African American Day Parade 2026: Harlem route, times and street closures

The 57th African American Day Parade takes over Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard in Harlem on Sunday, Sept. 20. A pre-parade show starts at 11 a.m., and the march steps off at 12:30 p.m.

Watching is free. The route follows the boulevard, once called Seventh Avenue and long known as the center of the Harlem Renaissance, from 111th Street to 138th Street. The celebration of Black culture, heritage and excellence draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to the neighborhood.

This year’s theme is “Good Businesses Sustain Our Future.” Along the route, expect floats, live performances, giveaways and community resources.

The parade was founded in 1968 during the Civil Rights Movement, and the first march took place in September 1969. It’s one of the longest-running African American parades in the country.

Harlem street closures for the African American Day Parade

The city Department of Transportation will limit car traffic across Harlem to make room for the parade. Drivers should plan around these closures:

• Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard from West 110th to West 114th streets, from West 111th to West 136th streets, and from West 136th to West 142nd streets
• Lenox Avenue from West 132nd to West 133rd streets and from West 136th to West 140th streets
• St. Nicholas Avenue from West 113th to West 114th streets, and from Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard to West 115th Street
• West 110th through West 115th streets, between Frederick Douglass Boulevard and Lenox Avenue
• West 125th and West 126th streets, between Lenox Avenue and Frederick Douglass Boulevard
• West 135th through West 137th streets, between Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Boulevard and Lenox Avenue
• Frederick Douglass Boulevard from West 127th to West 128th streets

How to get to the parade by subway

The easiest way there is the subway. Ride the 2 or 3 line to the 125th Street stop, which is close to the middle of the route.