Tens of thousands expected to line the streets for P.E.I.’s Gold Cup Parade

A giant balloon is pictured at the 2025 Gold Cup Parade in Charlottetown. (Courtesy of the Gold Cup Parade)

The largest parade in the Maritimes is set to kick off Friday morning.

Organizers of the Gold Cup Parade say close to 60,000 people line the streets of Charlottetown to participate in the event.

Beginning at 10 a.m., floats, giant air balloons, marching bands, horses, antique cars and clowns are set to walk the parade route from North River Road to Fitzroy Street.

The Gold Cup Parade was founded in 1962 for the purpose of reviving Old Home Week and has since become a premier event of the annual Island tradition.

The parade brings in entries from businesses, communities and organizations across the Maritimes, Quebec, and sometimes the United States.

Starting at 6 a.m., North River Road between Belvedere Avenue and McGill Avenue and Kirkwood Drive between North River Road and Trafalgar Street will be closed.

Then, at 8 a.m., seven more closures are set to take effect, including:

• North River Road from McGill Avenue to Brighton Road
• Brighton Road/Euston Street from North River Road to Great George Street
• Great George Street from Euston Street to Grafton Street
• Grafton Street from Great George Street to Pownal Street
• Pownal Street from Grafton Street to Fitzroy Street
• Fitzroy Street from Pownal Street to Terry Fox Drive
• Terry Fox Drive from Brighton Road to Kent Street.

Temporary changes will be made to some T3 Transit routes between 6:45 a.m. and 1 p.m. Friday due to the road closures.

The parade is expected to end around noon.

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