NEW YORK – On Sunday, April 26, the streets of New York turned blue and white and came to life with music, traditional costumes, and plenty of kefi as the annual Greek Independence Parade took place on Fifth Avenue.
From 1:30 PM, over 110 groups, Greek-American organizations, associations, school groups, and Orthodox parishes patiently lined up and prepared to walk more than 15 blocks, to showcase their pride for their Greek roots and heritage. There were even representatives marching from the NYPD and FDNY in attendance.
It was a day full of great pride and appreciation for Greece, which honored the heroes of 1821, and commemorated 205 years of Greek independence, as well as 250 years of American liberty.
The Evzones at the 2026 Greek Independence Day Parade in New York. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
A highlight of the event included seeing the Evzones, who travelled all the way from Athens to proudly march in the parade along Fifth Avenue.
With thousands of Greeks and non-Greeks lined up between 63rd Street to 79th street, it was an event that drew plenty of attention and praise.
For me personally, this was a first, and it was truly an experience like no other.
Women from the Hellenic College of Thessaloniki, Greece. (Photos: Evelyn Karatzas. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
I was so impressed by the attention to detail in each float, the energy of those marching, and the turnout – not only from those participating in the parade, but also from the spectators. The love for Greece in New York is strong, and it was such a beautiful event to witness.
From the music that made me want to get up and dance, to seeing the school students dressed proudly in Greek costumes and hearing the loud crowds calling out “Zήτω η Ελλαδα” – long live Greece! – I felt so proud to be Greek-Australian and honored to have the opportunity to cover such an event, to represent the Greek community, and to share their stories through my work.
Students from St. Demetrios marching in the parade. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
While taking photos and videos of the event, I also spoke with several members of the Greek youth in attendance. I asked them about what they enjoyed most about coming to watch the parade this year, and how it made them feel to attend and show their support for those marching.
“My favorite part of coming here is just being able to celebrate the culture and seeing many familiar faces,” 14-year-old Lilly Graciano said.
“The vibes have been amazing, and it’s a wonderful experience.”
Women from the Hellenic College of Thessaloniki, Greece. (Photos: Evelyn Karatzas. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
The Greek-Cypriot teenager, Katerina Papadimitropoulos, shared that although she hadn’t been to the parade in a few years, she felt really excited to be back and to again immerse herself into the music and Greek culture.
“I’ve actually participated in the parade a couple of times with a couple of different schools, and I think it’s always fun to walk and to just be in the parade and feel the vibes,” Papadimitropoulos said.
The 15-year-old added how attending the Parade made her feel extra proud to be Greek.
Girls dressed in traditional Cypriot costumes. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
“I’m always proud to be a Greek, always proud to be supporting Greece, and I will talk about Greece for anything and anybody,” she added.
“Today, I’ve loved listening to all the music and the bands, as well as seeing the cultural dances and cultural wear. It’s also so nice seeing all the little faces and the kids that are going to be the next generation of Greek-Americans.”
The WABC float paid tribute to Ernie Anastos who passed away earlier this year. (Photo: Evelyn Karazas)
Eva Graciano, a 16-year-old Greek-American who also used to attend the parade with her previous school, St. Markella, expressed how she felt to come and support those marching this year.
“It’s been really fun to just watch and cheer on everyone,” Graciano told TNH.
“I really like seeing familiar people and watching as a lot of my friends and family friends that I’ve known for a long time march in it. I also love hearing the music and the bands as well, that’s like my favorite part.”
The FDNY proudly marched in the Greek parade. (Photos: Evelyn Karatzas)
Eirini Efthymiou, who attended the Parade for the first time, also expressed her joy to be there.
“I’m very happy and I’m really excited. Even though I lived here my whole life, I’ve never come to the Parade, so this is a new experience, and I’m very happy to be here,” Efthymiou told TNH.
“I came to see and support my friends and see the community. I also wanted to support St. D’s [St. Demetrios Greek American School] also, because we’re from Astoria. Seeing them was so nice.”
The Ahepa Delphi Chapter #25 marching in the parade. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
She added how events like the New York Greek Independence Parade “help young Greek-Americans keep their culture alive and let them be immersed inside of it.”
Hannah Kosmopoulos, a 23-year-old Greek-Australian who just moved to New York, expressed how she felt to attend the Parade for the first time, highlighting how she especially loved the culture and energy.
The Miss Greek Independence float. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
She said she loved, “seeing everyone waving Greek and American flags, the dancing, the music and learning about all the different Greek community groups in New York.”
When asked how she felt to attend an event and be immersed amongst so many Greeks and represent Greece outside of Greece, she expressed that coming from a Greek-populated city in Australia, it made her feel at home.
People from Holy Cross Greek Afternoon School marched in the annual parade. (Photo: Evelyn Karatzas)
“I grew up in a large Greek community back in Melbourne. Now that I finally get to experience and know that my culture is even more beautiful in New York, it feels like a home away from home, and I couldn’t be any more proud of this,” Kosmopoulos told TNH.
“I also had no idea how big the Greek community was in New York, so it’s been super exciting to witness the parade and learn all the different groups here.”
