Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

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Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade presented by Forvis Mazars. Nov. 27th, 2025 Live from State Street on CBS Chicago and Pluto TV

12/27/2025

We’re now recruiting volunteers to support the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Whether you’re helping behind the scenes or along the route, your time and energy make a real difference. 😁

Join our volunteer team: https://www.chicagothanksgivingparade.com/be-a-volunteer/

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas! Wishing our amazing followers a joyful holiday filled with love, laughter, and special moments with family and friends. ❤️

12/23/2025

Be part of one of Chicago’s most beloved holiday traditions—the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade 🦃

✨ Perform live in front of hundreds of thousands and millions on TV!
✨ Showcase your talent on a major city stage!
✨ Kick off the holiday season in style!

Apply now to be a parade unit:
https://www.chicagothanksgivingparade.com/perform/

12/22/2025

Already missing those giant balloons? 🎈

If this year's parade stole your heart, remember this for 2026: book early with our sponsor Staypineapple Chicago for the best seat in the house (aka a cozy room steps from the parade route).

And until then, don’t forget that Chicago locals can enjoy 20% off your next stay with their resident rate!

Thank you for making this year's parade possible!

12/19/2025

Thank you to those who made this year's event another amazing parade! 🎉

Big shoutout to Chicago for their support. If you loved the festivities this year, just remember they're located right in the heart of it all - and they even offer parade-view packages annually for the ultimate experience.

Until then, Chicago residents, don’t forget to use code STAYCATION on their website to unlock 20% off your next stay!

12/16/2025

11/28/2025

We can’t either!!!

Address

108 N. State St.
Chicago, IL
60602

Website

http://www.chicagothanksgivingparade.com/

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Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Timeline

Where Grateful Hearts Gather, since 1934

1934: Called the Christmas Caravan and produced on State Street, the Parade was created to help lift the spirits of residents suffering through the Great Depression

1984: The parade was renamed "The Ronald McDonald Children's Charities Parade." The route of the parade was also changed from State Street to Michigan Avenue.

1996: Marshall Field’s assumes role as title sponsor of the parade and introduces more recognizable character balloons than any other parade in the country as the Field’s Jingle Elf Parade.

1999: Target joins Marshal Field's as the title sponsor. The parade is moved back to State Street, and for the first time, takes place on Thanksgiving Day.

2006; McDonald's Owners of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana partners with CFA and parade assumes name of "McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade."

2007: WGN America and CFA announce parade is to be broadcast live and in high definition on WGN America. Available in 72 million homes at the time, Superstation WGN (now WGN America) began airing the parade live across the nation. This established the parade as one of three parades in the country to be broadcast live, nationally, in its entirety.

2008: The parade celebrated its 75th step-off with a three-hour live broadcast. The first hour of the parade features the best in theatre and culture, with the rest of the parade featuring traditional, forward motion parade units.

Today: The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade takes place on historic State Street, from Congress Parkway to Randolph Street, on Thanksgiving morning. The parade is televised LIVE on WGN America and WGN Television, available in approximately 80 million homes.

Millions of viewers from across the world watch the parade on TV, live-stream online, and engage with live social media photos and videos.

Thousands of participants from all across the United States, and internationally from Switzerland, Mexico, Australia, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Canada and more have traveled to Chicago to be part of Chicago’s Parade.