List of Christmas and holiday season parades facts for kids

Holiday parades are super fun events where people gather to watch colorful floats, marching bands, and performers go by. These parades often celebrate special times of the year, especially the Christmas and holiday season. They usually happen between Thanksgiving Day in the U.S. and early January. It's a time for communities to come together and enjoy the festive spirit!

Parades Around the World

Africa

South Africa

• Cape Town: The Kaapse Klopse (Cape Town Minstrel Carnival) is a lively parade held every year on January 2nd, which is called "Second New Year" there.

Asia

India

• Kolkata: The Kolkata Christmas Festival includes a parade along Park Street in the week before Christmas.

Japan

• Osaka: Universal Studios Japan hosts annual Christmas parades leading up to Christmas.
• Tokyo: Tokyo Disneyland puts on a special "Disney Christmas Stories" parade every year.

Malaysia

• Miri: The Miri Christmas Parade has been held annually since 2008.

Philippines

• Bay City, Metro Manila: The Grand Festival of Lights Parade is a Christmas parade put on by SM Mall of Asia every Saturday evening before Christmas.
• San Fernando: The Giant Lantern Parade is part of the yearly Giant Lantern Festival.

South Korea

• Yongin: Everland theme park has various daily Christmas parades during November and December for its "Everland Christmas Fantasy."

Thailand

• Sakon Nakhon: The Christmas Star Procession has been held every year since 1982.

Europe

Belgium

• Brussels and other Belgian cities: "La Parade de Noël RTL" are Christmas parades sponsored by TV and radio stations.

Finland

• Helsinki: The Helsinki Christmas Parade has been held every year in late November since 1949. It's part of the "Opening of the Aleksanterinkatu Christmas Street" celebrations.

France

• Hautmont: "La Parade Lumineuse magique" (The Magic Luminous Parade) happens every December.
• Paris: Disneyland Paris also has its own Christmas Parade.

Germany

• Hamburg: The "Hamburger Weihnachtsparade" (Hamburg Christmas parade) takes place on all four Saturdays before Christmas.

Ireland

• Dingle, County Kerry: Wren's Day parades are held on December 26th, also known as St. Stephen's Day.

Netherlands

• Valkenburg: The Valkenburg Christmas Parade is a popular event.

Spain

• Alcoy: The "Cabalgata de Reyes Magos de Alcoy" (Cavalcade of Magi of Alcoy) has been held on the night of January 5th since the mid-1800s.
• Barcelona: The Three Kings’ Parade (a Cavalcada de Reis Mags d'Orient) on January 5th attracts huge crowds.
• Madrid: "La Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos de Madrid" (The Cavalcade of the Magi from Madrid) is another big parade.

Sweden

• Stockholm: The Sankta Lucia procession has been held every year on December 13th since 1927.

United Kingdom

England

• Birmingham: The Birmingham Christmas Parade brings festive cheer.
• London: The Hamleys Christmas Toy Parade and London's New Year's Day Parade are well-known events.
• Penzance: The Montol Festival includes a procession held every year on December 21st.

Scotland

• Edinburgh: The Torchlight Procession happens on the evening of December 30th, kicking off Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival.

Oceania

Australia

New South Wales

• Many towns like Gerringong, Gosford, and Sydney hold Christmas parades.

Queensland

• Cities like Brisbane, Bundaberg, and Gold Coast host Christmas parades, some with lights or boats.

South Australia

• Adelaide: The Adelaide Christmas Pageant, started in 1933, is a huge event on the second Saturday of November.
• Many other towns like Blackwood and Glenelg also have Christmas pageants.

Tasmania

• Hobart: The Myer Hobart Christmas Pageant is held on the third Saturday of November.
• Other towns like Burnie and Launceston also have Christmas parades.

Victoria

• Geelong: The Gala Day Parade started in 1916 to raise money for the Red Cross during World War I.
• Melbourne: The Myer Christmas Parade is a popular event.

Western Australia

• Perth: The Perth Christmas Pageant is a highlight of the season.
• Other cities like Albany and Bunbury also have parades.

New Zealand

• Auckland: The Farmers Santa Parade is held on the fourth Sunday of November.
• Many other cities, including Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hamilton, have their own Santa or Christmas parades.

North America

Bahamas

• Nassau: The Boxing Day Junkanoo Parade is part of the national Junkanoo festival.

Canada

Alberta

• Edmonton: Santa's Parade of Lights brings festive cheer.

British Columbia

• Cities like Vancouver and Victoria host Santa Claus parades and lighted truck convoys.

Manitoba

• Winnipeg: The Winnipeg Santa Parade is a big event.

New Brunswick

• Various communities like Moncton and St. John's have Santa Claus parades.

Ontario

• Toronto: The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is a very famous and long-running event.
• Many other towns across Ontario, such as Hamilton, London, and Ottawa, also host their own Santa Claus or Christmas parades.

Quebec

• Montreal: The Montreal Santa Claus Parade is a major holiday tradition.

Saskatchewan

• Saskatoon: The Saskatoon Santa Claus Parade started in 1990.

Yukon

• Whitehorse: The Winterval Santa Parade adds to the holiday spirit.

Mexico

• Irapuato, Guanajuato: The Three Kings Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes Magos) is a traditional event.
• Oaxaca City: Las Calendas Christmas processions are held on Christmas Eve.
• Querétaro City: The "Desfile de Carro Biblicos" (Biblical Float Parade) has been held every Christmas Eve since 1828.

United States

Alabama

• Montgomery: The Hornet Homecoming Parade is held by Alabama State University.
• Opelika: A community parade is held in Downtown Opelika on the first Wednesday of November.

Arizona

• Many cities in Arizona, such as Phoenix and Tucson, host "Electric Light Parades" where floats are covered in bright lights.
• Lake Havasu City: A unique Boat Parade of Lights takes place on the water.

California

• Anaheim: A Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland is a magical experience.
• Hollywood/Los Angeles: The Hollywood Christmas Parade is a famous event.
• Pasadena: The Rose Parade on New Year's Day is world-renowned for its beautiful flower-covered floats.
• Many coastal cities like Newport Beach and San Diego have wonderful Christmas Boat Parades.
• Other cities like Sacramento and San Jose also have large holiday parades.

Connecticut

• Stamford: The UBS Parade Spectacular is held the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Florida

• Fort Lauderdale: The Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade is a huge and popular event on the water.
• Miami: The "Parada de los Reyes Mago" (Three Kings Parade) in Little Havana has been held since 1971.
• Walt Disney World (Magic Kingdom): The Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade is a televised event.
• Many cities across Florida, including Jacksonville, Orlando, and Tampa, host various Christmas and holiday parades, often featuring lighted boats.

Georgia

• Atlanta: The Children's Christmas Parade is held on the first Saturday in December.
• Atlanta also hosts the Peach Bowl Parade around New Year's Day.

Illinois

• Chicago: The McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade and the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival are major events.

Iowa

• Many towns across Iowa, like Anamosa and Cedar Rapids, celebrate with "Festival of Lights" or "Lighted Holiday Parades."

Kentucky

• Owensboro: The Owensboro-Daviess County Christmas Parade is known as "Where Kentucky Starts Christmas."

Louisiana

• New Orleans: The Bayou Classic Thanksgiving Day Parade is a lively event.

Maryland

• Hampden, Baltimore: The Mayor's Annual Christmas Parade is a local favorite.

Massachusetts

• Plymouth: America's Hometown Thanksgiving Parade celebrates the holiday.

Michigan

• Detroit: America's Thanksgiving Parade is a long-standing tradition.
• Many other cities like Midland and Rochester have their own holiday parades.

Minnesota

• Minneapolis: The Minneapolis Holidazzle Parade was a popular nighttime event.

Missouri

• St. Louis: The Ameren St. Louis Thanksgiving Day Parade is a big celebration.

Nevada

• Many cities, including Las Vegas and Reno, host "Parade of Lights" events.

New Jersey

• Various towns like Bridgeton and Woodbridge have holiday parades.

New Mexico

• Albuquerque: The Twinkle Light Parade is a festive sight.

New York

• New York City: The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is one of the most famous parades in the world.
• Other cities like Jamestown and Watertown also have holiday parades.

North Carolina

• Charlotte: The Novant Health Thanksgiving Day Parade is a major event.
• Raleigh: The Raleigh Christmas Parade brings holiday cheer.

Ohio

• Many cities in Ohio, such as Cambridge and Toledo, host Christmas or holiday parades, some with unique themes like "A Dickens of a Christmas."

Oklahoma

• Tulsa: The Tulsa Christmas Parade has been held annually since 1926.

Oregon

• Portland: The Macy's Holiday Parade and the unique Christmas Ship Parade on the water are popular.

Pennsylvania

• Philadelphia: The 6abc Dunkin' Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Mummers Parade on New Year's Day are major traditions.
• Pittsburgh: The Celebrate the Season Parade is a festive event.

South Carolina

• Many counties like Kershaw County host Christmas parades in early December.

Tennessee

• Nashville: The Annual Nashville Gas Christmas Parade is a local favorite.

Texas

• Dallas: The Children's Health Holiday Parade and the Comerica Bank New Year's Parade are big events.
• Houston: The H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade is a large celebration.
• San Antonio: The Ford Holiday River Parade is a unique parade on the river.

Virginia

• Norfolk: The Grand Illumination Parade lights up the city.
• Richmond: The Dominion Christmas Parade is a popular event.

Washington

• Seattle: The Macy's Parade is a well-known holiday tradition.

West Virginia

• Wheeling: The Perkins Restaurant & Bakery Fantasy in Lights Parade is a festive display.

Wisconsin

• Appleton: The Annual Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade is a highlight.
• Many other towns like Jefferson have "Parade of Lights" events.

Wyoming

• Many towns across Wyoming, such as Cheyenne and Gillette, host "Lighted Christmas Parades."
• Ski resorts like Grand Targhee Resort and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort have special New Year's Eve Torchlight Parades.

South America

Chile

• Santiago: The Paris Parade is a popular event.

Colombia

• Medellín: The Desfile de Mitos y Leyendas (Parade of Myths and Legends) has been held every year on December 7th since 1974.

See also

• Santa Claus parade
• List of objects dropped on New Year's Eve