Puerto Rican Day Parade in NYC: Everything you need to know
Giant puppets, reggaeton bands, salsa dancers, and floats will take over Fifth Avenue in Manhattan this Sunday for the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. More than a million people typically participate in and attend the parade, making it the largest demonstration of cultural pride in the nation. An iconic institution for over half a century, the parade seeks to raise awareness of Puerto Rican culture and history and highlight the community’s contributions to the world. Here’s everything you need to know about this incredible event.
When is the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York?
The parade is on Sunday, June 9, and kicks off at 11am.
What is the parade route?
The parade route marches along Fifth Avenue from 44th Street to 79th Street in Manhattan.
What’s the theme this year?
This year’s theme is “Boricua de Corazón” (“Puerto Rican in my heart”).
Who is the grand marshal?
Acclaimed salsa singer Tito Nieves will serve as the 2024 Grand Marshal. Born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico and raised in Brooklyn, Nieves spent his formative years in the musical scene of New York City. He trained as a musician as a young child, demonstrating tremendous talent and vocal power by the time he was a young teen. He started performing professionally at 15 years old.
Today, he has an accomplished career that spans over four decades, with multiple Billboard and Grammy-nominated hit songs, including “Fabricando Fantasías.“
What’s the history of the parade?
The parade is now in its 67th year. It honors the 5 million people of Puerto Rican descent living in the United States and the 3.5 million inhabitants of Puerto Rico.
Will there be any street closures from the parade?
Yes, and quite a few. Learn from the crew in Seinfeld, and don’t plan on driving near the area on Sunday. The Department of Transportation says that the NYPD will close streets at their discretion between June 7-9.
Formation:
- 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
Route:
- 5th Avenue between 42nd Street and 79th Street
Dispersal:
- 5th Avenue between 79th Street and 86th Street
- East 79th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- East 80th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- East 81st Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- East 82nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- East 83rd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- East 84th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 85th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
Miscellaneous:
- Madison Avenue between East 42nd Street and East 86th Street
- 6th Avenue between West 42nd Street and West 49th Street
- West/East 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- West/East 42nd Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- West 51st Street between Rockefeller Plaza and 5th Avenue
- West 58th Street between Grand Army Plaza and 5th Avenue
- East 60th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 63rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 64th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 66th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 69th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- East 70th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
- East 72nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
- East 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue