Today is the first day of spring, but it sure doesn’t feel like it. It’s cloudy and gray and feels like any minute snow could start falling. I’m so cranky about this weather, I just want to stuff my face with macarons. Which is my tradition for March 20th, but NYC is not celebrating Macaron Day this year! So what’s a disappointed spring lover to do?

Get Ready for the NYC Easter Bonnet Parade 2018!

This is the explosion of spring I’m waiting for! Flowers! Color! Fashion worn for fun not freezing temps!

Every Easter Sunday, traffic on 5th Avenue is closed off and NYC’s creatives and fashionistas emerge from hibernation in jovial swarms.

Bonnets come in all shapes, sizes, and themes. So many of the bonnets are hand crafted.

Some expertly:

Others through glue pun trial and error and joyful imagination! 

The New York Easter Bonnet Parade on 5th Avenue is a must-see for anyone who loves creativity, people watching, and fashion.

The best part of all this that ANYONE can participate in this parade! All you need to do is show up wearing a hat and you’ll be part of the fun!

It’s less than two weeks away so you still have plenty of time if you want to plan and construct a bonnet! These photos from parades past should provide plenty of inspiration!

Easter Bonnet Inspiration

Tips for what to wear to the NYC Easter Bonnet Parade

Flowers are always a good idea!

The more the better!

You can’t go wrong with bunnies, chicks, and other adorable heralders of spring.

Embellish bunny ears!

Think about your full Easter ensemble.

From tip to toe!

The most photographed bonnets are the cherry on top of fantastic Easter Sunday best.

Pick something you love and put it on your head!

This adorable girl wore her Girl Scout uniform and made her bonnet feature everyone’s favorite cookies. 

She probably would’ve made a killing if she was selling them! Caught a tiny would-be thief in this photo.

New York themed bonnets are always crowd pleasers.

What New Yorker wouldn’t smile at Peeps on the Staten Island Ferry?

And a bunny King Kong scaling the Empire State?

There’s nothing wrong with keeping it simple!

One year I made a Big Apple Bonnet out of a red hat I had and some felt. It was so easy to make and I was surprised at how many compliments it received!

This event is so fun, even the media covering it join in. That is NOT common for NYC events and definitely a testimate to just how happy everything about this parade is.

If you run out of time to make a bonnet, just leave it to the pros!

Store-bought bonnets are welcome! I wore this one last year and had a blast!

What if everything  fails and you show up to 5th Avenue on Easter morning bare-headed?

Balloon sculptors are always on hand to make Instant Inflatable Easter Bonnets!

The NYC Easter Bonnet Parade is great for all ages. You’ll see adorable babies and fiercest elderly fashionistas.

You might even see me and some other fabulous NYC bloggers! We’re brainstorming bonnet ideas right now too!

I don’t know about you reading, but writing this post made me feel a little more hopeful for spring. It’s here even if we can’t feel it yet! Happy Spring! I’d love to hear any bonnet ideas or suggestions below!

The NYC Easter Bonnet Parade 2018 is Sunday April 1st from 10AM-4PM. The event runs along 5th Avenue from 49th Street to 57th with the center of the action around St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Rockefeller Center. 

Almost every photo in this post was one I hadn’t posted before! If you can’t get enough bonnets and want more inspiration, check out my previous posts on the parade: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013.