The NYC Easter Parade – Bunnies, Bonnets, and More

It wouldn't be an Easter Parade without the Easter Bunny!
by Anisa // 12 Comments

I hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend.  While not everyone celebrates Easter, for those that do there are many different traditions.  Some people get dressed up and go to church.  Others will have a special Easter brunch or Easter dinner.  And of course, kids love going to an Easter egg hunt and eating lots of chocolate.  In Texas, it is a great day to get dressed up and take a picture in the bluebonnets.   But in NYC the last few years, I have started celebrating Easter by going to the NYC Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue.

Let me tell you why you need to check out the NYC Easter Parade and what to expect when you do.

It wouldn't be an Easter Parade without the Easter Bunny!
It wouldn’t be an Easter Parade without the Easter Bunny!

New York Easter Bonnet Parade History

The Easter Parade has been around since some time in the 1870s! The parade is more a spectacle of fashion than a religious event.  In 1933, Irving Berlin wrote a song called the Easter Parade.  Thanks to pictures that my friends posted on Facebook, I finally decided to check it out.  

Lots of pastel, perfect for Easter. - Easter Bonnet Pictures - Two Traveling Texans
Lots of pastel, perfect for Easter.
Classy and fun! - Easter Bonnet Images - Two Traveling Texans
Classy and fun!

Going to the Easter Bonnet Parade

While it can get crowded, it is really a lot of fun. It is not a typical parade.  A section of 5th Avenue from 49th street to 57th street is blocked off to cars.  Everyone just walks around and checks out the best Easter bonnets and costumes.  There are all types of costumes, some would probably also work for the Halloween Parade.  One year, I even found an Abraham Lincoln impersonator.

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Anisa with Abraham & Mrs. Lincoln
Anisa with Abraham & Mrs. Lincoln
This could probably work equally well as a Halloween costume. - NYC Easter Bonnet Parade - Two Traveling Texans
This could probably work equally well as a Halloween costume.
J-E-T-S Jets - You never know what you will see at the Easter Parade
J-E-T-S Jets – You never know what you will see at the Easter Parade

Some people wear traditional Easter dresses with hats and look so stylish.  Others wear huge colorful hats.  I am always impressed with people’s Easter Parade hat ideas – so creative and artistic!  I have seen hats made from all kinds of things.  I think the best Easter bonnet ideas are the ones that use Easter Candy (Peeps!) or Easter Baskets.  

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Anyone for some Peeps?! - Easter Hat Images
Anyone for some Peeps?!

 

I really like this one, so artistic and colorful.
I really like this one, so artistic and colorful.
This bonnet has got to be heavy!
This bonnet has got to be heavy!

Kids and Dogs at the Easter Parade

The Easter Bonnet parade is a family event for kids of all ages.  I love seeing all the kids dressed up.  There are also always plenty of dogs and many of them have costumes too.  I have also seen whole families all dress up in a theme.  Normally, people might think it was odd if you tried to take pictures of random people.  But during the Easter Parade, people take it as a compliment if you ask to take their picture.

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Aren't these kids cute! Love the grass skirt!
Aren’t these kids cute? Love the grass skirt with eggs hidden in it.
Even the dogs get in the Easter spirit!
Even the dogs get in the Easter spirit!

The Easter Parade is just a fun and laid back event – anything goes! It’s definitely one of the best things to do in New York City in the Spring.  I love seeing Easter on Parade with all of the bright colors.  You can get a better idea of what the Easter Parade is like by watching my video.

Don’t worry if you don’t have an Easter bonnet.  Plenty of people go that are not dressed up, like yours truly.  One of these years, I will get a group together and figure out something fun to wear.  

Maybe you have some Easter bonnet ideas?

-Anisa

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easter landscaping with text overlay "NYC Easter Bonnet Parade includes video"

Expert Tips for the Easter Bonnet Parade New York

  • You don’t have to dress up to go to the Easter Parade, but don’t forget your camera!
  • The parade is held Easter Sunday on Fifth Avenue from 49th to 57th Streets from 10 am to 4 pm.

Last Updated on January 11, 2021

About the Author

Anisa is an experienced international traveler with extra pages in her passport and stamps from 41 different countries across 5 continents (and counting). She was born and raised in Texas. After a 13 year stint in NYC, she moved to England to live with her husband.

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