How to get around NYC when the Puerto Rican Day Parade hits the streets this weekend

More than two million people are expected to attend this weekend’s National Puerto Rican Day Parade, celebrating its 62nd anniversary this year. The popular event will feature a host of colorful floats and notable marchers, all celebrating the rich culture of Puerto Rico. The parade will begin at 11 a.m. but the festivities are expected to last well into the evening. Read on for more information about the event and everything you need to know about getting around town.

The parade will run up Fifth Avenue beginning at 42nd Street and to the Upper East Side at 79th Street.

The theme this year is “Un Pueblo, Muchas Voces” (One Nation, Many Voices) and the honorees reflect “the creativity and diversity of thought in Puerto Rico and across the diaspora.” Famous singer Ricky Martin is being honored as this year’s Grand Marshal, in part for the work of his eponymous nonprofit against human trafficking. Other honorees include “Feliz Navidad” songwriter José Feliciano, golfer Chi-Chi Rodríguez, and, posthumously, transgender activist Sylvia Rivera, a leader of the Stonewall uprising and the LGBTQ civil rights movement.

The parade also pays tribute to a different municipality in Puerto Rico and this year the spotlight is on Loíza, an Afro-Puerto Rican community close to San Juan that is celebrating its tricentennial this year.

The Department of Transportation has noted the following street closures from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Formation

• 44th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 45th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 46th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 47th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 48th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue

Route

• 5th Avenue between 42nd Street and 79th Street

Dispersal

• 5th Avenue between 79th Street and 86th Street
• 79th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 80th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 81st Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 82nd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 83rd Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 84th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 85th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue

Miscellaneous

• Madison Avenue between 43rd Street and 86th Street
• 6th Avenue between 44th Street and 49th Street
• 43rd Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 51st Street between Rockefeller Plaza and 5th Avenue
• 58th Street between Grand Army Plaza and 5th Avenue
• 64th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue
• 69th Street between 5th Avenue and Park Avenue
• 74th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue

If you’re going to the parade, your best bet will be to take the subway to any one of these stations servicing the parade route. Service is looking decent, but brush up on any planned service changes that may impact you here.