Everything you need to know about NYC’s Columbus Day Parade

For the 74th year running, the annual Columbus Day Parade—which bills itself as “the world’s largest celebration of Italian-American culture”—will march up Fifth Avenue on Monday, October 8. This year, parade organizers tapped First Data Corporation president Guy Chiarello as grand marshal; more than one million spectators are expected to show up.

Last year, the Columbus Day parade drew a higher amount of skepticism, as calls to remove the Christopher Columbus statue at Columbus Circle made the rounds. While Columbus is credited with encouraging European exploration in the Americas, many take issue with the devastating effects that his exploits had on indigenous people in the Caribbean and beyond.

Last August, Mayor Bill de Blasio ordered a 90-day review of city monuments that could potentially be viewed as “symbols of hate,” and in January 2018, it was determined that the Christopher Columbus statue would remain in place.

The Redhawk Native American Arts Council, a nonprofit dedicated to educating New Yorkers about Native American arts and culture, will once again host its own festival on Randall’s Island, celebrating and spreading awareness about Indigenous Peoples Day. That event will take place on October 7 and 8, with a “Weekend Campout” on the island’s Wards Meadow Fields.

As for the Columbus Day Parade, it’s a sure bet that it’ll shake up normal traffic patterns in Manhattan; here’s what you need to know.

When is the Columbus Day Parade?

The parade happens on Monday, October 8 , kicking off around 11 a.m.

Where does the Columbus Day Parade take place?

The parade takes place on Fifth Avenue, marching from 43rd Street up to 72nd Street.

What streets will be closed for the Columbus Day Parade?

The following streets will be closed Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Columbus Day Parade at the discretion of NYPD:

Formation

• 43rd Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 44th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 45th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 46th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue
• 47th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue

Route

• 5th Avenue between 72nd Street and 43rd Street

Dispersal

• 5th Avenue between 72nd Street and 79th Street
• 72nd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 73rd Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 75th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 76th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 77th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 78th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue

Miscellaneous

• 62nd Street between Madison Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 68th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 69th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
• 70th Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
• Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd Street and 47th Street

Columbus Day Festival

The following streets will be closed Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for Columbus Day Festival as permitted by the Mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO):

• Whitehall Street between Stone Street and Water Street
• Broadway between Morris Street and Stone Street
• Broadway between Liberty Street and Battery Place

What does this mean for traffic this weekend?

It’s best to anticipate vehicular and pedestrian traffic delays in Midtown and the Upper East Side so plan accordingly. It also wouldn’t hurt to check the MTA’s Weekender app to see how the subways will be running.