Join over 10,000 dancers moving and grooving to over 100 styles of dance in the 21st Annual Dance Parade & Festival! Come dance with us on Saturday, May 15th, 2027. There is no fee if you're joining an already registered community group.
January, 2026 (date TBD): Parade Group Coordinators Mtg on Zoom (more meetings to follow TBD)
March 1, 2026 (Tue) FINAL day to request a scholarship fee waiver, float deposits due and deadline to register for the parade and festival.
May 13 (Wed), 12:15pm: Press Conference on Steps of City Hall, NYC (meet at Murray St & Broadway at 11:45am in order topass through security)
May 16 (Sat), 9am - 10am: Parade check-in for Vehicles at 18th St & 5th Ave (for registered vehicles only)
May 16 (Sat), 10am - 2pm: Parade check-in for all Parade Group Coordinators at the Parade Start at 7 West 17th St @5th Ave (for registered PGCs only). Parade begins at Noon. Festival is from 3pm-7pm
Individual Dancers may register to join one of the many community groups in the parade. For Groups your options are limited at this time.
Each year Dance Parade gathers 200+ organizations, 10,000+ dancers and 75 vehicles and floats. We manage these logistics by offering the below sound and vehicle options. Though higher budget options provide the most comprehensive sound for your dancers, low budget scenarios are also available:
1. Cheapest Option - Many of our first time group participants choose to dance with the sound provided by another group. Are you a salsa group? Then we'll have you dance behind another salsa group that is willing to share their sound!
2. Bring your own sound -- Having amplified sound outdoors is always challenging and can be expensive. We allow vehicles to transport up to 6 speakers (preferably 4). Up to 60 vehicles are permitted in the parade. Although there is an additional vehicle fee for gas powered vehicles, this may be a good option. Generator powered sound systems are the best. A 3000 watt Honda Generator require gasoline and can be rented from Home Depot for $70/day.
3. Rent a Sound-Cart from us -- we work with a production company who provides an audio rig on a 4ft x 4ft platform, complete with two raised speakers on poles, mixer and battery pack enabled to last the 4 hour parade. sp https://danceparade.org/sound-carts
4. Create and Bring your own Parade Float - Bring your art car, flatbed truck or pickup pulling a decorated trailor. All vehicles will be inspected by NYPD Highway patrol to be safe and street legal. Vehicle fees of $135 applies to all gas-powered vehicles (additional fee after March 1st)
5. Get a Parade Float from us -- We work with the largest, most reliable float company in the Northeast to make your dreams come true with a "Turnkey" solution to have a decorated/moving stage with sound system. After submitting your designs, just show up on Parade Day and dance the day away. Feature up to 3 sponsors. Floats start at $3,250 depending on size, design and audio options. $500 Deposit due March 1st. Complete order due April 15th.
Not sure what to do? Our Production Team can help! Leave us a message on 267-350-9213 and we'll get back to you with a solution!
Parade Grand Stand Lead Red Hayes explains how groups have the exciting opportunity to perform for 40 seconds before a seated audience in Astor Plaza.
Generators with more than 2.5gallons of gasolline (and >10 gallons of diesel) require a permit from the FDNY. This generally equates to a 5000watt generator or more.
Since the Summer of 2025, the NYC Fire Department has been inspecting fire extinguishers that are supplied for gasoline fueled generators in NYC parades. To be compliant, fire extinguishers must be either sold by an FDNY approved vendor or they must have FDNY tags on them which can be purchased for a fee. Fire extinguishers from the below vendors generally cost $125-$150 and some fo these vendors deliver. FDNY Inspectors will begin inspection at 8am on Saturday May 16.
List of Approved Companies
- Get List of Approved Portable Fire Extinguishers Servicing Companies (PDF)
- Get List of Approved Portable Fire Extinguishers Sales Companies (PDF)
- Get List of Disciplined Companies and Individuals (PDF)
May 16, 2026 Parade & Festival Logistics
After a comprehensive planning process our team will send out specific details of each group's details on April 21st for the parade and festival. Each group has been asked to update their details by responding to cf@danceparade.org email address. Our team has been doing what we can to add vehicles, confirm 10lb fire extinguisher issues and even adjust timings (see above) to make the event flow as flawlessly as possible however we've been very clear that the deadline for changes was May 3rd. On May 9th, we plan to email out a revised Participant Guide in English and in Spanish.
A final parade order will be listed here on May 7th, listing reflects adjustments made. Then on parade day Saturday May 15, please report to 7 West 17th Street to pick up your dancer credentials. For DanceFest, group coordinators will report to the Stage Manager at the Area.