From St. Patrick’s Day to Thanksgiving, Everyone Loves a Parade
New York City is renowned for its vibrant parades throughout the year. Although many of these festivities can be enjoyed on TV, experiencing them in person offers a unique thrill. Below is a curated list of the best parades in NYC that you shouldn’t miss.
01. St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is unique as it features no vehicles, floats, or balloons. However, it is often celebrated as New York City’s largest and most popular. Annually, over 150,000 participants march while nearly 2 million spectators gather along the route.
- Date: March 17
- Location: Fifth Avenue from 44th to 79th streets
02. NYC Thanksgiving Day Parade
Arguably the most famous parade in NYC, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade offers an incredible atmosphere filled with giant balloons, exciting marching bands, and celebrity-studded floats. This event creates an unforgettable experience that epitomizes the spirit of New York City during the holidays.
- Date: Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
- Route: Starts at 77th Street and Central Park West; ends at Seventh Avenue and 34th Street
03. Lunar New Year Parade
The Lunar New Year Parade showcases a spectacular array of cultural expressions such as colorful floats, lion and dragon dances, and Asian musicians. Moreover, over 5,000 participants join the celebration in New York City’s Lunar New Year Parade.
- Date: Sunday after Chinese New Year
- Location: Throughout Chinatown along Mott, Canal, and Bayard streets and East Broadway.
04. Village Halloween Parade
New York City’s only nighttime parade, the Village Halloween Parade, has delighted audiences since 1973. This unique parade features costumed marchers, live bands, floats, and even life-sized puppets. Participants are encouraged to don costumes and join in the lively festivities.
- Date: Oct. 31
- Location: Sixth Avenue from Spring Street to 23rd Street
05. NYC Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival
More casual than most NYC parades, the Annual Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival resembles a street festival where people wearing elaborate Easter bonnets stroll along a designated stretch of Fifth Avenue.
- Date: Easter Sunday
- Location: Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Street
06. Puerto Rican Day Parade
The Puerto Rican Day Parade proudly honors the 4 million residents of Puerto Rico and the 4 million individuals in the United States of Puerto Rican heritage.
- Date: Second Sunday in June
- Location: Fifth Avenue from 44th to 79th Street
07. New York Dance Parade
Since its inception in 2007, the New York Dance Parade has served as an exciting showcase for dance across various styles and cultures, culminating in a vibrant Dance Fest in Tompkins Square Park.
- Date: Date varies; for example, May 19 in 2018
- Location: Broadway at 21st Street to University Place at 14th Street to St. Mark’s Place to Tompkins Square Park
