Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue will see major traffic disruptions this Saturday, September 19, 2026, as the 69th annual German-American Steuben Parade takes over the Upper East Side. Nineteen streets are slated to close to cars as thousands of marchers, floats, and bands celebrate German heritage and the official kickoff to Oktoberfest.
Don your best dirndls and lederhosen and prepare to shout “prost!” Founded in 1957 in Ridgewood, Queens, before moving to Manhattan’s Yorkville—historically known as NYC’s Germantown—the parade has grown into a massive international event.
Here’s everything you need to know about the parade.
🇩🇪 What to Expect on the Route
Whether you’re marching or watching from the barricades, the parade brings a distinct Bavarian energy straight to the city. Attendees can expect:
- A massive Oktoberfest celebration in Central Park to cap off the afternoon
- Custom-designed floats and traditional marching bands
- Civic organizations, singers, and dancers from the U.S., Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and Canada.
- Thousands of spectators in traditional garb
🍻 The History Behind the Parade
The event is named after General Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a Prussian military officer invited by Benjamin Franklin in 1777 to train George Washington’s Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
Today, the parade honors the contributions of all German-Americans—who make up roughly one-quarter of the U.S. population—including historical figures like Brooklyn Bridge builder John Roebling and denim pioneer Levi Strauss.
🛑 Anticipated Street Closures
To accommodate the massive footprint, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) will restrict vehicular traffic throughout the Upper East Side. Plan for closures in these areas:
- Main Route: Fifth Avenue from 67th Street to 86th Street
- Formation & Dispersal Areas: Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue from 86th to 88th Street
- Surrounding Street Closures:
- Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue from 77th to 78th Street
- Fifth Avenue between 79th–80th Streets and 85th–86th Streets
📍 Event details at a glance
- What: The 69th German-American Steuben Parade
- When: Saturday, September 19, 2026 | Mass begins at 9 am at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the parade kicks off at 12 pm
- Where: Upper East Side, Manhattan (Fifth Avenue from 65th Street to 86th Street)
- Oktoberfest Afterparty: 1 pm at SummerStage (Rumsey Playfield in Central Park). Tickets start at $38
- Cost: Parade viewing is completely free