Floral floats, marching bands, mounted riders and pungmul drum troupes take over Sixth Avenue for the 42nd Korean Parade, which organizers are billing as the biggest edition yet, with a large turtle-ship float slated to join. A few blocks away, Koreatown's 32nd Street turns into a festival with a main stage, K-pop, folk dance and a 500-serving bibimbap performance. If you want one outing that mixes a Midtown spectacle with a food-and-culture street party, this is the weekend's pick.
What to expect
Arrive early along Sixth Avenue in the high 30s or low 30s to catch the grand marshals and floats heading downtown. After the parade, walk to 32nd Street, where a stage hosts official ceremonies, traditional performances and K-pop, and booths offer food, hanbok try-ons, calligraphy and traditional games like tuho and jegichagi.
Good to know
- The parade runs south on Avenue of the Americas between 38th and 27th Streets; the festival is on 32nd Street in Koreatown.
- Herald Square (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W) and 34th St–Penn Station put you steps from both the route and the festival.
- Curbside spots near the start of the route fill first, so claim a patch of sidewalk well before step-off.
- Bring an appetite and cash or cards for festival food booths, and expect lines at the busiest stalls.
- Great for families and anyone curious about Korean traditional culture as well as K-pop.
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Common questions
Where does the Korean Parade march?
Up Avenue of the Americas (Sixth Avenue) from 38th Street down to 27th Street, per the Korean American Association of Greater New York.
Is there more than the parade?
Yes. A K-Town Festival runs most of the day on 32nd Street with a stage, K-pop, folk performances, a mass bibimbap performance and Korean culture activities.
Do I need a ticket to watch?
The parade runs on public streets in Midtown; the Korean American Association of Greater New York posts festival details and updates on its site.
