Pulaski Parade is the largest manifestation of Polish culture and national pride in the United States. Since 1937, it has marched down Fifth Avenue in New York, gathering tens of thousands of Poles and Polish Americans each year. This guide collects everything you need to know: when it takes place, the route, how to get there, where to stand, and the origin of this tradition.
When the Pulaski Parade Takes Place
The Pulaski Parade in New York traditionally takes place on the first Sunday of October. The date is not random–it coincides with General Pulaski Memorial Day, an American day of remembrance established on the anniversary of the general's death from wounds sustained during the Siege of Savannah on October 11.
In 2026, the 89th Annual Pulaski Parade will march down Fifth Avenue on Sunday, October 4. The parade will start at 12:30 PM.
The parade on Fifth Avenue in New York is the largest and oldest, but not the only one. Other celebrations in honor of General Pulaski are organized by the Polish community in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New Jersey at different times. When checking the date, make sure it pertains to New York.
Parade Route and Viewing Areas
The parade marches up Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, heading north and passing by St. Patrick's Cathedral. The exact range of streets varies slightly each year–in 2026, the organizers indicate the stretch from 39th to 51st Street.
Spectators line both sides of Fifth Avenue along the entire route. Here are some practical tips:
- Areas around St. Patrick's Cathedral (Fifth Avenue at 50th Street) are the most symbolic and frequently photographed section–also the most crowded.
- Honorary stands are set up near the New York Public Library. Here, contingents present themselves officially, so groups march in their best formation.
- The start of the route, around 39th–41st Streets, is usually less crowded. A good spot if you are with small children or want to take photos peacefully.
- The closer it gets to 12:30 PM, the harder it is to find a front-row spot. It is advisable to arrive 30–45 minutes early.
How to Get to the Parade
The most convenient way is by subway–on parade day, Fifth Avenue and adjacent streets are closed to traffic, and parking in this Midtown area is practically impossible.
| Subway Station | Lines | Which part of the route |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Central – 42 St | 4, 5, 6, 7, S | middle of the route, near the stands |
| 42 St – Bryant Park | B, D, F, M | middle of the route, near the stands |
| 47–50 Sts – Rockefeller Center | B, D, F, M | northern part of the route |
| 5 Av / 53 St | E, M | end of the route |
| 34 St – Herald Sq | B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W | walk to the start of the route |
After the parade ends, subway stations in Midtown are heavily congested, and some entrances may be temporarily closed by the police. If you have other plans that day or a long commute, allow an extra hour for your return.
Parade Day Program
The parade day has a fixed, repeatable schedule that has been in place for decades. Times may be adjusted, but the order remains the same:
-
Mass – 9:00 AM
At St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue. The mass is in Polish, with the participation of color guards and Polish community choirs. Admission is free, but the cathedral fills up quickly.
-
Parade Breakfast – 10:30 AM
At the 3 West Club at 3 West 51st Street. This is a closed event for invited guests and official participants. During the breakfast, the Honorary Marshals are decorated with sashes.
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March – 12:30 PM
Starts on Fifth Avenue. Contingents march sequentially, and the entire march lasts several hours. Admission for spectators is free and does not require registration.
The celebrations are usually opened by the Annual Pulaski Parade Banquet, organized a few weeks earlier. This is a ticketed evening with an artistic part and the participation of parade marshals.
89th Pulaski Parade in 2026
The theme of the 89th Parade is: “For our and your freedom! General Kościuszko and General Pulaski – Soldiers of Freedom for Poland and America. In tribute to the 250th anniversary of the Independence of the United States.”
The year 2026 is special as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence. The parade honors two Polish heroes of that war–Kazimierz Pułaski and Tadeusz Kościuszko.
- Chief Marshal: Dr. Iwona Korga, President of the Józef Piłsudski Institute in New York.
- Honorary Marshal: Dr. hab. Karol Polejowski, Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance.
- Mass: the main celebrant Bishop Witold Mroziewski; the Jutrzenka Choir will perform along with choirs from Rzeszów.
- Participants: over 60 contingents and organizations, including Polish schools, scouts, veterans, marching bands, Miss Polonia and Junior Miss Polonia, and delegations from Poland.
History of the Parade: Since 1937
The first Pulaski Parade took place on the streets of New York in 1937. Its initiator was Francis J. Wazeter, then president of the Polish American Congress chapter in the southern part of New York State. The organization is still managed today by the General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee, Inc.
Since then, the parade has been held annually, with two exceptions: 1942, when it was interrupted by World War II, and 2020, when it was canceled due to the pandemic. It is one of the oldest ethnic parades in New York.
What began as a modest celebration of Polish-American pride has grown into the most important annual gathering of the Polish community in the United States. In the post-war decades, the day's schedule was established, which remains in place today: Mass at St. Patrick's Cathedral, breakfast, and then the march down Fifth Avenue.
Who Was General Kazimierz Pułaski
Kazimierz Pułaski (1745–1779) was one of the leaders of the Bar Confederation. After its defeat, he went into exile, where he met Benjamin Franklin. With his recommendation, he went to America to fight on the side of the Continental Army.
In America, he became known as an organizer and commander of cavalry–he is still referred to as the “father of American cavalry.” He died from wounds sustained during the Siege of Savannah in 1779. His figure has become a symbol of the historical friendship between Poland and the United States.
Who Was General Tadeusz Kościuszko
Tadeusz Kościuszko (1746–1817) arrived in America as a military engineer. He designed fortifications that were crucial to the American victory at Saratoga and oversaw the construction of the fortifications at West Point–the present military academy.
Upon returning to his homeland, he led the insurrection of 1794. In the United States, he remains one of the most recognizable Poles in history, and his name is carried by bridges, parks, and towns.
How to Participate in the Parade with Your Group
Entire organizations march in the parade: Saturday schools, parishes, sports clubs, folk dance groups, scout troops, professional associations, and Polish businesses. Participation of a group requires prior registration of the contingent with the Parade Committee.
The contingent registration form is usually made available on the organizer's website in the spring, and registrations close a few months before the parade. If you plan to march with a group, do not wait until September.
What to Bring with You
- Red and white accents – flags, scarves, t-shirts. This is the norm at the parade, not the exception.
- Warm layers – early October in New York can be chilly, and standing still for two hours can be cold.
- Water and snacks – local establishments are crowded on parade day.
- Cash – some booths and collections do not accept cards.
- Power bank – taking photos and videos at the parade quickly drains your phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is admission to the parade paid?
No. Watching the parade from the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue is free and does not require registration or tickets. Only accompanying events, primarily the annual banquet, are ticketed.
What time should I arrive to get a good spot?
The march starts at 12:30 PM. To get a good spot by the barriers, it is advisable to be on Fifth Avenue around 11:45–12:00 PM, and even earlier near St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Can I bring children to the parade?
Yes, it is a family event–entire Polish schools and scout troops march in the parade. With small children, it is more comfortable to position yourself at the beginning of the route, where the crowd is smaller.
Is it possible to drive there?
We do not recommend it. Fifth Avenue and streets in the parade area are closed, and parking spaces in Midtown on parade Sunday are practically nonexistent. The subway is the only reasonable solution.
Do you have to be Polish to participate?
No. The parade is open to everyone–the organizer invites the entire Polish community, New Yorkers, and guests from all over the United States and Poland. City and state officials also march in it.
Where can I check the current date and route?
The date, times, and exact stretch of the route are provided each year by the Parade Committee on the website pulaskiparade.org. The program for the current edition is also published in the events section on Informacja.com.
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