Best Christmas Parades in the United States

 

Christmas just doesn’t seem quite the same without a parade. The colorful floats, the marching bands and of course, Santa Claus. Christmas parades appear to capture the Christmas spirit in all of us. It’s best to watch them live but even catching them on TV is quite fascinating. My kids love attending these parades and for a reason. They can get a sneak peak of Santa and the Elves. We get to spend a good family time together. If you want to get into the spirit and attend one of the parades,   here are some of the best Christmas parades in the United States.

Related: Best Christmas Family Getaways in the United States

Best Christmas Parades in the United States

Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade-

The Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade takes place in Baltimore, Maryland. The attendance for this Christmas parade usually reaches around 25,000 each year. The parade route measures 2 ½ miles and features over 100 marching bands, more than 100 Harley Davidson motorcycles, numerous floats, Miss Yuletide, Jr. Miss Yuletide and Santa Claus.

Target Holidazzle Parade-

The Target Holidazzle Parade takes place in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The parade first started in 1992 and attracts around 300,000 people every year. The show features everything from marching bands to choirs to colorful floats to Santa himself. Before the parade starts, various vendors walk along the parade route with colored glow sticks, snowmen dance in the street, and folks wear light-up costumes. The parade also has all sizes of floats with Santa making his appearance at the end.

Christmas Boat Parade-

The Christmas Boat Parade is a yearly event in Newport Beach, California. In 2015, the Christmas Boat Parade will be celebrating their 107th anniversary. The parade was named one of the World’s Best Christmas Parades by Conde Nast Traveler. The parade features more than 100 boats of all different sizes, showcasing moving displays, lights, music, dancers, and decorations. These parade boats consist of everything from canoes to million dollar yachts. The parade route measures 14 miles through the Newport Harbor.

Disney Parks Christmas Day Parade-

The Disney Parks Christmas Parade is aired on Christmas Day but is taped in November in Orlando, Florida. The parade is usually packed with famous performers such as Gavin DeGraw in 2014, The Wanted in 2013, Lady Antebellum in 2012 and Christina Aguilera in 2011. The parade marches down Main Street at Walt Disney World Resort, featuring Disney character appearances from favorites like Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto and Donald Duck. Also included in the parade lineup are floats featuring various celebrities along with marching bands and musical performances.

Have you ever attended one of these Christmas parades? What did you like (or maybe didn’t) the most about them?

7 thoughts on “Best Christmas Parades in the United States”

  1. I grew up in Toronto Ontario Canada and there is a huge Christmas parade there every year. I also have wanted to see the Macy’s parade and the Disney parade they look like a lot of fun the only thing I wouldn’t like would be the cold weather the Disney parade looks like it would be right up my alley but I’m living in Michigan now.

  2. My family and I went to the Disney parade on Christmas Day 7 years ago and it was super! Best parade I have ever seen :D

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