Coney Island Mermaid Parade Names Jesse Malin & Rickie Lee Jones as Royals

Coney Island USA, the non-profit multi-arts organization headquartered in the heart of Coney Island's famed amusement district, is planning on staging its 44th Annual Mermaid Parade on Saturday, June 20, 2026.

Each year notable celebrities are selected to lead the Mermaid Parade through the streets of Coney Island as the King and Queen. This year the honors go to musician and New York's native son, Jesse Malin, and two-time Grammy winner Rickie Lee Jones.

“The royalty for this year's parade is a dream come true,” says Adam Rinn, Coney Island USA's Artistic Director. “There's no other working artist in New York at the moment that's more deserving to lead this parade than Jesse. Not only is he a talented musician and an incredible songwriter, he's given artists of all disciplines venues around the city in which to showcase their art.” Rinn excitedly continues, “Rickie Lee Jones, is one of the best singer-songwriters ever! Rickie has influenced a generation of artists with her beautiful voice and her genre-defying blend of rock, jazz and pop.” 

“Planning for the 2026 parade has been a struggle,” Adam admits “Financially, we've been hit hard this past year, with the economy the way it is, the harsh winter and the battle to save Coney Island from a dreaded casino, we found ourselves tapped out. It got to the point that we had to open up a crowdfunding campaign. But thanks to the public and a generous allocation from Brooklyn Borough President, Antonio Reynoso, the money has been coming in so we're able to start getting the ducks…or in this case, sea creatures lined up in a row. At this point we can really focus on staging the most colorfully spectacular parade and the incredible royalty that will lead us into the summer season!

"Nothing captures the magic of summer in Brooklyn better than the Mermaid Parade,” says Reynoso. “When Coney Island USA came to us in need, there was no question we had to step up.” This parade belongs to the people of Brooklyn and to the thousands of artists who pour their hearts into their costumes, floats, and performances every year. With Jesse Malin and Rickie Lee Jones as King and Queen, the 44th Annual Mermaid Parade is going to be an unforgettable celebration. I'm proud to help make it happen."

The Mermaid Parade, long the unofficial kick-off to summer in New York City, is the nation's largest art parade. It celebrates ancient mythology and seaside ritual, drawing roughly 5,000 participants who proudly display handcrafted sea-themed costumes and elaborate floats alongside marching bands, drill teams, antique cars, and hundreds of thousands of spectators who come to watch the spirited spectacle.     

In keeping with tradition, the King and Queen will be wheeled through the parade in an antique wicker boardwalk rolling chair dating back to 1923.

About King Neptune Jesse Malin

Hailed by Rolling Stone as “a gritty troubadour of the streets,” Jesse Malin released his solo debut The Fine Art Of Self Destruction to universal acclaim with Uncut dubbing the album “an instant classic.” Over the next two decades, Malin released eight more similarly lauded solo albums while spreading the gospel of New York rock and roll and PMA (Positive Mental Attitude). His songs have been covered by Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Green Day, Elvis Costello, Bleachers, Counting Crows, and more. 

In 2023, Malin suffered a rare spinal stroke, which left him paralyzed from the waist down. Rather than retreat from the spotlight, he defied the odds and returned to the stage with two triumphant sold-out nights at the Beacon Theatre. In 2026, Malin made his Off-Broadway debut in the acclaimed stage show Silver Manhattan, which was written by Malin and Lauren Ludwig and produced by ArKtype and David Bason. The show is running through May 10 at the Bowery Palace. His first book, Almost Grown: A New York Memoir, was released this spring (Akashic). 

About Queen Mermaid Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee Jones is an American musician, storyteller, two-time Grammy winner and eight-time nominee who has been inspiring pop culture for decades, beginning with her star-making self-titled debut and the seminal Pirates. Named the “premiere song-stylist and songwriter of her generation” by The New Yorker and “The Duchess of Coolsville” by Time magazine, Jones released her Grammy-nominated album Pieces of Treasure in 2023, and published her celebrated memoir Last Chance Texaco. Her next solo album is planned for 2026. The Independent writes, “There has always been something defiant about Rickie Lee Jones . . . a voice from a dream, elusive yet familiar, transcendent, a messenger from another place.” 

About the Parade

The Mermaid Parade was founded in 1983 by Coney Island USA, the not-for-profit arts organization that also produces the Coney Island Circus Sideshow and houses The Coney Island Museum. The Mermaid Parade pays homage to Coney Island's forgotten Mardi Gras, which ran from 1903 to 1954, and draws from a host of inspirations, resulting in a wonderful and wacky event exclusive to Coney Island.

The parade was founded to achieve three goals: bring mythology to life for local residents who live on streets named Mermaid and Neptune; create self-esteem in a district that is often disregarded; and let artistic New Yorkers find self-expression in public.

Previous King Neptunes and Queen Mermaids have included Lou Reed, Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, Queen Latifah, Moby, Annabella Sciorra, Judah Friedlander, Deborah Harry, Chris Stein, David Johansen, Karen Duffy, Harvey and Daphne Keitel, Joe Coleman and Whitney Ward.