Traditional costumes, brass bands, and German flags on Fifth Avenue: the Steuben Parade celebrates German-American friendship every year on the third Saturday in September.
What to expect
The parade celebrates the German roots of many Americans. New York brings together people from so many different backgrounds, and this is one of the ways those communities share their traditions with the city.
It’s named after Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a Prussian officer who trained George Washington’s Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.
Traditional costume clubs, bands, dancers, marksmen’s associations, and other organizations from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the United States make their way along Fifth Avenue. You’ll see regional outfits, flags, and decorated floats, accompanied by brass music.
The route heads north on Fifth Avenue, from 68th Street to 86th Street.
Good to know
- Watching from the sidewalk is free.
- This is more manageable than New York’s major holiday parades. My tip: head farther north along the route, where there’s usually more space than near the start.
- If you’d rather sit, you can buy grandstand tickets. In 2026, they cost $15 plus a $1 online service fee, or $16 total. Order ahead: these are physical tickets sent by mail. The 2026 ordering deadline was September 13 at 5 PM New York time.
- After the parade, you can keep celebrating at Oktoberfest in Central Park. That requires a separate ticket.
- Allow around three hours for the full parade.
