Flowtopia @ the 2026 Coney Island Mermaid Parade
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α΅α΄₯α΅Mermaids! Sea creatures! Crawfish! Critters from the deep! Jugglers! Flow artists! WE WANT YOU for Flowtopiaβs group at the 44th annual Mermaid Parade!
Inspired by the Mardi Gras traditions of New Orleans, the Mermaid Parade was started on Coney Island in 1983. The event has grown to the largest art parade in the United States! Start making your costumes and read on for info on how to join us.
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πREGISTRATION IS REQUIRED π
As of June 14th, Advanced registration is now closed.
DAY OF REGISTRATION: You must be present by 12pm!!!
You must be present by 12pm!!! Day of registration is CASH ONLY and is $40. 10a - 12p. Registration is located in the parking lot on Surf Avenue in between 21st & 22nd street. Please note to enter this lot, enter from 22nd street (in between Surf and the Ampitheater).
Registration is REQUIRED! All proceeds go to Coney Island and do not go to Flowtopia.
*You must pay Coney directly.*
π«§πͺΌ COSTUMING THEME πͺΌπ«§
We are slotted in the Artsy Marchers section! Anything goes here. π₯° We encourage you to bring your own bubbles! The Mermaid Parade is one of the largest costume parades in the world and the largest art parade in the USA, so please dress up! A few members are bringing upcycled jellyfish umbrellas and costumes this year!
Artsy Marchers are slotted towards the back of the parade and near nudity is allowed!
π«§πͺΌ WHAT TO BRING πͺΌπ«§
π¨ Pack light. Pack smart. We recommend a small sling bag, fanny pack, etc. You must carry your items with you.
π§πΌββοΈ your props! (Please make sure everything is in working order before the event - we do not have the ability to do repairs on site.)
π§πΌββοΈ your costume!! This is the largest art parade in the USA!
π§πΌββοΈ sunscreen - we have group sunscreen but we recommend coming to the event wearing some!
π§πΌββοΈ water - although there are vendors for water on Coney Island, expect high prices day of
π§πΌββοΈ small snacks for easy energy if needed
π§πΌββοΈ sunglasses
π§πΌββοΈ earplugs if needed for sensory reasons
π§πΌββοΈ shoes you feel comfortable walking in for an extended period of time. If you wear heels, please bring comfortable inserts!
π§πΌββοΈ glitter, emergency setting powder, face paint, makeup, anything you need to feel yourself and the mermaid fantasy
π§πΌββοΈ ID and card/cash if you intend to enjoy Coney Island, the Freak Bar, or the sideshow after the parade!
π§πΌββοΈ Your swimsuit if you like! The beach is OPEN after the parade! And in fact, paradegoers will open the beach for the swimming season!
π§πΌββοΈ if you have a mobility aid, please bring it! Read on below for accessibility information.
πΊοΈ ROUTE πΊοΈ
The Parade starts at 1pm, rain or shine, on West 21st and Surf Avenue.
It rolls east to West 10th Street, where the marchers and push-pull floats proceed to the Boardwalk and continue their march to Steeplechase Plaza, under the Parachute Jump, where the Parade will disband.
βΏοΈ ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION βΏοΈ
Coney Island is welcoming to everyone! Anyone using a mobility aid who cannot line up outside is more than welcome to wait in the amphitheater.
Please follow these procedures:
π§πΎ Check in on day of as normal. I highly recommend registering in advance! (If you did not, when you check in is when youβll pay the day of fee to Coney Island.)
π§πΎ Head on over to the amphitheater! You are welcome to wait in the shade.
π§πΎ Please check in with Pippin so they can come get you before we line up to march proper! You are more than welcome to just shoot them a text or Instagram message to check in. :)
RESTROOMS:
There are bathrooms in the Amphitheater that all groups will have access to, as well as porta potties on Surf Ave and 22nd St.
πΈ Photographer or videographer and just want access to the staging area?
Sign up for a media pass here: https://www.coneyisland.com/mermaidparaderegistration
π§ββοΈ click the option: I am a photographer.
𫧠you can sign up with our group (you will need to march!) or as your media organization.
CONTACT:
Need help? Message @flowtopianyc or @pippinperformanceart
ποΈ SPONSORED TICKETS:
Want to sponsor a ticket for a person to march who may not otherwise be able to afford to go? Please contact us on Instagram at @flowtopianyc! We would love to help facilitate that. (Current count: At the time of making this Partiful on 05/16, we have zero tickets donated.)
π PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION π
Via train: The D, F, N, and Q trains stop at Coney Island - Stillwell Ave. This is the stop closest to the parade.
Via bus or rideshare: There are significant road closures due to the parade. We recommend routing via train. If this is not possible, use the Citymapper app to find your best way to us.
Last year, many of our members experienced quite a few delays due to track maintenance. Please leave early to get there on time! Uber and Lyft will be slow due to parade road closures and pedestrian traffic.
π¨: our amazing poster is by @y00me! This poster was made with beautiful human hands and no AI π€
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