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Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2024

One of the weirdest and freakiest parades that celebrates the beginning of summer

Dates: June 15, 2024

Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Coney Island Mermaid Parade
Coney Island Mermaid Parade

New York celebrates summer with creativity, personal vision, dedication, and improvisation and the Mermaid Parade on Coney Island exemplifies it very well. Annually on the day of the summer solstice people dress up in hand-made themed costumes and parade along the streets of Coney Island.

It's one of New York's most eccentric traditions. The parade is a celebration of ancient mythology and has its roots in ancient Roman and Greek street theatre 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.

Like the annual Village Halloween Parade, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade evokes the spirit of Mardi Gras. 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.

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Last updated: by Eleonora Provozin