Skip to content

Coney Island Mermaid Fans — The Kind 50

A performer in a jewelled mermaid costume dances in the street, swirling yellow, pink and orange silk fans.

mermaids reclaim the island

Sunlight falls in rays through clear blue water onto a bed of kelp.

For over 40 years, the Coney Island Mermaid Parade has kicked off summer in Brooklyn.

A man dressed as King Neptune, with a crown and trident, stands with parade watchers at the barriers outside Nathan’s and Williams Candy.

They beat the house,but not the bank

This year, a harsh winter and a long fight against a proposed casino left the nonprofit behind it, Coney Island USA, with an empty bank account and a parade on the brink of cancellation.

The Coney Island USA badge: a grinning face ringed by the words “Coney Island U.S.A. presents”.
Paradegoers in orange sea-creature costumes and crowns pose in a crowd outside a boardwalk arcade.
A black-and-white sign reading “Welcome to Coney Island”.
A smiling woman with red hair and a crown of shells and flowers holds a paper parasol.

“a piece of new york culture”

The Statue of Liberty against a clear blue sky.
Dancers in red wigs, purple skirts and orange starfish costumes link arms in the street.
The black-and-white poster for the 44th Annual Mermaid Parade, Coney Island, Brooklyn, June 20, 2026 at 1:00 PM, with Queen Mermaid Rickie Lee Jones and King Neptune Jesse Malin.
Marchers in bright costumes carry a red “Mermaid Parade” banner along the boardwalk past the New York Aquarium.

Lost at sea

The parade has never charged admission. Every costume and float is a gift, given freely to the city each year. Without help, the 44th parade wouldn’t happen at all.

A woman with long golden hair and a spiky gold crown poses with a gold-painted hand.

brooklyn refused to let the floats sink

A paradegoer in a yellow wig and a green knitted mesh dress.
Two people in huge gold winged costumes studded with purple jewels kiss.
A bearded man in a flat cap and a denim shirt speaks to the camera in front of old boardwalk signs.
Yes I never miss this parade ❤️❤️
Donated <3 You guys fought hard to keep the casino away, and you shouldn’t be losing one of the most important celebrations of community in NYC.

Waves of support came in from those who'd marched themselves, those who'd watched from the boardwalk, and those who believed a gift this good was worth sharing.

Just donated!! We gotta make sure we’ll have the Mermaid Parade for years to come! I can’t image Coney Island without it 🧜🩵✨
No way...the Mermaid parade is everything fabuloz 👏 We need it to live lovely. What can we do to save it. I will donate.
A performer in a red costume and wig cuts a pink ribbon on the beach, with a crowd behind and the Parachute Jump tower in the distance.

$63K+

raised to keep the
mermaids swimming

Two marchers wear giant black-and-white fish heads over their shoulders, with a crowd behind.
A crowd lines the street for the parade, under the words “44th Annual Mermaid Parade, Coney Island”.
Paradegoers wave from the roof of an old bus draped in pink fabric and flowers.

Turn the tide for the weirdos you love

Start a GoFundMe