Weird Parades in NYC

I’ve long been a nerdy girl who crafts her own costumes and loves to get into a crowd and be weird with others! Below are some of my absolute favorite daytime and nighttime costumed activities in NYC, after living here for 20 years.

NYC Easter Bonnet Parade 10am-4pm, Sunday April 5th 2026

(Starting Point: St Patrick’s Cathedral, 5th Ave between 50th and 51st, Manhattan)

More of a “milling about” than a proper parade, this is an incredible event which sees tens of thousands of people out in the streets near St Patrick’s Cathedral, showing off dresses and hats that are sometimes beautiful, elaborate, massive, creative, or just downright strange and wonderful! I didn’t know about this event until I’d actually lived in New York for almost 5 years, and now I go every year with a concoction of my own, sometimes with a theme for my friends and me.

• Know before you go:

  • This is a FREE event!

  • The best place to hang all day is right in front of St Patrick’s Cathedral on 5th Ave between 50th and 51st in Manhattan.

  • You won’t be able to get into the Cathedral this day unless you won tickets via a lottery system.

  • You need NOT be into Easter to participate! And your costume/hat doesn’t need an Easter theme.

  • Wear good shoes, bring lots of water, and if you DO get dressed up, be prepared to be accosted by tourists wanting to take photos with you. It’s fun but can be very overwhelming for first-timers and for anyone with sensory issues.

Mermaid Parade - 1pm-4pm June 20, 2026

(Starting Point: West 21st and Surf Avenue, Brooklyn)

This is the official opening of the Coney Island Beach each year, and it’s an absolute blast! Aquatic themed costumes rule the day - the more glittery and colorful, the better! You can sign up to march in the parade, or be a spectator.

• Know before you go:

  • Registration is online prior to the event, and is typically $35/adult

  • If marching, you’ll want to arrive around 11am, and you’ll be waiting around in the sun for QUITE some time, so do bring water and sunscreen.

  • I didn’t tell you this, but you can bribe the judges (yes there are prizes for best group/costumes!) with alcohol, snacks, and ummm…illicit substances.

  • If participating but you’re staying elsewhere in town, would be REALLY smart to look at getting a hotel for the night before. Traveling in to Coney Island on the day of the event can take 1.5-2hrs from midtown Manhattan, and it’s really nice to have a place to put on makeup the morning of the parade that’s nearby.

  • Lots of folks (never ME, surely) like to bring rolling coolers of their favorite beers, and/or take gummies for the adventure. You do you!

  • There is a procession to the beach post-parade, so bring your swimsuit and go get in that refreshing water with all the other weirdos.

Halloween Parade - 6:30pm-10pm, Saturday October 31, 2026

(Starting point: Canal Street and 6th Avenue)

• Know before you go:

  • You can get into the parade to march anytime between 6:30pm-9pm, and participating is FREE!

  • There’s an annual tradition of getting a large group together to do the “Thriller” dance - it’s hard to get in, but here’s where you can find more info on that: https://www.thrillernyc.com/

  • I saw Curtis Sliwa at this event last year, and he was the 6th or 7th Curtis Sliwa I had seen that night.

  • ANY theme goes!