Eccentric Hats Steal the Show at Annual Easter Parade

From a pigeon-topped bonnet to a crate of hollowed-out eggs, these over-the-top creations capture the spirit of New York's iconic Easter tradition.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 4:24pm

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The annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival in New York City is known for its extravagant and creative headwear, and this year was no exception. The Post tracked down some of the most unique and eye-catching hats, including a woman's bonnet featuring a stuffed pigeon wearing sunglasses and a Mets cap, a father-daughter duo's Chinese takeout and fortune cookie-inspired designs, and a man who wore a crate holding 76 hollowed-out real eggs.

Why it matters

The Easter Parade has been a beloved New York City tradition since the 1870s, drawing crowds who come to admire the elaborate and whimsical hats worn by participants. These over-the-top creations capture the spirit of the event, showcasing the creativity and artistry of the city's residents.

The details

Gina Kim of Sunnyside, Queens, constructed a bonnet topped with a stuffed pigeon wearing sunglasses and a Mets cap, surrounded by 'iconic NYC garbage' like a coffee cup and a half-eaten pizza. Art teacher James Haggerty and his 13-year-old daughter Zoe have been brainstorming bonnet ideas for months, with past ensembles including a Chinese takeout container and a giant fortune cookie that actually gave out fortunes. Brooklynite Jairus Abts, a Metropolitan Opera actor, wore a crate holding 76 real hollowed-out eggs in 2019, which he had to remove to exit the parade due to the overwhelming number of people stopping him for photos.

  • The annual Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival takes place every year on Easter Sunday in New York City.
  • This year's parade was held on April 4, 2026.

The players

Gina Kim

A resident of Sunnyside, Queens, who has been attending the Easter Parade for close to a decade and is known for her elaborate, iconic New York-themed bonnets.

James Haggerty

An art teacher who has been brainstorming bonnet ideas for the parade with his 13-year-old daughter Zoe for months.

Zoe Haggerty

The 13-year-old daughter of James Haggerty, who has collaborated with her father on their creative Easter parade ensembles.

Jairus Abts

A Metropolitan Opera actor from Brooklyn who wore a crate holding 76 real hollowed-out eggs to the 2019 Easter Parade, drawing large crowds and requiring him to remove the hat to exit the event.

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What they’re saying

“If you ever want to know what it's like to be a celebrity, you put on a really nice hat and you go to the Easter Bonnet Parade.”

— Gina Kim

“Last year we took it to a whole other level where my hat actually gave out souvenirs to people.”

— James Haggerty

“I don't think I could walk like two feet without getting stopped for pictures.”

— Jairus Abts

The takeaway

The creativity and artistry showcased in the over-the-top hats at the annual Easter Parade in New York City capture the spirit of this beloved tradition, which has been drawing crowds for over 150 years. These eccentric creations demonstrate the city's vibrant culture and the passion of its residents for self-expression.