By the third Saturday in June, Coney Island is already in the swing of summer. The boardwalk is busy, subway cars heading toward Brooklyn get louder, and glitter somehow starts appearing before noon. That’s Mermaid Parade day.
The Coney Island Mermaid Parade returns on June 20th, 2026 for its 44th year. Here’s what to know before heading down to Surf Avenue.
What is The Mermaid Parade?
The Mermaid Parade started in 1983 through Coney Island USA as a modern take on the old Coney Island Mardi Gras parades.
Today, it’s one of New York City’s most recognizable summer events. Thousands of people take part each year, and the parade has built a reputation for costumes that range from elaborate sea-creature creations to completely homemade outfits put together the night before.
King Neptune and Queen Mermaid lead the parade each year, followed by marching bands, dance groups, floats, antique cars, and just about every version of ocean-themed costume you can think of.
Where Does The Parade Happen?
The parade begins at 1:00 PM at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue.
From there, the route heads east along Surf Avenue to West 10th Street before turning onto the Boardwalk and continuing toward Steeplechase Plaza near the Parachute Jump.
After the parade is finished, another procession heads toward the beach for the official opening of the ocean for the summer swimming season. Marchers and spectators can join that part of the day as well.
Note: the event takes place rain or shine.
Where Should People Watch From?
That depends on what you want to see.
Watching from Surf Avenue gives you the full route, including antique cars and motorized floats. It also gives you the biggest crowds. The area gets tight pretty quickly once the parade starts.
The Boardwalk usually feels a little easier to navigate, though only marchers and push-pull floats continue onto that section of the route.
There’s also an ADA viewing area on Surf Avenue between West 12th Street and West 10th Street.
Can People Participate in the Parade?
Yes. Marchers can register in advance on the Mermaid Parade website.
Registration prices vary depending on the category and usually increase on the day of the event. Watching the parade, though, is completely free.
The Mermaid Parade returns to Coney Island on June 20th, 2026 for another full day of costumes, crowds, and controlled chaos along Surf Avenue and the Boardwalk. At this point, it’s part of summer in New York.
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