New York celebrates summer with creativity, personal vision, dedication, and improvisation, and the annual Mermaid Parade on Coney Island exemplifies it very well. On the day of the summer solstice, people dress up in hand-made themed costumes and parade along the streets of Coney Island.
One of New York's most eccentric traditions, the parade is a celebration of ancient mythology with roots in ancient Roman and Greek street theatre, Mardi Gras, and West African Water festivals. It has no commercial or religious aim, but it's made to bring mythology to life and bring entertainment to the Coney Island district.
Being the largest art parade in the US, this event showcases over 3,000 participants, opening the summer with amazing art, music and dance, as well as community pride. The event brings together hundreds of thousands of people. Many participants are dressed in hand-made costumes, created with improvisation. The parade is all about frivolity, dedication, pride, and personal perspective.
Coney Island Mermaid Parade Route
The Parade kicks off at 1 pm on West 21st and Surf Avenue. Then, it goes east to West 10th Street, the Boardwalk, and continues to Steeplechase Plaza, under the Parachute Jump, where the Parade separates. After the parade, at about 5 pm, another procession takes off from the Judge’s stands at 19th Street and Surf Avenue, going through the Maimonides Park parking lot, to the beach. All spectators are welcome to join. Later on the beach, the parade is concluded with the official beach ceremony so that the ocean will be opened for the summer swimming season. After the parade, the public can also head to Coney Island USA's headquarters to see Coney Island Circus Sideshow, and have a beer at the Freak Bar.
The Best Places To Watch Parade
Guests can observe the Parade on the boardwalk or from Surf Avenue. The boardwalk offers a view of marchers and push-pull floats, Surf Avenue allows viewing both of antique cars and motorized floats.
Parade History
Like the annual Village Halloween Parade, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade evokes the spirit of Mardi Gras. Established in 1983, the Mermaid Parade honors a hundred years of Coney Island creativity, festivity, and grandeur, highlighting the community's artistic imagination. It is known for plenty of marine costumes and occasional partial nudity, as well as family-oriented fun. The parade includes vehicles, floats, group presentations, and individuals.
