NYC Persian Parade 2019: Street Closures, Start Time, Location

MIDTOWN, NY — New York City's Persian Parade kicks off Sunday morning in Midtown down to Madison Square Park.

The parade is to celebrate springtime and Nowruz — the Iranian or Persian New Year. Though the Persian New Year was technically March 21, the parade is scheduled for Sunday.

Nowruz dates back an estimated 3,000 years and is rooted in Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion, Vox wrote in a Persian New Year explainer. It occurs the second the vernal equinox does — or when spring begins.

Here's everything you need to know about New York City's Persian Parade to celebrate Nowruz:

Start time:
11 a.m. Sunday, April 14

Parade route:

The parade begins at Madison Avenue and 38th St. It will continue along Madison Ave. and finish at Madison Square Park at 27th St.

The parade's formation will be at 38th St. between Fifth and Park Aves. and disperse at 27th St.

Entertainment and activities and food from Persian restaurants will be set up at a festival at 26th St. between Madison and Park Aves.

Street closures:

All streets will be closed along the route on Madison Ave. between 38th and 27th Sts., per the Police Department.