NYC Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival Returns to Fifth Avenue

The city’s beloved spring tradition rolls into Midtown Manhattan on Sunday, April 5, with the Easter Parade and Easter Bonnet Festival beginning at 10 a.m. along Fifth Avenue. The procession will march north from 49th Street to 57th Street, winding past St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and will continue until about 4 p.m.

A People‑Centred Spectacle

Unlike conventional parades, this event forgoes floats and vehicles, spotlighting revelers—and their pets—clad in elaborate costumes and towering bonnets. Participation is free, and anyone is encouraged to join in with their most flamboyant hat.

Practical Details

City officials have announced street closures on the parade route, with alternate traffic flow and limited parking. Weather forecasts call for light‑to‑moderate showers throughout the day, with highs in the low‑mid 60s and cooler temperatures in the 50s later on.

A Historic Celebration

Originating in the 1870s and immortalized in song by Irving Berlin, the Easter Parade remains a vivid expression of New York’s cultural tapestry, blending nostalgia with contemporary creativity.