SUNDAY, May 4, 2025 / bloomington Ave, Mpls

  • WATCH THE PARADE!

    See below for more information about the time, location, and what to expect.

    parade details

  • Parade Route

    The parade will go down Bloomington Avenue from 28th to 34th Street.

    ROUTE MAP

  • JOIN THE PARADE!

    All groups and individuals must register to be in the parade by April 20th.

    More information

Community driven since 1975

For 51 years, South Minneapolis has celebrated Mayday with an annual parade and festival to honor
the coming of Spring on the first Sunday in May.

In its past, the parade theme and puppet art was coordinated by artists of the In the Heart of the Beast Theater (HOBT). For decades, hundreds of community members would gather during the month of April at HOBT to bring the theme of the parade to life.

Today, the creation of parade puppets and art has become decentralized, with a spectacular and free-flowing collection of visions created in basements, garages, studios, schools, and backyards.

watch the Parade!

    • Sunday, May 4, 2025

    • Line-up 10:00am, Parade Start 12:00pm

    • The parade line-up will be on Bloomington Avenue between 26th and 28th Streets.

    • The parade will proceed down Bloomington Avenue to 34th Street, turn East, and enter Powderhorn Park between 34th and 35th Streets on 15th Avenue.

    • To watch the parade, bring blankets/chairs, water, snacks (no coordinated food trucks), bubbles, sidewalk chalk, a garbage bag (and help pick up trash) and dress for the weather!

    • Feel free to costume yourself for the occasion, many do!

    • Pets that would be fearful of giant puppets, stilters, loud noises, or children.

    • Please keep all pets leashed and controlled at all times! Help to keep puppeteers and stilters safe!

    • The beginning of the parade route is always less crowded, so head North of Lake Street if you like some space or are arriving near noon.

    • The area from 32nd Street to the end of the route becomes VERY crowded, especially as you get closer to the park, and folks put down their blankets and chairs EARLY.  Head this way if you like crowds and excitement!

    • Puppets, activist street bands, stilters, art cars, puppets, choirs, protest art, dance music, BattleTrain, puppets, costumes, dance, and PUPPETS! 

Make art and join
the 2025 Mayday parade!

Come solo or in any size group!

Bring your puppetry, music, dance, song, marching band, poetry, street theater, or any form of artistic expression and parade it in the streets!

Questions or comments?

Email us at ourmaydayparade@gmail.com.

JOIN the Parade!

All groups and individuals must register by April 20th.

Register at the button above or through this link.

Your group will receive a confirmation and follow-up information once registered.

  • The parade lineup will be on Bloomington Avenue between 26th and 28th Streets. The parade will proceed down Bloomington Avenue to 34th Street, turn East and enter Powderhorn Park between 34th and 35th Streets on 15th Avenue.

    After filling out the registration form, you will receive more information about the lineup and receive a lineup number. It will take time for everyone to find their spot and get ready to go, so arrive NO LATER than 11:00am.

    (link to route map)

  • St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church at 2742 15th Avenue South (one short block west of Bloomington) will generously provide access to their bathrooms during the parade lineup window.

  • Pets, no pets are allowed in the parade for the safety of puppeteers and stilters. If you have a service animal, let us know in your registration form.

  • Bring everything you need to keep yourself and your group safe and comfortable!

    Bring snacks, water, folks to attend to your group’s safety needs (especially for kids, stilters and large puppets), and dress for the weather. 

  • If we hear of any parade art workshops that are open to the public we will provide information here, check back!