New Yorkers step out in their most extravagant Easter bonnets as colorful creations and adorable animals take over the streets of Manhattan

By LAUREN ACTON-TAYLOR, US NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:41, 5 April 2026 | Updated: 21:45, 5 April 2026 New Yorkers stepped out into Manhattan on Sunday to show off their Easter creations and colorful costumes, as the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival filled the streets.  The parade began at 10am and stretched down Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street in Midtown as crowds gathered around St Patrick's Cathedral.  Dating back to the 1870s, the tradition draws huge crowds of people dressed in colorful and extravagant outfits or decorated bonnets.  The informal parade requires no tickets and has no formal procession, but simply invites people to walk along the route in their Sunday best or creative themed outfits.  Casey Sobel, an artist based in Brooklyn, told the Gothamist that she has attended the event for years and spends months working on her creations to showcase on the day.  'It feels like a beautiful community of people because we are all just there to express ourselves in new and interesting ways without it being a contest,' she told the outlet.  This year, Sobel created an outfit that would turn her into a teapot.  Sobel said that the event not only allows New Yorkers the chance to 'shake off the coldness of winter' and step into spring, but it also offers an opportunity 'to create something beautiful, elaborate and silly without being able to focus on who spent the most amount of money.' New Yorkers stepped out in their Easter best for the parade on Sunday The parade began at 10am and stretched down Fifth Avenue from 49th Street to 57th Street in Midtown as crowds gathered around St Patrick's Cathedral A pair of balloon artists wowed the crowd with a dress and giant rabbit made entirely of gorgeous pastel colors and easily made themselves a clear show stopper The Easter Parade crowd collected outside of St Patrick's Cathedral, while a giant balloon rabbit had event goers stopping for photos The informal parade requires no tickets and has no formal procession, but simply invites people to walk along the route in their Sunday best or creative themed outfits Pets made appearances alongside their well-dressed owners, including two chihuahuas who donned their own colorful ensemble and another pair of cute pups in their own demure bonnets While the 2026 Easter Parade was dampened by gray skies and rain, the streets were none the less brightened by everyone's outfits - some even incorporated umbrellas into their look.  A pair of balloon artists wowed the crowd with a dress and giant rabbit made entirely of gorgeous pastel colors and easily made themselves a clear show stopper. Pets made appearances alongside their well-dressed owners, including two chihuahuas who donned their own colorful ensemble of oranges and pinks and another pair of cute pups in their own demure bonnets.  Another event goer even brought along their own white rabbit.  Others donned colorful hats and bonnets covered in flowers and frills - or even colorful eggs perched on top of a few heads. Gordon Donovan, a photographer, wrote on Facebook: 'The colors were everywhere for all to see. Church bells were ringing, and creativity was in full bloom around St Patrick's Cathedral during its Easter Masses.' A blogger, Ego, wrote that 'spring flowers, pastel colors and joyful energy fill the city during this special day.' 'It's a unique mix of tradition, style and New York creativity all in one place,' he added.  Others donned colorful hats and bonnets covered in flowers and frills - or even colorful eggs perched on top of a few heads Gordon Donovan, a photographer, said: 'The colors were everywhere for all to see. Church bells were ringing, and creativity was in full bloom around St Patrick's Cathedral during its Easter Masses' New Yorkers stepped out into Manhattan on Sunday to show off their Easter creations and colorful costumes, as the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival fill the streets A blogger, Ego, wrote that 'spring flowers, pastel colors and joyful energy fill the city during this special day' Emily Hupp, 29, seen wearing a Tiffany themed Bird on a Rock hat in the Easter Bonnet Parade Camille Carrithers said the parade was 'a bucket list checkoff' and that 'thankful is an understatement.' 'Easter Sunday arrived in a glorious way with celebrations among the city including marching three blocks down to St Patrick’s Cathedral and then smiling nonstop among throngs of tourists, New Yorkers and other participants. Blessed beyond reason, my soul was lit,' she wrote.  Camille and a friend donned blue and pink flowers on their hats, a set of pearls and topped it all off with some bunny ears.  One Facebook user said they have been going to the parade for decades and 'every time' they remember why.  'I have been going to the Easter parade for decades— on and off. Every time I do go, I put it back to the top of my list as things I should prioritize,' the post read.  'A completely unorganized parade that spontaneously appears every year like a magical comet. It’s always a completely different cast of characters. 'A cornucopia for photographers and lovers of rebirthing. The rain didn’t dampen anyone's spirits. When the end of the world comes, New Yorkers will be dancing in the streets.' Casey Sobel, a Brooklyn based artist, said that the event not only allows New Yorkers the chance to step into spring, but it also offers an opportunity 'to create something beautiful, elaborate and silly without being able to focus on who spent the most amount of money' 'It feels like a beautiful community of people because we are all just there to express ourselves in new and interesting ways without it being a contest,' Sobel said A parade goer said that the rain kept some away, but the streets were still full with a 'HUGE turnout' While the 2026 Easter Parade was dampened by gray skies and rain, the streets were none the less brightened by everyone's outfits - some even incorporated umbrellas into their look Another parade goer said that the rain kept some away, but the streets were still full with a 'HUGE turnout.'  'Today was the Easter Bonnet Parade in New York City & it was absolutely stunning! A true show stopper even in the rain,' another said.   Certainly, the Easter Parade was at no shortage of happy festivities.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. 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