FREEDOM TO DANCE: The 2025 New York Dance Parade Brings the City to Its Feet
The City That Never Stops Moving
On Saturday, May 17th, the streets of Manhattan will pulse with rhythm, movement, and the boundless spirit of creative expression as the 2025 edition of the New York Dance Parade unfolded. Now in its 19th year, this iconic event continues to be a joyful rebellion of bodies in motion—each step a declaration of identity, community, and resilience. With more than 10,000 dancers, over 100 distinct dance styles, and the legendary DJ Danny Tenaglia at the helm, the parade honored its 2025 theme with power and color: Freedom to Dance.
A Red-Hot Tribute to Liberation
Beneath partly sunny skies and a balmy 75 degrees—just the kind of weather that seems choreographed by the gods of dance themselves—the celebration kicked off at 12:00 PM sharp. The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured a radiant performance by Ballet Tech, signaling the start of an epic procession down Sixth Avenue. At the front of the parade, DJ Danny Tenaglia—one of four Grand Marshals—led the charge from aboard "Harvey Disco Kitty," a flamboyant Burning Man-inspired art car adorned with shimmering disco balls and waves of crimson.
This year’s unifying color was red, a bold and visceral tribute to the theme of Freedom to Dance. Red, the color of passion and protest, symbolized the parade’s deeper mission: to affirm the universal right to self-expression, to reclaim public space for joy, and to move without fear.
For the uninitiated, the New York Dance Parade is not merely a spectacle—it’s a citywide exhale, a cross-cultural communion, and a living archive of the world’s dance traditions, all moving in glorious unison through the canyons of Manhattan.
A Choreography of Diversity
The parade began at 17th Street and Sixth Avenue, and with open arms and open formation, organizers invited anyone with a beat in their heart to join. “Bring your energy, your moves, and your love for dance,” they urged—and New York responded in kind.
Among the most striking displays was LaGuardia High School’s jubilant tribute to 50 Years of Fame, a nostalgic nod to one of the city's most cherished performing arts institutions. A kaleidoscope of traditions followed in wave after wave: the vibrant stomp of Bolivian Caporales, the flowing discipline of Chinese Classical dance, the swing and sass of elementary school kids Lindy Hopping with surprising skill, and the powerful precision of MAZarte Mexican Dance.
Contemporary interpretations met classical lineages in seamless succession. The Full Circle Souljahs tore through the pavement with hip-hop reverence; RBDC brought cinematic flair with Bollywood heat; and the haunting beauty of 5Rhythms stood in elegant contrast to the electric vitality of samba and hustle. Scottish Highland reels met African diasporic traditions. Belly dancers and modern movers shared equal billing.
In short, this was the planet dancing in one parade.
Grand Stand Magic and Parkwide Partying
The Astor Place Grand Stand offered a curated moment of brilliance for each group. Here, every ensemble lit up the crowd with a high-voltage 40-second burst—just enough to tease the crowd and leave them wanting more. From tight choreography to free-form improvisation, these mini-performances acted as both introductions and invitations to deeper appreciation.
The celebration then spilled into the East Village’s Tompkins Square Park, where DanceFest ignited the afternoon with two main stages, six site-specific performances, interactive dance booths, and an open Teaching Stage. Dance lovers could shift from spectators to participants, learning new styles on the spot—from capoeira to contact improv.
At the heart of the park, DJ Danny Tenaglia closed out the day with a dance party that transcended genre and age. Children, elders, tourists, and locals alike—everyone joined the groove. Here, the ethos of the event came into full view: when the music’s right and the spirit is willing, dance becomes the universal language of freedom.
Volunteers and the Power Behind the Movement
As always, an event of this magnitude runs on the grace of volunteers—those unsung heroes who guide marchers, set up stages, distribute water, and keep the joy machine humming. Organizers issued a final call just days before the parade, offering backstage access, free t-shirts, and a post-parade pizza party for anyone willing to give 4–6 hours of their time.
Behind the sequins and sound systems is a passionate team, driven by the belief that dance has the power to transform lives. “Dance Parade believes that live dance can awaken a communal human spirit,” reads the organization’s mission, “and has the potential to create a more equitable and vibrant society.” That belief was more than evident in every groove, pivot, stomp, and spin.
A Movement That Moves Us All
At its core, the 2025 New York Dance Parade was about much more than choreography. It was about community, liberation, resistance, and joy. In a city that often moves too fast to pause, this annual eruption of dance reminds New Yorkers—and the world—of the importance of moving together.
Whether in red satin, sequined leotards, traditional garb, or streetwear, each dancer brought a piece of their story to the street. They danced for ancestors, for freedom, for art, and for each other. And in doing so, they reminded us that no matter who we are or where we come from, we all share the right—and the need—to move freely in the world.
As the last beat faded from the speakers in Tompkins Square Park, one thing was clear: dance, in all its forms, continues to be one of New York’s most profound and beautiful languages. And this parade—this unstoppable, jubilant march through the heart of the city—is its annual love letter to us all.
Article and photos by Joseph Fraia - jrfstudio.com - @jrfstudio