Mermaid Parade returns to Coney Island for 2025. Here's what to know.
The Mermaid Parade, a Coney Island tradition, returned to New York City for the 2025 celebration Saturday.
The colorful art parade dates back to 1983 and marks the official start of summer. Thousands lined Surf Avenue for a front row view, and the weather made for a great beach day or visit to Luna Park.
"Coney Island is always the incubator for creativity, it's the birthplace of American popular culture, it's a colorful place -- there's no other place like Coney Island in the entire city," Coney Island's Artistic Director Adam Rinn told CBS News New York, adding, "It really is just a spectacular backdrop of landmark amusement, of new amusement, of history right here in Brooklyn."
Here's everything to know about when the parade starts and where to watch for street closures.
What time is the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island?
The 43rd annual Mermaid Parade stepped off at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 21 -- the first full day of summer.
It typically wraps up around 4 p.m. and is followed by a procession down to the beach.
Organizers said to arrive early and formation started at 10 a.m.
Mermaid Parade 2025 route
The parade started at West 21st Street and Surf Avenue, then headed east on Surf Ave. to the Coney Island Boardwalk. It continued over to Steeplechase Plaza and under the Parachute Jump.
The judge's stand was located on Surf Ave. between West 15th and 16th streets, and there was an ADA viewing area between West 10th and 12th streets.
Coney Island weather this weekend
Saturday's forecast called for sunshine and bright skies for the parade, with highs in the upper 80s before the region could see its first heat wave of the season early next week.
Organizers said the parade would march on rain or shine.
CLICK HERE for more details.
Mermaid Parade 2025 road closures
The NYPD said the following streets would be shut down Saturday:
Formation:
- West 21st Street between Neptune Avenue and Boardwalk
- West 22nd Street between Neptune Avenue and Boardwalk
- West 23rd Street between Neptune Avenue and Dead End
- Surf Avenue between West 21st Street and West 24th Street
Route:
- Surf Avenue between West 21st Street and West 10th Street
- West 10th Street between Surf Avenue and Boardwalk
Festival:
- Stillwell Avenue between Surf Avenue and Boardwalk
