Why Does a Brooklyn Neighborhood Rain Elephants Every May?
It starts with a name. DUMBO stands for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, the wedge of Brooklyn tucked between the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge along the East River. In the 1970s it was a derelict industrial zone: empty warehouses, cobblestone streets nobody walked, lofts that cost almost nothing to rent. Artists moved in, drawn by the space. Then, as developers began circling, those artists pulled off one of New York's great acts of civic ingenuity: they named the neighborhood the ugliest thing they could think of to scare investors away.
It didn't work. DUMBO became one of the most desirable and expensive neighborhoods in Brooklyn, its brick-and-cobblestone aesthetic and the perfectly framed shot of the Manhattan Bridge from Washington Street (the most photographed block in all of Brooklyn) making it an essential stop for visitors and locals alike.
The name stayed. And the elephant, inevitably, came with it.
The Story Behind the DUMBO Drop
In 2017, Alexandria Sica, executive director of the DUMBO Improvement District, had an idea that was simultaneously absurd and completely brilliant. Inspired by the rubber-duck races common in suburban charity fundraisers (where hundreds of plastic ducks get released into a river), she asked a simple question: what if we did that, but from rooftops, and with elephants?
Not real elephants. Toy elephants. Thousands of them. With parachutes. Falling from the buildings onto the crowd below.
The logic was perfect. The neighborhood is called DUMBO. Dumbo is a flying elephant. So in DUMBO, it rains elephants. The kind of idea that could only happen in New York.
Every year since 2017, in late May, a local artist designs the parachutes and thousands of small toy elephants float down from the rooftops of Washington Street onto the crowd waiting below. It is absurd. It is poetic. It is one of the most original community events in the entire city.
2026 brings the ninth edition. This year's parachutes were designed by artist Christian Vera.
The Purpose: Why This Event Matters
The DUMBO Drop is not just a spectacle. Every dollar raised from ticket sales goes directly to two local public schools: PS307 Elementary and The Dock Street Middle School, both Title 1 schools serving students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Title 1 schools receive additional federal funding, but community support through events like this funds the programs, materials, and experiences that federal dollars don't reach.
Buying a ticket means a kid in DUMBO gets something they wouldn't have had otherwise. And you get an elephant falling from the sky. It's one of New York's better deals.
DUMBO Drop 2026: Tickets, Times, and What's Included
Date: Friday, May 29, 2026 Location: Washington Street between Front Street and Water Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn
The Two Drops
| First Drop | Second Drop | |
| Drop time | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM |
| Doors open | 3:30 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Price from | $18.75 | $18.75 |
What Each Ticket Includes
- Access to the Washington Street viewing area
- One commemorative toy elephant with a custom Christian Vera parachute (2026 edition)
- Entry into the prize draw (hotel stays in DUMBO, restaurant gift cards, gym memberships, and more)
- Access to the full street festival before the Drop
Important: Each Drop requires a separate ticket. If you want to see both launches, buy two tickets. Everyone over 2 years old needs a ticket to enter Washington Street. Children under 2 get in free.
Where to buy: dumbo.nyc/dumbodrop or on Eventbrite searching "DUMBO Drop 2026."
What Happens Inside the Festival
The Drop is the headline, but Washington Street is a full street festival from the moment doors open.
The pre-Drop party includes live music from The Jelly on the main stage, a flash mob dance performance on the Life Time stage, a commemorative photo booth, art-and-crafts activities with Creatively Wild, a design-your-own-parachute station with Little Kid Big City, and LEGO building activities for kids.
A Restaurant Row lines the street with DUMBO's best restaurants serving signature dishes in the open air. It's an impromptu food market with the Manhattan Bridge as a backdrop.
The drop itself: When the moment comes, the music stops. The crowd looks up. There is a beat of near-silence (this is New York, so never complete silence) and then they begin to fall. Thousands of tiny elephants with their colorful parachutes, drifting slowly down over the cobblestones with the arch of the Manhattan Bridge filling the sky behind them. It looks like nothing else in the world.
Whoever catches the specially marked winning elephant takes home the top prize.
Manhattanhenge 2026: The 8:13 PM Alignment
Two hours after the second Drop, roughly 20 minutes away by subway, Manhattan delivers its own spectacle.
On May 29 at exactly 8:13 PM, the sun reaches perfect alignment with the east-west streets of Manhattan. Not a half-sun, not almost: the full solar disc, suspended between skyscrapers, centered on the street grid with mathematical precision. This is what New Yorkers call Manhattanhenge, and it happens only twice a year.
For the full breakdown of every 2026 Manhattanhenge date, the exact times, and a complete guide to every viewing spot, read our dedicated guide: Manhattanhenge 2026: Exact Dates, Times and Best Spots
Best Streets for the May 29 Manhattanhenge
| Street | Why it works |
| 34th Street | Empire State Building in the background. The most iconic Manhattanhenge shot |
| 42nd Street | Between Times Square and Grand Central. Highest energy of any viewing spot |
| 57th Street | Less crowded, wider perspective |
| Tudor City Bridge (42nd St) | Elevated vantage point, popular with photographers |
Expert Tip from Real's Tours NYC: Position yourself as far east as possible on your chosen street, looking west toward New Jersey. The light becomes spectacular from around 7:45 PM, and the precise alignment happens at 8:13 PM exactly. Arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes early to hold your position.
The Perfect Evening: How to Combine Both Events
This is the exact sequence for experiencing both in a single night.
3:30 PM — Arrive in DUMBO Enter Washington Street when doors open. Explore the festival, eat something from Restaurant Row, let the kids do crafts, take in the energy of the neighborhood.
5:00 PM — First DUMBO Drop The first launch. Thousands of elephants falling from the rooftops. The street fills with cheering, laughter, and every camera in the crowd aimed at the sky.
5:15 PM to 6:00 PM — Explore DUMBO Walk the neighborhood. The view from Washington Street, with the Manhattan Bridge framing the Empire State Building in the gap, is the most famous composition in Brooklyn photography. There are ice cream shops, coffee spots, and Brooklyn Bridge Park is a short walk south.
6:00 PM — Return for the Second Drop (optional) If you bought tickets for both, doors to the second Drop open at 6:00 PM.
7:00 PM — Second DUMBO Drop The final launch of the year. If you can only do one, this is the one: the late-May light at 7:00 PM is golden and the falling elephants look extraordinary against that sky.
7:30 PM — Subway to Manhattan Take the F train from York Street or the A/C from High Street. You are in Midtown in 15 to 20 minutes.
7:45 PM — Position on 34th or 42nd Street Find your spot on the chosen street, as far east as possible. The crowd is already forming. Tripods, phones, people leaning out of shop doorways looking west.
8:13 PM — Manhattanhenge The full sun, perfectly centered between the towers, lighting up the entire length of the street. One of the most extraordinary visual experiences any city on earth can offer.
One night. Two of the most original events of the year. New York at its most itself.
Getting There
For the DUMBO Drop
- A or C train to High Street station: you are in DUMBO immediately
- F train to York Street: 5 minutes' walk to Washington Street
- On foot from the Brooklyn Bridge: cross and descend into DUMBO. About 25 minutes from Manhattan, but the walk is worth it
Do not drive. Parking in DUMBO on a normal day is already challenging. On a festival day, it is not realistic.
For Manhattanhenge (from DUMBO)
- F train from York Street to 34th Street-Herald Square: 15 minutes. Best for 34th Street
- A or C train from High Street to 42nd Street-Port Authority: 12 minutes. Best for 42nd Street
Tips So You Don't Miss a Thing
Buy DUMBO Drop tickets in advance. This event sells out weeks ahead. You cannot just show up and walk in. Get your ticket at dumbo.nyc/dumbodrop before May 29.
If you can only see one Drop, choose the second. The 7:00 PM golden-hour light in late May makes the falling elephants look spectacular in photos. The 5:00 PM drop is great, but the second is the one people remember.
For Manhattanhenge, stand east. Don't stop in the middle of a block. Walk as far east as possible on your chosen street for the full corridor perspective looking west.
Bring a portable charger. Between the festival and the Manhattanhenge, you are looking at 5 or 6 hours of heavy camera use. A $15 battery pack can save both moments.
Arrive 30 minutes early for Manhattanhenge. The alignment lasts only a few minutes. If you arrive at 8:10 PM looking for a spot, you will likely miss the best of it. The prime positions fill from 7:45 PM onwards.
This event is excellent for children. The crafts, the live music, the falling elephants: kids love every part of the DUMBO Drop. It is one of the most family-friendly events of the entire year in New York City.
Comfortable shoes. The night involves real movement: the festival grounds, exploring the neighborhood, the subway, positioning yourself in Manhattan. Wear something you can walk in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the DUMBO Drop free?
No. A ticket is required to enter Washington Street and watch the drop. Tickets start at $18.75 and include a commemorative elephant and entry into the prize draw. Children under 2 years old are free.
Can I watch without a ticket?
You can hear the atmosphere from outside the perimeter, but you will not see the drop itself. Washington Street is closed to through traffic and the viewing area is ticket-only.
Is Manhattanhenge free?
Completely. You just need to be on the right street at the right time. No ticket, no reservation required.
What if it rains?
The DUMBO Drop may be cancelled or modified in heavy rain. Check @dumbo_brooklyn on Instagram on the day of the event. For Manhattanhenge, clear skies toward the western horizon are essential. Check the forecast before heading out.
How long should I plan for the DUMBO Drop?
For one Drop, budget about 2.5 to 3 hours including arrival, the pre-drop festival, and the launch. For both Drops, plan to be in DUMBO from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
Can I buy tickets on the day?
If any remain, yes. But the DUMBO Drop has historically sold out weeks in advance. Do not risk it: buy your tickets now at dumbo.nyc/dumbodrop.
What time exactly is Manhattanhenge on May 29?
8:13 PM exactly. Full sun, complete solar disc, perfectly aligned with Manhattan's east-west streets.
What are the best streets for Manhattanhenge?
Streets 14, 23, 34, 42, and 57, looking west. 34th Street (with the Empire State Building) is the most photogenic. 42nd Street has the most energy.
Make the Most of Your Day with Our Tours
The DUMBO Drop opens at 3:30 PM and Manhattanhenge wraps up around 8:30 PM. That leaves an entire morning wide open for the rest of New York, paired perfectly with a guided tour before the evening begins.
New York in One Day Tour: Central Park, 9/11 and Statue of Liberty View Ferry
From $93 · 5.0 stars (76 reviews)
Departs at 8:45 AM and covers Central Park, Fifth Avenue, Grand Central Terminal, the 9/11 Memorial, and the Staten Island Ferry with views of the Statue of Liberty, all before your afternoon in Brooklyn. The ideal pairing for a May 29 that leaves nothing on the table.
VIP Contrasts Tour of New York
From $52 · 5.0 stars (314 reviews)
Our most-reviewed tour and the best way to understand Brooklyn before you experience it. The route takes you through the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan with a local expert who knows every corner of the city. Doing this tour the same day gives DUMBO real context.
New York City Lights Night Tour
From $46 · 5.0 stars (60 reviews)
For those who want to keep going after Manhattanhenge. New York at night from a guided vehicle is the perfect close to one of the most visually extraordinary evenings the city can produce.
Some nights in New York make you question the whole concept of regular evenings. May 29 is one of those nights.
Thousands of toy elephants falling over Brooklyn. The sun lining up with the skyscrapers of Manhattan one time a year. Both of them, in the same city, 20 minutes apart by subway.
If you are in New York on May 29, this is your evening.
See tour availability for May 29
Questions before booking? Reach our team on WhatsApp: +1 (718) 362-0165
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Published by Real's Tours NYC. Expert-guided tours of New York City and beyond since 2008. Over 2,500 five-star reviews.
