Each June the National Puerto Rican Day Parade (NPRDP) marches its way down NYC’s Fifth Avenue. And being an estimated 574,000 Puerto Rican people live in NYC, we’d say it’s a pretty essential summertime event. The beloved parade is set to make its 68th return to NYC this weekend on Sunday, June 8th, 2025.
Here’s everything you need to know about the time-honored tradition:
What is the National Puerto Rican Day Parade?
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade is the largest demonstration of cultural pride in the nation. Now in its 68th year, the parade will march down NYC’s Fifth Avenue–with music, dance, and themed floats–to honor Puerto Rican heritage and culture and pay tribute to the 3.2 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico and over 5.8 million Puerto Ricans residing in the United States.
First established in 1958, the parade draws an estimated 1.5 million spectators each year.
When is the 2025 National Puerto Rican Day Parade?
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade typically takes place on the second Sunday of June. This year it’s happening this weekend on Sunday, June 8th, 2025.
What time is the Puerto Rican Day Parade?
The parade begins at 11 am, and festivities will continue until 5 pm.
What is the National Puerto Rican Day Parade route?
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade will march down Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 79th Street.
What is this year’s theme?
The theme for the 2025 National Puerto Rican Day Parade is “Plantando Bandera.” Their website reads:
The theme captures the Puerto Rican community’s collective sentiment of pride in our presence, our contributions to society and dedication to honoring and maintaining our cultural heritage and tradition…The theme and accompanying graphic represent how Puerto Rican culture, identity and contributions are firmly grounded in today’s society, with presence and influence that spreads across the world. They also highlight how the Puerto Rican flag is the powerful unifier that connects all of us, no matter whether in Puerto Rico or part of the global diaspora.
What streets will be closed in NYC during the National Puerto Rican Day Parade?
The following streets will be closed in NYC during the National Puerto Rican Day Parade:
- 5th Avenue between 51st Street and 52nd Street
- West/East 44th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- West/East 45th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- West/East 46th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- West/East 47th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- West/East 48th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
Find more info on street closures here.
If I can’t attend in person, where else can I watch the Puerto Rican Day Parade?
You can watch the National Puerto Rican Day Parade on ABC7 New York and on the National Puerto Rican Day Parade’s website. WABC-TV is the broadcast partner and will show the parade on Channel 7 and through their online streaming platform.
Here’s a recap from last year’s parade: