44th Annual Mermaid Parade, Coney Island, Brooklyn, NYC 6/20/26: I’ve said this many times: I love parades. But there’s one parade I love more than the rest: The Coney Island Mermaid Parade. I’ve attended or covered the parade every year since 2007 with one exception to date, 2024.
There were mermaids, mermen and merthems of all sizes and races — as per tradition. There was a wild assortment of sea creatures, as well as pirates and marching bands. And there were a few folks who made references to the 2025-2025 NBA World Champion New York Knicks. (That led to New York’s newest and happiest greeting and chant “KNICKS IN FIVE!”) Add countless smiling and happy faces, babies, dogs, a gorgeous summer afternoon, hot dogs and beers, and it was in my mind, the perfect day.
The parade is also a reminder of what i love most about New York — its people. And at the parade, you’ll likely come across every character, every stereotype, and every archetype the city offers.
Long live the Mermaid Parade! Long live Coney Island!
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