Parade Status

Unfortunately, due to the current pandemic, the Mermaid Parade won’t be happening as originally scheduled. But our plans for Mermaid Parade 2020 will be announced on June 20th as part of the NOT The Mermaid Parade spectacular. Tune in to the stream at https://www.coneyisland.com/not on 6/20 at 8PM to learn more.

If you need an immediate Mermaid Parade fix, the Voice of the Mermaid Parade Chris T. has the good stuff. He has generously shared the audio for the ENTIRE 2019 Mermaid Parade in STEREO:

The Parade will start at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue



The Parade will roll east to West 10th Street

At West 10th Street the Parade will turn south towards the boardwalk

Cars and Motorized Floats continue down Surf Ave. passing W. 10th Street and exit the parade.

At the Boardwalk, the marchers and push-pull floats will turn west and head towards West 17th St.

At Steeplechase Plaza, the Parade will disband.

Immediately after the last participant passes the review stand (approximately 4pm) at West 19th and Surf Avenue, parade founder Dick D. Zigun leads the King and Queen procession from the review stand at 19th and Surf Avenue, through MCU Parking lot to the beach for the official Beach Ceremony and opening of the ocean for the summer swimming season. Join us!

A Detailed Parade Map is available

Check In/Registration - Check in/Registration for floats, antique cars, and marchers is in the parking lot on Surf Avenue between 21st & 22nd streets from 10am-1pm.

The line up for Floats and Antique Cars:

Floats line up on Surf Avenue between 24th street & 22nd street, Antique Cars line up on Surf Avenue between 21st & 22nd streets

Because West 21st Street is much narrower than our old staging area (West 10th Street), you will NOT be able to PULL YOUR TRUCK OR VEHICLE to unload materials for assembling your push-pull cart or costume. But, DON’T WORRY- you will be able to assemble your cart in a secure location with vehicle access on Surf Avenue between West 21st and West 22nd Street. You may then push your cart on to West 21st Street.



Mermaid Parade Frequently Asked Questions.

About The Mermaid Parade:

A completely original creation of Coney Island USA (the not for profit arts organization at 1208 Surf Avenue), the Mermaid Parade is the nation's largest art parade and one of New York City's greatest summer events.



A celebration of ancient mythology and honky-tonk rituals of the seaside, it showcases over 3,000 creative individuals from all over the five boroughs and beyond, opening the summer with incredible art, entrepreneurial spirit and community pride. The parade highlights Coney Island Pageantry based on a century of many Coney parades, celebrates the artistic vision of the masses, and ensures that the summer season is a success by bringing hundreds of thousands of people to the amusement area in a single day.



The MERMAID PARADE specifically was founded in 1983 with 3 goals: it brings mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune ; it creates self-esteem in a district that is often disregarded as “entertainment”; and it lets artistic New Yorkers find self-expression in public.



Unlike most parades, this one has no ethnic, religious, or commercial aims. It’s a major New York holiday invented by artists! An American version of the summer-solstice celebration, it takes pride of place with West African Water Festivals and Ancient Greek and Roman street theater. It's features participants dressed in hand-made costumes based on themes and categories set by us. This creates an artistic framework on which artists can improvise, resulting in the flourishing of frivolity, dedication, pride, and personal vision that has become how New York celebrates summer.



This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

The Mermaid Parade on Social Media! #mermaidparade2020 #mermaidparade