The Mermaid Parade
Coney Island USA Presents: The 42nd Annual Mermaid Parade
Saturday, June 22nd, 2024
King Neptune: Joe Coleman! Queen Mermaid: Whitney Ward!
Click here to register to participate.
Since 1983, hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors from across the country — and around the world — have headed to the Coney Island shore for Coney Island USA’s annual Mermaid Parade.
Inspired by the Coney Island Mardi Gras parades of old, the Mermaid Parade was transformed by its participants into a new kind of community celebration. By the late 1980s, it was at the top of every list of “must-do” things in New York, and is, without question, the official opening of summer in the city.
Get Involved!
The best way to experience the Mermaid Parade is by marching in it!
Learn about how you can march in the Mermaid Parade.
The next best way to experience the Mermaid Parade is to watch from the best seat in Coney Island!
Learn about how you can become a Mermaid Parade Judge and sit on the Judges’ Reviewing Stand.
Are you interested in assisting our wonderful Mermaid Parade staff?
Learn about how you can become a Mermaid Parade volunteer.
Do you want to get your business in front of over half a million people at one of New York’s coolest events?
Learn about how your business can be a Mermaid Parade sponsor.
Ride the Coney Island USA float in the Mermaid Parade!
Support the Mermaid Parade by riding on our first-ever Coney Island USA float in this year's parade! The Coney Island USA float will be one of the first floats to grace Surf Avenue
and you can be on it!
Learn more about this limited VIP experience here.
Early bird tickets end on May 1st. Limited tickets available!
About the Mermaid Parade
The Mermaid Parade is the nation's largest art parade, and one of New York City's greatest summer events. It was created by CIUSA’s former Artistic Director, Dick Zigun, and is produced by Coney Island USA, the 501 (c)(3) not for profit arts organization located in the heart of Coney Island’s iconic amusement district.
Founded in 1983, the Mermaid Parade pays tribute to a century of Coney Island ingenuity, revelry, and pageantry by celebrating the artistic vision of the masses. With everything from a crowned King Neptune and Queen Mermaid, fantastical sea creatures and mer-folk, marching bands and dancing groups, to baby strollers and mechanized floats, it showcases the creativity of individuals from the five boroughs and beyond. It opens the summer with a true celebration of incredible art, NYC’s entrepreneurial spirit, and our community pride. It also ensures a successful summer season by drawing hundreds of thousands of people to the amusement area, providing an economic boost to local businesses.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
Poster Design by Magie Serpica (McGowan)
Take a trip down memory lane and check out our past Mermaid Parade Royalty here
Mermaid Parade Day Information
Parade Route
The Parade starts at 1pm, rain or shine, on West 21st and Surf Avenue. It rolls east to West 10th Street, where the marchers and push-pull floats proceed to the Boardwalk and continue their march to Steeplechase Plaza, under the Parachute Jump, where the Parade will disband.
After the parade, usually around 5pm, there’s a procession led from the Judge’s stands at 19th Street and Surf Avenue, through Maimonides Park Parking lot, to the beach. Marchers and spectators are welcome to join. Marchers can join the procession from the end of the parade route under the Parachute Jump. On the beach, the official beach ceremony will take place, and the ocean will be opened for the summer swimming season.
Make sure to stop by Coney Island USA’s headquarters at 1208 Surf Ave before and after the parade to see the famous Coney Island Circus Sideshow, and grab a beer at the Freak Bar.
Extended Parade Day hours TBD
*The Coney Island Museum will not be open on Parade day
Be sure to follow the Mermaid Parade on social media to be the first to know about any Mermaid Parade announcements
Frequently Asked Questions
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That’s entirely up to you. Many people like to watch the parade on the boardwalk, but the boardwalk only features marchers and push-pull floats.
Watching the Parade from Surf Avenue allows viewing of antique cars and motorized floats as well.
If you choose to watch the parade on Surf Avenue (for the full experience) please understand that crowds get as thick as those in Times Square on New Year's Eve. If you think that you may not want to stay for the entire parade, we recommend that you stand on the north side of Surf (non-beach side), as getting to the subway or crossing Surf can be difficult, due to crowds.
Become a CIUSA member at the Mermaid Parade Judge Level and enjoy premier seating on the Judges’ stand —and other benefits (including bribes) — on Parade Day!
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ADA accessible viewing for the parade is located at the NYPD Command Center on the North side of the street, between 10th and 12th streets from 11am-5pm.
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The Mermaid Parade is an art parade and is for everyone — just keep in mind that some folks will be dressed as Mermaids and Mermen who, let's face it, aren't historically known for wearing much clothing.
That being said, we've always had a ton of kids in the Parade, (even a birthday party or two!) but it's entirely up to you as a parent or guardian to decide what you feel is appropriate for your kids.
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The Mermaid Parade is Coney Island’s busiest day of the year and many streets in the neighborhood are closed starting at 10am on Parade day and won’t open to traffic until after 6pm.
Having said that, the New York Aquarium and Maimonides Park both have parking lots, and there are a number of private lots between Surf and Neptune Avenues and West 8th Streets and West 17th Streets.
Please note: in order to access many of these parking lots on Parade day, especially parking lots on the beach side of Surf Ave, people must park before the streets are closed at 10am.
Coney Island USA strongly encourages people to make use of the mass transit system.
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For Coney Island in general, you can use 1208 Surf Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11224; for the Registration area you can use the address for the parking lot at 3050W W21st St, Brooklyn, NY 11224
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Coney Island USA does not have a policy regarding animals in the Parade. However, asphalt does get hot, which can be ouchy on the pads of little canine/feline feet. Please keep that in mind if you are thinking about bringing your furry friends.
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Contact us on our volunteer page!
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Winners will be announced and awards will be presented on July 9th from 5pm-8pm at Coney Island USA. The top 3 vote getters in each category will be notified prior to the event. The award ceremony is INVITE ONLY!
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