Coney Island Events Through the Year
Parades, plunges and the most famous eating contest anywhere.
Plan a New York TripConey Island Events Through the Year
Coney Island’s calendar is as loud as its rides. Some events have run for decades, and a few are known around the world.
| When | Event | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year’s Day Plunge | Thousands run into the cold Atlantic with the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, founded in 1903. |
| Spring | Opening of the season | The amusement parks reopen and the boardwalk wakes up. |
| June (usually) | Mermaid Parade | An art parade of mermaids, sea creatures and costumes, founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA. |
| July 4 | Hot dog eating contest | The famous contest at Nathan’s on Surf Avenue. |
| Summer | Baseball and fireworks | Brooklyn Cyclones home games and summer fireworks over the beach. |
| Fall | Halloween events | Spooky shows and seasonal events as the parks wind down. |
The Mermaid Parade
Founded in 1983 by artist Dick Zigun and produced by Coney Island USA, the Mermaid Parade is one of the largest art parades in the country. Marchers dress as mermaids, sea creatures and Coney Island characters, and the parade ends with a ceremony on the beach to open the ocean for summer. Coney Island USA — the nonprofit arts group based at 1208 Surf Avenue — also runs the Coney Island Museum and the Coney Island Circus Sideshow.
Tips for event days
- Take the subway; driving and parking on big event days is very hard.
- Arrive early for the Mermaid Parade and the July 4 contest to find a spot.
- Bring water, sunscreen and patience — crowds are huge.
- Plan for the ride home: trains are packed when events end.
For what else is on across the city, see New York City Tourism and our sister guide See and Do NY. Visiting for a Broadway show too? Tour the Shows covers theater trips.
The Fourth of July and the Polar Bear Plunge
On Independence Day the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues becomes a stage for Nathan’s hot dog eating contest, with competitors racing to finish the most hot dogs in ten minutes in front of a packed crowd. At the other end of the year, the Coney Island Polar Bear Club, which swims in the ocean all winter, leads the New Year’s Day Plunge, when thousands of people run into the cold Atlantic, many raising money for charity. Both are free to watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Coney Island Mermaid Parade?
It is held each year on a Saturday in late spring or early summer, usually in June, on Surf Avenue and the boardwalk. Coney Island USA announces the exact date and route each year.
When is the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest?
Every Fourth of July at the original Nathan’s on Surf and Stillwell Avenues. Crowds gather early; it is also broadcast on TV.
Are there fireworks at Coney Island?
Fireworks have been part of Coney Island since 1883, and summer fireworks over the beach have been a tradition in recent seasons. Check the amusement parks and local listings for the current schedule.
Time Your Trip for a Coney Island Event
Want to see the Mermaid Parade or the Fourth of July in Brooklyn? A travel specialist can plan the trip around it.
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