Puerto Rican Day Parade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Puerto Rican Day Parade(also known as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade) |
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| Status | Active |
| Genre | Parade |
| Frequency | 2nd Sunday of June |
| Venue | 5th Avenue |
| Location(s) | New York City |
| Country | United States |
| Previous event | June 8, 2025 |
| Next event | June 14, 2026 |
| Sponsor | National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. (since 1995) |
| Website | , official website of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc. |
The Puerto Rican Day Parade is a big annual celebration in New York City. It takes place along 5th Avenue every year on the second Sunday in June. This parade honors the people of Puerto Rico and everyone of Puerto Rican background living in the United States.
Many famous people, including those with Puerto Rican heritage, and politicians from the New York area join the parade. It is the only Latino heritage parade held on famous 5th Avenue. It is also the oldest and longest-running Latino heritage parade in New York City. The parade route goes from 44th Street to 86th Street on 5th Avenue. By 2007, it had become one of the largest parades in the U.S., with almost four million people watching each year. Other cities with many Puerto Rican residents, like Philadelphia, Chicago, and Boston, also have their own Puerto Rican parades and festivals.
History of the Parade
The very first Puerto Rican Day Parade happened on Sunday, April 13, 1958, in New York City. It took the place of an older Hispanic Day Parade. This change helped celebrate Puerto Rican culture more directly.
In 1995, the parade became known as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. It grew to include more than just the parade itself. Now, there are over seven main events held across the city during the parade weekend. Many other events also happen that weekend, not officially sponsored by the parade organization. One popular event is a street fair held the day before the parade. This fair has often been centered around 116th Street between Lexington and Second avenues. Besides the big parade in New York City, there are more than fifty smaller Puerto Rican parades across the United States.
Many New York politicians have attended the parade. These include former mayors like Michael Bloomberg and Rudy Giuliani, Governor Andrew Cuomo, and Senator Charles Schumer. Political candidates often attend to connect with voters. The parade has also honored several Puerto Rican celebrities. They are often named "International Grand Marshal." Singer Marc Anthony and his former wife Jennifer Lopez participated. Ricky Martin was a Grand Marshal in 2007 and 2010.
In 2009, actor Osvaldo Ríos was chosen as the parade's "Special Guest Star." Besides the National Grand Marshal, other special titles are given out. These include "King," "National Ambassador of La Salsa," and "National Godmother." In June 2004, Puerto Rican rapper Ivy Queen was named the "Puerto Rico Youth Godmother." Other famous people like Wisin & Yandel and Willie Colón have also received special titles.
In June 2025, Pablo Hernández Rivera attended the Puerto Rican parade in New York. He was the first resident commissioner in Washington to attend this celebration of Puerto Rican identity since Aníbal Acevedo Vilá.
See also
- Nuyorican
- Puerto Ricans in New York City
