What is happening on September 19
Fifth Avenue becomes a parade route this Saturday. The 69th annual German-American Steuben Parade starts on the Upper East Side and brings thousands of marchers, floats and bands to Manhattan, according to Secret NYC. The event also marks the official kickoff to Oktoberfest. Expect crowds along the route.
The key travel fact is simple. The source reports that 19 streets along Fifth Avenue close to cars. That means crosstown traffic, taxis and buses through the Upper East Side will be slow or diverted. If you have a museum, shopping or hotel plan in that part of Manhattan, build in extra time or move it to Sunday.
How to move around the closures
Skip taxis and buses on the Upper East Side while the parade is running. Use the subway instead, and check the MTA's weekend service changes before you leave. If your hotel is inside the closure zone, ask staff about the nearest open cross street, but expect police to control crossings. The parade is a good reason to stay south of the disruption and walk, or to visit another borough entirely.
A free Brooklyn alternative
If road closures are not your idea of a New York Saturday, head to Brooklyn. Molière in the Park is staging a free outdoor production of "Don Juan" in Prospect ParkProspect ParkOlmsted and Vaux's Brooklyn park, considered by its designers their masterpiece, with the borough's best meadow and lake. this month, per Secret NYC. It is the company's fifth production. Bring a blanket and arrive early for a spot, as free theater in New York fills up fast.
Best tours and tickets in New York
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All-Access 9/11: Ground Zero Tour, Memorial and Museum, One World Observatory
Frequently asked questions
When is the 2026 Steuben Parade?
Which streets close for the Steuben Parade?
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