Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

Route

The parade runs from 8 to 10 a.m. It steps off at 7:40 at Ida B. Wells Drive and State Street and heads north on State Street to Randolph Street. Viewing is free along State from Ida B. Wells to Washington Street. The block from Washington to Randolph, in front of Macy's, is seating for the parade's sponsors.

About this happenin

Thanksgiving morning in the Loop means the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, which steps off at Ida B. Wells and State Street and goes north to Randolph. It runs from 8 to 10 a.m., and viewing is free along State from Ida B. Wells to Washington. The seats between Washington and Randolph, in front of Macy's, go to individual sponsors of the parade. It began in 1934 as a Christmas parade, an idea from the State Street Council to lift Depression-era spirits and sales, and it first ran on Thanksgiving Day in 1999, after a stretch on Michigan Avenue. Giant character balloons have been part of it since 1998. More than 500 volunteers make it work, and balloon handlers need previous experience and an on-site training session.

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Where

State Street, Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street · State St & Ida B. Wells Dr, Chicago, IL 60605