New York is the greatest city in the world. It’s a World Capitol with the most diverse population of any city. Every country in the world has residents somewhere in the 5 boroughs. I love parades. Most people I know do as well. New York City parades are a big part of the City’s fabric with some rich history and passing on of tradition from one generation to the next. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade started before the Revolutionary War. The Easter Promenade is a NYC tradition dating back to the 1860s. Today’s Veterans Day was originally known as Armistice Day and celebrated peace at the end of World War I. The Memorial Day Parade in Staten Island is over 100 years old. The first Pride Parade was a riot, literally. Since then the Pride parade has grown to be one of the largest in the City and still fights for LBGQT rights. Some parades boast to be the biggest of its kind. The African-American Day Parade is the largest celebration of Black culture and community. The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade is the biggest Halloween Party in the World. The Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade has the largest number of big balloons in any parade. Both the Puerto Rican and Dominican Parades are National Parades. The Indian Independence and Filipino Parades are the biggest celebrations outside of their respective countries.
This blog is dedicated to documenting some of the best parts of the parades. Although most people will go to the parades of their nationality, I try to bring these pieces together to show that We Are One people as diverse as we are. The parades draw millions of people to march and to watch. Under the watchful eye of NYPD there have been very few incidents of violence once again showing why New York is the best City in the World. My photos and videos have been used in textbooks, magazines, news footage and documentaries.
We encourage all organizers, participants, attendees, and out of town visitors to comment about the experience of the parade you attended. Thank you for taking the time to read this blog. All images, videos and articles are property of NYCParadelife and may not be reproduced without written permission. Sharing on social media is always allowed and encouraged.
Albert Terc, Founder
Juliana E Muchinyi, MD is a health care professional interested in visual story-telling & capturing fleeting moments from a female perspective. As a self-taught photographer with no formal training in photography, Juliana has an eye for bright colors, strange scenes & visual distortions. Her work has won her the Leica x Matt Day “The Gratitude of the World Deserves Witness” Contest November 2021 & the Brooklyn Film Camera and Bushwick Daily Polaroid 600 Giveaway in July 2020. Her work has been featured in the exhibits in the Museum of the City of New York, International Center of Photography NYC, Capture the Movement Brooklyn and Harlem Fashion Week in addition to publications such as Essence, Witness & BEyong Queer Eyes magazines. She is also a weekly contributing member of the Black and White Prime Shot Family Instagram Page.
Contributing Photographer
NYC Parade Life 
Great site! Love it, Congrats to you and Rachel. Hugs, Amigita
Thank You. Glad you like it.
With the end of combat in Afghanistan we’re trying to have a Veterans Day Parade down Broadway on Nov. 11th:
https://www.silive.com/opinion/letters/2021/07/its-time-for-a-welcome-home-parade-letter-to-the-editor.html
Please help us advocate for this. Thanks!
–Lee in Staten Island
Hello,
I will check with my contacts at NYPD to see what the status of that parade is.
Thanks,
Albert Terc
We’re looking at a Welcome parade for the Afghan and Iraq vets in 2023, the 20th anniversary of Operation Iraqui Freedom. Hopefully we have a vet-friendly administration–Lee in Staten Island
Love the blog…..give us more.
Thanks…parade season is coming up..many to follow..next few St.Patty’s in NYC and Staten Island..Phagwa in Queens..Greek Independence in NYC and April Fools parade… fun..fun..fun..
Albert,
While reading your blog, I realized I wasn’t just reading about parades, but getting a cultural history lesson. And, when you think about it on a deeper level, a parade really isn’t all fun and games. It gives us an opportunity to step out of our comfort zone, interact with people of all cultures, and learn about each other in the best way possible.
I remember attending nearly every parade in Manhattan as a child and the joy I felt being a part of the celebration! This may be a tradition I will have to revive with my little one this year.
Not sure where you were planning to go with your book, but it would be an awesome and unique way to teach cultural diversity… by way of the parade!
Maggie.
Thanks Maggie,
That’s a great idea. Rachel and I were thinking of having a best costume contest at the end of the year. Lots of parades coming up soon. Would be great if you can make some. Let me know which ones you would like to go to and we can meet up.
Thanks,
Albert
Hi Albert i hope u get this message. My mom and i met u guys at the recent parade in Richmond Hill Queens “the Phagwah/Holi day parade. I was looking at your website and the pictures and details are amazing, it was a pleasure meeting you guys and I hope to have the pleasure again someday again, please feel free to let me know of any upcoming events that me and my son can attend and possibly catch up with you again , take care and keep up the great work.
Hi Donna. Thanks for the kind words. The article will be posted Tuesday night. I included some your Mom’s conversation to help make the point of the spirit of brotherhood for the festival. And hope you don’t mind if we use the picture Rachel took of your family. It helps to connect with readers that they too can be attending and getting in on the fun. Links for upcoming events are posted at the end of the commentary. Stay well.
Hello Donna…hope all is well….just wanted to alert you to some really cool parades coming up soon…the Phillipine Day parade is coming up Sunday June 5tn on Madison Ave. The Puerto Rican Day Parade on June 12th on 5th Ave and the whacky Mermaid Parade in Coney Island. If you have never been to the Mermaid parade, it’s a must see…
I met Rachel at Dance Parade yesterday who told me all about your organization! Please put me on your mailing list!
Hi KAren…hope you are enjoyingh the holiday weekend…we posted the article of the danceparade.. also if you haven’t seen it yet captured your groups perfomance on Youtube just search nycparadelife and you will see it…looks great…thx again.
Hi Karen, Hope all is well with you since we last met at the Dance Parade. I went online to try and verify if there is a Korean Harvest Festival this year and I couldn’t confirm. I think it’s usually held on 6th Ave. Rachel and I have been having a blast covering the parades. Hope to see you soon.
Hi Albert!
I don’t see a contact email on the blog, but I wanted to reach out and try to connect. I am the associate communications director at MyBlockNYC, which is a new site that maps cultural events in NYC and we would love to talk about featuring your content on our site. If you have a moment, drop me an email at Aaron@myblocknyc.com and we can talk more about it!
Until then, Loving your videos,
Aaron
Hi Albert — love your blog and we should meet ! My name is Marni and I am a NYC Parade Personality! As a professional figure skater, inline skater and belly dancer, I perform in all the city parades in spectacular costume, wings and skates…and love to ENTERTAIN! Hope to see you soon at the next parade, cheers, Marni
Hi Marni, Thanks for checking out my blog. It has been a blast since I started doing this. I have met so many interesting people from NYC, the US, and parts of the world that come to the parades. This year I’m trying something different. Each month I am going to highlight a person that participates in a major parade. I think it would be great to get your story out so when people see you skating around in your amazing outfits they know a little more about you. Couldn’t think of a better person to kick off the highlights than you.
Shout out to Marni! Always Amazing !
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I love my Panamanian parade look forward to it every. Year
Hi there we are interested in using some of your footage in a documentary. Please email us to discuss. Love your site !
Hello Shea, Thanks for your interest in the parade footage I post. Please provide details about what the documentary is intended for. Which one of the videos are you most interested in?
Thanks,
Albert Terc
Hello,
Thanks for your interest in the video footage. Please contact me with further details with specifics about which videos you are most interested in.
Thanks,
Albert Terc
Hi there ;), we are interested in using some of your footage:
in case study.
So we would like to ask for your permission.
Thanks,
Magda Dobiszewska
Thank you for your interest in the video. For what purpose is the video to be used?
Thank you,
Albert Terc
Hi Albert I’m a reporter with NY1 News and we’re doing a story about the FDNY Bags and Pipes participating in this year’s inauguration virtually and wanted to get your permission to use some of your footage specifically of their performance from the 2016 Veterans Day parade. Please let me know if that would be ok. I can be reached at angi.gonzalez@charter.com.
I’d like to volunteer to are photographed
I have photos of past parades like to post on the site I have covered Latin American PARADES IN THE PAST. Like to contribute . IF anything you can contact me by email at ismaelnunez80@yahoo.com
Thanks for covering the 102nd Staten Island Memorial Day Parade! Because our permit was originally denied in March, 2021 and approved after we went into court, we only had 20 days to put the parade together. This year, we honored the 30th anniversary of Desert Storm. Thanks to all who participated and all who came out!
Mr. Terc, Kathleen Pastore asking if you were at the St Patrick day parade this year. You have taken our picture a few times before Covid, we have a big sign saying Half Mad Mclaughlins Donegal to Brooklyn . If you were there and have any pictures of this years parade please let me know where I can find them, thanks