Japan Parade and Street Fair will return for its fifth year on Saturday, May 9th, 2026.
Participate Now: Japan Parade 2026 Applications for Units Are Open
Japan Parade 2026 is now accepting applications for units that wish to participate in the march that begins at Central Park West. Over 2,800 participants in 110 groups and entries made Japan Parade & Street Fair 2025 a success, and a staple event for traditional and modern Japanese culture each May in New York City.
An estimated 60,000 people came to cheer on and view the parade and visited the Japan Street Fair, according to the NYPD. For Japan Parade 2026, the organizers are looking for units that can “present the unique appeal of Japanese culture, encourage the friendship between Japan and the United States, and demonstrate the solidarity of the Asian American community”.
Showcasing Japanese Culture: Traditional Arts, Kimono, and Martial Arts
Participating Unit Examples:
- Traditional performing arts (bon-odori, Nihon-buyō, gagaku, shamisen, taiko, etc.)
- Traditional dress and costuming as samurai (armor and hakama), in kimono, etc.
- Musical groups such as marching bands
- Martial arts (aikido, karate, kendo, kyūdō, judo, sumo, etc.), other sports
- Pop Culture
- Schools, children’s groups, prefectural associations (kenjin-kai), hobby groups, etc.
While there is no participation fee, all costs associated with your unit’s participation (such as transportation, accommodation, costumes, props, rehearsal, speaker rental fees, etc.) are the responsibility of the participating unit.
What to Know Before You Apply: Deadlines and Unit Requirements
The deadline to submit your application is Monday, February 16, 2026.
After application submission, the Japan Parade team will review all applications received and notify you regarding participation status by mid-March.
If you have any questions or need further information about the event, you can contact the organizers by email at info@japandaynyc.org and follow their social media channels on Instagram, Facebook, and X/Twitter for more updates and announcements.
Note: This article was sourced with information from an email newsletter.
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