How to Enjoy the "Columbus Day" Parade in New York City

Everything you need to know about the Italian-American celebration

By
Heather Cross
Heather Cross
Heather Cross is a longtime New York resident who has written about the city since 2002. She is also a travel agent and NYC & Company-certified New York City specialist.
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Updated on 10/17/20
Annual New York Columbus Day Parade

 

Stephanie Keith / Stringer / Getty Images

According to census data, there are more than 1 million Italian-Americans living in greater New York City and hardly any of them miss the opportunity to celebrate their heritage at the annual "Columbus Day" Parade. While the holiday on the second Monday of October—also known as Indigenous Peoples Day—originally commemorated the Italian explorer and the parade still bears his name, the event has turned into a celebration of Italian-American heritage.

About NYC's "Columbus Day" Parade

While the St. Patrick's Day Parade and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade draw tremendous crowds, this lesser-known procession attracts fewer people (and therefore less chaos) while still boasting all the great features of a classic NYC parade.

It's been organized by the Columbus Citizens Foundation since 1929 and has been grand marshaled by Yogi Berra, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Rudy Giuliani, and Regis Philbin. The procession includes more than 30,000 marchers from 130-plus groups, bands, floats, and other contingents. It attracts around 1 million spectators per year, making it the largest celebration of Italian-American culture in the world.

How to Attend the "Columbus Day" Parade

The route begins on Fifth Avenue at 44th Street and continues north along Fifth Avenue to 72nd Street. The grandstands—i.e. the "red carpet area"—are located on Fifth Avenue between 67th and 69th Streets. Where you choose to the view parade should be determined by personal taste: The most scenic spots for viewing are along Central Park, of course, but there are also live performances near 67th Street. 

Before the parade, a Mass is held at St. Patrick's Cathedral (50th Street and Fifth Avenue) at 9:30 a.m. Tickets are required for entry before 9:15, but after that, the cathedral opens to additional attendees as space allows. Attending the early service should allow for enough time to secure your favorite spot along the parade route when the Mass is complete.

After the parade, the tradition is to eat a lot of Italian food—as you can imagine, there are many great options around the city. Your best bet may be Little Italy if it's ambiance, authenticity, and abundance you seek.