Cherry blossom season isn’t the only way NYC channels Japan each spring—one of the city’s most colorful cultural celebrations is marching back through Manhattan.
The annual Japan Parade & Street Fair returns for its fifth year this May, bringing manga icons, anime stage performances, traditional cultural groups, and plenty of crave-worthy Japanese street food straight to the Upper West Side.
A celebration of Japanese culture in NYC
The roots of the event go back to Japan Day @ Central Park, which first launched in 2007 as a way to introduce Japanese culture to New Yorkers while strengthening the Japanese-American community in the city.
Founded by Motoatsu Sakurai, who served as Japan’s Ambassador and Consul General in New York at the time, the festival quickly became a beloved cultural gathering.
Visitors could browse booths serving authentic Japanese cuisine and try hands-on activities like shodō (Japanese calligraphy) and origami, while live performances ranged from local artists to internationally known acts such as:
- Sadao Watanabe
- AKB48
- Puffy AmiYumi
After a two-year pandemic hiatus, the celebration was reimagined in 2022 as the Japan Parade and Japan Street Fair–becoming New York City’s first parade dedicated to celebrating Japanese culture and lifestyle.
The inaugural event drew more than 20,000 attendees and has returned every May since, aligning with Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Month).
What to expect at this year’s Japan Parade
The 5th annual Japan Parade & Street Fair will take place on Saturday, May 9, and this year’s festivities promise to be bigger than ever.
Internationally acclaimed manga artist Acky Bright will serve as the 2026 Grand Marshal. Known for his intricate line work and signature “kawakakkoii” (“cute and cool”) style, Bright has collaborated with brands like Marvel, DC Comics, BMW, and Lexus–and has become a familiar face to NYC fans through appearances at Anime NYC and New York Comic Con.
Bright also designed the parade’s very first official mascot, blending Japanese and NYC influences–from the city’s signature orange and navy colors to Japan’s red and white flag, plus a classic NYC apple and a traditional happi coat.
A public contest is currently underway to name the mascot. The grand prize includes two 4-day tickets to Anime NYC 2026, an autograph and illustration from Bright, and official mascot merchandise. Entries are open online through March 27.
New York City has become like a second hometown to me. I am truly honored to design the official mascot and serve as Grand Marshal. – Acky Bright
Anime, performances, and Japanese street food
One of the most anticipated highlights of this year’s parade is a performance from Jujutsu Kaisen The Stage, the wildly popular 2.5D stage play based on the blockbuster manga Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami.
Running alongside the parade, the Japan Street Fair will take over West 72nd Street between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue, transforming the block into a lively matsuri-style festival.
Expect cultural activity tents featuring calligraphy demonstrations, yukata try-ons, and photo ops–plus more than 30 food vendors serving authentic Japanese cuisine. The fair is produced in collaboration with Festive Planet, the team behind large-scale food festivals at events like Anime NYC.
Additional parade participants and performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Japan Parade & Street Fair NYC
- Date: Saturday, May 9
- Time: Beginning at 1 pm
- Parade route: Central Park West from West 81st Street to West 67th Street
- Street Fair: West 72nd Street, between Central Park West and Columbus Avenue
Whether you’re there for the manga, the music, or the street eats, everyone can join the fun at NYC’s lively Japan Parade & Street Fair this May. Learn more.
