Italian-Americans proudly celebrated their heritage at the 2024 Columbus Day Parade. The 2025 Columbus Day Parade was cancelled due to severe inclement weather.
Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
Italian pride will be back on display in Manhattan during the 82nd Columbus Day Parade this Monday for the first time in two years.
Last year’s march got washed out by heavy wind and rain that struck the Big Apple on the second Monday of October. Forecasters are calling for partly sunny skies with warm temperatures and a slight chance of showers, so all systems should be go for the parade.
The Columbus Citizens Foundation organizes the annual Columbus Day Parade, which serves as an annual celebration of Italians and Italian Americans, and their contributions to America over generations. This year’s parade, in the semiquincentennial year of the United States, is themed “Two Flags, One Home,” recognizing both Old Glory and the Il Tricolore, the Italian red-white-and-green flag.
“We can’t wait to see Fifth Avenue filled once again with flags, music, marchers, and celebration,” the foundation recently posted on its Facebook page. “It’s a celebration of the generations who came before us, the traditions they carried with them, and the lasting contributions Italian Americans have made to our communities and our country.”
Tens of thousands of people are expected to line the parade route along 5th Avenue between 44th and 72nd Streets. The parade steps off on Monday, Oct. 12, at 11:30 a.m. from 44th Street, with thousands of marchers heading north along 5th Avenue. Festivities will run till about 3 p.m.
The route is close to the following subway stations (subways will run on a regular weekday schedule Monday):
42nd Street-Bryant Park (B/D/F/M/7)
47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center (B/D/F/M)
5th Av-53rd St (E/F)
5th Av-59 St (N/R/W)
Lexington Av-63rd St (M/Q)
68 St-Hunter College (6)
Leading this year’s Columbus Day parade is the grand marshal, Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, once one of the largest hedge funds in the world. The foundation recognized him due to his impact on global economics “and his dedication to sharing the principles of success” to lift others.
The foundation will also recognize two others as distinguished honorees at the parade: Ambassador Lee Rizzuto, who currently serves as the U.S. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States; and Dr. Evelyn Granieri, a geriatrician and emerita professor of medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons.
If you can’t make it to the parade, you can livestream it on ABC7; coverage begins at noon. For more information about the parade, visit the Columbus Citizens Foundation’s Facebook page.