Community
69th Annual San Juan Bautista Parade Set for Camden Waterfront June 28
Camden’s Puerto Rican community is preparing for the 69th Annual San Juan Bautista Parade and Concert, set for Sunday, June 28, 2026. The parade steps off at noon from 7th and Elm Street and makes its way to Wiggins Waterfront Park, where a festival featuring live music runs from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
The parade is organized by Parada San Juan Bautista, Inc., a nonprofit that traces back to 1957, when parishioners from Our Lady of Mount Carmel/Fatima Church marched together under founder Father Leonardo Carrieri to showcase Puerto Rican heritage and culture. What began as a single event has grown into a celebration that spans from May through the end of June, with the parade and waterfront concert serving as its closing tribute each year. The date carries its own meaning too. The festivities fall on the last Sunday in June to coincide with the feast of San Juan Bautista, the patron saint of Puerto Rico.
This year’s lineup at Wiggins Waterfront Park includes performances from Angel Rios, Christian Alicea, and Alex La Manga y La Curu, presented in partnership with La Mega Nation. The celebration has drawn support from sponsors including Atlantic City Electric, the City of Camden, Camden County, and Rutgers University-Camden.
Ahead of the parade, Parada San Juan Bautista, Inc. is accepting applications from groups who want to take part, including dance groups, marching bands, athletic groups, floats, and decorated autos, along with applications from food vendors. Anyone interested can contact parade coordinator Juan J. Gonzalez, Esq. at (856) 757-9600.
For nearly seven decades, the parade has remained one of Camden’s largest celebrations of Latino culture, drawing neighbors to the waterfront each summer to share in music, food, and traditions passed down through generations.
