Free Family Fun: Thanksgiving Parade

October 19, 2015

Ready or not, the holiday season kicks off next month. Why not jumpstart the spirit of the season with some wonderful free family entertainment on Thanksgiving morning? Join thousands of other Chicagoans at the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade, now in its 81st year.

On display in Chicago’s biggest parade of the year will be the nation’s best marching bands, giant popular inflatable balloons, and spectacular performance acts, plus a whole lot more. The parade steps off at 8 a.m. on State Street, winding its way for a mile from Congress to Randolph.

Originally called the Christmas Caravan in the 1930s, the parade was created in 1934 to help lift the spirits of residents suffering through the Great Depression. Since then, it has developed into a full-scale spectacle that celebrates the holiday season. Parade organizers say it symbolizes a tradition of family celebration. The 2015 McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade is a wonderful opportunity to build your own family tradition and create cherished memories.

For more on the parade go to: chicagofestivals.org.