Despite gloomy weather, participants filled Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan with vibrant Easter bonnets on Sunday. The annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival drew crowds young and old, including dogs, outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Photographer Amir Hamja documented the event's creative headpieces.
On Easter Sunday, April 6, 2026, New Yorkers braved light rain and overcast skies to participate in the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival along Fifth Avenue, from 49th to 57th Street. The gathering outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral featured a riot of colors amid ash-gray clouds, with paraders showcasing hats in pastel shades and traditional Easter motifs like eggs, flowers, rabbit ears, and wicker baskets. Families, individuals, and even canines joined in, creating a lively scene despite the damp weather. Photographer Amir Hamja captured the festivities, highlighting the participants' enthusiasm. Creative headpieces stood out, including one made from plastic waste to spotlight overconsumption issues and another fashioned from decommissioned MetroCards into a feathered fascinator, collar, and skirt.
