very year, when the leaves are turning and we’re inching toward the holiday season, the spectacle of a good parade becomes one of the fleeting joys of November.
For 2025, we have gathered some of the most exciting Thanksgiving Day parades you’ll want to mark in your calendar.
Whether you’re planning to watch from home in pajamas, or head out for a festive holiday escape with friends (yes, I know you are), these parades deliver the sights, the sounds, and the magic.
What makes a good Thanksgiving Day parade?
A top-notch parade features giant balloons, festive floats, marching bands, celebrity hosts, and a route that feels like more than just a sidewalk walk-by.
It’s about community energy, holiday buildup, and spectacle. Perfect for families, friend-groups, and anyone who remembers why holidays are more than just turkey and leftovers.
Top Parade Picks for 2025
Here are three standout parades you’ll want to consider—whether you attend in person or tune in from home.
1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. EST
Route: Upper West Side to Herald Square (official site)
Broadcast: NBC & Peacock
This is the big one. Starting early in Manhattan, it brings towering balloons (yes, new ones this year), floats, performers, and national television coverage. According to the official site, the parade runs from 8:30 a.m. to noon EST and will be simulcast on NBC and Peacock.
If you’re thinking of making a holiday getaway, NYC during this parade is a full experience: the chaos, the energy, the city’s holiday lights. Arrive early, bundle up (November in NYC can bite), and if you don’t want the crowds, definitely stream it.
2. America’s Thanksgiving Parade® (Detroit, Michigan
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
Time: Morning event (official schedule)
Route: Woodward Avenue
Detroit’s big holiday parade brings high-energy floats, balloons, marching bands and more.
Organized by the Parade Company, it’s one of America’s longstanding traditions. If you’re looking for a less crowded yet still spectacular experience, Detroit is a solid option.
3. 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
Time: 8:30 a.m. EST
Route: Benjamin Franklin Parkway toward the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Philadelphia’s parade is the oldest continuously held Thanksgiving parade in the U.S. and offers a historic, lively backdrop.
With the city’s charm, historic neighborhoods, and parade festivity, you get both the holiday flair and an urban getaway.
4. Chicago Thanksgiving Parade – Chicago, IL
Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. CST
Route: State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street
Chicago’s Thanksgiving Parade, entering its 91st edition in 2025, brings an energetic lineup of giant balloons, equestrian units, performers, and festive floats.
It’s broadcast live nationwide and celebrated for its diverse cultural representation and upbeat atmosphere.
The downtown location makes it easy for travelers staying in Chicago’s Loop to join the festivities.
5. Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade – Charlotte, NC
Date: Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Time: Approximately 5:30 p.m. local time
Route: Tryon Street in Uptown Charlotte
Charlotte’s parade is unique because it takes place the night before Thanksgiving, making it one of the few illuminated holiday parades in the country.
Known as the largest parade in the Southeast, it features floats, performers, marching bands, and a festive nighttime atmosphere perfect for families and groups of friends. It’s free to attend, with optional VIP seating available.
How to choose & how to attend (yes, I dragged myself for this part)
- Location & travel: If you’re already planning a holiday getaway, choose a city that fits your travel style. NYC for big bang and premium hustle; Philadelphia for historic feel and manageable size; Detroit for something a little more under-the-radar but still major.
- Timing: All above occur on Thanksgiving Day (Nov 27, 2025). Plan transport and lodging early.
- Viewing: If you prefer comfort, stream the Macy’s parade via NBC/Peacock. For in-person, arrive early, wear layers, bring snacks.
- Route & crowds: In NYC especially, the parade route will be packed. Philadelphia and Detroit may offer slightly easier logistics.
- Bonus holiday vibes: Combine the parade with a stay-cation or friend-trip: stay at a city hotel, do brunch afterward, wander the holiday market, make the most of it.
Why the parade experience still matters in 2025
In a world of streaming, remote everything, the physical act of going outside at 8 a.m., standing in the cold, craning your neck to see a giant balloon of a character you remember from childhood—there’s something sacred about it.
It says, “We still believe in spectacle. We still believe in gathering.”
And for friends and travellers, it’s a chance to escape the routine and feel something seasonal.
Plus, if you manage to snag a travel-and-stay gift box (yes, I know you like those) you can turn the parade trip into a full holiday treat: trip, hotel, brunch, parade.
Whether you pick New York, Detroit, Philadelphia—or maybe surprise yourself with a smaller city parade—they’re all compelling for Thanksgiving Day 2025. The key is early planning, picking your viewing (on-site vs streaming), and making it into an experience.
In short: pack your warm clothes, pick your city, set your alarms, and enjoy one of America’s great holiday traditions.
The parades are back, bigger than ever, and ready to make memories.
