Spring has officially sprung in New York City, and that means one of our absolute favorite colorful traditions is making its grand return to Midtown!
Dust off your glue guns and get your pastels ready, because the legendary Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival is taking over Fifth Avenue this weekend.
It’s the perfect excuse to dress up, celebrate the warmer weather, and witness some of the most outrageous headwear you will ever see in your life.
What exactly is the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival?
Let me be clear…this is not your average NYC parade with marching bands and giant balloons.
Dating all the way back to the 1870s, this historic event is essentially a massive, whimsical street party where the only requirement for entry is a wildly creative hat.
New Yorkers and visitors alike promenade up and down the avenue, showing off everything from elegant floral crowns to towering avant-garde sculptures made of Peeps, feathers, and even miniature city landmarks.
It is pure, unadulterated joy, and quite literally one of the best days of the year.
When and where is it happening?
The festivities kick off this Sunday, April 5, 2026.
The unofficial promenade runs from 10 am until about 4 pm.
You will find the vibrant crowds taking over Fifth Avenue from 49th Street up to 57th Street.
The absolute best spot to catch the action, snap photos, and see the most intricate designs is right in front of St. Patrick’s Cathedral between 50th and 51st Streets.
How to participate
The best part about this beloved NYC tradition is that anyone can join in, completely free of charge!
There is no registration, no tickets, and no barricaded marching route.
- Get creative: Put together your own extravagant bonnet. The bigger and more uniquely “New York” it is, the better.
- Dress the part: Many attendees go all out in vintage attire, matching pastel suits, or full on themed group costumes.
- Just show up: Wander onto Fifth Avenue and start mingling with the crowd. Even if you do not wear a hat, it is an incredible spectator event.
What about street closures?
Expect significant traffic changes in Midtown on Sunday morning and afternoon.
While the NYPD will lock in the final official list closer to the weekend, you can generally expect vehicular traffic to be completely shut down on Fifth Avenue between 47th Street and 57th Street.
Cross streets directly around St. Patrick’s Cathedral like 50th and 51st Streets between 5th and Madison Avenues will also be closed off to cars.
Stay tuned for more info on which exact streets will be closed later this week.
We highly recommend taking the B, D, F, M, E, or 6 trains to get to the area so you don’t get stuck in traffic!