It might not be the first holiday on your mind, but there are a couple good reasons to get excited for Columbus Day 2017. First of all, some of you get the day off of work — congratulations if you number among the lucky few. (If you’re wondering, is Columbus Day a federal holiday, we’ve got you covered, too.) Second, there’s the Columbus Day Parade in New York City.
First of all, when is Columbus Day?
Columbus Day 2017 falls on Monday, October 9. If we’re talking technicalities, though, Columbus actually landed on October 12, 1492, but the U.S. has been observing the holiday on the second Monday of the month of October since 1970.
When is the Columbus Day Parade in New York City?
The Columbus Day Parade in New York City will be held on Monday, October 9, 2017 at 11 a.m. EST. This year, the procession will be led by Grand Marshal Leonard Riggio, Chairman of Barnes & Noble, Inc.
You can expect “colorful floats and rousing musical performances” during this parade that celebrates the contributions of Italian-Americans to New York City, according to NYC Go. There will be multiple high school marching bands performing as well as cultural groups performing traditional dances along the parade route.
Route for Columbus Day Parade in New York City
The Columbus Day Parade will start at 47th Street, and will march up Fifth Avenue. The end of the parade is up at 72nd Street, and the parade will not veer off of Fifth Avenue between those start and end streets. But maybe you’re only interested in the red carpet performances. Those will happen on the parade route (Fifth Avenue) between 67th and 69th Streets.
In case you’re curious, check out a map of the Columbus Day Parade in New York City below:
