When Is the Christmas Parade? How to Find Your Local Schedule
There is no single "Christmas Parade"—thousands occur across the US, Canada, UK, and beyond, each on its own schedule. Dates vary annually. Here's how to find yours.
Typical Timing Patterns
- US: Most between Thanksgiving (4th Thu Nov) and Dec 23. Peak: First two Saturdays of December.
- Canada: Mid-Nov to mid-Dec. Santa Claus Parades (Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax) often mid-Nov.
- UK: Late Nov to Dec. "Christmas Lights Switch-On" often includes parade.
- Australia/NZ: Nov-Dec (summer). Pageants (Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney).
- Europe: Dec 1-24. Christmas market openings often feature parades.
Major Famous Parades (Annual, but Dates Shift)
| Parade | Location | Typical Date | 2023 Date |
|---|
| Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade | NYC | Thanksgiving Day (9 AM ET) | Nov 23, 2023 |
| America's Thanksgiving Parade | Detroit | Thanksgiving Day | Nov 23, 2023 |
| Hollywood Christmas Parade | LA | Sunday after Thanksgiving | Nov 26, 2023 |
| Toronto Santa Claus Parade | Toronto | Mid-Nov Sunday | Nov 19, 2023 |
Adelaide Christmas Pageant (Adelaide) — Early Nov Saturday
How to Find YOUR Parade
- Search: "[Your City/Town] Christmas Parade 2024" or "[County] holiday parade"
- City/County Website: Parks & Rec, Events, Tourism pages
- Chamber of Commerce / Main Street / Downtown Association
- Local Newspaper / TV Station Events Calendar
- Facebook: "Events in [Town]" groups, city official page
- Nextdoor / Patch / Community Apps
- Ask a Neighbor — hyperlocal knowledge beats search
If You're Organizing One
- Permits: 60-90 days prior (police, DOT, parks, fire)
- Insurance: $1-2M general liability
- Route: Published, barriers, detours
- Participants: Floats, bands, walkers, horses, vehicles — safety plans each
- Accessibility: Viewing areas, ASL, sensory-friendly hour
Mark your calendar early—parking vanishes fast.
Wanderlust World