18th Annual NYC Dance Parade & Festival: A Celebration of Movement in NYC

Saturday, May 18, 2024
Beginning around Noon

Parade Route: Begins at 17th Street and 6th Avenue, Heads South and turns east on 8th Street straight to Tompkins Square Park.

Photo galleries of prior years’ coverage near the bottom of this page.

The 18th Annual Dance Parade & Festival explodes onto the streets of New York City on Saturday, May 18th, 2024. This free event celebrates dance in all its forms, uniting over 10,000 dancers and 150 organizations.

The day begins at 11:30 am with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring prominent figures in dance and activism. Following the ceremony, a vibrant parade kicks off led by Batalá New York, an all-female Black-led drum and dance ensemble. Throughout the parade route, witness a diverse range of dance styles, from traditional folk dances to contemporary urban movements.

The celebration continues at Tompkins Square Park with DanceFest, offering free dance classes, live performances on two stages, site-specific acts, and a DJ dance party. Dance enthusiasts can even learn directly from Grand Marshals Lil Buck, Mark Morris Dance Group, and Peridance.

The Dance Parade advocates for the freedom of dance in New York City and encourages attendees to sign a petition to end restrictive zoning regulations. NYC Votes, a non-partisan voter registration organization, will also be present, highlighting the importance of civic engagement in a vibrant and creative city.

The official after party keeps the energy going with DJs spinning house, hip-hop, and funk beats.

Dance Parade & Festival is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting dance and supporting the dance community through events, scholarships, and collaborative opportunities.

New Yorkled’s been present at this parade numerous times over the years and it’s always been a great pleasure. A big fave of yours truly was the 2023 parade in the rain. Not even downpours could stop these folks from performing for all.

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