Join over 10,000 dancers moving and grooving to over 100 styles of dance in the 20th Annual Dance Parade & Festival! Our 2026 Parade early-bird registration opened October 1st, 2025 to everyone who commits to dancing in the parade. Parade participants are eligible to perform or teach at DanceFest after the parade (additional artistic stipends may be provided). Come dance with us on Saturday, May 16th, 2026!
There is no fee if you're joining an already registered group.
Each year Dance Parade gathers 200+ organizations, 10,000+ dancers and 75 vehicles and floats. We manage these logistics by offering the below sound and vehicle options. Though higher budget options provide the most comprehensive sound for your dancers, low budget scenarios are also available:
1. Cheapest Option - Many of our first time group participants choose to dance with the sound provided by another group. Are you a salsa group? Then we'll have you dance behind another salsa group that is willing to share their sound!
2. Bring your own sound -- Having amplified sound outdoors is always challenging and can be expensive. We allow vehicles to transport up to 6 speakers (preferably 4). Up to 60 vehicles are permitted in the parade. Although there is an additional vehicle fee for gas powered vehicles, this may be a good option. Generator powered sound systems are the best. A 3000 watt Honda Generator require gasoline and can be rented from Home Depot for $70/day.
3. Rent a Sound-Cart from us -- we work with a production company who provides an audio rig on a 4ft x 4ft platform, complete with two raised speakers on poles, mixer and battery pack enabled to last the 4 hour parade. sp https://danceparade.org/sound-carts
4. Create and Bring your own Parade Float - Bring your art car, flatbed truck or pickup pulling a decorated trailor. All vehicles will be inspected by NYPD Highway patrol to be safe and street legal. Vehicle fees of $135 applies to all gas-powered vehicles (additional fee after March 1st)
5. Get a Parade Float from us -- We work with the largest, most reliable float company in the Northeast to make your dreams come true with a "Turnkey" solution to have a decorated/moving stage with sound system. After submitting your designs, just show up on Parade Day and dance the day away. Feature up to 3 sponsors. Floats start at $3000 depending on size, design and audio options. $500 Deposit due March 21st. Complete order due April 15th.
Not sure what to do? Our Production Team can help! Leave us a message on 267-350-9213 and we'll get back to you with a solution!
Escuchar video en español:Audio Player
Parade Grand Stand Lead Red Hayes explains how groups have the exciting opportunity to perform for 40 seconds before a seated audience in Astor Plaza.
Have a group that you want to look unified for the parade? Consider making or ordering tshirts. There are two ways to do this:
1) Use one of these two logos to create your own tshirts. We recommend putting your logo on the front and ours on the back. Shirts look best with a transparent (.png) logo format. This is the less costlier and more burdensome option as you will have to find your own tshir vendor, order various sizes for your group and distribute them individually. This option is recommended for those who have experience making their own tshirts.
Option 2) Let us setup your own store to drop-ship your shirts. Just send sabrina@danceparade.org a png of your logo and give her a preferred color that contrasts with the logo. We will set up a store for you (see examples) to sell $30 tshirts to your team. Simply distribute the link and have your members order their individual shirts. Upon ordering, a custom printed shirt will be printed, packaged and sent directly to your members within 10 days of order.
