7 Great Thanksgiving Parades in the USA

New York City, New York

The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City has helped mark the start of the holiday season in the USA since 1924. Each year on Thanksgiving Day more than 3.5 million people in the city – and over 50 million people at home – watch floats, balloons up to five stories tall, Broadway theater performers, musical acts and others parade down Central Park West and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. It’s the most famous Thanksgiving parade in the country. The route ends on 34th Street in front of the Macy’s in Herald Square, which you may recognize from the classic 1947 movie Miracle on 34th Street.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

If you find yourself in Philadelphia for the holiday, don’t miss the Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade. Since 1920, the City of Brotherly Love has welcomed the holiday season with floats, marching bands, choirs and other performers. This is the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country. Held in the morning, it begins at 20th Street and JFK Boulevard, and concludes in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Travel tip: The museum is one of the best spots to watch the parade. For other recommended viewing spots and an interactive map of the parade route, see the event’s website through the link on the right.

Detroit, Michigan

America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit started the same year as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. It may not be as famous, but it has similarly strong traditions. Floats, marching bands and large balloons travel down historic Woodward Avenue, beginning at the Kirby Street intersection and concluding at Congress Street.

Houston, Texas

The H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade in Houston begins at Smith and Lamar Streets, with live entertainment, giant balloons, marching bands and an early-in-the-season appearance by Santa Claus. More than 200,000 parade-goers line the route along the Southwestern city’s streets. The event ends at Smith and Dallas Streets, just a block from where it began. For more parade route details and street closures, check out the event’s website.

Chicago, Illinois

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade began in 1934 to lift the spirits of city residents during the Great Depression. Now it’s a holiday tradition in this iconic, bustling city on Lake Michigan. Each year, the grand marshal leads a parade of floats, equestrian units, balloons and marching bands through the architectural wonders of downtown Chicago. The procession starts at State Street and Congress Parkway, and concludes several blocks north at Randolph Street.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Since 1947, Charlotte has celebrated the holiday season “Charlotte-style” at the Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade. The procession rolls along Tryon Street through Uptown Charlotte – that’s what locals call the center of the city – and includes floats, marching bands, performances, dignitaries, celebrities and balloons.

Seattle, Washington

Not to be confused with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, Macy’s Holiday Parade takes place about 4,600 kilometers west in Seattle on the day after Thanksgiving. This parade features 25 inflatable floats, 650 costumed characters, marching bands and more. So if you’re looking for a Thanksgiving parade but don’t want to miss other Thanksgiving Day activities, get downtown in the morning before the parade starts at 7th Avenue and Pine Street.