Bolivian folkloric costume is among the most spectacular street-parade dress anywhere — morenada masks, layered polleras, embroidered capes — and Jackson Heights has one of the largest Bolivian communities in the country to fill the street with it. The brass and drum lines are loud enough that you hear the parade blocks before you see it. Come hungry: 37th Avenue is lined with Andean restaurants, and salteñas afterward are the correct move.
What to expect
Dance troupes, brass sections and drum lines progress along 37th Avenue while the crowd watches from packed sidewalks on both sides. Costume and choreography are the main attraction, and many groups stop to perform in place along the route. Restaurants and bakeries on the surrounding blocks stay open and busy throughout.
Good to know
- The 7 to 74th Street-Broadway or the E/F/M/R to Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue puts you a block away
- Free to watch from anywhere along the route; no ticket needed
- Get there before the step-off for a curbside view
- The surrounding blocks are full of Bolivian and Andean restaurants — plan to eat after
- Bring sun cover; 37th Avenue offers little shade at midday
- Family-friendly throughout, with plenty of kids in the marching groups
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Common questions
Where does the parade run?
Along 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, through the heart of the neighborhood's Bolivian community.
Is it free?
Yes. Watching from the sidewalk along the route is free and open to everyone.
What should I eat nearby?
37th Avenue and the surrounding blocks are lined with Bolivian and Andean restaurants and bakeries — salteñas are the classic order.
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