start is at 10:00 am in the morning, ending at 4 PM. A very popular place to watch the parade is St. Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. Look out for all the ravishing hats and make sure you look your best!
-
04
National Tartan Day Parade (April 6, 2024)
Parade in Midtown Manhattan
National Tartan Day celebrates the friendship between the USA and Scotland. This is officially on April 6 and, like St. Patrick’s Day, has a National Tartan Day Parade, which is the highlight for many. It is always held on the Saturday closest to April 6. In 2024, Tartan Day will be held for the 26th time, heralding Tartan Week.
The famous National Tartan Day Parade will be held on Saturday, 6th April, 2024.
-
05
Cinco De Mayo Parade (May 5, 2024)
Other Events in Bronx
What St. Patrick’s Day is to the Irish, Cinco De Mayo is to the Mexicans. El Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for “May 5”) is a commemoration of the victory of the Mexican army led by General Ignacio Zaragoza during the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862 against the clearly superior French Expeditionary Force.
In New York, that means one thing above all: tequila, margaritas and a lot of partying with the locals. Both in the countless Mexican restaurants and bars in New York is celebrated big, but also during the Cinco De Mayo Parade in Manhattan, which stretches from Central Park West 106th Street to 96th Street.
-
06
Join the Japan Parade on Japan Day on May 11, 2024
Other Events in Upper West Side
Every year, in New York, Japan Day is celebrated. Japan Day is a cultural festival that is one of the many highlights in spring. The event takes place in Central Park on the Rumsey Playfield and offers everything from Hello Kitty Mascots to workshops on Origami folding techniques and performances by Japanese musicians and dancers. Sounds like the perfect Sunday, right?
From 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm there will be the Japan Parade, starting at 81st Street heading south towards 68th Street along Central Park.
-
07
New York Dance Parade (May 18, 2024)
Parade in Flatiron District
The New York Dance Parade will be held for the 18th time in 2024 and will feature more than 10,000 dancers performing a variety of dance styles. The parade starts on Broadway at the corner of 21st Street not far from the Flatiron Building in Madison Square Park and takes you towards Union Square and University Place, then turns off at the height of 8th Street. The end of the parade is Tompkins Square Park in the East Village.
A very special point is the so-called “Grandstand” at 4th Avenue and 8th Street. Here, each group has exactly 40 seconds to showcase their dance skills and style.
If you are looking for a parade that is perfect for families with children, the New York Dance Parade is a must!
-
08
Memorial Day Parade (May 27, 2024)
Parade in Flushing
The parades take place – on the last Monday in May – in all five boroughs, with the Little Neck Douglaston Parade in Queens not only being the largest in New York, but also the largest nationwide. Little Neck is the start and Douglaston the finish of the parade. In Manhattan there is surprisingly only a small Memorial Day Parade. It starts at Dyckman Street and Broadway in Inwood, the most northern district of Manhattan.
-
09
National Puerto Rican Day Parade (June 9, 2024)
Parade in Midtown Manhattan
The Puerto Rican Day Parade has been held annually since 1959 on Fifth Avenue in the Manhattan district. The parade is held on the second Sunday in June in honor of almost four million Puerto Rican citizens and all people of Puerto Rican descent living on the US mainland.
There will be a lot of dancing and celebrating everywhere. Even if you’re watching the parade, the event will surely have you dancing as well. It’s really worth seeing the parade and is definitely a summer highlight.
-
10
Coney Island Mermaid Parade (June 15, 2024)
Parade in Coney Island & Brighton Beach
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade is one of the craziest events in New York. Every year thousands of dressed up people make the pilgrimage to Coney Island’s Surf Avenue. Pirates, squids, sailors, mermaids, paired with music and many floats, seem like a mixture of Christopher Street Day and Cologne Carnival.
Start: West 21st Street and Surf Avenue!
-
11
New York City Pride Parade (June 30, 2024)
Parade in Greenwich Village
The New York Gay Pride is one of the oldest parades for gays from all over the world. The beautiful Greenwich Village has been hosting it every year since 1970. Especially Christopher Street is colorfully decorated and you can find the famous rainbow flags everywhere. Also the global company Google decorates its outer facade at this time and shows tolerance. The parade taking place at the end of June is one of the biggest parades in New York. It leads along 5th Avenue to Greenwich Street.
-
12
Dominican Day Parade (August 11, 2024)
Parade in Midtown ManhattanAnother great parade in summer is the Dominican Day Parade, which takes place every 2nd Sunday in August. This parade has been around since 1982 in New York, which starts at the Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) level of 38th Street and continues north to 52nd Street.
-
13
Labor Day Parade (September 2, 2024)
Parade in Crown Heights
The Labor Day Parade (also known as West Indian Day Parade and Caribbean American Parade) is the most colorful event in NYC. Every year, between 2 and 3 million people are expected to celebrate Caribbean culture.
At the same time, the West Indian Day Parade has a long history: in fact, in 2024 it will be held for the 54th time. The parade starts in Crown Heights in Brooklyn, not far from Park Slope. Get ready for a lot of happy and colorfully decorated people – good mood is guaranteed!
-
14
Annual German-American Steuben Parade (September 21, 2024)
Parade in Upper East Side
The Annual German-American Steuben Parade attracts up to one million people and is therefore also one of the biggest parades in New York. Always in mid-September, New York is firmly in the hands of Germans or New Yorkers with German roots
-
15
Panamanian Day Parade (October 12, 2024)
Parade in Prospect HeightsFor the largest parade featuring Panamanian culture outside of Panama, make sure to catch the 27th annual Panamanian Day Parade. This yearly celebration highlights leaders, educators, artists, and celebrities from Panama. In addition to their Saturday showcase, they’ll be participating in the Hispanic Day Parade, too!
When: Saturday, October 8th, 2022 at 12pm
-
16
Columbus Day Parade (October 14, 2024)
Parade in Midtown ManhattanThe Columbus Day Parade in NYC is a vibrant celebration of Italian-American heritage and culture. Held annually on the second Monday in October, the parade features colorful floats, marching bands, and cultural performances that pay tribute to Christopher Columbus and the contributions of Italian-Americans to the United States.
Spectators line the streets along Fifth Avenue to enjoy the festive procession, which often includes dignitaries, local community groups, and a sense of unity and pride within the Italian-American community. It’s a lively and joyful event that highlights the rich history and enduring traditions of Italian heritage in New York City.
-
17
Village Halloween Parade (October 31, 2024)
Parade in West Village
You are in the mood for a Halloween party, but don’t want to pay admission? Then dress up and join the Village Halloween Parade. This is really typical American: Halloween is celebrated on October 31st and of course a parade is a must! The Village Halloween Parade starts in SoHo West (Spring Street, 6th Avenue) just in time for darkness (7 p.m.) and ends at 11 p.m.
-
18
Veterans Day Parade (November 11, 2024)
Parade in Midtown Manhattan
The Veterans Day Parade is traditionally held on November 11th. The day commemorates the fallen soldiers in the wars and is an official holiday in the USA. The parade starts at Madison Square Park/5th Avenue and the finish line is 59th Street at Central Park.
-
19
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (November 28, 2024)
Parade in Upper West Side
The Thanksgiving Day Parade is probably the most famous parade in the world and looks back on a long tradition: It has been around since 1924 and every year more than 3.5 million people come to see it. The route begins west of Central Park at 77th Street and passes Columbus Circle, where you have a great view of the parade. If the parade turns onto 6th Avenue, the best view is from 59th to 38th Street.
FAQ
Are the parades in New York free of charge?
Yes, all parades are free of charge.
When is the Dominican Day Parade in New York?
The Dominican Parade is an annual event that takes place every 2nd Sunday in August. These are the next dates:
- Dominican Day Parade 2024: August 11
When is the Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York?
The Thanksgiving Day Parade is among the most famous parades in New York City, always held on the last Thursday in November. These are the next dates:
- Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024: November 28
Is there a Christmas Parade in New York?
Unfortunately, there is no parade at Christmas time in New York. However, there is so much to see and do, so you won’t get bored. You can find out more in our article about Christmas in New York.
When is the Halloween Parade in New York?
The Halloween Parade takes place every year on October 31, just in time for Halloween.
When is the Pride Parade in New York?
The New York Pride Parade is held in the wonderful month of June, usually in the last two weeks.
- The Pride Parade 2024: June 30
When is the Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York?
The Puerto Rican Day Parade is always held on the 2nd Sunday in June, so it varies from year to year. These are the next dates:
- Puerto Rican Day Parade 2024: June 9
What is the biggest parade in New York?
The biggest parade in New York is by far the Thanksgiving Day Parade in November, attracting more than 3.5 million visitors. There is an exciting neck-and-neck race for the other places:
- Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: 3.5 million visitors
- New York Gay Pride Parade: 2.1 million visitors
- St. Patrick’s Day Parade: 2 million visitors
- Labor Day Parade: 2 million visitors
- Village Halloween Parade: 2 million visitors
You'll love this:
