NYC Veterans Day Parade 2026: NASA's Suni Williams leads America's biggest Veterans Day event; route, timings and street closures

New York is hosting the biggest Veterans Day event in the United States - the annual New York City Veterans Day Parade. NASA astronaut and Navy veteran Suni Williams is leading today's NYC Veterans Day Parade. Thousands of service members will march up Fifth Avenue in the 2026 New York City Veterans Day Parade on Tuesday.

"We are incredibly proud to welcome Suni as Grand Marshal of this year's NYC Veterans Day Parade on the 250th birthday of the United States of America. Her dedication and service embody the values we honor each Veterans Day," said Mark Otto, President and Executive Director of the United War Veterans Council and U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

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Before the parade starts, Suni Williams will participate in the 9/11 Memorial and Museum's Salute to Service at 9 a.m. The ceremony is an annual tribute to American veterans. Prior to the event, volunteers will place yellow roses in the names of 9/11 victims who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Suni Williams is a retired Navy captain and flew aboard several space missions.

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Veterans Day Parade in New York route, start time

This year's parade will step off from Fifth Avenue at 26th Street on Nov. 11, starting at 12:30 p.m. The parade steps off at 12:30 p.m. on Fifth Avenue at 26th Street. Participants will march up to 48th Street and will be wrapped up in three hours.

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Manhattan street closures

There are numerous road closures for the parade, according to the New York City Department of Transportation.

Formation:

Broadway between West 23rd Street and West 29th Street

Broadway between 5th Avenue and East 23rd Street

5th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 26th Street

West 24th Street between 5th Avenue and 7th Avenue

West 25th Street between 5th Avenue and 6th Avenue

East/West 26th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue

East/West 27th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue

East/West 28th Street between Madison Avenue and 6th Avenue

Route:

5th Avenue between 25th Street and 48th Street

Dispersal:

East/West 45th Street between 6th Avenue and Madison Avenue

Miscellaneous:

6th Avenue between West 23rd Street and West 27th Street

East 29th Street between 5th Avenue and Madison Avenue

Broadway between Liberty Street and Battery Place will also be closed for the Veterans Day Festival.