New York Parades

New York City could easily be called the Parade Capital of the World.  Pick any month during the year, and you can find at least one parade in New York City. There are parades that celebrate holidays such as Halloween and Thanksgiving.  There are parades that celebrate different cultures such as Phillipine Independence Day and Cuban Day.  There are also pride parades like the Queens and Brooklyn parades.  There are ticket tape parades that celebrate special accomplishments.  Finally, there are parades just because parades are fun, such as the wild and wacky Mermaid Parade on Coney Island in June.  

The most famous parade in New York is the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November. For over 75 years this parade has signaled the beginning of the Christmas season with marching bands, floats, celebrities, and massive helium balloons. Another parade that has gained popularity is the Village Halloween Parade in October.  This parade started as a neighborhood walk in 1973 and has grown into the largest public Halloween celebration in the country.  Giant animated puppets are the highlight of this parade along with marching bands, floats, and over 50,000 costumed participants.  The longest running parade in the history of the U.S. is the Saint Patrick's Day Parade in New York, which has been running consecutively since 1766.  Originally organized by Irish military units, this parade boasts over 150,000 participants all wearing green, along with the ever-present politicians, bands and floats.

Regardless of what you are or are not celebrating, you can always find a parade in New York City.  Pick your month and find your spot along the parade route.  You are guaranteed to have a grand time!