Thousands Attend NYC Easter Parade Despite Rain

Thousands of New Yorkers and visitors braved rainy weather to participate in the annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival on Sunday, April 5, 2026, along Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The informal event, which began at 10 a.m. near 49th Street and extended to 57th Street, centered around St. Patrick's Cathedral and drew crowds eager to display elaborate hats, costumes, and spring attire.

The tradition originated in the 1870s as post-church promenades where affluent residents strolled Fifth Avenue to showcase the season's fashions. Over time, it evolved into a free-spirited celebration emphasizing creativity over formality, with no organized procession or entry requirements. Participants simply joined the flow, turning the avenue into a vibrant showcase of self-expression. This year, the parade unfolded under gray skies and light to moderate showers, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s Fahrenheit. Organizers had closed sections of Fifth Avenue and nearby streets, including East 50th and 51st streets between Fifth and Madison avenues, until the New York Police Department deemed them safe to reopen.

Attendees donned whimsical and thematic headpieces, many inspired by New York...