The Cleveland Museum of Art’s (CMA) 33^rd annual Parade the Circle—the beloved tradition celebrating art, culture, and community—will return on Saturday, June 14, with vibrant and imaginative costumes, towering puppets, floats, and intricately crafted masks.

This year’s theme, “Magical Allure: A Vibrant Celebration of the Snowy Owl,” addresses the wisdom and exploration we undertake while undergoing the process of change. The CMA invites everyone to celebrate this mystical messenger, a creature that enchants us with its ethereal presence and silent flight.

Acclaimed artist Héctor Castellanos Lara will lead the parade for the third consecutive year. His theme reflects the fact that big changes in our lives are imminent and that, as we search for answers, we undergo a process of deep exploration, seeking awareness and spiritual guidance.

Lead artist Héctor Castellanos Lara with one of his 2023 creations

“In our journey, we encounter the magnificent snowy owl, a creature of innate wisdom and totemic symbolism, deeply rooted in various cultures and beliefs that encourage us to trust our inner instincts,” said Castellanos Lara in a statement. “Its white color symbolizes purity and represents light, brilliance, spirituality, and illumination. When a snowy owl enters your domain or appears in your dreams, it is believed to signify good luck, good health, and prosperity.”

Originally from Guatemala, Castellanos Lara has called Cleveland his home for more than 30 years, sharing his passion for art and cultural expression with the Cleveland community.

He is the founder of Cleveland’s annual Day of the Dead celebration and cofounder of ALU (Artistas Latinos Unidos), an association dedicated to promoting Latino artists.

Parade the Circle, which was founded by the CMA in 1990 with a small number of artists, has since grown to become a beloved large-scale event, drawing crowds in the tens of thousands every June.

Families, neighbors, community groups, churches, artists, performers—everyone is welcome to express their creativity, show their talent, and celebrate the arts at Parade the Circle. Every year, unique and magnificent parade designs delight participants and attendees alike.

Get involved!

Learn all the ways to actively participate in and contribute to this year’s event through information sessions at the Community Arts Center in Ohio City on Saturday, April 5 at 10 a.m. and Sunday, April 6 at 1 p.m. No registration is required for the session, which includes a guided tour of the exhibition “Parade the Circle: Celebrating 30 Years of Art and Community” in the gallery.

CMA’s Parade the Circle Tent Workshops are on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., starting on May 10 and running through June 8; and on Tuesday, June 10 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Workshop participants can create costumes, masks, and giant puppets with the assistance of staff artists at all nine public workshops in the parade tent. A one-time $50 fee entitles a participant to attend all workshops.

For those who want to participate in the parade, registration is required, and guidelines must be followed. Participation is open to all ages, but children 15 and under must register with and attend with someone 16 or older. The cost is $10 per adult and $5 for children under age 18.