12 Best Thanksgiving Day Parades That Rival NYC’s Macy’s Parade

Thanksgiving Day is one of America’s most beloved holidays. Warm images of family laughter and too much food are the first to come to mind, but millions celebrate by attending elaborate parades in cities across the country every year.

I don’t live anywhere near New York, but I remember watching the Macy’s parade before dinner every year as a child. As tradition goes, now I watch it with my kids as the oven is heated and the gravy is prepared.

If you are looking for the best Thanksgiving Day parades to watch or attend, these are the ones to tune into.

1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City, New York

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade started in 1924, and over 3 million people attend in person each year, while millions more watch it on TV. With giant balloons, celebrity performances, and marching bands from around the country, there is no wonder that this parade attracts so many attendees and viewers.

This year’s parade marks the 98th year of this Thanksgiving Day spectacular, and there is little doubt that it will be bigger and better than ever. 

2. Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade, Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade has been an annual event for the  Windy City since 1934, when it was first conceived to bring happiness to residents during the Great Depression.

Featuring enormous helium-filled balloons, fantastic floats, marching bands, dance teams, and local and national celebrity appearances, this parade is one of the best in the country. While not quite as popular as the parade in New York, it does draw nearly half a million attendees along the parade route.

3. America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was first held by a department store, the J.L. Hudson Company, on Woodward Avenue.

This 3-mile parade route is lined with spectators eagerly awaiting the appearance of favorite characters, huge creatively adorned floats, equestrian teams, hot air balloons, and marching bands.

Wait till the end of the parade, and you might see Santa and some of his elves making their way through the crowd.

4. 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day parade started in 1920 and is recognized as America’s oldest Thanksgiving Day parade. Originally founded by the Gimbel Brothers Department Store, this parade is known for being the most band-friendly parade.

Performances from specialty, high school, and university marching bands perform from around the country. Large balloons of favorite characters float with local and national celebrity guests.

5. H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade,  Houston, Texas

The Houston H-E-B Thanksgiving Day parade started in 1949, and it’s the official start of the holiday season for this Texas city. People line the streets bright and early to get the best viewing spots as the parade passes by.

This parade includes marching bands, local fire and law enforcement, extravagantly decorated floats, balloons, clowns, musicians, cheerleaders, dancers, and more. 

6. Bayou Thanksgiving Parade, New Orleans

Mardi Gras is not the only season with big parades in New Orleans. The city is also home to the Bayou Thanksgiving Day parade.

You won’t find many, if any, of the huge helium balloons other parades feature, but you won’t miss them either. This parade has plenty of musicians, marching bands, and floats decked out in a way you won’t see anywhere else. New Orleans loves to party, and Thanksgiving is no exception. 

7. America’s Hometown Celebration, Plymouth, Massachusetts

It’s no surprise that Plymouth, Massachusetts, would host a Thanksgiving celebration; it was the landing place of the first settlers, after all. Plymouth’s Thanksgiving parade and celebrations are not held on Thanksgiving day but the weekend before.

This parade prides itself on being historically accurate and in chronological order, and the floats represent American life from the 17th through the 21st centuries. There are bands from each division of the armed services and a heavy emphasis on patriotism and thankfulness. 

8. Ameren’s Thanks-For-Giving Parade, St. Louis, Missouri

The Ameren Thanks-For-Giving Parade in St. Louis, Missouri, is a forty-year tradition that focuses on giving back to the community. This parade features drum lines, dance teams, floats, some with musical performances, and marching bands competing for one of five trophies. Enjoy them all while giant balloons featuring Garfield, Frosty the Snowman, and more float overhead. 

9. Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade, Charlotte, North Carolina

The Novant Health Thanksgiving Day parade in Charlotte, North Carolina, isn’t held on Thanksgiving Day; it’s held the night before, on Thanksgiving Eve. Marching bands, cheerleaders, local celebrities, and some very creative floats make their way down the parade route beginning just before 6 pm in the evening.

The day of this parade is not the only unique thing about it. This parade features “Segwalloons,”balloons at ground level built over Segway scooters. This is done so that floating balloons are not caught in the light poles.

10. Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular, Stamford, Connecticut

The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular has been the kick-off of the holiday season for more than 30 years. To prevent competition with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, a mere 30 miles away, this parade is held the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

It’s one of the largest parades in the country, with more than 100,000 spectators lined up to see giant character balloons, fantastic floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and more. 

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