Every May, New York City’s streets become a runway for the world’s dance cultures. On Saturday May 16, 2026, Dance Parade celebrates its 20th anniversary with 10,000 dancers, 150 groups, and 100+ unique styles marching from 17th Street and Sixth Avenue down to Tompkins Square Park — free to watch, free to join.
For Latin culture lovers, this is one of the richest free events of the year. Expect Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Dominican Carnival, Mexican Folk, Brazilian Samba, Bolivian Caporales, Puerto Rican Bomba y Plena, Argentine Tango, and Brazilian Capoeira — the full sweep of the Americas in motion.
The African Diaspora runs deep here too. African Congolese, Afro-Haitian, Afro-Brazilian, Hip Hop, Waacking, Voguing, and Breaking all trace their roots to the same transatlantic story.
And because Latin culture was shaped by many mother cultures, you’ll also find Flamenco from Spain, Bollywood and Bhangra from India, Filipino Melayu, Indonesian, Japanese Yosakoi, and Irish and Scottish Highland dance — every thread of the diaspora represented on one route.
The parade ends at Tompkins Square Park where DanceFest runs 3–7pm across five stages — performances, free dance lessons, and social dancing open to everyone.
20th Dance Parade NYC 2026
The 2026 theme is “The Beat Goes On.”
Dance Parade NYC 2026 includes a Parade with over 10,000 dancers dancing over 100 styles in front of over 120,000 people, a Dance Festival with free dance lessons, and an After Party to let it all hang out.
Grand Marshals are contemporary dancer Joan Meyers Brown, house dancer Timmy Regisford, dance writer Christine Jowers, and hustle dancer Jeff Selby.
20th Dance Parade NYC 2026
10,000+ dancers of 100+ styles
Sixth Avenue from 17th St to 8th St, to Avenue A
May 16, Sat, 11-4pm
Free, Grandstand seating available for purchase
Marchers perform 40 seconds of choreography in front of the Grandstand in Astor Place, 4th Avenue at 8th Street. Tickets $40+
20th DanceFest NYC 2026
Aerial performances, dance party, free dance lessons
Tompkins Square Park, East Village
May 16, Sat, 3-7pm
Free
20th Dance Parade After Party
2026 Grand Marshal Timmy Regisford, Misbehaviour (Vinyl Nights), Micky Perez, Ali Coleman (House Coalition)
Nublu 151, East Village
May 16, Sat, 10pm – 4am
$28+
Get Info
The Parade was founded to support people’s right to dance because New York once had a Cabaret Law which required venues to have a dance permit. Its intent was to prevent white and Black kids from dancing together up in Harlem. Good riddance.
The Beat Goes On!