United States New York New York City New York City Guide Things To Do Essentials Restaurants Nightlife Where to Stay Neighborhoods Itineraries Events Getaways All New York City The Best Parades in New York City Written by Pamela Skillings Twitter Linkedin Pamela Skillings is a local business owner and author of "Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams." She has been a resident of Manhattan for over 15 years. Tripsavvy's Editorial Guidelines Pamela Skillings Updated 06/03/19 Share Pin Email Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images Parades in New York City cause traffic and pedestrian rage to skyrocket, but they provide opportunities for residents and visitors to cut loose, get creative, and party in the streets. Below are some of the biggest, flashiest, and most exciting New York parades. 01 of 12 Gay Pride Parade NBAE/Getty Images The LGBT Pride March is part of the annual New York Gay Pride Week festivities which take place every June. 02 of 12 Village Halloween Parade Stephanie Keith/Getty Images The nation's largest public Halloween celebration, Greenwich Village's Halloween Parade has been a New York staple for over 35 years. The event is even listed in the book 100 Things to Do Before You Die: Travel Events You Just Can't Miss by Dave Freeman and Neil Teplica. 03 of 12 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade FilmMagic/Getty Images Since 1924, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade has been a holiday tradition for New Yorkers and television viewers around the world. More than 2.5 million spectators line the streets of New York to see balloons, floats, and celebrities. Additionally, many residents and visitors enjoy watching the balloons inflate the night before the parade. 04 of 12 Puerto Rican Day Parade Stephanie Keith/Getty Images Crowds in excess of two million line Fifth Avenue every June for the Puerto Rican Day Parade. Continue to 5 of 12 below. 05 of 12 Easter Parade John Lamparski/Getty Images New York City's Easter Parade has been an annual tradition since the Civil War era. The event features marchers dressed in elaborate Easter finery, including some of the fanciest Easter bonnets imaginable. 06 of 12 St. Patrick's Day Parade John Lamparski/Getty Images The first Saint Patrick's Day Parade in New York was organized in 1762 by Irish soldiers. It's one of the few New York parades that does not allow cars, floats, or other vehicles, and the only one to feature leprechauns drinking green beer. 07 of 12 Dance Parade Corbis/Getty Images Every May, New Yorkers gather for dancing in the streets at the New York City Dance Parade and Festival. Who needs floats and marching bands when you have dancing feet? 08 of 12 Columbus Day Parade Kevin Mazur/Getty Images Around 35,000 marchers, and more than a million spectators, converge on Fifth Avenue to celebrate the contributions of New York's Italian-American community during the New York Columbus Day Parade in October. Continue to 9 of 12 below. 09 of 12 Three Kings Parade and Festival Spencer Platt/Getty Images El Museo del Barrio celebrates Three Kings Day in January with a procession through the streets of East Harlem. Where else can you find camels, live music, colorful puppets, street dancing, and parrandas, all at one fabulous event? 10 of 12 Veterans Day Parade Michael Loccisano/Getty Images The New York Veterans Day Parade is the oldest and largest of its kind in the nation. Since November 11, 1919, the parade has provided an opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors to honor those who have served. 11 of 12 Chinatown Lunar New Year Parade Stephanie Keith/Getty Images This annual Chinatown parade celebrates the Lunar New Year with marching bands, dragon dancers, acrobats, floats, and more. 12 of 12 Tompkins Square Park Dog Parade Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/Getty Images While the annual New York City dog Halloween parade in Tompkins Square Park doesn't quite have the history and gravitas of some other famous New York parades, cute dogs in costume are always please crowds. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit