Binghamton Celebrates With A Parade And Italian Festival October 12th
The holiday weekend is here. A 3-day weekend filled with sun, clouds, rain, showers, and maybe some wind thrown in for fun. Hopefully, the wet stuff will clear out by Monday morning to make way for the annual Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival in Downtown Binghamton on October 12th (2026).
On Thursday (October 8th), City of Binghamton Mayor Jared Kraham and members of Binghamton’s Italian-American community announced the details of the parade and festival.
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At 9 a.m. on Monday, the Italian Flag will be raised outside of Binghamton City Hall, with a performance by singer Kate Fogg of the Tri-Cities Opera.
At 10 a.m., the parade, featuring the popular and competitive Tournament of Marching Bands, will kick off near the intersection of Main and Arthur streets in Binghamton and head east on Main Street, ending in front of the Broome County Courthouse.
Five high school marching bands will compete in the parade. The marching bands are judged on music, color guard, and drum major performances. The Binghamton High School Steel Drum Band will lead off the music segment of the parade.
This year's bands will include Union-Endicott, Johnson City, Whitney Point, Williamson from Tioga, Pennsylvania, and Athens from Athens, Pennsylvania.
For more than six decades, downtown Binghamton has come alive with this celebration, bringing families, friends, and visitors together for music, food, and fun. The event is a wonderful reflection of the Italian-American heritage that is such an important part of our community, while the Tournament of Marching Bands gives talented young musicians an opportunity to shine. We’re grateful to the dedicated volunteers and community partners whose efforts continue to make this cherished tradition possible year after year. - City of Binghamton Mayor, Jared Kraham
In addition to the high school bands, Mayor Kraham noted that the parade will feature local Italian fraternal organizations, police and fire agencies, antique vehicles and local sports organizations. Binghamton Attorney Carman Garufi will be the 2026 Columbus Day Parade Grand Marshall.
Just before the parade kicks off, the Italian Festival will open for all on Water Street near Court Street from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The festival will feature food for sale and music from Rooster and the Roadhouse Horns after the parade ends.
