Don’t be a turkey! Be sure to check out Chicago’s 91st annual Thanksgiving Parade

As Chicagoans wipe off their face paint, box up their witch hats, and retire their wigs in the wake of another successful Halloween, the city turns its attention to the fast-approaching holiday season, and with it, one of the city's most cherished cultural institutions, the Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Celebrating its 91st anniversary this year, the Thanksgiving Day Parade has become one of the cornerstones of holiday festivities in the Windy City, with Chicago officials reporting an average of 350k attendees and millions more tuning into the television broadcast each year. 

According to the organizers, the parade originally debuted in 1934 as a one-off event to help lift spirits and spending during the Great Depression. The first iteration ended up being so successful that it was decided to make it an annual tradition, with the parade growing over the years to become one of the premier showcases of Chicago’s cultural tapestry.

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This year’s parade is set to offer an extensive roster of entertainment, sure to provide something exciting for all spectators. According to a press release from the parade organizers, this year will include 25+ local & global marching bands along with two groups all the way from Puebla, Mexico, a wide variety of community dance troupes ranging from the Korean Performing Arts Institute to the Lithuanian Folk Dance Organization, and specialty groups such as the Unicycling Society of America & The Swordplay Guild of Chicago.

This year’s event will be hosted by iHeartRadio Rock 95.5 hosts Maria Palmer & Maris with special guests including 2025 Miss Illinois Nitsaniyah Fitch & Miss Illinois Teen Lillie Brown, as well as a certain visitor from the North Pole expected to delight children along the route.

All of this will be spotlighted alongside procession classics like giant balloons, equestrian groups, acrobats, and of course, everyone’s favorite Thanksgiving mascot, Teddy the Turkey!

The parade will kick off Thanksgiving morning, Thursday, Nov. 27, at 8 a.m. with the procession running along State Street from Ida B. Wells to Randolph in the Loop. Be sure to get there early as good viewing spots go quickly, and for those not able to attend in person, this year’s event will be broadcast on Pluto TV, ensuring everyone has a chance to tune into the can’t-miss holiday spectacle.

So, whether you're a family looking for a festive Thanksgiving morning with the kids, a downtown resident wondering what all that noise is, or just a traveler passing through at the right time, be sure to check out this incredible celebration of Chicago’s unity, heart & heritage.

For more information or to purchase a VIP package, you can visit the parade's official website.